Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a modular robot that can replicate the sharp turns of real sidewinder rattlesnakes. By analyzing the snakes' complex motion, they discovered how to change the phase and amplitude of two wave motions to achieve exceptional maneuverability.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that when smartphone users learn the frequency of app location sharing, they quickly limit further sharing. Participants who received daily 'privacy nudges' detailing their app's access to sensitive information restricted permissions more than those who used an app permission manager.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have traced the brain processes that occur during learning of technical concepts. They found that new knowledge is built up in the brain through multiple stages, involving different parts of the brain, and that appropriate instruction can bring out fundamental understanding at a deep level.
Researchers discovered a new pathway in the brain's striatum where several areas communicate to make spatial decisions, such as estimating where to swing a bat or finding a car. This knowledge may lead to improved treatments for Parkinson's disease by strengthening damaged pathways.
Researchers found that somatostatin neurons temporarily cloak synapses in the neocortex, silencing neighboring excitatory neurons and altering brain circuit structure. This discovery could dramatically change how we understand and use the connectome.
Mindfulness training reduces stress by increasing prefrontal activity, regulating the biological stress response. This can help prevent diseases like depression, HIV, and heart disease. The study provides an evidence-based biological account of mindfulness training's effects on health.
Researchers argue that reliable information is hard to identify among growing medical care advertisements online, potentially influencing patients' decisions. They recommend clearly labeling hospital websites as advertisements and allocating resources to create balanced online informational tools.
Carnegie Mellon researchers highlight the challenges of navigating complex tradeoffs in privacy decision-making, citing context dependence and malleability of privacy concerns. Effective policies must focus on achieving a greater balance of power between individuals and data holders to protect privacy.
New research reveals that individuals with autism display 'idiosyncratic' brain synchronization patterns, which are distinct from those of typically developing individuals. This finding has significant implications for early diagnosis and future treatments of the disorder.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing machine learning algorithms to analyze ads for sex services posted on websites, helping law enforcement track down sex traffickers. The tools will also be useful in indexing the Deep Web, a hidden part of the internet that contains illicit content.
A study published in PNAS found that individuals with prosopagnosia can still recognize human movements, engaging different brain mechanisms. The research team used point-light displays to test patients with brain damage preventing facial recognition, revealing a neural process for comprehending actions independent of the actor.
Researchers have linked specific neurons to a type of somatosensation, opening the door for a better understanding of our sense of touch. The study found that these neurons respond uniquely to certain tactile stimuli and receive direct synaptic input from other brain regions.
Carnegie Mellon University will receive a five-year, $2 million grant to train humanities PhD students in digital scholarship and TEL. The courses will be available online, open to anyone, and include fellowships for students pursuing thesis work involving digital humanities or TEL.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that greater social support and more frequent hugs can protect people from getting sick, with the physical act of hugging playing a key role in reducing susceptibility to infection. This study found that hugs were responsible for one-third of the protective effect of social support.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used brain-reading techniques to identify altered 'thought-markers' of autism, detecting changes in the way certain concepts are represented in the brains of autistic individuals. This biological approach shows promise for complementing clinical assessments and enabling quicker diagnoses.
Researchers warn that social media datasets may be misleading due to built-in population biases and algorithmic changes. Scientists need to correct or acknowledge these biases to ensure accurate results.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used fMRI scans to analyze brain activity while eight people read a chapter of Harry Potter. The result was the first integrated computational model of reading, identifying which parts of the brain are responsible for parsing sentences and determining word meaning.
Anna V. Fisher, Carnegie Mellon University associate professor of psychology, receives a $600,000 award to study the emergence of higher-order cognition in children. Her work explores how individual differences and developmental changes contribute to children's ability to make inferences based on non-obvious commonalities.
A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Kathryn Roeder and the University of Pittsburgh's Bernie Devlin has identified 33 genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study analyzed data from over 14,000 DNA samples and found that small differences in some of possibly 1,000 risk genes can increase autism risk.
Researchers advocate for massive online laboratories to prevent errors and fraud in life sciences research. These online labs use videogames to engage non-professional investigators and promote transparency, reducing the risk of scientific fraud and cherry-picking.
A five-year project will create a large, distributed infrastructure called LearnSphere to securely store data on student learning. By accessing over 550 datasets, course developers and instructors can improve teaching and learning through data-driven design.
Carnegie Mellon researchers show viral DNA transforms from solid to fluid-like state at infection temperature, facilitating infection. This phase transition could be a promising new target for antiviral therapies, which may avoid drug resistance.
Researchers will merge biophysical and statistical approaches to create detailed computational models of neuronal activity. This could reveal insights into how proteins regulate computations in neurons, potentially shedding light on complex brain diseases.
The researchers emphasize the need for clear communication of science to policymakers and the general public to make informed decisions. They offer a communication protocol that involves identifying relevant facts, characterizing uncertainties, and assessing their magnitude.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a programmable headlight system that prevents glare from hitting oncoming drivers, improving visibility in snowy or rainy conditions. The system can adjust the light beam to highlight traffic lanes and even project directional signals.
Researchers Brooke Feeney and Nancy L. Collins identify two support functions that help individuals thrive through close relationships: source of strength (SOS) support and relational catalyst (RC) support. SOS support enables individuals to cope with stress, while RC support fosters opportunities for growth and positive well-being.
Scientists found that brain activity patterns are shaped by neural connectivity and have limitations on how adaptable they are during learning. The study used a brain-computer interface to train animals and showed that subjects learned easier-to-learn patterns more readily, while harder-to-learn patterns were entirely new.
A new review paper explores the use of dimensionality reduction in neuroscience to uncover the complexity of brain function. By analyzing the activity of hundreds of neurons concurrently, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how the brain distinguishes between different odors, makes decisions under uncertainty, and thinks abo...
A new study reveals that neurons in the brain's inferotemporal cortex fire strongly and selectively when exposed to familiar images, especially those seen many times before. This finding suggests that the brain uses this mechanism to track a rapidly changing visual environment and may lead to improvements in perception and cognition.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have designed a new programming language called Wyvern that allows programmers to use targeted domain-specific languages within the same program. This approach protects against code injection attacks by identifying the type of data being manipulated and using corresponding sublanguages.
Researchers developed a technique to semi-automatically align 3-D models with photo geometry, estimating environmental illumination and appearance. This system enables realistic edits by fitting models into the photo's geometry and applying colors, textures, and lighting consistent with the image.
Researchers developed novel protein/polymer nanostructures, reminiscent of living cell fibers, for material fabrication. The modified GFP molecules formed long fibers that disassembled with sound waves and reassembled within days.
An international team of researchers devises precise method for calculating galaxy masses using gravity and expansion data. The new study shows the Milky Way has only half the mass of its neighbor Andromeda.
A new computational method developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers can identify gene regulatory networks in breast cancer cells, revealing potential molecular targets for therapy. This approach has the potential to speed up drug development and improve treatment outcomes by identifying flawed drugs earlier.
Using new statistical tools, researchers found that about 52% of autism cases are linked to common genes, while spontaneous mutations account for only 2.6%. Inheritability outweighs environmental risk in the disorder.
Researchers developed a technique for estimating visibility using motion as a cue, enabling large-scale 3D motion reconstruction without markers. The Panoptic Studio used 480 video cameras to create detailed reconstructions of volleyball games and confetti cascades.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University discovered that brief mindfulness meditation practice alleviates psychological stress. The study showed that even just three consecutive days of 25-minute mindfulness sessions can reduce stress levels.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed LiveLight, a video summarization technique that evaluates action in videos and ignores repetitive sequences. The method produces a miniature video trailer that enables viewers to quickly grasp the essence of an event or security footage.
Research led by Carnegie Mellon University shows social integration influences pulmonary function in the elderly, with more social roles improving health and happiness. The study also rejects the idea that marriage is the only social role required for health benefits.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that negative social interactions significantly increase the risk of hypertension among older adults. Women were more affected by these interactions than men, and relationships with friends and family led to a higher risk of developing hypertension.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that too much visual stimulation can distract young children from learning. The study showed that children in highly decorated classrooms were more likely to be off-task and demonstrated smaller learning gains compared to those in sparse classrooms.
Researchers created a prototype automated system to check millions of lines of code for consistency with privacy promises. They employed a new language, Legalease, and used Grok to annotate existing programs, allowing for high accuracy in compliance checks.
Scientists discovered that oxidized organic compounds play a crucial role in new particle formation and growth. This finding contributes to better understanding of the connection between clouds and climate, shedding light on the complex process of cloud formation.
Carnegie Mellon researchers will test the eXpressive Internet Architecture (XIA) in vehicular networks and for delivering online video. The deployment aims to eliminate bottlenecks in video transmission, which accounts for most internet traffic.
The Carnegie Mellon team developed an algorithm that generates robust architectures for computer networks by analyzing the evolution of molecular connections in yeast cells. This approach can help understand how networks respond to cascading failures and external threats, offering insights into designing secure systems.
A study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that providing digital feedback after medication taking improved adherence rates, promptness, and correctness. Participants who received ongoing feedback showed significant improvements compared to those who didn't, suggesting a beneficial effect of continuous monitoring.
A new 3D printer developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research can turn wool and wool blend yarns into fabric objects. The device produces 3D objects made of a form of loose felt reminiscent of hand-knitted materials.
Carnegie Mellon University has received a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to develop a new mathematical approach using Homotopy Type Theory, a connection between abstract geometry and computational logic. The research aims to provide a computational foundation for mathematics and improve theoretical computer science.
A study found that people reflected more on past events and developed a renewed interest in their online photos when a device called Photobox would randomly print four or five of those photos at varying intervals each month. This slower pace re-engage users with their own photos, making them a regular part of their everyday life.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Kinetica, a visualization approach that allows users to explore complex data using natural gestures on the iPad. The system converts tabular data into colored spheres, enabling users to sort, filter, and manipulate data points with ease.