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Drawing the line to answer art's big questions

Researchers employed a computer algorithm to analyze nearly 15,000 landscape paintings, finding that compositional structures evolved systematically over time. The study suggests a potential bias in art curators' and historians' selections, contradicting the prevailing view of diverse artistic expression.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Researchers isolate and decode brain signal patterns for specific behaviors

A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate dynamic neural patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, such as finger movements. The algorithm resolves the challenge of isolating these patterns, which can be masked by other activities, and enhances the decoding of behaviors from brain signals.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2020

New tool detects unsafe security practices in Android apps

A new open-source tool, CRYLOGGER, analyzes thousands of Android apps to detect cryptographic misuses without requiring access to the app's code. The study found that nearly all popular Android apps contain code or use libraries that do not strictly adhere to security standards.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateNov 9, 2020

Most isolated massive stars are kicked out of their clusters

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that the vast majority of field massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are 'runaways,' or stars ejected from clusters. They discovered that these stars could have formed in isolation or were dynamically ejected due to unstable orbital configurations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Scientists develop algorithm to help relieve pressure on the NHS

A new algorithm could help reduce stress on health systems in the UK and beyond by redistributing ICU patients across hospitals. The load balancing method, developed by Queen Mary University of London, has been shown to enable access for up to 1000 additional cases in the UK.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 21, 2020

Assessing state of the art in AI for brain disease treatment

Researchers found that AI techniques are being used to process information about brain structure and connectivity, assess surgical candidacy, and predict disease trajectory. However, they emphasize the need for explainable algorithms to ensure trust in algorithmic prescriptions or diagnoses.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Bioengineering·DateOct 14, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Sex-specific adverse drug effects identified by Columbia University algorithm

Researchers developed an algorithm to predict sex-specific adverse drug effects, identifying 20,817 adverse drug effects posing sex-specific risks. The algorithm addresses confounding biases and provides an opportunity to minimize adverse events by tailoring drug prescription and dosage to sex.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPatterns·DateOct 2, 2020

Skoltech research makes it easier to pinpoint brain activity in EEG studies

Skoltech researchers propose a fast and accurate numerical method to address the low spatial resolution of EEG studies. The new approach directly backpropagates measured signals from the skin down to the cortex, increasing accuracy for source localization while speeding up processing.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateSep 29, 2020

Managing data flow boosts cyber-physical system performance

Cyber-physical systems face challenges due to large volumes of data flowing through communication networks, causing routing and queuing delays that degrade system quality. The new algorithms developed by researchers strike a balance between communication sparsity, delay, and performance, ensuring safe and stable operation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAutomatica·DateSep 1, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Fifty new planets confirmed in machine learning first

A new machine learning algorithm confirms 50 new exoplanets, ranging from Neptunes to Earth-sized worlds, by distinguishing between real and false positives. The technique outperforms previous methods, can be automated, and improves with further training.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 25, 2020

UCF researchers develop AI to detect fentanyl and derivatives remotely

The method can be used in a portable, tabletop device to rapidly identify known and emerging opioid fentanyl substances, aiding in the safety of law enforcement and military personnel. The AI algorithm had a 92.5 percent accuracy rate for correctly identifying molecules related to fentanyl.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 25, 2020

Using estimation of camera movement to achieve multi-target tracking

Researchers have developed an efficient method to estimate camera movement, reducing the number of hypotheses generated from up to five to one. The new approach allows for real-time execution of pose estimation, with a complete algorithm taking only 29 milliseconds per frame.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateAug 20, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Making the DNA melt curve more accurate

Scientists at NIST have found a way to significantly enhance the accuracy of key information on how heat affects the stability of folded DNA structures. The novel mathematical algorithm automatically accounts for unknown effects, allowing scientists to design durable and complex structures made from DNA.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalAnalytical Biochemistry·DateAug 19, 2020

New tool improves fairness of online search rankings

A new tool, FairCo, was developed to improve the fairness of online rankings by giving equally relevant choices roughly equal exposure and avoiding preferential treatment for high-ranked items. This can correct unfairness in existing algorithms and curtail personal choice.

SourceCornell University·DateAug 18, 2020

Changes in land evaporation shape the climate

A new calibration-free version of a physical-based method can better detect long-term trends in continental-scale land evaporation rates than recent remote sensing-based approaches. This improvement is crucial for upgrading general circulation models' existing evaporation estimation algorithms to produce better climatic predictions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateAug 4, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Tip sheet for joint statistical meetings Aug. 2 - 6, 2020

The 2020 Joint Statistical Meetings feature cutting-edge research on COVID-19 modeling, including nowcasting and forecasting. Researchers also presented advancements in precision medicine for stem cell transplants, improving patient outcomes by extending lives.

SourceAmerican Statistical Association·DateJul 30, 2020

Local COVID-19 forecasts by AI

Researchers Xifeng Yan and Yu-Xiang Wang developed a deep learning tool to forecast COVID-19 trends by community. The model, called Transformer, uses attention mechanisms and U.S. Census data to provide hyper-local forecasts with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateJul 30, 2020

Randomness theory could hold key to internet security

Researchers at Cornell University have identified a problem that holds the key to whether all encryption can be broken. The study connects two areas of mathematics - cryptography and algorithmic information theory - to show that a natural computational problem characterizes the feasibility of basic cryptography.

SourceCornell University·DateJul 27, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Psychology: The most personal device

Researchers at LMU Munich used smartphone data to analyze users' personalities, finding strong correlations between behavior patterns and self-assessed traits. The study focused on the Big Five personality dimensions, revealing that certain types of digital behavior are more informative for specific self-assessments.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 17, 2020

Recognising fake images using frequency analysis

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method for efficiently identifying deep-fake images by analyzing objects in the frequency domain. The study found that images generated by GANs exhibit artefacts in the high-frequency range, which can be used to distinguish them from real photos.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateJul 16, 2020

Research reflects how AI sees through the looking glass

Researchers at Cornell University used AI to investigate how reflection changes images, discovering clues like facial features and beards that can differentiate originals from reflections. The study has implications for training machine learning models and detecting faked images.

SourceCornell University·DateJul 2, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Analysis of complex geometric models made simple

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an efficient new way to quickly analyze complex geometric models by using Monte Carlo methods. This approach eliminates the need to divide shapes into meshes, reducing errors and increasing computation speed.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateJun 29, 2020

A clique away from more efficient networks

Researchers developed a framework using graph theory to optimize digital communication networks, finding cliques within them for efficient data transmission and improvement in throughput by up to 30%. This approach has far-reaching implications for future networks, including the internet of things with larger volumes of data.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateJun 14, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New algorithm uses artificial intelligence to help manage type 1 diabetes

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed an AI algorithm that uses data from continuous glucose monitors and wireless insulin pens to provide guidance on adjustments. The algorithm, paired with a smartphone app called DailyDose, generated recommendations in agreement with physicians 67.9% of the time.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJun 12, 2020

AI sentencing tools need to be closely scrutinised, says new study

A new study urges judges to scrutinize algorithmic risk assessment tools used in criminal cases due to biases and weak statistical evidence. The review recommends three steps: fitness, accuracy, and reliability assessments to ensure the tool's relevance, performance, and trustworthiness.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalBehavioral Sciences & the Law·DateJun 9, 2020

A good egg: Robot chef trained to make omelettes

A team of engineers at the University of Cambridge has successfully trained a robot chef to prepare an omelette using machine learning, with improved taste and texture. The robot's culinary skills were refined to produce a reliable dish that meets human standards, overcoming the subjective nature of cooking.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateJun 1, 2020

Algorithm quickly simulates a roll of loaded dice

The Fast Loaded Dice Roller (FLDR) algorithm simulates the roll of loaded dice to produce random integers with the best combination of speed, accuracy, and low memory requirements. FLDR can use up to 10,000 times less memory storage space than existing methods.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 28, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

AI management can benefit the growing online workforce

Researchers found that worker autonomy and transparency are crucial for crowdwork environment, while algorithmic management can enhance productivity when framed as promoting autonomy. The study suggests ways to improve algorithmic management via AI assistance.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateMay 26, 2020

Mathematics can save lives at sea

Researchers developed an algorithm to predict coastal currents using dynamical systems theory and ocean data. This new tool promises to enhance search and rescue techniques at sea, potentially saving lives.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 2020

A new algorithm predicts the difficulty in fighting fire

A new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Córdoba improves response capacity to forest fires. The tool predicts fire fighting difficulty and offers an extinction difficulty index, helping authorities prioritize management tasks and optimize resources.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire·DateMay 20, 2020

AI techniques in medical imaging may lead to incorrect diagnoses

A new study suggests that machine learning and AI in medical image reconstruction algorithms can result in myriad artefacts and major errors, leading to false positives and false negatives. The effects were typically not present in non-AI based imaging techniques.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Dual personalities visualized for shape-shifting molecule

Australian and US researchers used advanced computational methods to detect different structures of RNA, which until now could not be distinguished. The team discovered that changes in RNA structure influenced how the virus behaved, including which proteins it produced.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 6, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A more personalized approach to improving customer experiences

A new startup, Oqullo, is developing a platform that utilizes computer visual algorithms and network cameras to gather demographic information about customers. This data can be used to offer personalized experiences in shopping, traveling, and other consumer activities.

SourcePurdue University·DateApr 8, 2020

Astronomers use slime mould to map the universe's largest structures

Researchers used a computer algorithm inspired by slime mould to create a three-dimensional map of the cosmic web structure in the local Universe. The analysis revealed that intergalactic gas is organised into filaments and detected at distances over 10 million light-years from galaxies.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 26, 2020

Artificial intelligence identifies optimal material formula

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of thin films, reducing the need for extensive experiments. The team developed a generative model that can generate images of the surface of a layer under specific process parameters, enabling the identification of optimal material formulas.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMar 26, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Solving a 50-year-old puzzle in signal processing, part two:

Iowa State University engineers develop a closed-form solution for the inverse chirp z-transform, enabling efficient computation on the unit circle and lifting restrictions of existing algorithms. The algorithm achieves high accuracy with 64-bit floating-point numbers and operates in O(n log n) time.

SourceIowa State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 25, 2020

Researchers sniff out AI breakthroughs in mammal brains

A new computer algorithm inspired by the mammalian olfactory system rapidly learns patterns and identifies smells even with strong sensory interference. The algorithm is applied to a neuromorphic computer chip, Loihi, which can learn to identify patterns or perform tasks a thousand times faster than traditional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMar 16, 2020

Slime mold simulations used to map dark matter holding universe together

Researchers have successfully mapped the cosmic web's filamentary structure using a slime mold-inspired algorithm, providing insights into dark matter's role in shaping the universe. The study revealed that denser regions of intergalactic gas are organized into filaments that stretch over 10 million light-years from galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 10, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Approximating a kernel of truth

By using approximations instead of explicit kernels, researchers have accelerated machine learning speeds and improved AI's ability to handle large datasets. The new approach uses statistics to derive a nearly accurate kernel that can be computed much faster than traditional methods.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·DateMar 10, 2020

How drones can hear walls

Researchers have developed an algorithm that uses the transit time of sound waves to assign echoes to specific walls. The drone's six degrees of freedom are sufficient for optimal microphone placement, reducing ghost wall detection. This innovation opens a new pathway towards practical applications in various fields.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Algebra and Geometry·DateMar 6, 2020

Solving a mystery in 126 dimensions

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have successfully analyzed the complex structure of benzene in 126 dimensions, shedding light on its stability and interactions. The discovery reveals unexpected electron behavior, where up-spin double-bonded electrons interact with down-spin single-bonded electrons.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Discovery of accurate and far more efficient algorithm for point set registration problems

A new algorithm has been discovered that can accurately register two point sets consisting of millions of points in a fraction of the time taken by conventional methods. The algorithm's accuracy is not compromised despite using approximations, and it has wide-ranging applications in computer graphics and computer vision.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·DateMar 5, 2020

Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up

Researchers developed a scalable method for estimating crop productivity in real time using satellite data, in-field camera networks, and ground measurements. The method provides highly accurate estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and can be used to detect underperforming fields or segments that need targeted management practices.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateMar 5, 2020

Speak math, not code

Using Euclid's algorithm as an example, Dr. Lamport showed how a precise mathematical formula can be used to specify an algorithm, making it more efficient and easier to debug. By using math instead of code, developers can reduce the size of their programs by up to ten times and make debugging easier.

SourceSingapore Management University·DateMar 1, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Exploring a genome's 3D organization through a social network lens

Computational biologists at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new algorithm, MOCHI, to identify communities within the cell nucleus. The algorithm uses spatial arrangement and genetic interactions to subdivide interwoven nuclear components into groups.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalGenome Research·DateFeb 20, 2020