http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/popular_culture/ A scientific view of popular culture. Read about the role of popular culture, mass media and public opinion on society. en-us Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/popular_culture/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103615.htm Nearly half of the 3- to 6-year-old girls in a new study worry about being fat. The study surprisingly concluded that the girls did not appear to be influenced by short video clips of stereotypically beautiful, thin princesses in animated children's movies. But it's still important for parents to use "The Princess and the Frog" and other movies to start conversations with their children about weight, skin color and their perceptions of beauty. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124103615.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109142127.htm Project Safe Neighborhoods -- a community-based policing effort launched in 2001 -- has been largely successful in its goal of reducing violent crime, according to a new analysis. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109142127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm In a new study, the amount of television viewed by many young children in child care settings doubles the previous estimates of early childhood screen time, with those in home-based settings watching significantly more on average than those in center-based daycares. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091123083654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194124.htm Merely observing someone publicly blame an individual in an organization for a problem -- even when the target is innocent -- greatly increases the odds that the practice of blaming others will spread with the tenacity of the H1N1 flu. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091119194124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202847.htm You can improve your second-language listening ability by watching the movie with subtitles -- as long as these subtitles are in the same language as the film. Subtitles in one's native language, the default in some European countries, may actually be counter-productive to learning to understand foreign speech, according to a new study. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110202847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm Last year, the United States provided asylum and resettlement assistance for nearly 80,700 people from other countries, an increase from 71,300 individuals in 2007, according to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Health experts say the increase has made issues of immigrant and refugee violence and the need for effective intervention strategies more apparent. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110090903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm A professor of library and information science says that comic books are just as sophisticated as other forms of literature, and children benefit from reading them at least as much as they do from reading other types of books. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104181155.htm Childhood obesity in the United States is reaching epidemic proportions. With more than one fourth of advertising on daytime and prime time television devoted to foods and beverages and continuing questions about the role television plays in obesity, a new study examines how food advertising aimed at children might be a large contributor to the problem. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104181155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171413.htm Three-year-old children who are exposed to more TV appear to be at an increased risk for exhibiting aggressive behavior, according to a new report. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028142237.htm People who watch forensic and crime dramas on TV are more likely than nonviewers to have a distorted perception of America's criminal justice system, according to new research. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028142237.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114351.htm More students than ever before have been accepted onto science and engineering related degree courses this autumn, according to the University and Colleges Admissions Service in the UK. Science is also now the most popular subject at school according to a new poll of children aged 5 to 18. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172628.htm Everyone tends to float off into space once in a while and fail to see what is sitting there right in front of them. Recently researchers decided to put the theory of "inattentional blindness" to the test: the unicycling clown test. They documented real-world examples of people who were so distracted by their cell phone use that they failed to see the bizarre occurrence of a unicycling clown passing them on the street. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112637.htm Watching television has no significant impact on viewers' knowledge about the issue of climate change, a new study suggests. However, reading newspapers and using the Web seem to contribute to people's knowledge about this issue. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016112637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104336.htm New research suggests that the change in popularity of babies' names over time increasingly influences naming decisions in the United States. Like momentum traders in the stock market, parents today appear to favor names that have recently risen in popularity relative to names that are on the decline. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013104336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192733.htm Researchers studied the drinking habits of 9,833 15- to 16-year-olds in the North West of England, finding that excessively low cost alcohol products and illicit purchase are strongly related to harmful underage drinking. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192733.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081351.htm A new study finds that US children are routinely exposed to even more violence and abuse than has been previously recognized, with nearly half experiencing a physical assault in the study year. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161330.htm A recent study shows that individuals who have experienced violence at an early age may have trouble adjusting to healthy, adult romantic relationships and are at a higher risk to experience marital difficulties. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930084600.htm Pre- and post-menopausal women who self-rated themselves as being sexually satisfied had a higher overall psychological well-being score and scores for "positive well-being" and "vitality," compared with sexually dissatisfied women in a study of 295 women sexually active more than twice a month. The study also uncovered a positive association between age and well-being, but a negative association for general health. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930084600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102528.htm Results of a new study warn against glamorizing celebrity suicides in the media. The study has found evidence that the increasing reach and influence of the media, combined with a growing number of people assigned celebrity status, could increase the probability of widespread suicide pandemics. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172536.htm A new study reports that women who feel more positively about women's genitals find it easier to orgasm and are more likely to engage in sexual health promoting behaviors. The study created a scale for measuring attitudes toward women's genitals. Such a scale could be useful in therapeutic, medical and health education settings. The study also found that men had more positive attitudes about women's genitals than women. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095458.htm Software developed by a UK researcher could spell the end for future melody plagiarism. The research focuses on how to predict court decisions on music plagiarism using cognitive similarity algorithms. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231900.htm As London Fashion Week comes to a close, women working in the engineering, science, technology and construction sectors are calling on clothing manufacturers to fashion better and safer clothing for women. The Women’s Engineering Society is launching a survey on their website for women working in science, engineering, technological and construction industries to share their stories about work wear and safety clothing. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924231900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162156.htm Hummer drivers believe they are defending America's frontier lifestyle against anti-American critics, according to a new study. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921162156.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174319.htm Two new expert commentaries released in the Sept. 16 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience spotlight the increasingly violent animal rights attacks and the need for an educated public and engaged research community to ensure the safety of animals and researchers, as well as the continuation of health advances. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111528.htm The impact of hate crime is deep and widespread, says new research. Important new research by criminologists challenges existing stereotypes about the nature and impact of hate crime offending. While the term ‘hate crime’ conjures up images of violent acts committed by hate-fuelled extremists, the research suggests that many hate crimes are in fact lower-level forms of harassment committed by so-called ‘normal’ people who may not necessarily ‘hate’ their victim. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911103805.htm Successful entrepreneurs turn big ideas into successful business opportunities, but how should they protect those ideas? A new paper offers a "how-to" guide on intellectual property protection, laying out the options for budding entrepreneurs as they consider how to move forward. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090911103805.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910091340.htm To identify how the demand for health stories is met, researchers surveyed national health journalists about their development of story ideas and use of expert sources and public relations materials. The researchers found that health journalists determine what information is newsworthy by examining the work of their peers and the issues raised by their colleagues and audiences. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910091340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122106.htm The prevailing wisdom among many scientists and scientific organizations is that, as a rule, scientists are press shy, and those who aren't are mavericks. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122106.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904103525.htm Homicide rates are closely linked to the form of political economy that runs a nation, according to a new study. Researchers claim that homicide rates are significantly higher in nations in neo-liberal politics where free market forces are allowed free rein, such as the USA, but are significantly lower in nations governed by social-democratic policies which still characterize most Western European nations. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904103525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115809.htm Findings from a national survey of Americans by researchers says that Americans do believe the "myths" about health care reform, confirming that the White House may indeed be losing this battle. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824115809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824182542.htm Marketers have always known they must carefully choose where they place their ads, but a new study shows that even the nearby content in a publication -- its difficulty and design -- affect consumers' perception and acceptance of the ad message. They also found that the ad's relationship to the editorial material affected consumer acceptance. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090824182542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820175857.htm A new study has found a striking correlation between teenage viewership and the frequency of alcohol advertising on cable television. The findings show that ads for beer, spirits and "alcopop" aired much more frequently when more teens were watching. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820175857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142420.htm A new study finds that the 18- to 24-year-old demographic became more politically active during the 2008 U.S. election season through the use of new media, but that the young adults were not necessarily more knowledgeable about politics. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810122131.htm Researchers have found that support for government-sponsored health insurance for individuals under age 65 remains virtually the same regardless of how the plan is described or how involved the government would be. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810122131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025247.htm Women who hold supervisory positions are more likely to be sexually harassed at work, according to the first-ever, large-scale longitudinal study to examine workplace power, gender and sexual harassment. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142502.htm Being a victim of sexual assault and seeking help is difficult for anyone, but when the victim is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer the thought of reporting a crime may well be laced with added layers of uncertainty and mistrust, according to a new study. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025245.htm U.S. prisons are too punitive, and often fail to rehabilitate, but targeting prisoners' behavior, reducing prison populations and offering job skills could reduce prisoner aggression and prevent recidivism, says one leading researcher. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803132746.htm New research demonstrates that individuals believe they have more restraint than they actually possess -- ultimately leading to poor decision-making. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803132746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090009.htm British psychologists are inviting the public to take part in an ambitious five-day experiment that aims to boost the UK's happiness. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090009.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729140931.htm The first comprehensive census of video game characters finds Latinos nearly invisible and women and other groups underrepresented. Combined with wide reach of video games and heavy play by minorities, findings suggest lack of representation in games may have significant social impacts. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729140931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729074156.htm The assumption that gangs are at the root of gun crime in the UK is overstated, according to a new study. Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729074156.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728111405.htm A new study found that California newspapers located closer to the border of Mexico routinely provide a more negative slant on immigration in general news reporting and on their opinion pages than the state's newspapers located further away from the border. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728111405.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715090635.htm While attending university, men are equally likely as women to have been victims of physical or emotional violence, and that violence is often linked to drinking, according to a new study. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715090635.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090713170759.htm By observing the global flow of news online, computer scientists have managed to track and analyze the "news cycle" -- the way stories rise and fall in popularity. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090713170759.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124856.htm The process of homosexual identity formation among Asian and Pacific Islander youth, where the role of family life, personal sacrifice for family tranquility and generational clashes are central social stresses, has led researchers to develop a new intellectual framework for the development of positive/sexual identities for this Asian-American group. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707094531.htm The journalist recalls more or less what Ulla Schmidt said regarding the health reform, but needs the exact wording to be able to cite her. A new speech recognition system helps to search TV broadcasts. It does not need to be updated and so does not entail any running costs. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707094531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm Researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074629.htm Over the years, research has shown that Latino youth face numerous risk factors when integrating into American culture, including increased rates of alcohol and substance use and higher rates of dropping out of school. But a new study shows adolescents who actively embrace their native culture - and whose parents become more involved in U.S. culture - stand a greater chance of avoiding these risks and developing healthier behaviors overall. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625074629.htm