scholarly journals Alt. Health Influencers: how wellness culture and web culture have been weaponised to promote conspiracy theories and far-right extremism during the COVID-19 pandemic

2022 ◽  
pp. 136754942110626
Author(s):  
Stephanie Alice Baker
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Participatory Culture ◽  
The Self ◽  
World Health ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The World

This article examines the proliferation of alt. health influencers during the COVID-19 pandemic. I analyse the self-presentation strategies used by four alt. health influencers to achieve visibility and status on Instagram over a 12-month period from 11 March 2020, when the pandemic was declared by the World Health Organisation. My analysis reveals the ways in which these influencers appeal to the utopian discourses of early web culture and the underlying principles of wellness culture to build and sustain an online following. While early accounts of micro-celebrity treat participatory culture as democratising and progressive, this article demonstrates how the participatory affordances of social media have been exploited to spread misinformation, conspiratorial thinking and far-right extremism. These findings develop previous work on ‘conspirituality’ by demonstrating how wellness culture and web culture can coalesce for authoritarian ends.

scholarly journals Alt. Health Influencers: how wellness culture and web culture have been weaponised to promote COVID-19 conspiracy theories and far-right extremism.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Alice Baker
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Participatory Culture ◽  
World Health ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The World

This article examines the proliferation of alt. health influencers during the COVID-19 pandemic. I analyse the presentation strategies used by four alt. health influencers to achieve visibility and status on Instagram over a 12-month period from the date the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a pandemic on 11 March 2020. My analysis reveals the ways in which these influencers appeal to the utopian discourses of early web culture and the underlying principles of wellness culture to build and sustain an online following. While early accounts of micro-celebrity treat participatory culture as democratising and progressive, this article demonstrates how the participatory affordances of social media have been exploited to spread conspiratorial thinking and far-right extremism. These findings develop previous work on ‘micro-celebrity’ and ‘conspirituality’ by demonstrating how wellness culture and web culture can coalesce for authoritarian ends.

FASHION BLOGGERS AS CELEBRITY EXPERTS IN RUSSIAN-SPOKEN SEGMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 139-156
Author(s):  
Zemfira K. Salamova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Online Platforms ◽  
The World

Social media has contributed to the spread of fashion, style or lifestyle blogging around the world. This study focuses on self-presentation strategies of Russian-speaking fashion bloggers. Its objects are Instagram accounts and YouTube channels of two Russian fashion bloggers: Alexander Rogov and Karina Nigay. The study also observes their appearances as guests in various interview shows on YouTube. Alexander Rogov received his initial fame through his television projects. Karina Nigay achieved popularity online on YouTube and Instagram, therefore she is a “pure” example of Internet celebritiy, whose rise to fame took place on the Internet. The article includes the following objectives 1) to study the self-branding of fashion bloggers on various online platforms; 2) to analyze the construction of fashion bloggers’ expert positions and its role in their personal brands. Turning to fashion blogging allows us to consider how its representatives build their personal brands and establish themselves as experts in the field of fashion and style in Russianlanguage social media.

scholarly journals Protecting public’s wellbeing against COVID-19 infodemic in China: The role of trust in information sources and rapid dissemination and transparency of information

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junxiu Wang ◽  
Airong Zhang ◽  
Yingnan Zhou ◽  
Xiaoliu Liu ◽  
Xuyun Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
The World ◽  
Rapid Dissemination

Abstract Background While the COVID-19 is rapidly spreading around the world, the information and misinformation about the novel virus has also flooded the social media globally. This led to the declaration by World Health Organisation that the world is not only fighting against epidemic but also fighting an infodemic. How media source and the dissemination of information about COVID-19 affect the public’s wellbeing is, however, yet to be empirically examined. The present study aimed to empirically examine how trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media and official media and how the information was disseminated (i.e., rapidity and transparency) affect public’s wellbeing (i.e., positive response and depressive response). Methods At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in China between 24-Jan to 10-Feb 2020, an online survey of 22,718 participants (Mage = 28.41 years old, SD = 9.90; 47.9% being male) was conducted across China. Key measured variables are trust in official media and social media, dissemination and transparency of COVID-19 related information, perceived safety, and emotional response toward COVID-19. Data analysis includes descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modelling. Results The results that trust in the information about COVID-19 from social media was lower than from official media. Trust in these two media sources played different roles in affecting public’s wellbeing. While trust in social media was predominantly associated with heightened depressive response toward COVID-19 pandemic, trust in official media was linked to reduced depressive response and increased positive response. Rapid dissemination and transparency of information was strongly associated with increased trust in official media as well as contributed to increased positive response and reduced depressive response directly and indirectly through perceived safety. Conclusion The findings highlight the important roles of fostering public trust in official media, rapid dissemination and transparency of information in mitigating the negative impact of COVID-19 infodemic on public’s wellbeing.

scholarly journals CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AMBIVALENT POTENTIALS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE IN COVID 19 PANDEMIC CAMPAIGNS

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ephraim Ejimnkeonye Ezebuenyi ◽  
Rosemary Obianuju Ekwunife ◽  
Felicia Chinyere Nweke
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
Social Media Platforms

The fear created by the Coronavirus as seen in the world today and the manner social media is churning out all manner of information (misinformation, disinformation, memes, innuendos, half - truths, lies etc.) about its cure and prevention is creating a situation of uncertainty. The situation becomes more disturbing since none of the claims in social media platforms regarding the therapies and recipes (solutions) for the cure or prevention of COVID-19 has been approved or certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). It seems, however, that only the prevalence of social media can suffice for the provision of adequate, regular and up - to - date information on the pandemic. This can also explain the reason for leveraging social media platforms to enhance fast and wide diffusion of knowledge about Coronavirus all over the world. By its nature, social media allows for information to be readily shared – a role it has seemingly played in the face of the COVID- 19 pandemic - and unlike traditional news outlets there is no filter, no fact - checking and often a lot of bias. It becomes imperative therefore to assess the ambivalent potentials which social media display in the face of COVID- 19 pandemic vis-à-vis the impacts they have on the consumers of the information. The paper adopted the library research approach in which relevant conceptual literatures and empirical studies were analysed with the aim to ascertain whether social media display ambivalence in the campaign against the spread of COVID-19. The paper found, among others that the ambivalent potentials of social media use in the campaign against COVID-19 was glaring. It recommends, among others that consumers of social media products in this period should listen more to and, or check for updates by governments and other authorised agencies such as WHO and CDC rather than relying on unwholesome information from social media platforms.

scholarly journals Review Article on Myths about COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 516-526
Author(s):  
Bharat Jotwani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Review Article ◽  
World Health ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Common People ◽  
The World ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Mind

A substitute disease was recently discovered in Wuhan, China at the beginning of 2019. It is recognized that this disease was caused by a new kind of substitute coronavirus and almost affects the whole world. The 2019-nCov or Wuhan-coronavirus was identified by Chinese investigators. But the World Health Organisation has called it as COVID-19 virus when communicating with the COVID-19 media worldwide as well as in India to prevent doubts and misunderstandings. It has disturbed and made people unstable. In Indian society there are numerous misunderstandings and rumours of coronavirus that cause trepidation in the mind of people. The myths and facts about coronavirus must be discerned so that we can alleviate the panic between people so that adequate precautions can be taken for our safety. This article thus aims to make the common people aware of the myths and the facts. We must understand and keep knowledge of myths through social media so that we can protect you with such harsh evils. At individual levels, people must avoid COVID 19. Appropriate action will be beneficial to the whole world in discreet communities and countries.

A Collaborative Study to Establish the Second International Standard for Streptokinase

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (02) ◽  
pp. 267-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A B Heath ◽  
P J Gaffney
Keyword(s):  
High Purity ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Clot Lysis ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
International Standard ◽  
Accelerated Degradation ◽  
The World ◽  
International Collaborative Study

SummaryAn International Standard for Streptokinase - Streptodomase (62/7) has been used to calibrate high purity clinical batches of SK since 1965. An international collaborative study, involving six laboratories, was undertaken to replace this standard with a high purity standard for SK. Two candidate preparations (88/826 and 88/824) were compared by a clot lysis assay with the current standard (62/7). Potencies of 671 i.u. and 461 i.u. were established for preparations A (88/826) and B (88/824), respectively.Either preparation appeared suitable to serve as a standard for SK. However, each ampoule of preparation A (88/826) contains a more appropriate amount of SK activity for potency testing, and is therefore preferred. Accelerated degradation tests indicate that preparation A (88/826) is very stable.The high purity streptokinase preparation, coded 88/826, has been established by the World Health Organisation as the 2nd International Standard for Streptokinase, with an assigned potency of 700 i.u. per ampoule.

Comparative docking of SARS-CoV-2 receptors antagonists from repurposing drugs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micael Davi Lima de Oliveira ◽  
Kelson Mota Teixeira de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lung Cells ◽  
The Novel ◽  
High Modulation ◽  
Main Protease ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Viral Receptors ◽  
Theoretical Results

According to the World Health Organisation, until 16 June, 2020, the number of confirmed and notified cases of COVID-19 has already exceeded 7.9 million with approximately 434 thousand deaths worldwide. This research aimed to find repurposing antagonists, that may inhibit the activity of the main protease (Mpro) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as partially modulate the ACE2 receptors largely found in lung cells, and reduce viral replication by inhibiting Nsp12 RNA polymerase. Docking molecular simulations were performed among a total of 60 structures, most of all, published in the literature against the novel coronavirus. The theoretical results indicated that, in comparative terms, paritaprevir, ivermectin, ledipasvir, and simeprevir, are among the most theoretical promising drugs in remission of symptoms from the disease. Furthermore, also corroborate indinavir to the high modulation in viral receptors. The second group of promising drugs includes remdesivir and azithromycin. The repurposing drugs HCQ and chloroquine were not effective in comparative terms to other drugs, as monotherapies, against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Use of Phosphatidylcholine in the Treatment of Localized Fat Deposits. Results and expectations

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1438-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorin Berbece ◽  
Dan Iliescu ◽  
Valeriu Ardeleanu ◽  
Alexandru Nicolau ◽  
Radu Cristian Jecan
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
World Health ◽  
Basic Substance ◽  
Physical Exercises ◽  
Fat Deposits ◽  
The World ◽  
The Common ◽  
Global Health Problem ◽  
Over Time

Obesity represents a global health problem. According to the latest studies released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.7 billion currently in excess of normal weight individuals, of which approx. 75% are overweight (body mass index - BMI 25 to 30). The common form of excess adipose tissue manifestation in overweight individuals is localized fat deposits with high (abdominal) or low (buttocks and thighs) disposition. Although the overweight can be corrected relatively easy by changing behavioral habits or food, a constant physical exercises program or following a diet food are not accessible to all through the efforts of will, financial and time involved. Several methods have been studied and tested over time to eliminate more or less invasive fat deposits with varying efficacy and adverse effects. Chemical lipolysis using phosphatidylcholine as the basic substance was initially used in hypercholesterolemia and its complications and was rapidly adopted in mesotherapy techniques for the treatment of fat deposits. This study reveals the results obtained using Dermastabilon on a sample of 16 patients, the time allocated to treatment and discomfort being minimal, and rapid and notable results. There were no side effects.

The Undiscovered Potential of Essential Oils for Treating SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (41) ◽  
pp. 5261-5277
Author(s):  
Peter J. Wilkin ◽  
Minnatallah Al-Yozbaki ◽  
Alex George ◽  
Girish K. Gupta ◽  
Cornelia M. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
World Health ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
The World

On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a pandemic caused by a novel beta-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, designated COVID-19. The virus emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has spread across the world as a global pandemic. The traditional use of medicines from plants can be traced back to 60,000 years. Global interest in the development of drugs from natural products has increased greatly during the last few decades. Essential oils (EOs) have been studied through the centuries and are known to possess various pharmaceutical properties. In the present review, we have highlighted the current biology, epidemiology, various clinical aspects, different diagnostic techniques, clinical symptoms, and management of COVID-19. An overview of the antiviral action of EOs, along with their proposed mechanism of action and in silico studies conducted, is described. The reported studies of EOs' antiviral activity highlight the baseline data about the additive and/or synergistic effects among primary or secondary phytoconstituents found in individual oils, combinations or blends of oils and between EOs and antiviral drugs. It is hoped that further research will provide better insights into EOs' potential to limit viral infection and aid in providing solutions through natural, therapeutically active agents.

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