Articles tagged with Computers
Researchers found that people are 7% better at finding targets in the upper half of the screen compared to the lower half. This discovery could improve safety-related technologies like traffic signs and website user interfaces.
A new proposal converts stored information from magnetism to light efficiently, enabling the development of inexpensive and flexible plastic computers. This breakthrough could lead to high-capacity storage technologies in miniaturized devices.
University of Chicago researchers created a proof-of-concept experiment to aid future development of programmable quantum computers. They replicated features of smaller, specialized computers by manipulating trillions of quantum mechanical spins in a crystal.
A recent study by Syracuse University researchers found that popular smartphone activities can leave devices vulnerable to 'computer worms.' These worms, which can steal personal info and spread to friends' contacts, target HTML5-based apps. The team identified 14 vulnerable apps across Android, iOS, and Blackberry.
Researchers developed an optical diode with nonreciprocal light transmission, eliminating backflow of light. The device enhances light transmission in one direction, leading to faster and cooler computers.
A Norwegian study found that higher screen time was associated with lower bone mineral density in boys, while girls who spent more time on computers had higher BMD than their peers. The findings suggest that sedentary lifestyles during adolescence can impact bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
A computer system has been developed that can detect real or faked expressions of pain more accurately than people, with an 85% accuracy rate. The system uses pattern-recognition abilities to identify subtle differences between involuntary and voluntary facial movements.
A joint study found that a computer system can detect fake facial expressions of pain more accurately than humans. The research team developed a pattern-recognition algorithm that identifies distinctive dynamic features of facial movements, which are often missed by human observers.
Researchers at Fraunhofer IGD have developed a real-time simulation software that allows designers to create clothes in seconds, incorporating changes quickly and frequently. The technology is set to revolutionize the fashion industry by making virtualization a precondition for clothing production of tomorrow.
Two studies found a link between electronic media use in children and poorer well-being, including increased emotional problems and family issues. Electronic media use was associated with reduced self-esteem and social connections among young children.
Researchers confirm D-Wave uses quantum effects but are critical of its classification as a computer. The system solves optimization problems but is slower than traditional computers for most tests.
A recent study by UT Arlington researchers found that employees using treadmill workstations burned an average of 74 more calories per day, while also becoming more productive at work. The study showed a carryover effect where exercise became a habit for employees, and had a positive impact on employee health in the fight against obesity.
A team of computer scientists from Saarland University has developed a software system called Privada, which enables website owners to collect user data while protecting individual privacy. The system uses multi-party computation and perturbation to ensure that only trends in the aggregated statistic are preserved.
Saarland University researchers have created a software system called Ubic to enhance the security of cash machine transactions using Google Glass. The system encrypts and protects users' PIN numbers, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to spy on the transaction process.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new, potentially clean catalyst that can convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methanol with fewer side-products. The nickel-gallium catalyst offers promise for low-cost, low-pressure methanol production using renewable energy sources.
A Google Glass app enables quick diagnosis of diseases such as HIV and prostate cancer using lateral flow immunochromatographic assays. The app transmits images to powerful computers for analysis, providing quantified results within seconds.
Researchers have developed novel devices that can be turned on and off using light, enabling a new wave of highly efficient electronics. The breakthrough is crucial for performing computations, which rely on a series of on-off switches.
A novel platform connects engineers in their offices with production locations, enabling real-time video transmission and interactive 3D model views. This approach facilitates remote maintenance by showing operators multiple views of the machine on screen.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a method to arrange numerous pictures fast based on visual characteristics like size and intensity. Users can interactively click and drag images to create an order that creates a harmonious overall picture.
An international study found a strong association between household device ownership and increased rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in lower and middle income countries. The prevalence of these conditions rose with the number of devices owned, highlighting the need for health interventions to mitigate the effects of modernization.
Researchers found a 400% increase in obesity and 250% increase in diabetes among TV, computer, and car owners in low-income countries. The study suggests that these modern conveniences contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to increased rates of obesity and diabetes.
A new study explores how doctors and patients interact with computers in exam rooms, highlighting the need for better balance between human and technical attention. Research suggests that using aviation practices can help primary-care providers enhance the physician-patient relationship in an era of exam room computing.
Researchers found that human-designed RNA molecules performed better than computer-generated ones, with an average success rate of 99% compared to 95%. The EteRNA community's insights into RNA design are advancing the science and could lead to new treatments for diseases like HIV.
A study by Northwestern University found that doctors who use electronic health records in the exam room spend about a third of their visits looking at computers, leading to missed nonverbal cues. The study suggests that interactive screen sharing could improve doctor-patient interaction and contribute to better-designed technology.
A Penn study found that online commentary, both positive and negative, degrades the impact of anti-smoking public service announcements. Viewers who watched PSAs with no commentary had better recall and rated them more effective overall.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that using a compact elliptical device while sitting can lead to significant weight loss and prevention of weight gain. The study involved 32 participants who used the device for one hour daily, resulting in an average weight loss of 5.2 pounds per year.
Researchers found that subjects' trust in human agents was strongly linked to their accuracy, whereas the value placed on computer algorithms depended on whether or not their predictions matched. The study's findings highlight the brain mechanisms underlying these kinds of evaluations and have implications for decision-making.
BYU engineer Dah-Jye Lee has created a genetic algorithm that accurately identifies objects in images or video sequences without human intervention. The algorithm learns from a set of images and sets its own parameters, achieving 100% accurate recognition on four image datasets and distinguishing between fish species with 99.4% accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania propose a new theoretical framework for metamaterials that can perform 'photonic calculus' on light waves, enabling fast and efficient calculations. This technology could revolutionize fields such as image processing by allowing real-time manipulation of light wave profiles without conversi...
A study by Gary Lupyan reveals that humans make mistakes in even the simplest rule-based calculations, favoring contextual information over clear rules. People consistently mistake numbers like 798 for odd and prefer 400 as a better even number.
Researchers found that computer users make broader generalizations when it comes to movement learning. Computer-naive individuals converted their generalization patterns after just two weeks of intensive mouse use, suggesting that computer use fundamentally affects neural representation of movements.
Researchers at ORNL developed a method to control the diameter of silica rods during growth by manipulating temperature. This allows for precise control over segment size, enabling advances in fields like anti-reflective solar cells and computer monitors.
Researchers create algorithm using group pictures to determine urban tribes, achieving 48% accuracy rate. The algorithm analyzes images as the sum of their parts and attributes to pick up social cues.
Researchers found that customizing a personal website can improve self-control, reducing the likelihood of making impulsive decisions during online transactions. Participants who tailored their own site worked longer on a puzzle task than those who customized for others.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed an algorithm that uses group pictures to determine urban tribes, achieving 48% accuracy. The algorithm analyzes facial features, clothing, and other attributes in a 'parts and attributes' approach, with potential applications in search results, social networks, and public space surveillance.
Case Western Reserve engineers create nanoscale switches with low power consumption and durability, enabling faster and more efficient computing. The silicon carbide-based technology could lead to significant advancements in electronics and computing.
A new clinical study shows that a tongue-controlled wheelchair can access computers and execute commands faster than sip-and-puff systems, with equal accuracy. The Tongue Drive System enables people with tetraplegia to maneuver their wheelchairs better than those using traditional assistive technologies.
Researchers create a new password system, GOTCHA, that incorporates inkblots to protect high-value accounts from stolen passwords. Users describe inkblots with text phrases, making it harder for computers to crack the password.
A study found that humans primarily rely on upper body cues for recognition, even with limited facial information. Researchers suggest automatic face recognition systems can improve accuracy by considering the body in their decision-making process.
Researchers have developed a new smart-foam technology that can measure helmet impact and detect concussions in real-time. The piezoelectric foam is embedded in football helmets and generates electrical signals when compressed, providing coaches and trainers with instant data on player safety.
Research paper in Cognition journal argues that humans make mistakes due to context dependence, not carelessness, and highlights limitations of brain's ability to follow strict rules and definitions.
Researchers from the University of Manchester successfully recreated the walking and running movements of Argentinosaurus using computer simulations. The study provides new insights into the dinosaur's locomotion ability, dispelling previous suggestions that it was inflated in size.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a method to produce electronic inks using untangled carbon nanotubes, which are lightweight, strong and conduct electricity. The breakthrough enables the mass production of new applications using these 'wonder materials', including tablet computers and touchscreen phones.
A community-mapping project in Rwanda provides high school students with spatial-thinking skills using tablet computers and smart phones. The project aims to train 225 students in natural resource mapping and synthesize data about local agriculture, weather, water quality, and infrastructure.
A 20-year study found that LIS patients can achieve remarkable communication and mobility independence with rehabilitation and technology, including head-tracking and wheelchair control. Patients can even write, communicate, and play computer games with minimal functions.
A study published in Psychological Science found that humans rely on non-facial cues like body shape and build to identify people in challenging viewing conditions. Participants accurately identified images of the same person even when only their bodies were shown.
Scientists have developed a way to generate electric current by rubbing or tapping paper made of everyday materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene and plastic sheets. The created energy can be used to power devices like LED arrays, e-ink displays, and sound buzzers.
Researchers found that when facial features were ambiguous, participants used body cues such as the nose and face shape to accurately identify individuals. The study suggests that computer-based recognition systems can be improved by incorporating body information, especially in low-quality facial images.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a programming language for chemistry that allows scientists to design and build custom DNA molecules with specific functions. This new approach enables flexible control over chemical reactions, which could lead to innovative medical applications such as smart drug delivery systems.
A team of researchers has developed a program called RealBrush that allows graphic artists to quickly produce realistic brushstrokes on their computers. The program uses machine-learning approaches and Big Data storage techniques to create, bend, and shape various types of brushstrokes.
A team of Stanford engineers has built a basic computer using carbon nanotubes, demonstrating their potential as a successor to silicon chips. The achievement showcases the efficiency and low-power switching capabilities of CNTs, which could lead to smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices.
Researchers at CU-Boulder demonstrated that brains use a pointer system similar to computers to understand novel situations. The brain's connections between the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia play a key role in processing sentences with unfamiliar words.
Researchers at the University of Miami discovered a global ecology of interacting robots that trade on global markets at speeds too fast for humans. These ultrafast algorithms create extreme events, such as crashes and spikes, in financial markets.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that a virtual adviser, named Carmen, significantly increased walking among older Latino adults with low literacy levels. The participants who received personalized feedback and encouragement from Carmen showed an eight-fold increase in walking compared to the control group.
A study by Disney Research found that visiting soccer teams should adopt a more aggressive strategy to increase their chances of winning. The analysis of 380 games revealed that performance measures such as shooting and passing percentage were similar for home and away teams, but the location of possession was significantly different.
Scientists at Penn's Annenberg School for Communication found that inaction-related words in the environment can influence self-control, triggering unconscious behavior to stop over-indulging. The study challenged traditional theories that inhibition requires conscious control.
A NASA technologist has developed a fully automated tool, the Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG), that gives mission planners detailed directions for efficiently steering spacecraft to distant interplanetary destinations. The tool can calculate multiple trajectories in minutes, reducing the time required to design missions.
Researchers found that flattering sellers eliminates the endowment effect, leading to lower selling prices. This phenomenon is driven by consumers' emotional response to losing a possession, which can be mitigated by acknowledging their concerns.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can infer the rules of complex systems by analyzing intermittent samples. By looking at relative changes in population updates, they uncovered an invariant geometry that relates to the hidden reactions driving the system.
Researchers at Harvard University are developing new techniques to improve digital imaging, including a method to mimic the appearance of translucent objects and optimize screen hardware for adaptive displays. Their work has the potential to advance artificial vision, 3D displays, and video editing.