Daily Bits

research

No, Facebook Does Not Cause Depression

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Facebook and Depression

I don’t know why I am such a sucker for these studies, when I know for a fact that I will be confronted with something that is either a no brainer or something totally vague and/or ludicrous. Still, I find myself reading studies, the results of studies, and potential studies…Whatever floats my boat, right?

For sure, you have seen at least one study claiming that Facebook – or maybe some other social network – is the cause of depression. Or dementia. Or some other negative mental or emotional state. Whether you were nodding your head as you read those articles or you were vigorously shaking it in denial, here is another study that might catch your attention as it did mine: Facebook does not cause depression, apparently. [Read more…] about No, Facebook Does Not Cause Depression

Technology Withdrawal = Adults Act Like Babies

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adult baby
How attached are you to your gadgets? Which gadget/s do you always – and I mean always – have with you?

While it used to be that certain gadgets were limited to those who absolutely needed them (read: beepers for doctors, if you even still remember those devices), today, we know that gadgets are as ubiquitous as clothing. That in itself is not necessarily a negative thing, but if we analyze the degree of attachment to gadgets, we may find out some surprising – or not-so-suprising – things.

Intel recently conducted a study of 2,500 American adults, with the goal of determining the effects of being detached from their gadgets for a period of time. [Read more…] about Technology Withdrawal = Adults Act Like Babies

Sarcastic Computers Coming to a Store Near You

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Sarcastic Computers
Frank and Goodman

How would you like to have a conversation with a computer and feel like you’re actually talking to a human being?

That would be the dream of many a person, I suppose, but what if we throw in a healthy dose of sarcasm? Would the prospect still entice you?

If the work of Michael Frank and Noah Goodman – both assistant professors at the esteemed institution Stanford – pans out, then we might very well have sarcastic computers at our disposal in the future. [Read more…] about Sarcastic Computers Coming to a Store Near You

Are You Digitally Dominant?

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Digital devices
Technology can either be a boon or a bane, depending on how it is used. I suppose hardly anyone will say out loud that they are addicted to digital devices, but it seems that the dangers of this kind of addiction are very much real.

In a recent study conducted by dnx, a digital marketing agency, the terms techno-addict and digitally dominant have come up, both referring to individuals whose lives revolve around communication via text, email, video calls, and other digital means. ((Source)) [Read more…] about Are You Digitally Dominant?

3D Print Your Own Pills

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3D Print Pills
Pills

Hold your horses! It is not possible to have your own drugstore at home just yet, but the likelihood of being able to print your own pills is high. You can thank Professor Lee Cronin, who is the Gardiner Chair of Chemistry at the University for this.

He has conducted research into the possibility of using a 3D printer to make reactionware. This refers to containers made of a polymer gel. Chemicals are then added to the reactionware, which can then result in various applications – including medication. [Read more…] about 3D Print Your Own Pills

Smartphone Use an Indication of Wealth?

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Blackberry
I would never really have thought about it, but a Reuters article got me thinking. ((Source: Reuters)) A study was conducted by The Luxury Institute, with the goal of finding out how wealthy consumers used their smartphones. In other words, they studied the app usage among the members of this sector.

The conclusion? Wealthy people tend to use their smartphones more for apps geared towards finance, travel, and news. They do not seem to have a proclivity for social apps like Twitter or for gaming apps. [Read more…] about Smartphone Use an Indication of Wealth?