A new Carnegie Mellon University study found that people are more likely to buy from online merchants with good privacy policies, which were identified by a search engine called Privacy Finder. Participants were willing to pay about 60 cents extra on a $15 purchase when buying from a site with a privacy policy they liked.
A NASA-funded robotic sub, DEPTHX, explored Mexico's El Zacatón sinkhole, revealing new information about the geothermal sinkhole. The vehicle mapped the cenote's interior using sonar technology and collected samples of water and biofilm coating its walls.
A new project by Carnegie Mellon University aims to boost book digitization efforts by using reCAPTCHAs to correct OCR mistakes and improve internet security. The system, developed by Luis von Ahn, uses words from troublesome passages to replace artificially distorted letters and numbers in CAPTCHAs.
Computer scientists Steven Rudich and Alexander A. Razborov have made a significant contribution to the P vs. NP problem, a classic question in theoretical computer science that underlies the security of digital systems. Their work has implications for cryptography and electronic commerce.
A Carnegie Mellon study finds that people with better decision-making skills tend to have positive life outcomes, even after controlling for intelligence and socio-economic status. The researchers developed tasks to measure decision-making competence, which can be used to gauge real-life decision-making ability.
A study by Carnegie Mellon psychologist Brooke Feeney found that providing support to a partner can lead to greater independence and healthy risk-taking in relationships. The 'dependency paradox' discovery has important applications for couples' counseling, according to Feeney.
The Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) mission aims to study the physical dimensions, geothermal vents, and potential life in El Zacatón's depths. Using a 2.5-meter-diameter submarine, the team will collect water samples and core samples from the cenote walls.
Sholl's research uses metal hydrides like alanates and borohydrides to create lightweight, low-cost storage materials. This could improve the efficiency of hydrogen cars and reduce pollution.
Luis von Ahn, a Carnegie Mellon computer science assistant professor, has been awarded the $200,000 Microsoft New Faculty Fellowship. He will use the resources to develop new software and engage with Microsoft Research employees to further his research in human computation.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed the TeRK robot kit, allowing users to build sophisticated internet-connected robots using off-the-shelf parts. The kits feature a Qwerk controller and recipes that enable customization and extension, making highly capable robots accessible to a wide range of users.
Researchers discovered hundreds of genes that bind to CREB and zif268, a crucial step towards understanding neural plasticity. The study's online database provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms behind learning and memory.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon scientists found that a mouse brain can significantly compensate when limited to sensing the world through one whisker. The results provide new understanding of brain adaptability in response to sensory deprivation, which can be applied to stroke or traumatic brain injury treatment.
A new P2P system, Similarity-Enhanced Transfer (SET), can significantly speed up music and movie downloads by leveraging similarities between files. By identifying relevant chunks of files, SET greatly increases the number of potential sources for downloads.
The researcher will receive a $400,000 grant to develop sophisticated computer models that can predict wear problems on various surfaces, including materials used in semiconductor and data storage devices. The study aims to understand how abrasive nanoparticles cause friction and surface wear, with potential applications in the product...
Carnegie Mellon University researchers developed the software that guided NASA's DEPTHX craft to safely operate in a complicated, unexplored three-dimensional space. The mission aims to explore the world's deepest sinkhole, La Pilita, and develop technologies for future ocean exploration.
Carnegie Mellon researchers identify improved control of livestock feed, efficient nitrogen use, and low-emission fertilizers as effective strategies for reducing ammonia emissions. These measures can save $8,000 per ton in winter, making them a cheaper alternative to controlling sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution.
Carnegie Mellon professor Baruch Fischhoff argues that decision science principles can help policymakers and the public make effective decisions on climate change. He emphasizes the need for coordinated action among experts from various fields, including domain specialists, social scientists, and designers.
A Carnegie Mellon paper outlines incentives for controlling carbon emissions, warning of the consequences of delaying effective electric sector policy. Implementing an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide from power plants is likely to be cost-effective and reduce environmental impact.
Despite a recent increase in US murders and robberies, Carnegie Mellon University Professor Alfred Blumstein suggests that it may not be part of a widespread national trend. The number of crimes dropped by over 40% between 1993 and 2000, with the rate remaining flat since then.
A landmark Carnegie Mellon University study found that people who know they are addicted to drugs tend to underestimate the intensity of their cravings. This underestimation can lead to a higher willingness to take risks and engage in behaviors that increase the likelihood of relapse. The study suggests that teaching individuals to ant...
A team of researchers from biology, chemistry, and engineering have developed a proposal for artificially created cells to treat diseases without injecting drugs. The cells would target and deliver chemicals needed by the body to function properly.
Researchers have created nanosized fluorescent labels that hold promise for studying fundamental chemical and biochemical reactions in single molecules or cells. The new DNA nanotags offer unprecedented densities of fluorescent dyes, enabling extremely bright fluorescence-based imaging and medical diagnostics.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have devised a new process that improves the efficiency of ethanol production, resulting in significant cost savings. The innovative design uses a multi-column system and energy recovery network to reduce steam consumption, leading to an 11% decrease in manufacturing costs.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and other institutions have developed a test of string theory, which involves measuring the scattering of high-energy particles in particle collisions. The test could eventually be performed at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) if the predicted predictions are not found.
A study from Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, and MIT used fMRI to determine brain activity when considering product purchases and predicting buying behavior. The results suggest that consumers trade off immediate pleasure for delayed pain of spending money, explaining overspending on credit cards.
A Pittsburgh-based research team has created an innovative ink-jet system to print bio-inks that direct muscle-derived stem cells to differentiate into both muscle and bone cells. This technology could revolutionize the design of replacement body tissues, benefiting millions of people with damaged tissues due to various conditions.
Morgan argues that legislators should impose regulations to prevent the construction of long-lived conventional coal plants. The US electricity industry plans to build 154 new plants in the next 24 years, with 50 slated for construction within five years.
Researchers have sequenced the sea urchin genome, revealing a powerful model system for studying embryonic development and immunity. The study's findings could lead to new insights into human skeletal formation and immune system function.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have made a groundbreaking discovery linking the timing of inhibitory neuron activity to the generation of odor-specific patterns in the brain's olfactory bulb. This finding supports the temporal coding hypothesis, which proposes that odor identity is encoded by the timing of neuronal firing, r...
A study by Carnegie Mellon University Psychology Professor Sheldon Cohen confirms that happy people are less likely to become ill when exposed to a cold virus. The researchers found that positive emotions such as happiness, optimism, extraversion, feelings of purpose in life, and self-esteem provide protection against infectious illness.
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure structural integrity of white matter in brains of people with autism. They found reduced white matter integrity in areas around the corpus callosum, which may underlie narrow-focused thought and weak coherence in individuals with autism.
Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded a six-year, $4.2 million grant to create a new type of reconfigurable integrated circuit for chip manufacturers. Researchers will work on technology that seeks to break the bottleneck by joining mechanical probes with integrated circuits in a design that allows for their reconfiguration.
Young children with autism struggle to categorize objects into abstract groups, particularly living and nonliving things. They have difficulty recognizing goals and motivations of others due to a fundamental deficit in distinguishing between animate and inanimate objects.
Researchers use sugars and vitamin C to transform atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) into a 'green' approach, enabling large-scale production of specialty plastics. The new process reduces industrial purification costs and permits the creation of unprecedented materials.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying the mechanisms that underlie neuronal synchronization, which is thought to be involved in perception and consciousness. The study aims to understand how normal gamma oscillations are generated and how alterations in this synchrony contribute to schizophrenia.
The new Petascale Data Storage Institute aims to address the huge amounts of data generated by petaflop computers. Collaborating members will focus on collecting field data, disseminating best practices, and developing innovative system solutions for managing petascale data storage.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon and Ohio State researchers found that antidepressants are not causally linked to an increased risk of suicidality among most teens. The study suggests that only adolescents with major depressive disorder who take a specific class of antidepressants, SSRIs, may be at higher risk.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Ballbot, a self-contained mobile robot that balances dynamically on a single sphere, enabling it to move easily among people and furniture. The robot's tall and skinny design allows it to outperform traditional statically stable robots in environments with obstacles.
The new curriculum is designed to encourage students to investigate problems and develop their own solutions, putting the responsibility on them to learn. Students will work with the upgraded software and hardware to appreciate the importance of math and science in real-world applications.
Researchers studied participants under the influence of midazolam and a saline placebo to understand memory formation. They found that recollection was impaired by midazolam, while familiarity remained unaffected.
The Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center aims to develop technologies that enable older adults and people with disabilities to live independently and productively. Researchers will create intelligent systems that monitor health, prompt memories, and control household appliances.
Researchers found that people with autism have lower brain synchronization and rely heavily on visualization to process information. The studies suggest that these differences are related to the brain's cabling and connectivity problems.
A Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist has created a computer program called GS1 that can play winning hands of Texas Hold'Em without knowing much about the game. The program relies on game theory to analyze poker rules and outperformed two leading 'pokerbots' in tests.
Researchers found that the nuclear lamina shell in HGPS patients is stiffer than normal, but this stiffness can lead to brittle fractures. The study suggests that understanding the cause of this stiffness may hold key to reversing or stopping the disease.
Researchers have made significant progress in breaking down estrogenic compounds with Fe-TAML catalysts, a potential solution to environmental pollution. The study demonstrates the ability of these catalysts to degrade estradiol and ethinylestradiol, two types of estrogenic compounds found in surface water.
Researchers develop a program that automatically generates 3D models from a single photograph, improving object recognition and understanding of geometric context. By teaching computers to spot visual cues that differentiate between vertical and horizontal surfaces, they create a breakthrough in computer vision research.
A recent study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that lower-income individuals and those with lower levels of education tend to have higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies. This association was independent of other factors such as race, age, or body mass index.
Researchers propose using switchgrass as a supplement to corn to make ethanol, ensuring affordable fuel for distributors and consumers. The study found that cellulosic ethanol from dry switchgrass can deliver 16% ethanol fuel to all US consumers, potentially leading to significant decreases in gasoline prices.
A study by a Carnegie Mellon professor highlights the use of DNA evidence in exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. Despite its potential to free the innocent, the use of DNA evidence is hindered by political considerations and legal uncertainties.
The National Technology Center for Networks and Pathways will develop fluorescent probe technologies to investigate real-time interactions in living cells. This work aims to generate molecular biosensors for preclinical research, ultimately improving hospital-based diagnostic medicine.