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Inside the head of a dinosaur

Researchers found that therizinosaurs had well-developed sensory abilities, including smell, hearing, and balance, which may have affected their behavior as herbivores. The study used high-resolution CT scanning and 3D computer visualization to analyze the brain and inner ear anatomy of a 90-million-year-old therizinosaur fossil.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Tech opens communication doors for grandparents of grandkids with ASD

A computer-based design program, SketchUp, helps develop spatial and visual acuity in youth on the autism spectrum. It also improves relationships between grandparents and their grandkids, creating a more supportive environment. The technology provides common ground for grandparents to engage with others, sharing experiences and joys.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe International Journal of Aging and Human Development·DateDec 10, 2012

New test to help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake

Researchers at the University of Liverpool developed a computer-based test to help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption by practicing restraint in response to images of alcoholic drinks. The study found that participants who learned to exercise self-control subsequently drank less beer than control groups.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalExperimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology·DateNov 27, 2012

Even physically active women sit too much

A new Northwestern University study reveals that even physically active women spend an average of nine hours a day sitting. The research suggests that incorporating light activity throughout the day can help mitigate negative health consequences associated with prolonged sitting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateOct 30, 2012

A sense of control, even if illusory, eliminates emotion-driven distortions of time

A sense of control over events reduces emotion-driven time distortions, regardless of individual's emotional state or illusion of control. Previous studies found that highly arousing images lead to time distortions, but this study shows that giving participants a feeling of control eliminates these effects.

Cops on the street: How many are needed?

A new guidebook provides a performance-based approach to police staffing and allocation, taking into account multiple factors such as crime rate, shift length, and community policing. The approach offers a more efficient way for agencies to determine the number of officers needed and deploy them effectively.

Computer interventions on college drinking don't last

A new analysis of computer-delivered and face-to-face interventions found that while both methods can curb college drinking for a little while, in-person encounters produce lasting results. Computer-delivered interventions had positive effects in the first few months but lost significance after 14 weeks.

SourceBrown University·JournalClinical Psychology Review·DateOct 15, 2012

Mollusc missing link revealed in 3-D

Researchers have uncovered a rare fossil called Kulindroplax, the missing link between two mollusc groups, and modelled it in a 3D computer animation. The study provides unprecedented detail, enabling scientists to understand the relationship between aplacophorans and chitons.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2012

Smartphone technology acceptable for telemedicine

A Mayo Clinic study confirms the effectiveness of smartphone teleradiology applications in evaluating stroke patients in remote settings. The study shows high agreement (92-100%) among reviewers on critical radiological features, paving the way for telemedicine expansion.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalStroke·DateOct 1, 2012

Computer program can identify rough sketches

Researchers from Brown University developed a computer program that recognizes sketches as they're drawn in real time, with around 56-percent accuracy. The program uses a large database of sketches to teach a computer how humans sketch objects, enabling better sketch-based interface and search applications.

Computer, read my lips

Researchers developed an emotion detector using a genetic algorithm that recognizes six human emotions and neutral expression. The system analyzes upper and lower lip shapes to improve interaction between humans and computers.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing·DateSep 10, 2012

Touch your philodendron and control your computer

Researchers at Disney Research have created a technology called Botanicus Interactus, which enables plants to control digital devices with touch detection. This technology uses Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing and machine-learning algorithms to recognize frequency changes associated with touches on the plant.

No bones about it

Georgia Tech researchers have created a new way to simulate and control movement of computer-generated characters without a skeletal structure. This technique allows for unparalleled control of digital creatures, enabling amateur animators and young children to manipulate their movements with simple point-and-click commands.

A pulsar with a tremendous hiccup

Researchers identified a radio-quiet, very young pulsar J1838-0537 that experienced the strongest rotation glitch ever observed for a gamma-ray-only pulsar. The glitch resulted in a 38 millionths of a Hertz faster rotation rate.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 26, 2012

Controlling your computer with your eyes

Researchers from Imperial College London have developed a low-cost, 3D eye-tracking device that can track users' eye movements and allow them to control a cursor on a screen. The device has been shown to be effective in enabling people with disabilities to interact with computers and their surroundings using just their eyes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateJul 12, 2012

New apps redefine poetry

Jason Lewis's P.o.E.M.M. project develops ten new digital poetry apps that combine poet-created content with interactive elements, including user-generated and Twitter-based poetry. The project has received recognition from the Electronic Literature Organization, and its apps are available for download through iTunes.

Physics to tackle how food is cooked in future

A growing population faces challenges of feeding itself through cleaner and more efficient methods. Innovations in flameless cooking, such as the Oorja stove, offer promising solutions. Researchers are exploring new technologies to reduce costs and increase accessibility, aiming to generate 100W of electrical power from confined gas.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateMay 31, 2012

Computers & Graphics incorporates Collage Authoring Environment

The special issue on 3D Object Retrieval will incorporate the Collage Authoring Environment, allowing authors to embed executable code and data into their papers. This enables verified results and improves peer-review, leading to faster knowledge dissemination in fast-moving fields like Computer Graphics.

SourceElsevier·JournalComputers & Graphics·DateMay 21, 2012