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Talking science

Karin Heineman, a seasoned science communicator, emphasizes the importance of capturing underlying stories and emotions in scientific discoveries. She shares her expertise on how to effectively convey complex ideas through video, highlighting its potential to impact audiences beyond the lab.

Police officers speak less respectfully to black residents than to white residents

A study analyzing police body camera footage found that officers consistently use less respectful language with black community members than with white community members. The racial disparities in language use remained even after controlling for other factors, highlighting the need for solutions to improve police-community relations.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2017

Fighting forgery with paper fingerprints

Researchers from Newcastle University have found an inexpensive and easy way to validate the authenticity of ANY paper document by taking a picture with a standard camera. The unique 'texture' fingerprint for every sheet of paper can be identified and verified with 100% accuracy, making it highly reliable even under rough handling.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalACM Transactions on Information and System Security·DateMay 24, 2017

Medical gamma-ray camera is now palm-sized

Researchers at Waseda University developed the world's first compact Compton camera for medical imaging, capturing high-resolution 3D molecular images of a live mouse in just 2 hours. The device weighs only 580g and can image energy from hundreds to mega-electron volts.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 22, 2017

Cultural backgrounds of media organizations affect international news coverage

A new study by University of Missouri researchers reveals that cultural values of photojournalists' home countries influence the framing of international events. The study analyzed over 400 photographs from Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Cuba, finding differences in camera angles and news priorities between media outlets from the US, UK,...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournalism Studies·DateMay 22, 2017

City model created from images alone

VarCity technology uses machine learning to analyze images and videos, creating precise 3D models of cities. The platform can recognize buildings, streets, and traffic patterns in real-time, making it useful for urban planning and management.

Ebola survivors have a 'unique' retinal scar

Researchers found that around 15% of Ebola survivors have distinctive retinal scars, which appear specific to the disease but spare vision. The study also suggests that aqueous fluid analysis can help diagnose Ebola eye disease and enable access to cataract surgery for affected survivors

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateMay 15, 2017

SAVI camera ditches long lens for distant images

The SAVI camera uses laser light to capture high-resolution images of distant objects, eliminating the need for a long lens. The technology has potential applications in visible light imaging, with researchers envisioning real-time, high-resolution capture using this synthetic aperture approach.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2017

Are your sensors spying on you?

Researchers at Newcastle University found that malicious websites and installed apps can crack four-digit PINs with a 70% accuracy using smartphone sensor data. The study revealed that people are unaware of the risks, and despite industry awareness, no solution has been found yet.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Information Security·DateApr 10, 2017

The inner lives of molecules

Researchers have developed a new experimental technique to take 3D images of molecules in action, combining two technologies to probe the structure and behavior of molecules. This tool enables experiments with larger molecules that were previously impossible, allowing for better understanding of quantum mechanics in complex systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateApr 4, 2017

A faster single-pixel camera

Researchers at MIT Media Lab describe a new technique that makes image acquisition using compressed sensing 50 times as efficient. The technique enables the development of novel imaging systems without lenses, opening new prospects for design and applications in harsh environments or non-visible spectrum wavelengths.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging·DateMar 29, 2017

New design for longer lasting night-vision cameras

Researchers from Northwestern University developed a new approach to improve night-vision cameras using strained-layer indium arsenide/indium arsenide antimonide type-II superlattices. The new design enables infrared cameras to perform imaging at higher temperatures, reducing the need for cryogenic cooling power.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAPL Materials·DateFeb 21, 2017

The solution from the skies to save endangered species

A new project from Liverpool John Moores University is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to help identify endangered species, such as rhinos and orang-utans. The technique involves analyzing thermal heat profiles to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each animal, allowing for more efficient conservation efforts.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateFeb 6, 2017

Astrophotography as a gateway to science

UC Riverside scientists created astrophotography classes for non-science students, resulting in improved understanding of telescopes and cameras, as well as renewed interest in astronomy. The cost-effective courses also encouraged students to take up astrophotography as a hobby, opening the path to future amateur astronomers.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of STEM Education·DateDec 21, 2016

Molecular imaging hack makes cameras 'faster'

Rice chemist Christy Landes and her team have created a new microscopy technique called super temporal resolution microscopy (STReM), which captures images of molecules at a frame rate 20 times faster than typical lab cameras. This enhancement allows researchers to study fast processes without needing more expensive cameras, extracting...

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 17, 2016

More to rainbows than meets the eye

Researchers are exploring the practical uses of rainbows in weather forecasting and combustion engine efficiency. A comprehensive review highlights the importance of simulating rainbows using mathematical modeling. The study also provides tips for capturing rainbows on camera, making them a rare and special phenomenon.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEuropean Journal of Physics·DateAug 25, 2016

Gaming camera could aid MS treatment

Researchers have developed a cost-effective method using the Microsoft Kinect to evaluate gait abnormalities in multiple sclerosis patients. The device detects movement and computer algorithms quantify walking patterns, reducing human error. The technology shows promise for diagnosing gait pathology and tracking treatment effects.

SourceMcGill University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateAug 15, 2016

Nature, not nurture, defines cricket social networks

Researchers found that cricket populations have innate social rules, resulting in stable networks that form year after year. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, suggests that these networks are conserved over evolutionary time, influenced more by population size than environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 8, 2016

Single camera can capture high quality facial performance

A single camera can capture high-quality facial performance using a new method developed by Disney Research, which takes into account the underlying facial anatomy and skin thickness. This approach allows for robust and accurate tracking of facial expressions without requiring multiple cameras or extensive pre-computed facial motions.

Knuckleball machine delivers soccer science

Scientists in France create a knuckleball machine to explore the zigzag secrets of one of football's most unpredictable shots, providing clues to much older scientific puzzles. The researchers discovered that unsteady lift forces and a specific velocity window contribute to the ball's erratic trajectory.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 12, 2016