title: Fueling Hope: Stem Cells in Social Media.
abstract: Social media is broadening opportunities to engage in discussions about biomedical advances such as stem cell research. However, little is known about how information pertaining to stem cells is disseminated on platforms such as Twitter. To fill this gap, we conducted a content analysis of tweets containing (i) a stem cell keyword, and (ii) a keyword related to either spinal cord injury (SCI) or Parkinson disease (PD). We found that the discussion about stem cells and SCI or PD revolves around different aspects of the research process. We also found that the tone of most tweets about stem cells is either positive or neutral. The findings contribute new knowledge about Twitter as a connecting platform for many voices and as a key tool for the dissemination of information about stem cells and disorders of the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: National Core for Neuroethics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada, jrobilla@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Robillard
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hennessey
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Illes
mesh_terms: D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D066275:Health Information Exchange / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000628:therapy; D061108:Social Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*