Research on computing hardware and its future. Covers quantum error-correction, cyber defense, novel materials, and AI frameworks.
Researchers at UBC are presenting significant advancements in computer animation and simulation technology. They have developed a tool that generates readable text-art using vector images and text, as well as a physics-based simulation of canine motions for games and film.
A multidisciplinary team at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev developed a new training method using desktop webcams to improve ergonomic posture among office workers. The photo-training method provided effective short-term and long-term posture improvement, particularly for older workers and those with musculoskeletal pain.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a non-invasive brain computer interface that allows users to control computers and robotic prosthetic limbs with their thoughts. The technology, known as UMD brain cap, uses EEG signals to translate brain waves into movement commands.
A systematic review found that nurse-led relaxation classes, birth preparation classes, and clinician feedback can decrease caesarean sections in low-risk pregnancies. However, prenatal education, computer patient decision-aids, and insurance reform have not shown significant effects on reducing cesarean section rates.
Four middle-school students developed an innovative device, the Posture Pad, that vibrates or emits a tone when used incorrectly, aiming to prevent musculoskeletal problems. The study found 75% of students and 80% of office workers sat with incorrect posture, highlighting the need for ergonomic solutions.
Researchers develop two new techniques that apply heat mapping and heat distribution to enable machines to perceive three-dimensional objects. These methods mimic the human ability to recognize objects regardless of their shape or orientation.
Researchers from Uppsala University have developed a wireless sensor that can stretch to measure intensive body movements, paving the way for new applications in health monitoring and remote control. The sensor's design enables wireless measurement of repeated bending across large areas or moveable parts.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive brain implant that wirelessly transmits brain signals to control computers and reactivate paralyzed limbs. The BioBolt implant uses the skin as a conductor to reduce power consumption and enable potential applications in controlling epilepsy and diagnosing diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers at MIT's Computer Graphics Group have developed new methods to efficiently simulate blur in digital computer graphics, reducing rendering time by minutes. By simplifying the computation of blur, these techniques can create more convincing video games and frames of digital video, improving overall visual quality.
Researchers developed a new technique for using multi-core chips more efficiently, enhancing computer models of biological systems by over seven-fold. This could impact areas like drug development and biofuel engineering.
The study found significant racial disparities in children's media use, with minority youth spending an average of 13 hours per day on media compared to 9.5 hours for their white counterparts. Minority youth also tend to watch more TV and listen to music, while Asian youth spend more time playing video games and using computers.
Researchers at Caltech have built the most complex biochemical circuit from scratch, made with DNA-based devices that can process information and make decisions. The circuit, consisting of 74 different DNA molecules, can compute square roots and round down answers, demonstrating logical control over biochemical processes.
A Johns Hopkins University study reveals that two identical beads dropped into a turbulent flow will follow different and random paths. The phenomenon, called 'spontaneous stochasticity,' suggests that even everyday particles can behave randomly in chaotic flows.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a system called EnergJ that reduces energy consumption in simulations by up to 50 percent. The system has the potential to cut energy by as much as 90 percent and could be used in various applications such as streaming audio and video, games, and real-time image recognition.
Researchers developed two new techniques to maximize multi-core chip performance by efficiently allocating bandwidth and prefetching data. These techniques improved chip performance by 40% compared to chips without prefetching and 10% over chips that always prefetch data.
Finch, a portable and rugged robot designed for introductory computer science classes, includes sensors and mechanisms to engage students' senses. It can be programmed to display 'Hello World', make sounds, or respond to temperature changes, making programming lessons more interactive and motivating.
The new PaperPhone prototype boasts a flexible iPhone-like design, allowing users to interact with it by bending or flipping corners. This invention heralds a paperless office era, where lightweight and thin-film computers replace traditional devices, offering a power-efficient and interactive experience.
A study of University of Washington graduate students using Kindle DX found that students want improved support for note-taking, referencing, and viewing figures. The device's limitations, including difficulty switching between reading styles and lack of physical cues, pose challenges for e-readers in the academic market.
A new study found that consumers predict product quality based on attributes when buying for themselves, but rely on price when someone else makes the purchase. The researchers suggest retailers and salespeople should increase psychological distance to influence quality perceptions through high prices.
Scientists have successfully developed a technique to decode brain signals associated with speech and movement. By analyzing frequency of brain wave activity, patients can learn to control a computer cursor by thinking or saying specific sounds, marking the beginning of 'reading minds' technology.
A team of researchers from Washington University used electrocortiography (ECoG) to control a computer cursor using words spoken out loud and in their head. The study showed up to 90% accuracy, even without prior training, and has huge potential for patients with speech disorders or limited movement. Future operations may use small, mi...
A woman with tetraplegia has controlled a computer cursor accurately for over 1,000 days using the BrainGate neural interface system. The system, which decodes brain signals to translate them into digital instructions, has shown promising results in enabling people with paralysis to control external devices.
The North Carolina State University Engineering Entrepreneurs Program (EEP) has been successful in producing results, with alumni 73% more likely to start a new company and 23% more likely to create new products and services. The program focuses on learning by doing, encouraging students to form their own start-up companies and develop...
A study found that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance spend more time looking at ideal body images when the editorial content is about body improvement, compared to general interest articles. People satisfied with their bodies don't feel the need to avoid or seek inspiration from these images.
A Concordia researcher has developed a highly effective computer program to age photographic images of people's faces, improving the accuracy of age-estimation for missing-child investigations and national security. The technique combines active appearance models and support vector regression to predict future facial appearance.
Steve Plimpton's development of LAMMPS molecular-dynamics software has led to over 65,000 downloads and 1,000 journal articles citing the code. The open-source software can model materials at various scales, from atomic to macroscopic systems.
Researchers at MIT propose an experiment using a large number of photons and beam splitters to calculate complex distributions. The challenge lies in simulating the sampling process, which is currently computationally intractable.
Researchers have developed a method to create pristine sheets of graphene from regular table sugar, offering potential for lighter, faster and cheaper computer electronics. The technique allows for control over the film's thickness and opens up possibilities for doped graphene applications in various fields.
Two projects will test BCI technology in patients with spinal cord injuries, allowing them to control computer cursors and prosthetic limbs using their thoughts. The projects aim to gain a better understanding of how to train and motivate patients who will benefit from BCI technology.
The US Secret Service is now using a virtual training environment called Virtual Tiny Town to prepare agents for real-life incidents. The new platform combines gaming technology and 3D modeling to simulate site security plans, allowing students to practice responding to scenarios such as chemical releases and suicide bombers.
Researchers at University of Washington develop tiny, battery-powered implantable devices that bridge impaired nerve connections and promote brain recovery from injury or disease. The devices can record nerve cell activity, process it, and stimulate cells in another brain region.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a framework called CrowdForge that breaks down complex tasks into simple, independent micro-tasks. The study found crowdsourced articles rated higher in quality and had lower variability compared to individual-authored articles.
Scientists have created a new system that uses two video cameras and advanced computer software to study ocean waves in real-time. The technology can help explain the dynamics of near-shore waves and provide accurate insights into coastal erosion.
A new system developed by researchers at North Carolina State University utilizes hardware and software advances to restore an operating system if it is attacked. The system includes attack detection, security fault isolation, and recovery mechanisms to prevent attackers from gaining control of the OS.
Researchers at NIST have developed a reliable source of single photons that can be manipulated into specific quantum states, addressing one of the key challenges to creating practical quantum computers. The team's design allows for the creation of multiple individual photons with distinct wavelengths from a single source.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that analyzes viewing angle and illumination to generate a 3D view of a face from a 2D image. This technology can be used for identity management, information protection, and homeland security, reducing false identification.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people's predictions of apology value are often inaccurate. The researchers used an experiment to test how individuals perceive apologies and discovered that those who imagined receiving an apology valued it more than those who actually received one.
A study has demonstrated the safety and feasibility of using a magnetic maneuverable capsule to visualize the gastric mucosa in healthy volunteers. The capsule was well-tolerated and provided excellent visualization of the stomach lining, with 75% of the gastric mucosa visualized in most subjects.
A new study finds that spending more than two hours a day on screen-based entertainment increases the risk of heart disease and premature death. Metabolic factors and inflammation may partly explain the link between prolonged sitting and cardiovascular events.
Researchers develop an online game, EteRNA, that uses crowdsourcing and game play to design and validate molecules of RNA. The game is integrated with Facebook and scores players based on how well their virtual designs can be rendered as physical molecules.
The Berkeley Lab will work with China to implement energy-efficient practices, such as turning computers around and reducing mechanical cooling. By sharing best practices and case studies, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions and improve the industry's energy performance.
Aaron Hertzmann, a professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science, has received the 2010 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to computer graphics and machine learning research. His work focuses on applying machine-learning techniques to resolve complex problems in computer graphics.
Researchers found that liberals consistently move their attention in response to gaze cues, while conservatives do not. This suggests that liberals tend to be more responsive to others and are influenced by social interaction, whereas conservatives value personal autonomy and are less likely to be swayed by external cues.
A team of UCSF researchers has engineered E. coli with the key molecular circuitry that enables genetic engineers to program cells to communicate and perform computations. This system can be harnessed to turn cells into miniature computers, enabling intricate functions for various purposes such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
A recent report by the Association for Computing Machinery and the Computer Science Teachers Association found that US K-12 computer science education is scant in most classrooms. Most schools focus on teaching students how to use a computer, but neglect to teach deeper concepts such as computational problem-solving.
Research found that people are more likely to cheat and make immoral decisions when it requires minimal action. Participants were more willing to help others when they had to explicitly choose 'yes' or 'no', whereas passive requests led to lower rates of volunteering.
Researchers have simulated the merger of two black holes with vastly different sizes, achieving a 100:1 mass ratio for the first time. This breakthrough allows for more realistic astrophysical scenarios and prediction of observational effects.
Dr. Michael Wagner's research explores the use of identical rhymes in poetry to understand how languages use emphasis and prosody. The study reveals a systematic difference between French and English speakers' evaluation of poetry, which can help improve computer programmers' production of realistic speech.
The American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) has inducted eight new Fellows, who have made substantial and sustained contributions to the field of medical informatics. The incoming ACMI President, Jim Cimino, welcomed the new Fellows, praising their expertise in clinical practice, medical research, education, and patient care.
A study of 38 patients who underwent primary or revision rhinoplasty found that computer imaging was moderately accurate in predicting the final result. Patients valued its inclusion in the preoperative consultation, citing improved communication with surgeons and better understanding of the surgery. The accuracy of the images varied b...
A study found significant variation in medical center performance of traditional central line-associated BSI surveillance. The researchers discovered that different institutions use varying criteria for surveillance, leading to inconsistent rates and rankings.
Researchers have discovered a way to correct for errors in quantum computers, allowing them to work with a quarter of faulty or missing qubits. The findings bring scientists one step closer to designing and building real-life quantum computing systems that could revolutionize fields like drug design and code-breaking.
The DARPA Ubiquitous High Performance Computing (UHPC) initiative aims to revolutionize computing power and energy efficiency. Georgia Tech researchers are supporting key components of the $100M challenge, developing new approaches and technologies to redefine the future of computing. The goal is to make computing systems more reliable...
Research from Vanderbilt University found that expert typists' hands can detect errors even when their conscious brain is unaware of them. In experiments, skilled typists were fooled by computer programs inserting or correcting errors, but their fingers slowed down only after making real mistakes.
A study funded by NIH shows that participants can force a computer to display one image and discard another using only their thoughts. The research used brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to understand how the brain processes information, particularly attention and decision-making.
Researchers demonstrate that individuals can intentionally alter the firing rate of specific neurons in the brain, increasing some while decreasing others. This control is achieved through focusing thoughts on particular images displayed on a computer screen.
A new algorithm by Carnegie Mellon researchers can efficiently solve systems of linear equations, a crucial problem in computer applications like image processing and logistics. The algorithm applies to symmetric diagonally dominant (SDD) systems, outperforming existing methods by billion-fold speedup.
University of Granada researchers have developed a new computer technique that allows for the automatic classification of images and videos based on the presence of individuals or specific objects. The technique also enables the estimation and recognition of human poses and detection of human actions such as walking, jumping, bending d...
Researchers successfully achieved 'tunneling spin injection' into graphene, increasing efficiency and enabling longer spin lifetimes. This breakthrough enables the development of a 'spin computer' with potential for faster and more energy-efficient computing.
A new study using brain imaging revealed how people learn from their competitors' successes and failures. The research found that players experienced neural activity in response to their competitor's unexpected failures, suggesting they learned to inhibit the actions leading to those failures.