Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's MILLEE Project developed two educational mobile phone games that helped Chinese children increase their knowledge of Chinese characters. The cooperative learning encouraged by the games contributed to character learning.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $10 million to build and operate PRObE, a one-of-a-kind computer systems research center in Los Alamos. The center will provide large-scale systems research capabilities, targeting high-performance and data-intensive computing.
A global consortium led by Carnegie Mellon aims to develop technology-based methods for measuring students' understanding of STEM coursework. The Measuring Learning Consortium, supported by HP Catalyst Initiative, will create a new breed of technology-enabled embedded assessments to measure STEM competencies.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that doctors rationalize accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies as a form of reward for their educational sacrifices. This rationalization increased their willingness to accept gifts, with the most significant impact when physicians were reminded of their medical training burdens.
A new method devised by Carnegie Mellon researchers enables computers to gain a deeper understanding of an image by reasoning about physical constraints. The method uses virtual blocks to build a three-dimensional approximation of the scene, improving accuracy in estimating layout and surface details.
Carnegie Mellon University has received a five-year, $3.15 million grant to launch an interdisciplinary program exploring the environmental affects and policy implications of nanotechnology. Graduate students from multiple disciplines will participate in a two-year training program to learn about environmental issues pertaining to nano...
Carnegie Mellon researchers found that heterogeneous groups of neurons transmit twice as much information as homogeneous groups. This diversity is essential for overall brain function and may also play a role in neurological disorders like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
The eXpressive Internet Architecture (XIA) Project aims to develop a next-generation network architecture that fixes security and reliability deficiencies threatening the Internet's viability. XIA will include intrinsic security features, enabling users to ensure the legitimacy of websites and documents they access.
Researchers will create novel tools for evaluating social interactions and behaviors to diagnose or treat autism. The project aims to develop a new discipline of computational behavioral science, transforming the study of human behavior with technologies like computer vision and machine learning.
The Steinbrenner Institute is helping Heritage Community Initiatives train local workers to create a pool of green collar employees. The program has spawned over 800,000 green collar workers nationwide and provides skills in industries like construction, deconstruction, and home energy retrofits.
The development enhances fluoromodule technology by making probes glow five- to seven-times brighter than EGFP, allowing researchers to monitor biological activities in real-time. Dendron-based dyedrons amplify the signal emitted by fluoromodules, providing a single compact protein tag with signal enhancement.
Yoed Rabin is developing biothermal technologies for cryopreservation and cryosurgery using vitrification, glassy materials, and wireless temperature sensors.
The new fluorescent biosensor could aid in the development of drugs targeting GPCRs, a crucial class of proteins present in cells. The biosensor uses fluoromodules to monitor protein activity and provides a homogeneous assay that can screen large numbers of molecules to identify new drug leads.
Carnegie Mellon University has launched a $7 million initiative to increase U.S. enrollments in computer science and STEM fields by leveraging students' interest in robots. The program, called Fostering Innovation through Robotics Exploration (FIRE), will develop new tools and competitions to attract more young people to these careers.
The new partnership aims to address the need for smart alternative energy sources and prepare students for the emerging industry. The Smart Grid Research Center will focus on developing reliable, affordable, secure, clean, and efficient energy systems.
The maglev haptic interface, developed at Carnegie Mellon since 1997, provides highly realistic feedback for users to perceive textures and feel hard contacts. It has applications in controlling remote robots and simulation technologies for dental training and biopsy needle insertion.
AquaLux 3D uses precisely controlled water droplets to create 3D images in water, allowing for unique effects like video games on falling water. The technology can also enable physical interaction with the display.
Researchers Jane Siegel and Jeff Perdue are leading an initiative to develop business-centric measures of cloud computing benefits and risks. The goal is to provide chief information officers with a standardized method for comparing internal and external providers.
Experts warn that poor scientific quality and lack of oversight can undermine the entire scientific enterprise. The authors propose four key questions to answer when proposing human studies of new therapies to safeguard medical research advancement.
Bruno Sinopoli, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has received a $400,000 grant to investigate tools and methodologies for designing and analyzing cyber-physical systems. His goal is to set new standards for the robustness and security of critical infrastructures such as power grids and transportation systems.
Onur Mutlu received a five-year grant to research techniques and algorithms for creating scalable high-performance memory systems. His goal is to develop predictable and controllable systems with guaranteed service quality on multi-core processors.
A Carnegie Mellon study analyzed over a billion Twitter messages to gauge public opinion on consumer confidence and presidential job approval. The results showed correlations between Twitter-derived sentiment measurements and traditional polling data, with notable similarities in trends and fluctuations.
Mary Shaw, a renowned computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, has been selected as the first recipient of the IEEE Distinguished Educator Award. She is recognized for her innovative curricula in computer science, which challenge educators to teach new forms of software development.
The ChemCollective website provides virtual lab and scenario-based learning activities to introduce students to chemistry, allowing them to engage with the subject like practicing chemists. The site makes chemistry resources available to students worldwide, particularly those in smaller or low-income schools.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Jibbigo LLC have developed a new application that performs speech-to-speech translation between English and the Iraqi dialect of Arabic. The software is available on the iPhone App Store and operates as a freestanding communicator without internet connection.
Alan McGaughey, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, has received a three-year grant to develop theoretical and computational tools for monitoring heat generation in devices. His work aims to help the Air Force reduce heat generation in operating electronics and control mechanical system tempe...
The Minput system uses optical sensors on the back of a mobile phone or mp3 player to enable intuitive navigation through menus and photo galleries without obstructing the touchscreen. The method responds to up-down, side-to-side, twisting, and flicking motions, allowing for high-precision positioning.
Anupam Datta leads Carnegie Mellon's contribution to SHARPS, a collaborative project tackling EHR and HIE security concerns. The team aims to develop policies and technologies for secure healthcare systems, leveraging expertise in information security and privacy.
Jessica Zhang, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has received a Young Investigator Award for her research on developing novel algorithms to improve ship design and analysis. The award provides $510,000 in funding over three years to support her research goals.
A Carnegie Mellon student has created a technology called Skinput, which uses bio-acoustic sensors and machine learning to enable touchless control of smartphones and other mobile devices. The system can classify inputs with high accuracy, even when using different body parts.
Researchers develop fluoromodules, dye-protein complexes that provide alternatives to GFP with a wider selection of colors and increased photostability. This technology enables real-time monitoring of biological activities in living cells.
The university's course, 'Kitchen Chemistry Sessions,' uses molecular gastronomy techniques to teach students about chemical and biochemical concepts in food. Students learn to apply these concepts to prepare meals, demonstrating their understanding of chemical processes and scientific principles.
Researchers found that replaying recent events in the hippocampus is not just for memory, but also for creating cognitive maps and making better navigation decisions. The study suggests that the brain uses replays to build a complete representation of its environment, allowing animals to plan novel routes.
Carnegie Mellon University's QoLT Foundry is expanding its programs thanks to a $1.5 million NSF grant, aiming to create more than 100 jobs in the Pittsburgh area over five years. The initiative focuses on commercializing quality of life technologies that improve daily living for people with diminished capabilities.
Researchers will embed wireless sensors in residences of 50 older adults to detect subtle changes in everyday activities that indicate the onset of dementia or physical infirmities. The goal is to identify early decline and provide timely interventions to prevent institutionalization.
Lorrie Cranor, a Carnegie Mellon professor, will address concerns about the invasive nature of location-sharing technologies and lack of accessibility to privacy controls. Her team's study found that many location-based services have no privacy policies posted on their websites.
Carbon capture and storage technology is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions, but its widespread deployment requires a regulatory policy with a market incentive. Rubin argues that effective climate policies are necessary to incentivize the development of cleaner energy alternatives.
Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science has joined the Open Cirrus test bed, a global open-source initiative for cloud computing research and education. The new facility will provide additional resources for researchers worldwide, enabling them to explore new applications and innovations in Internet-scale computing.
Physicist Alex Evilevitch directly measured the energy associated with viral DNA expulsion, a discovery that could lead to broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. The study used isothermal titration calorimetry and found that increasing DNA length increases heat release, highlighting the importance of hydration entropy in viral genome packaging.
John Kitchin, an assistant professor in Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon, has been awarded funding to research new materials for efficient hydrogen production from water. His work tackles a primary hurdle in energy efficiency and may play a crucial role in managing CO2 emissions through advanced fossil energy power systems.
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University's Language Technologies Institute have released spoken and textual data on Haitian Creole to support the development of translation tools. The data will aid relief workers, doctors, and nurses on the earthquake-ravaged island.
Researchers have discovered a new function of the protein Syndecan-4, which plays an essential role in various diseases like cancer. The discovery sheds light on how proteins' shapes and forms affect cell behavior and mechanics.
Neuroscientists and computer scientists identified how the brain arranges noun representations, using a neural Rosetta Stone. The three basic features of the brain's dictionary concern physical interaction, eating, and shelter or enclosure. This discovery has implications for treating psychiatric and neurological illnesses.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center developed a plant-sorting machine that uses computer vision and machine learning to classify and sort harvested strawberry plants more consistently and faster than human workers. The system has the potential to improve quality, streamline production and de...
A Carnegie Mellon researcher notes that data-mining techniques are increasingly being applied to personal activities and movements, raising concerns about privacy. Technical means can help limit these risks, but a public discussion about data collection, ownership, and privacy is also necessary.
A consortium of five universities, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a collective $465 million contract to provide research services to the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The team will work on a range of projects, including fossil energy research and energy sector planning.
Kelvin Gregory, a civil engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, is leading a research team to develop a new water treatment system for hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. The system aims to remove toxic metals and chemicals from flowback water, reducing environmental risks and minimizing disposal costs.
Intensive reading instruction improves reading skills and alters brain tissue, increasing white matter quality and communication bandwidth. The study provides new insights into treating reading disabilities and developmental disorders.
Researchers Yoed Rabin and Kenji Shimada are developing an interactive simulator for cryosurgical procedures, combined with a computerized tutor to evaluate quality. This project aims to enhance surgical training by practicing virtual cryosurgical procedures, motivating surgeons to learn and improve their skills.
Carnegie Mellon University's Jay Whitacre has received a $5 million award from the US Department of Energy to develop a new room-temperature sodium-ion battery technology. The goal is to improve grid reliability and efficiency, enabling the expansion of renewable energy sources. This project aims to reduce electricity use by 4% in 2030...