Report: Photosynthesis hack needed to feed the world by 2050
Boosting crop yields through high-performance computing, genetic engineering, and modifying plant anatomy may be the solution to increasing global food demand by 2050.
Computer Modeling
Articles tagged with Computer Modeling
NYU scientists develop computer model explaining how brain learns to categorize
Researchers at NYU have devised a computer model that explains how the brain classifies visual stimuli into distinct categories. The model, published in Nature Communications, reveals that top-down feedback projections from category-selective neurons to feature-coding neurons are essential for learning correct category boundaries.
NASA observes Super Typhoon Hagupit; Philippines under warnings
NASA's Terra satellite and GPM/TRMM satellites provide valuable data on Super Typhoon Hagupit's rainfall patterns and cloud height. Forecasters expect the storm to reach peak intensity and weaken, while warnings are issued for the Philippines due to typhoon-force winds.
Computer model enables design of complex DNA shapes
Researchers at MIT have developed a new computer model that allows them to design the most complex three-dimensional DNA shapes ever produced. The model enables nanometer-scale precision and can be used to create DNA scaffolds for anchoring proteins, chromophores, and nanoparticles.
NASA computer model provides a new portrait of carbon dioxide
A new ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model provides a stunning visual portrait of how carbon dioxide travels around the globe. The simulation, called GEOS-5, illustrates regional variations in carbon dioxide levels and differences between northern and southern hemispheres.
Forecasting diseases using Wikipedia
A team from Los Alamos National Laboratory successfully monitored and forecasted influenza, dengue fever, and tuberculosis outbreaks worldwide. The study demonstrates the potential of using public health data to build an operational disease monitoring system.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Nuri resemble a frontal system
Tropical Storm Nuri resembled a frontal system, stretching from northeast to southwest due to wind shear. NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image showing strong thunderstorms around its center.
Variations in ice sheet height influence global climate
Researchers found that changing ice sheet height affects global climate differently from freshwater influx alone, with warming sea surfaces and regional changes observed. The study suggests that the role of topography in Heinrich events may be more significant than previously thought.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Karina losing its punch
NASA's TRMM satellite detected an isolated area of heavy rain remaining in Tropical Storm Karina, indicating a weakening uplift in the storm. The storm is forecast to turn westward and slow down soon, with two computer models predicting it will weaken to a tropical depression in about 72 hours.
Revealed: The mystery behind starling flocks
Researchers found that flocking starlings aim to maintain an optimum density to gather data on surroundings, creating a dynamic pattern of light and dark. This pattern is crucial for individual birds within the flock to gather vital information.
Odds that global warming is due to natural factors: Slim to none
A new study by McGill University professor Shaun Lovejoy uses statistical analysis to determine the probability that global warming since 1880 is due to natural variability. The study concludes that the natural-warming hypothesis can be ruled out with confidence levels greater than 99%, and most likely greater than 99.9%.
Overcoming structural uncertainty in computer models
A novel approach to managing model structural uncertainty is introduced, which can help prioritize improvements for better decision-making. The method analyzes internal discrepancies within the model and expresses beliefs about error sizes, providing an indication of relative importance.
Seed dispersal gets a test in carved-out 'habitat corridors'
Researchers created 'habitat corridors' in South Carolina to test how wind moves seeds. They found that corridors increase seed movement and promote plant diversity when aligned with prevailing winds. The study has implications for conservation efforts in Midwestern ecosystems.
Finding the hidden zombie in your network
Researchers developed a lightweight detection system using the hidden semi-Markov model to identify malware-infected computers. The approach can model normal behavior and highlight deviations caused by malware, making it easier to detect botnets in real-time.
Project will create better Amazon hydrology model for climate prediction
The Penn State-led team aims to improve existing hydrological predictions and study the coupling of water with its environment. The goal is to create a strategic tool to assist in decision-making for extreme weather events.
NASA's IRIS provides unprecedented images of sun
IRIS has captured detailed images of the interface region between the sun's surface and corona, revealing more violent and turbulent phenomena than previously understood. The mission's observations also provide new insights into solar eruptive events and the dynamics of the low solar atmosphere.
Understanding hearing
Researchers at TUM developed a computer model of acoustic coding in the inner ear and neuronal information processing by the brain stem, allowing for improved coding strategies and faster testing of new devices. This advancement has the potential to significantly reduce development cycles and provide better hearing outcomes for patients.
Computer model anticipates crime hot spots
A computer model developed by a University of California, Riverside sociologist and Indio police has predicted burglaries by census block group, leading to an 8% decline in thefts. The model uses crime data and truancy records to anticipate hot spots of crime, enabling targeted prevention activities.
Virginia Tech researchers publish study on jellyfish energy consumption that will improve bio-inspired robotic designs for Navy
Researchers discovered how jellyfish move with lowest cost of transport, using a critical pause between contraction and expansion to create a vortex that propels them forward. This feat allows the creature to travel 30% farther each stroke cycle, reducing metabolic energy demand by swimming muscles.
Scripps Florida scientists develop a more effective molecular modeling process
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new method, called Extensive Combinatorial Refinement (ExCoR), that combines existing formulas to create more accurate computer models of molecules. This process can help identify the best algorithms for refining structural details and improve the development of drug candidates.
Rensselaer researchers create accurate computer model of RNA tetraloop
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a computational model that accurately simulates the complex twists of RNA as it folds into a critical hairpin structure. The new model can simulate the folding of three known versions of a tetraloop, accurate to within one ten-billionth of a meter.
Researchers aim to use light -- not electric jolts -- to restore healthy heartbeats
A Johns Hopkins-led research team aims to replace electric shocks with gentle light to heal ailing hearts and treat arrhythmia. The team has successfully tested this technique on a computer model of the heart, using biological data and an intricate computer model.
New energy model offers transparency to let others replicate findings
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new open-source energy economy optimization (EEO) model called Temoa. The model provides transparency into its workings, allowing anyone to check its accuracy and replicate findings. With this advancement, policymakers can make more informed decisions about energy policy...
Study shows feral cat control could benefit from different approach
A new study by Tufts University suggests that vasectomy may be more effective than traditional neutering in managing feral cat populations, as it prevents reproductive hormones from protecting turf from competitors. The research supports the use of a trap-vasectomy-hysterectomy-release method to control feral cat colonies.
Computer model predicts red blood cell flow
Researchers created a simplified computer model of the Fæhråe-Lindqvist layer, a thin plasma layer controlling platelet speed in blood vessels. The model predicts how different red blood cell shapes affect blood flow and can help design artificial platelets and treatments for trauma injuries.
More realistic simulated cloth for more realistic video games and movies
Researchers developed a new model to simulate cloth accurately in animated movies and video games, addressing existing limitations. The model uses a novel approach to simulate light interaction with cloth, treating fabric as a mesh of interwoven microcylinders.
New strategy for fiber tracking in human brain
Researchers developed a new method for reliable fiber tracking with accurate orientation, outperforming existing methods in tracking white matter bundles. The approach showed superior results in detailed images of fiber bundles.
Disney researchers create computer models that capture style and process of portrait artists
Researchers at Disney Research built computer models by monitoring artists as they sketch human faces, capturing each artist's drawing style, strokes, and feature selection. The system successfully generated multiple distinct styles similar to hand-drawn sketches.
New model to improve vehicle-to-vehicle communication for 'intelligent transportation'
A new model has been developed to improve the clarity of vehicle-to-vehicle transmissions needed for 'intelligent transportation'. The model accounts for motion-induced signal distortion, reducing errors in data transmission. This innovation has the potential to provide real-time warnings and improve road safety
Carnegie Mellon researchers identify emotions based on brain activity
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have identified which emotion a person is experiencing based on brain activity using machine learning techniques. The study, led by Karim Kassam, achieved high accuracy levels in identifying emotions from fMRI data and has potential applications in assessing emotional responses to various stimuli.
NASA satellite sees developing tropical depression near Philippines
A low-pressure area has formed near the Philippines and is expected to develop into Tropical Depression 4 in the coming days. The system, named System 91W, is currently located about 355 miles east-southeast of Manila and is moving northwards.
Low-sodium 'diet' key to a stellar old age
A study published in Nature found that 70% of stars with high sodium content fail to reach the final red giant phase. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the life cycle of low-mass stars, including our Sun.
Stanford's Markus Covert wins Paul Allen Distinguished Investigator Award
Markus Covert, a Stanford bioengineer, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to develop complex computer models of living organisms. He aims to build models of human cells and tackle fundamental questions in biology.
Virtual vehicle vibrations
A UI researcher has developed a computer program that can accurately predict the effect of role posture on bone and muscle stress in the head and neck during whole-body vibration. The model may reduce the need for human subjects in design and testing, benefiting industries such as automotive and heavy machinery manufacturing.
Computational medicine enhances way doctors detect, treat disease
Researchers are using computational models and digital tools to build a clearer picture of disease mechanisms, aid in diagnosis, and test therapies. These advancements have the potential to predict patient risk and develop more effective treatments.
Music in our ears: The science of timbre
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology uses a computer model to accurately mimic how the brain processes musical timbre, allowing for better instrument recognition. The researchers found that wind and percussive instruments tend to be most different from each other, with strings and winds being closer together.
Researchers develop new way to determine amount of charge remaining in battery
A new technique has been developed by North Carolina State University researchers to improve the accuracy of determining a battery's remaining charge in real-time. This will enable electric vehicle drivers to better estimate when their car may run out of juice.
Feature sensitive re-sampling of point set surfaces with Gaussian spheres
The proposed algorithm generates feature sensitive non-uniformly distributed discrete sample points for underlying point sets. It uses a Gaussian sphere-based sampling scheme to simplify the point set surfaces, and then applies an adaptive re-sampling framework to generate the desired samples.
Aerial photos reveal dynamic ice sheet
The study found that the ice sheet has retreated and stabilized in the past, challenging current models and computer calculations. The researchers used aerial photos from the 80s and satellite data to analyze the thinning of the ice sheet over 30 years.
Cybersecurity experts investigate self-adapting computer network that defends itself from hackers
Researchers at Kansas State University are developing a self-adapting computer network that can detect and defend itself against cyber attacks. The 'moving-target defense' system randomly changes its configuration to make it difficult for hackers to identify vulnerabilities.
Caltech researchers gain greater insight into earthquake cycles
Researchers at Caltech have created a dynamic computer model that reproduces the physics of a fault segment, showing both seismic and aseismic behavior. The model predicts changes in earthquake frequency and location, shedding light on the seismic cycle and potential forecasting of earthquakes.
Patel recognized with NSF Career Award for computer-modeling research on cell membranes
Patel's research uses novel computer modeling methods to study the biophysics of model cell membranes, revealing non-intuitive behavior of polar molecules. The NSF Career Award will also support a new computational-chemistry course for Newark High School students.
How the ecological risks of extended bioenergy production can be reduced
A computer model assesses ecological impacts and compares effectiveness of strategies to reduce biological diversity risks. The study shows that preserving fallow land and field margins can buffer unintended side-effects and prevent external costs.
Keck award enables Carnegie Mellon and Stanford to dramatically expand crowdsourced RNA design
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon and Stanford are expanding the EteRNA project with a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, allowing them to test thousands of RNA designs each month. The online game has identified talented players who can generate important scientific insights.
New brain imaging and computer modeling predicts autistic brain activity and behavior
Researchers used brain imaging and computer modeling to show how the brain's white matter tracts are altered in autism, affecting brain function and behavior. The findings give scientists clear targets for developing intervention and treatment therapies.
The cutting edge
Using guillotine-based experiments and computer modeling, researchers at the University of Bristol studied the efficiency of bladed tooth shapes. They found that different shaped teeth are optimized for different types of food, with V-shaped edges being similar to those found in sharks and carnivorous mammals.
T. rex has most powerful bite of any terrestrial animal
Researchers used computer models to reconstruct T. rex's jaw muscle and found its bite force could reach up to 57,000 Newtons, making it the most powerful bite among terrestrial animals.
Engineering, geoscience faculty help lead $3 million NSF Delta research collaboration
Researchers from UT Austin are part of a $3 million NSF Delta research collaboration to build comprehensive computer models for predicting river delta evolution. The project aims to understand how deltas respond to human activities and learn to direct delta evolution.
From field to biorefinery: Computer model optimizes biofuel operations
A new computer model developed at the University of Illinois can simplify the transition from field to biorefinery by optimizing operations to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The model takes into account regional attributes such as weather, crop yield, farm size and transport distances, and can run millions of simulations.
Computer models that help predict crowd behavior could be used to prevent the spread of infections at mass gatherings
Computer models can identify health and safety issues at mass gatherings and simulate the spread of infections to test public health interventions. These models could be used to minimize health hazards and prevent outbreaks, saving lives and resources.
Following the crowd supports democracy
Researchers found that uninformed individuals can bring about a majority decision, even if the minority is more determined than the majority. The number of undecided individuals must not be excessive, or decisions become unpredictable and follow a random pattern.
Scientists model the pathways of pain-blocking meds
Researchers created a computer model that calculates the probability of benzocaine molecules entering a cell's membrane based on its composition. The model predicts that membranes made mostly of negatively charged phospholipid DPPS present less barrier to benzocaine, leading to safer and more effective use.
Sunspot 1283 bristling with flares: An X1.8 and an M6.7
Sunspot 1283 has erupted with multiple flares, including an X1.8 flare on September 7 and a moderate M6.7 flare on September 8. NASA predicts that the latest coronal mass ejection may cause some aurora on the morning of September 11.
Simulation proven to enhance training of health professionals
A comprehensive analysis of 600 studies found that simulation-based training consistently outperforms traditional instruction. The study's findings suggest that simulation can be an effective tool for teaching physicians and other healthcare professionals, offering benefits such as repeated practice without patient harm.
Researchers investigate new mechanism for predicting how diseases spread
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new model for predicting disease spread by considering the base location of individuals. This approach creates significant differences in disease predictions compared to traditional models.
New model shows importance of feet, toes in body balance
A new computational model of the human foot reveals the importance of toe strength in determining body balance. The model's findings support previous studies on real people and could lead to improved robotic body parts and prosthetics.
Real March Madness is relying on seedings to determine Final 4
A new model developed by Sheldon Jacobson predicts the most likely Final Four combinations based on seedings, rather than team performance. The model suggests that choosing a combination of two top-seeded teams, a No. 2 seed, and a No. 3 seed is the best bet for winning the office pool.
JPEG for the mind: How the brain compresses visual information
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins University discovered that cells in area V4 of the primate brain select out only the most vital information for understanding the visual world. The brain compresses visual information by responding mostly to flat edges and shallow curvatures, rather than rare high-curvature regions.
UNC researchers developing computer models for pediatric airway problems
Researchers at UNC are developing computer models to help physicians predict which treatments will work best for children with upper airway problems. The project aims to create tools to evaluate the pediatric airway and predict medical or surgical interventions for specific children with conditions such as Pierre Robin sequence.
Earth's hot past could be prologue to future climate
A new analysis suggests that future global temperatures may exceed projections by a factor of two, with potentially catastrophic consequences. The study, led by NCAR scientist Jeffrey Kiehl, warns that continued high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could lead to a repeat of Earth's hot past.