The study found that ginseng can significantly reduce post-exercise muscle damage in healthy adults and improve muscle regeneration. Taking ginseng systematically for a long time can also mitigate the response of biological markers responsible for exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation.
A study analyzing 15 exercise apps found limited options for frail older adults, with none adapted to users' cognitive needs. The researchers recommend involving end-users in app creation processes and focusing on simplicity and intuitive design.
Researchers analyzed over 1,000 studies to identify design principles for creating empathic conversational agents. The study reveals the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive feedback in improving learning outcomes.
The dictionary, based on first-person accounts, highlights the power of language in shaping understanding of mental health. It recommends empowering metaphors for use in public discourse to convey control, positivity, and empowerment.
A Europe-wide project aims to help young people facing the judicial system understand their trial and respond accordingly. The Y-JustLang project involves researchers, judges, and professionals to address the challenges faced by individuals with severe language difficulties.
Researchers found that virtual reality can improve spatial abilities in women, closing the gap with men. Training programs from primary school to engineering students showed significant improvements, altering the biological origin of gender differences.
The European Union's AI act could enable AI to access our subconscious minds, potentially leading to manipulation. According to Ignasi Beltran de Heredia, only 5% of brain activity is conscious, and the remaining 95% operates subconsciously, making it difficult for us to control or even be aware of.
Researchers at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya used machine learning to simulate patient conditions based on questionnaire answers, predicting stress test performance and identifying symptoms. This approach provides a warning for early diagnosis and referral to specialized units.
A research team proposes using nanosatellites to provide stable and comprehensive coverage in emergency situations. The system uses a CubeSat launched over the disaster area on a hot air balloon, enabling wireless information sharing.
Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya use virtual reality to treat phobias, rehabilitating abusers by putting them in victims' shoes. Virtual embodiment technology creates strong perceptual illusions, allowing users to feel threats and violence in a similar way to their victims.
A study involving UOC researchers confirms that smartphone-based interventions can significantly reduce depression symptoms, especially when combined with professional support. Users prefer simple apps and those with more serious depression use them more.
A pioneering international study led by UOC researchers finds that older people in Spain and Israel use smartphones more than those in Canada and Romania due to access to affordable internet rates. The study contradicts the stereotype that growing older leads to decreased digital technology use.
The Las Kellys collective has constructed its identity through solidarity and resistance, uniting hotel room attendants and other feminized and precarious workers in Spain. Their strategy has led to increased media attention, public debate, and political repercussions, shedding light on the poor working conditions faced by these workers.
A team of researchers created a deep learning system capable of detecting natural disasters using images from Twitter and Flickr. The system, trained on over 1.7 million photographs, was able to accurately identify incidents such as floods, tornadoes, and forest fires.
A study of 200 people aged 50-70 found that higher carotene levels in the blood were associated with lower atherosclerosis and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in carotenes, may help lower the risk of heart disease.
According to the study, 18.6% of adolescents experience low mood, with girls more likely to suffer from the condition, affecting 25.1% of them. The research highlights contextual factors such as sexual violence and physical inactivity as contributing to these gender differences.
Researchers discover a molecule that destroys aged cells without affecting healthy ones, paving the way for delaying tissue ageing. Testing with animal models will now begin to explore its potential anti-cancer effects and improve life expectancy.
Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya studied sidewalk networks in Barcelona and found that even pedestrian-friendly cities like Barcelona struggle with mobility constraints. The study proposes a framework for assessing multi-factor walkability using percolation theory and insights into pedestrian behavior to improve sidewal...
A study by UOC researchers found that Spanish courts impose milder punishments and lower compensation amounts when a victim's partner or ex-partner is accused of rape. In cases involving intimate partners, only 22% of rulings mentioned this as an aggravating factor, leading to milder sentences.
A new study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya researchers has proposed a network architecture and specific hardware requirements to secure the water supply chain, adapting to Industry 4.0 needs and Spanish legislation. The system includes on-site sensors, interference-free networks, data analytics processors, and AI applications.
Researchers at UAB and UOC found a correlation between conspiracy theory beliefs and populist attitudes in Spain. Exposure to conspiracy theories promotes Manichaeism, viewing society as split between good and evil, which contributes to rising polarization and support for anti-establishment parties.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that playing video games has a negative impact on girls' satisfaction with their eye and skin color. The researchers concluded that the media's emphasis on women's physical appearance contributes to body-shape pressure, making girls feel insecure about their bodies.
Research from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya finds that trust has a positive impact on teleworking performance, while social isolation and fatigue can have negative effects. Managers play a crucial role in facilitating the social integration of remote workers to prevent these issues.
A metastudy found digital-based physical exercise interventions are at least as effective as face-to-face ones, but generic designs often fail to provide quality information. The researcher aims to improve the digital-health-based prescription of physical exercise to take account of patients' individual requirements.
A study found that only 8.91% of websites that obtain user consent comply correctly with GDPR regulations. Researchers used automated methods to analyze web-tracking techniques and detected nearly 7 tracking cookies per website on average.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) finds that replacing short-haul flights with rail in Germany could reduce CO2 emissions by 2.7-22%. However, this policy may also harm international connectivity, particularly for peripheral regions and passengers with limited onward connections.
A survey of 1,034 people found that most believe insects can be a sustainable source of protein in the future. Key factors improving acceptance include preparation methods and information on insect potential as a food source.
The far right in Spain employs love as a tool to create divisions between those who identify with its values and those who do not, particularly feminist and LGBTQI movements. It also uses love to defend the traditional family structure and promote uniformity, often at the expense of gender equality.
A study found that 6.5% of the general population in Spain hesitated to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with younger and less educated individuals being more reluctant. In contrast, healthcare professionals showed higher vaccination rates and had fewer concerns about the vaccine's effectiveness.
A recent study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya reveals that Spanish citizens have lower vitamin D levels compared to Northern European nations. Despite the importance of this hormone for overall health, supplementation is not commonly practiced in Spain.
Researchers found that algorithms classify white men better, reproduce false beliefs about physical attributes, and make stereotypical associations between men and sciences, women and arts. Under-representation of women in AI design and biased datasets contribute to the problem.
The DUNE project uses deep learning techniques and distributed computing to improve indoor positioning accuracy. The system combines various sensor technologies and adapts to different industrial needs, providing real-time updates and reducing margins of error.
The INSPIRE project aims to close the gender gap in research careers and promote inclusivity. It will create a sustainable centre of excellence, set the worldwide standard for research on inclusive gender equality, and provide practical support for institutions implementing gender equality plans.
The European Patent Office is funding a project to create an AI-powered system that detects students' potential problems at an early stage, providing personalized feedback and recommendations. The system aims to engage students with course materials and offer a chatbot for more accessible support.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya reveals how Airbnb creates and projects the image of tourist destinations, reproducing stereotyped forms of tourism and contributing to overcrowding. The platform's user-generated guides aim to convince tourists to visit a city as if they were residents, but ignore the needs of local communities.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze cognitive changes and impairment in the brain, applicable to multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. The model uses multilayer networks for comprehensive analysis of CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging data.
A recent study published in Nutrients suggests that regular quinoa consumption can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers replaced carbohydrate-rich foods with quinoa and found a significant reduction in post-meal blood sugar spikes. By mitigating this spike, quinoa may play a crucial role in preventing the progression of type 2 dia...
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya links long covid-related fatigue to anxiety, depression, and apathy in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Fatigue is characterized by excessive tiredness and physical/muscular weakness.
Researchers found four large groups of social and emotional effects resulting from difficulty eating in groups among people with disabilities. Difficulty eating can lead to feelings of loneliness, shame, and reduced self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of considering these issues in healthcare.
The ADO project develops a digitalization solution for the aquaculture sector, measuring production and quality parameters with low-cost electronic sensors. The system allows SMEs to monitor their facilities economically and effectively, and can even operate semi-autonomously using open-source technology.
A UOC study finds that effective feedback requires a two-way dialogue between teachers and students, helping them bridge gaps in knowledge and skills. Students' emotional responses to feedback also play a crucial role, with positive emotions fostering engagement and improvement.
Researchers developed an algorithm to identify users' basic needs from their Instagram posts, images, and captions. The study analyzed 86 profiles in Spanish and Persian, achieving promising accuracy and complementary information between visual and textual cues.
A multicentre study has proven personal construct therapy as effective as cognitive-behavioural therapy in improving quality of life and symptoms of depression in patients with fibromyalgia. The therapy focused on people's identity and how they see themselves, offering a personalized approach to treatment.
Researchers developed an AI system that identifies at-risk students and provides personalized guidance to improve their academic performance. The system sends relevant information and notifications to help students set goals, plan their learning process, and stay engaged in online courses.
A new AI-based method distinguishes between stable and progressive cognitive impairment, enabling accurate diagnosis with an accuracy rate of 85%. This technique overcomes the complexity of subtle structural changes in mild cognitive impairment, contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Researchers observed that English accounted for 61% of time, while Spanish had 39%, indicating a greater proportion of corrections were made when speaking in English. This study highlights the need for balanced tasks that consider these differences to benefit both students learning English and Spanish.
A systematic review of animal studies suggests that regular caffeine consumption can increase attention and retention capacity in people with ADHD. The study found improved concentration, learning benefits, and memory improvements without adverse effects on blood pressure or body weight.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 73.7% of university students have been victimized online, with a higher risk for those who were offline victims during childhood or intimate partner violence., Researchers identified three groups based on cybercrime risk: low-risk, financial cybervictimization, and high-risk groups ...
A UOC study analyzed 28,000 European citizens' perceptions of robot-assisted surgery, finding that experience and user-friendliness are key factors in trust. The study highlights the need for a patient-aligned robotic strategy to develop effective healthcare policies.
Researchers from UOC-led OptimalSharing@SmartCities project will analyze inhabitants' mobility patterns and demands to design more efficient shared transport practices. The project aims to develop agile optimization algorithms capable of processing large volumes of data in real-time for dynamic system coordination.