Articles tagged with Computers
Researchers discovered patterns of brain activity that underlie our ability to see and understand three-dimensional object structure. Higher-level visual regions represent objects as spatial configurations of surface fragments, which are encoded by individual neurons tuned to respond to specific surface fragment substructures.
A study found that online gamblers think they're more in control of their behavior compared to casino gamblers, but this is not the case due to a lack of social connections and intense sensations., The researchers believe regulating online gambling could remove its excitement.
The University of Michigan is developing the Community Structure-Activity Resource (CSAR) database, a centralized repository of experimental data on drug-making compounds. This resource will improve computer programs that predict drug effectiveness and significantly impact the drug development process.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a new nanoscale process called block co-polymer lithography that enables the creation of square, nanoscale chemical patterns on silicon wafers. This technology has the potential to make computers smaller, faster, and more efficient by packing transistors closer together.
Researchers developed age-estimation software that uses facial attributes to determine a person's age, with an accuracy rate of 80% when estimating ages within 10 years
Researchers plan to develop exascale machines that can process over 10^18 calculations per second, with a focus on virtualization and managing multiple programs on a single platform. The goal is to lay the groundwork for future systems that can guarantee service levels even in the event of machine failure or overload.
A new study finds that brief interruptions can alter purchasing decisions, causing a shift from detail-oriented, price-conscious thinking to goal-oriented, price-insensitive consideration. Participants who were interrupted in decision-making processes prioritized qualities like satisfaction and desirability over feasibility and price.
A Florida State University researcher has discovered a molecular mechanism that gives scientists a better understanding of how evolution occurs at the molecular level. The study reveals an enzyme with two pathways dedicated to the same task, one of which is an evolutionary vestige left over from an ancient enzyme.
Researchers at Princeton University will study 'intractability' with a $10 million NSF grant, aiming to understand the limits of computer power. The center will address problems in cryptography and quantum computing, potentially leading to breakthroughs in computer security.
A team of Princeton University researchers has developed an automated system that can reconstruct wall paintings from fragments, reducing the time needed from years to months. The 'Griphos' system employs a combination of computer algorithms and mirrors traditional archaeological procedures, enabling archaeologists to use it as a tool.
Computer scientists develop algorithm to accurately capture hairstyle shape and appearance using multiple cameras and light sources. The method enables photo-realistic images of hairstyles from any angle, creating realistic highlights and animations.
The Computation Institute has received a $1.5 million grant to develop the Petascale Active Data Store (PADS), enabling researchers to analyze massive datasets in new ways. The system will provide rich data for computer science research and enable collaborations across disciplines.
A new technique developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Mark Changizi harnesses the computing power of our visual system to generate perceptions of digital circuits. By using simple drawings and shading, the visual system can naturally carry out computations and generate outputs.
The IBM Blue Gene/P Intrepid supercomputer will have a new data analytics and visualization capability, complementing its distinction as the fastest computer in the world for open science. The system, nicknamed Eureka, will enable researchers to explore and visualize data produced by Intrepid.
A $2 million computer will significantly boost Johns Hopkins researchers' efforts to diagnose and treat brain diseases, heart illnesses, cancer, and other medical ailments. The powerful computer, set to be installed in early 2009, is expected to accelerate experiments, comparisons, and data analysis, leading to potential breakthroughs.
Researchers investigate how humans perceive humanoid robots and attribute mental qualities, finding increased brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Participants enjoyed interactions more when robots displayed human-like features, suggesting a link between human-robot interaction and mentalizing.
A University of Sussex-led study found that the brain responds more strongly to piano sonatas played by musicians than by computers. The researchers discovered that the brain's electric activity increases when the music is performed with emotional expression, indicating a deeper understanding of musical meaning.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that able-bodied mobile users replicate errors made by physically impaired desktop computer users, such as pressing wrong keys and clicking incorrectly. The study suggests that software solutions developed for disabled users can be applied to reduce errors on mobile devices.
The Tongue Drive system allows individuals with severe disabilities, such as high-level spinal cord injuries, to control a computer and powered wheelchair using only their tongues. The system uses a small magnet attached to the tongue to direct cursor movement on a screen or joystick function in a powered wheelchair.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by studying the interaction between two electrons in a carbon nanotube, paving the way for a quantum mechanical bit. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of a revolutionary quantum computer capable of solving complex calculations much faster than current computers.
University of Florida researchers have developed a neural implant that can learn and adapt with the brain, enabling devices to improve their performance over time. The system uses goal-setting and rewards to teach rats to control a robotic arm with their thoughts, demonstrating its potential for paralyzed patients and amputees.
Researchers at UC Riverside have made a discovery that could enable the development of faster computers by controlling electron spin and current flow. By altering the thickness of a thin insulator, they were able to selectively pass electrons with specific spins through a structure.
The research focuses on designing miniature components called compressors and evaporators, critical for refrigeration systems. The team developed an analytical model and validated it with experimental data, showing that it is feasible to design a prototype system small enough to fit in a laptop.
A five-year clinical trial has shown that computer-assisted dosage of blood thinning drugs is at least as safe and reliable as those provided by expert medical professionals. The study involved over 13,000 patients and nearly 400,000 INR tests, confirming the effectiveness of computer-assisted dosage.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an algorithm that can geolocate photos by analyzing their composition and searching through millions of GPS-tagged images on Flickr. The IM2GPS algorithm achieved accurate results, even identifying landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and narrowing down possibilities like beach or desert l...
Tartalo, a robot developed by the University of the Basque Country, uses sensors and computer vision to navigate environments. The robot can recognize different places, such as rooms, corridors, and doors, and asks for permission before entering.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that children can learn flexible behavior and make correct choices without realizing why, challenging traditional theories. The study used a computer game to test children's ability to choose objects based on shape or color in different contexts.
Los Alamos researchers used the Roadrunner supercomputer to model over a billion visual neurons and trillions of synapses, surpassing the scale of 1 quadrillion computations per second. This achievement throws open the door to achieving human-like cognitive performance in electronic computers.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that instant messaging on the job reduces interruption and increases productivity. Employees use instant messaging to check in with coworkers and get quick answers to general questions, rather than engaging in face-to-face conversations or using the phone and email.
Computer fraud can result from incompetence, ignorance, negligence or deliberate misappropriation by employees, causing millions of dollars in damages. Educating managers on security issues can minimize opportunistic computer fraud, making them aware of social and technical issues that affect organizational structure.
US researchers have created living computers by genetically altering bacteria, solving the burnt pancake problem in a matter of flips. The breakthrough showcases computing in living cells, offering potential advantages over conventional computers, including parallel processing and self-repair mechanisms.
A study of 600 adolescent girls found that 90% experienced sexual harassment, with varying levels of reporting depending on age, socioeconomic status, and exposure to feminist ideas. Girls who felt pressure to conform to gender stereotypes or were unhappy with traditional roles were more likely to report sexism.
Jay Steele, a Ph.D. student in computer graphics at Clemson University, has received the NVIDIA Fellowship Program award for his research on Lattice-Boltzmann computational modeling methods and GPU acceleration. The $25,000 award recognizes his work on realistic lighting and rendering of virtual scenes.
A Stanford study reveals that cars with AI voices can collect sensitive data on drivers' habits, preferences, and emotions, potentially used by insurance companies, advertisers, and governments to influence behavior
Foldit, a computer game, harnesses players' skills to predict protein folding, a crucial step in understanding biological mysteries. Researchers aim to identify 'protein-folding prodigies' who can speed up the process and potentially find cures for diseases like HIV.
Researchers at the University of Granada have developed new techniques combining technologies from different scientific fields to immediately classify Iberian pig meat. The methods use morphometry and spectral reflectance to accurately quantify intramuscular connective tissue and muscle fibers, with a success rate over 97%.
Fraunhofer researchers develop a Functional DMU framework to simulate mechatronic products, enabling the evaluation of safety issues such as power windows. The virtual product can be tested with various software packages, including SimPack, Matlab/Simulink, and Dymola.
The CAROD project aims to create more realistic simulation models by incorporating real-world deviations and variations. This technology has the potential to improve product quality and reduce errors in industries such as automotive and manufacturing.
The Salivaomics Knowledge Base (SKB) is an in silico saliva diagnostic atlas mapping salivary proteome and transcriptome to human chromosomes. The database includes profiles from healthy individuals and oral cancer patients, allowing for comparisons between groups. Future expansions will include other cancers and diseases.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have digitally reproduced music in a file nearly 1,000 times smaller than a regular MP3 file. They created a virtual clarinet player and recorded a 20-second clarinet solo encoded in less than a single kilobyte.
Patients prioritize thorough examination ($40.87), followed by seeing a physician who knows them well, over other aspects of patient-centered care. Research suggests that local communities can develop tailored strategies to retain patients by improving services and customer service.
A new study suggests that mid-level viewing height promotes upright, symmetrical posture and low average muscle activity in children. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing display heights to reduce musculoskeletal strain in children.
Researchers found that body movements reflect confidence in learning tasks using the Wiiimote, suggesting a link between cognition and action. The study provides new evidence for the deep interconnection between mental processing and bodily movement.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a magnetic levitation-based haptic interface that provides a highly realistic sense of touch. This device uses magnetic levitation and a single moving part to give users a realistic experience, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical components.
A two-year study found that reducing screen time by 50% in children aged 4-7 with high BMI reduced their TV viewing, calorie intake, and physical activity levels. The monitoring device gave children control over their screen time, eliminating parental vigilance.
Alzheimer's research reveals that computers can distinguish between brain scans of patients with the disease and healthy individuals or those with other forms of dementia. The accuracy rate is as high as 96%, making it a potentially game-changing tool for early diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study by MIT researcher Tomaso Poggio found that a computer model was able to reproduce human behavior in recognizing complex scenes, leading to a significant shift in understanding the visual cortex. The findings have implications for understanding how the brain works and may lead to advancements in artificial intelligence.
Researchers found that a vague background context helps fill in blanks and enhance perception, while a bright context suppresses it. The study used 18 observers who saw a target rectangle on a black screen, with varying surroundings.
Scientists study fluid structures in moist sand using x-ray microtomography and find that the fluid and grains coexist in a filigree structure. This discovery explains the universal stiffness of wet granules, relevant to various industries such as pharmaceuticals and food production.
A Stanford study found that specially programmed PDAs can prod middle-aged and older Americans into increasing their physical activity levels by approximately five hours each week. The devices provided reminders and feedback to help participants set goals and track progress, leading to a significant increase in exercise frequency.
Researchers find current computer vision tests misleading due to design flaws that enable computers to succeed where humans would fail. The team argues for revamping standards and images to better understand the difficulty of object recognition.
Researchers Rick Dale and Michael Spivey discovered a cognitive bias where people tend to favor true statements, even in the face of ambiguity. Arm movement data showed participants' bodies moved more towards 'no' responses, indicating a general bias toward assuming statements are true.
A new study by the University of Maryland and colleagues found that touch screen voting systems are easy to use and pass voter confidence tests, but voters still make mistakes and need help. The study recommends improving ballot design, training, and educational campaigns to enhance user-friendliness.
Mathematicians at UC Davis and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop program to model snowflake growth, revealing complex structures and rare patterns. The model generates a wide range of natural snowflake shapes, including novel forms like the 'butterflake', which could appear in nature but would be fragile.
Researchers at Cornell University found that vibrating mice can signal users to take breaks, but may not change behavior. Ergonomic products like undulating chairs and movable arms for monitors show promise in reducing workplace injuries and improving comfort.
A new CU-Boulder-led supercomputer simulation models a region of the universe spanning 1.5 billion light-years, aiming to uncover hidden gas clouds containing missing baryons. The study may enable detection of these 'filaments' using future telescopes like the South Pole Telescope and Cornell-Caltech Atacama Telescope.
A new study demonstrates that dogs can visually categorize complex color photographs and transfer their knowledge to new situations. The research, published online in Animal Cognition, used a computer-automated touch-screen system to eliminate potential human influence.
Researchers characterize conductive and field emission properties of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, finding structure-dependent conductivity and emission. The findings bring next-gen flat panel TVs and monitors closer to reality.
A CCNY-led team has received a $330,000 NSF grant to develop a tactile surface facilitating communication between visually impaired and blind persons and computers. The project aims to create an affordable device that can convey graphic information in real-time through touch.
Researchers from UC San Diego propose a grid system that utilizes human computation to label images and perform tasks for the benefit of others. The 'Soylent Grid' uses CAPTCHAs to engage humans in the loop, allowing for efficient data labeling and various applications such as assistive technology for visually impaired individuals.