Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland developed a new method, Sailfish, that dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression from RNA sequencing data. The method can complete its analysis in a few minutes, with accuracy equal to or exceeding previous methods.
A computer program has identified various subtypes of asthma, including one associated with poor quality of life and depression in obese women. The analysis used machine learning algorithms to track 112 variables for nearly 400 people, leading to potential personalized treatments.
Carnegie Mellon University's Paul Eiss explores the 'narcomedia,' digital messaging used by Mexican drug cartels and government forces, revealing a nuanced conflict with shades of gray. The use of narcomessages has increased violence, physical attacks on journalists, and censorship.
A new model developed by Bruno Ribeiro at Carnegie Mellon University assesses the viability of membership-based websites and social networks. The model successfully predicted the sustainability of six years' worth of user statistics for 22 membership-based websites, separating self-sustaining from unsustainable sites.
Researchers found that human-designed RNA molecules performed better than computer-generated ones, with an average success rate of 99% compared to 95%. The EteRNA community's insights into RNA design are advancing the science and could lead to new treatments for diseases like HIV.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers Roberta Klatzky and J. David Creswell develop a new sensory integration model to explain the mechanisms underlying unconscious priming, which affects how we think and behave in social contexts. The model provides a clearer understanding of when and why primes influence behavior.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University's George Loewenstein and Georgetown University's Sunita Sah found that when COIs can be avoided, disclosure successfully deters advisers from accepting them. In experiments, advisers were more likely to give unbiased advice when they could avoid conflicts of interest.
A soft wearable robot developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers enables natural motions in the ankle, aiding patients with ankle-foot disorders. The device uses soft plastics and pneumatic artificial muscles to achieve a range of motion similar to a normal walking gait.
Researchers analyzed five million images associated with 48 brands to identify visual concepts and keywords. The study complements online text data analysis and suggests new directions for computer vision in electronic commerce.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new approach to password management that leverages shared visual cues to enable users to remember multiple passwords. By pairing short stories with photos, the system generates unique, strong passwords for multiple accounts, promoting secure and easy password management.
A multi-university project aims to create inclusive user experiences on the internet, developing methods for software modification, authentication schemes, and crowdsourcing to increase accessibility for all. Researchers will explore ways to make web pages more accessible for people with disabilities.
Carnegie Mellon and Temple researchers found that improving learning depends on multiple factors, leading to an vast number of instructional options. The study offers five recommendations to maximize the potential of educational research behind practice and student learning.
The Never Ending Image Learner (NEIL) program analyzes 3 million images, identifying 1,500 object types and 2,500 associations, and develops a growing visual database to enhance computer vision capabilities. NEIL's findings are made available online, providing insights into common sense knowledge that humans take for granted.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that adolescents who drink alone are more likely to develop alcohol problems in early adulthood. These solitary drinkers are also heavier drinkers and use alcohol to cope with negative emotions.
Researchers create a new password system, GOTCHA, that incorporates inkblots to protect high-value accounts from stolen passwords. Users describe inkblots with text phrases, making it harder for computers to crack the password.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that repeating rare events can improve detection rates for security screeners. The researchers used a simulation to show that exposure to multiple threat events reduced the error rate from 45% to 25%. This technique could be applied to other occupations prone to inattentional blindness, such as ...
Edmund Clarke receives Bower Prize for his work on Model Checking, while Mark Kryder is awarded Benjamin Franklin Medal for Perpendicular Magnetic Recording. Both professors have made significant contributions to the field of information technology.
Carnegie Mellon researchers found an association between childhood socioeconomic status and adult telomere length, which affects cold susceptibility. Participants with parents of lower socioeconomic status had shorter telomeres and were more likely to develop the common cold.
Researchers will use Tiramisu Transit to understand how real-time trip information and community dialog empower accessible travel. The center will also design faster, safer, and more accessible boarding and disembarking processes for buses. Additionally, the team will develop software systems to help riders during multi-modal trips.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing robotic rotorcraft for inspecting bridges, tools for minimally invasive surgery, and assistive robots for blind travelers. The National Science Foundation has awarded $7 million to support these projects.
Researchers developed Lumitrack, a motion tracking technology that uses projectors and sensors to track movements with sub-millimeter accuracy. The system achieves near real-time response and low latency, making it suitable for gaming and other applications.
A three-year program using robotic technology will be implemented in non-technical middle school classes in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The goal is to identify and nurture students with an affinity for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
A new computational tool called ExpressionBlast enables searches based on experimental values, revealing links between diseases and treatments. Researchers used the tool to uncover clues about SIRT6, a potentially important drug target involved in immune response, metabolism, and gender-specific gene regulation.
Carnegie Mellon researchers used Twitter analysis to predict NFL game outcomes and found a 55% accurate method for beating the spread. However, their analysis was limited by the rapidly changing nature of Twitter and the skill of sports books in setting point spreads.
DNA identification technology is essential for humanitarian efforts, yet unequal access restricts its use. International structures are necessary to promote fair and efficient access, prevent misuse, and ensure victim rights.
New findings reveal that inhibitory neurons fire less frequently in young brains, allowing for heightened plasticity and learning. In contrast, adult brains exhibit stronger inhibitory neurons, which can impede learning and make it more difficult to acquire new skills.
A new $3.75 million project aims to teach computers to read and evaluate lengthy privacy policies using crowdsourcing, machine learning and natural language processing. The project will create user-friendly digests that highlight policy elements most relevant to users.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers analyzed over 3 million news articles and Twitter profiles to create a system that characterizes the content of shared articles based on readers' self-described interests. This approach provides a consistent and reliable means of representing content, enabling better performance ...
A study by Carnegie Mellon University's George Loewenstein found that Americans struggle to comprehend traditional health insurance concepts like deductibles and co-insurance. A simplified insurance plan with copays appealed more to consumers, who were better able to compute costs and make informed decisions.
Researchers discovered a high internal pressure within the human herpes simplex virus 1 that enables it to eject its DNA into a host cell's nucleus. This pressure is a key mechanism for viral infection across organisms and presents new opportunities for broad-based, mutation-resistant antiviral treatments.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of California, Berkeley, simulated almost every important configuration of cloth after six months of computation. The team developed an iterative technique that continuously samples cloth motions, automatically detecting areas where data is lacking or where errors occur.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon and Microsoft have developed InfraStructs, internal tags that can be encoded inside 3D-printed objects, enabling tracking and sensing capabilities. Terahertz imaging technology allows for safe penetration of common materials, paving the way for various applications beyond inventory management.
The app compensates for touchscreens' 'fat finger' problem by automatically correcting drawing strokes while preserving artistic style. A large database of celebrity photos was generated through an iPhone game, providing insights into art and perception.
Researchers developed TAML activators to remove hazardous endocrine disruptors from water, testing their safety on zebrafish embryos. The study found that the molecules were non-toxic at typical concentrations but three out of seven showed impairment at higher doses.
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that providing recommended calorie intake information on menus does not encourage consumers to make healthier food choices. Despite this, policymakers have continued to rely on menu labeling as a tool in the fight against obesity.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University created an artificial cellular system with varying levels of molecular crowding to study its effects on gene expression. The findings suggest that tight quarters enhance gene expression in artificial cells.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have identified which emotion a person is experiencing based on brain activity using machine learning techniques. The study, led by Karim Kassam, achieved high accuracy levels in identifying emotions from fMRI data and has potential applications in assessing emotional responses to various stimuli.
Research from Carnegie Mellon University finds that volunteering decreases the risk of hypertension by 40% in older adults, suggesting a positive lifestyle factor. The study suggests that social connections and interactions through volunteer work can promote healthy aging and reduce disease risk.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a method for tracking individuals in complex nursing home settings using video cameras. The technique used multiple cues such as apparel color, person detection, trajectory and facial recognition to track 13 people with an accuracy of 88%, outperforming leading algorithms.
The autonomous robot will test technologies and techniques for exploring life on Mars, with a focus on gathering scientific data. Zoë is equipped with a one-meter drill to bore deep into the ground and analyze soil samples using instruments like the Mars Microbeam Raman Spectrometer.
Researchers found synapses get stronger initially but then quickly weaken through a transitional phase, making them more vulnerable to further stimulation. This discovery suggests ways to control learning by manipulating biochemical pathways that maintain memory.
Leslie Ungerleider will receive the inaugural Andrew Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences for her groundbreaking research on brain functions and their relevance to public health. Her neurobehavioral theory has revolutionized the understanding of human vision, setting high standards for cognitive neuroscience.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a process called Lifelong Robotic Object Discovery (LROD) that enables a two-armed robot to discover objects using color video, Kinect depth camera, and non-visual information. The robot can refine its understanding of objects over time, focusing on those most relevant to its goal.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that self-affirmation can protect against the negative effects of stress on problem-solving performance. Participants who underwent a brief self-affirmation exercise showed improved problem-solving abilities under time pressure, suggesting a potential strategy for boosting performance.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a zooming technique called ZoomBoard that allows users to enter text into small devices like smartwatches. With the ability to tap and swipe on screens, users can enter approximately 10 words per minute with high accuracy.
A pilot study by Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern University found that input from social media and crowdsourcing sites helped students identify human needs, generate ideas, and test concepts. The project showed promise for incorporating online crowds into coursework to teach innovation.
Researchers developed a statistical modeling approach to assemble and evaluate the fitness of individual neurons, identifying diverse yet robust populations as the most successful. This method can help understand the importance of neuronal diversity and predict how alterations in neuron variability impact function.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system called WorldKit that enables users to create personalized touch-based interfaces with gestures. The system uses a ceiling-mounted camera and projector to record room geometries, sense hand gestures, and project images on desired surfaces.
A research project called Polly has demonstrated the potential for teaching poorly educated people about automated voice services. The system, which adds funny sound effects to recorded messages, has been used by over 160,000 people, including some non-Pakistanis, and has handled almost 2.5 million calls.
The MacArthur Foundation has awarded Carnegie Mellon University a $175,000 grant to investigate the role of social media and big data analytics in advancing human rights protection. The project aims to analyze the effectiveness of these technologies in gathering and analyzing data on human suffering and political repression.