Researchers found inefficient pathways transmit information between brain regions, impairing social understanding and intention detection. The study suggests a lack of synchronization in the Theory of Mind network is responsible for social challenges in autism.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an algorithm that can geolocate photos by analyzing their composition and searching through millions of GPS-tagged images on Flickr. The IM2GPS algorithm achieved accurate results, even identifying landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and narrowing down possibilities like beach or desert l...
Researchers discovered that BK channels become abnormally active after a seizure, leading to neuronal overexcitability, which may be associated with epilepsy development. A BK channel antagonist reversed abnormal excitability, offering new hope for individuals suffering from epilepsy.
Aortic aneurysms affect 5% of Americans, with a mortality rate of up to 80%. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing a computational system to predict when ruptures will occur. The tool aims to provide physicians with a more scientific understanding of the relationship between blood flow and vascular disease.
Poor readers achieved brain activation levels seen in skilled readers after 100 hours of extra training. Remedial instruction increased the struggling readers' activation to near normal levels, changing the way their brains activated when comprehending written sentences.
The study creates a computational model predicting brain activation patterns for thousands of concrete nouns, with accuracies significantly greater than chance. The model uses text corpus data to identify basic building blocks the brain uses to represent meaning.
Researchers have discovered a critical flaw in the standard method for analyzing gene evolution, particularly for genes encoding multi-domain proteins. A new tool called Neighborhood Correlation has been developed to correctly identify gene ancestry, which is essential for understanding gene function and regulatory circuitry. The tool ...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a software toolbox that can automatically analyze protein patterns in human tissues. This tool can help identify biomarkers useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy, enabling a better understanding of how cells work and advancing disease detection.
A new technique from Carnegie Mellon University speeds up critical steps in automated biological screening methods, improving accuracy and reducing time requirements. The method also enhances the efficiency of the belief propagation algorithm, applicable to fields beyond biology.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions if powered by low-carbon electricity. According to Carnegie Mellon researchers, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from plug-in hybrids are about one-third less than traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Carnegie Mellon researchers argue that dietary choice, not food miles, determines a household's climate impact. Shifting to a local diet or reducing meat and dairy consumption can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Eating more plant-based meals can reduce emissions by up to 8,000 miles driven per year.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a coarse-grained computer model to simulate cell membrane dynamics, allowing for the observation of membrane behaviors at hundreds of nanometers. The model reveals a purely physical mechanism that enables vesiculation, a critical process for cellular survival.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers have developed a new manufacturing strategy that can improve the efficiency of drug delivery patches, solar cells, and high-performance computing by controlling particle distribution with electric fields. The method offers flexibility, precision, and simplicity, revolutionizing two-dimensional nan...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new environmental impact model to help Canada reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. The model identifies farming and power generation as the largest sources of Canadian emissions per dollar output, emphasizing the need for alternative fuels and solutions to combat global warming.
A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that listening to cell phones while driving can cause significant impairments, including a 37% decrease in brain activity associated with driving. Drivers who listened to their cell phones committed more lane maintenance errors and had reduced spatial sense and navigation.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a magnetic levitation-based haptic interface that provides a highly realistic sense of touch. This device uses magnetic levitation and a single moving part to give users a realistic experience, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical components.
Carnegie Mellon will lead a team to develop and promote a regulatory structure for the safe and economical capture, transport and deep geological sequestration of CO2. The grant is part of a $100 million Climate Change Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner economy.
Researchers have created fluorogen activating proteins (FAPs) that enable biologists to monitor biological activities of individual proteins in living cells in real time. The FAPs allow for simple and direct tracking of proteins on the cell surface and within living cells, eliminating cumbersome experimental steps.
Assistant Professor Jeremy J. Michalek of Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development Award for his research on public policy and its impact on vehicle efficiency.
A new international study identifies vulnerable areas at risk for abrupt climate change, including the Arctic sea ice and Greenland ice sheet. The researchers warn that these 'tipping elements' may be pushed over a threshold to a radically different climate state, with catastrophic consequences.
Edmund M. Clarke has been recognized for his pioneering work on Model Checking, a technique that analyzes the logic underlying a design to detect errors in hardware and software. This approach has significantly improved the reliability of complex computer chips, systems, and networks.
Jacobo Bielak has been awarded $1.6 million from the NSF PetaApps program to develop advanced earthquake computer simulations that can improve disaster planning and preparation. The new grant will enable the creation of three-dimensional models simulating how earthquakes impact buildings, bridges, and other critical urban infrastructures.
The ARTSI Alliance will develop outreach programs and provide mentoring opportunities for underrepresented students in computer science and robotics. The alliance aims to address the shortage of diverse talent in these fields, with African-Americans currently making up only 4.8% of US computer scientists.
An international team of scientists discovered 480 genes that regulate human cell division and identified over 100 genes with abnormal patterns of activation in cancer cells. These findings provide insights into how cancers develop and potentially lead to new treatments.
Neuroscientists identified a novel mechanism for long-term learning, revealing how NMDA receptors weaken synapses and impair further learning. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory, potentially leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
A Carnegie Mellon study identifies specific brain regions activated by familiar objects, such as tools and dwellings. The researchers used machine learning algorithms to extract patterns from brain activation scans, revealing that different brains exhibit common patterns for representing the same object.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon and Pitt describe a mechanism called dynamic connectivity, where neuronal circuits are rewired in response to specific patterns of stimuli. This process allows for more keenly sensed stimuli, such as recognizing scents, by filtering out noise and enhancing contrast.
Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center has won a $14.4 million contract to develop an advanced, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the US Army. The UGV will utilize lessons learned from the successful 'Crusher' platform and incorporate latest suspension, vehicle frame, and hybrid-electric drive technologies.
The Million Book Project has completed the digitization of over 1.5 million books, ranging from Mark Twain to Confucius, and made them available through a single web portal. The collection includes rare and orphan books in multiple languages, with the goal of making all published works accessible worldwide.
The Carnegie Mellon team's winning letter addressed the presidential hopefuls' positions on environmental policies, calling for strong leadership to drive a sustainable energy solution. The students won a $10,000 scholarship and will attend the Energy Efficiency Forum.
A versatile algorithm called Cascades, developed by Carnegie Mellon researchers, identifies the best 100 blogs to read for early access to news. The algorithm also helps design efficient sensor networks in water supply systems by balancing cost and information collection.
A mathematical model measures the value people place on distributive justice, revealing a willingness to sacrifice 20% of disposable income. The study also found that education and race significantly impact the value placed on equity, with educated whites placing the highest value.
A team from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh is studying the effectiveness of a wrist-mounted instrument called eWatch in measuring psychosocial stress exposure. The study will collect data on participants' daily activities, stress levels, and environment to understand how stress affects daily life.
Researchers found that when users were tricked into visiting an educational website after receiving a spoof email, they were more likely to learn and retain information about phishing sites. This approach may be effective in educating users to protect themselves against phishing attacks.
A new online game, Anti-Phishing Phil, has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University to educate people on how to identify fraudulent websites. The game improved players' accuracy from 69% to 87% in identifying legitimate and illegitimate web sites.
Anastasia Ailamaki, a Carnegie Mellon professor, has been awarded the prestigious European Young Investigator (EURYI) Award. She will receive 1 million euros to establish a research team at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland.
The Scarab robot is equipped with a drill and features a novel rocker-arm suspension that enables it to plant its belly on the ground for drilling operations. The robot will demonstrate technologies for finding concentrations of hydrogen, water, and other volatile chemicals on the moon.
Agencies producing large datasets face challenge of protecting personal information while preserving its value to researchers. Traditional de-identification methods are inadequate, and alternative approaches, such as administrative procedures and statistical transformations, may be necessary to ensure adequate privacy
A Carnegie Mellon scientist has developed a new method to characterize large viral particles and proteins using a mass spectrometer. This breakthrough enables researchers to study intact protein complexes in seconds, paving the way for rapid disease diagnosis.
Carnegie Mellon researchers find that liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports could have 35% higher lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than coal. The study urges caution against investing in LNG infrastructure, highlighting the need for analysis of indirect implications and conservation measures.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon have modeled the molecular changes that occur when glutamate docks with a receptor on a neuron, enabling computer simulation of binding-site closure and opening. This breakthrough could lead to the development of drug therapies for disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed nanogels that can uniformly release encapsulated carbohydrate-based drugs, enabling targeted delivery to specific tissues like cancer cells. The nanogels are biodegradable and non-toxic, allowing for prolonged circulation time within the bloodstream.
Peter J. Adams, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has been awarded a $900,000 research grant from the EPA to develop integrated models simulating air pollution from local to global scales. The study aims to improve understanding of particulate matter and its health impacts.
Researchers found that HIV fusion peptide dramatically decreases energy needed to bend a cell membrane, making it easier for the virus to infect immune cells. This discovery will aid in future computer simulations and drug discovery efforts.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed two systems that use web images to enhance edited photos. Photo Clip Art uses labeled images from LabelMe as clip art, while Scene Completion draws upon millions of photos from Flickr to fill in holes. These systems enable users to achieve realistic results with minimal skills.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard University found that perceived neediness, rather than race, drives charitable giving to Hurricane Katrina victims. Within subgroups of whites, racial bias affects giving to blacks, while non-identifying whites give more to blacks.
The BHCosmo simulation reveals the integral role of black holes in galaxy formation and cosmic evolution. It provides a deeper understanding of quasar formation and helps predict where to aim future telescopes for early cosmic events and galaxy structures.
Researchers found that adding grease to certain plastics improves their electrical conductivity, enabling flexible switches for transistors and displays. The discovery outlines a chemical process to produce next-generation tiny switches, promising breakthroughs in plastic electronics.
Researchers argue that increased US trade with countries like China has significantly increased carbon emissions, with CO2 emissions from imports rising from 12% in 1997 to 22% in 2004. The study concludes that this trend is likely to continue without major efforts towards efficiency gains and cleaner development.
A new algorithm developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers can create matches for three- and four-way kidney exchanges, increasing the efficiency of kidney exchanges. The algorithm has already been used by the Alliance for Paired Donation, a kidney exchange program, to identify potential transplants and improve transplant rates.