Research on computing hardware and its future. Covers quantum error-correction, cyber defense, novel materials, and AI frameworks.
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.
Tufts researchers are developing techniques to allow computers to respond to users' thoughts of frustration, boredom, or overwhelm. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology is being used to monitor brain blood flow and provide real-time insight into user experiences.
Researchers believe 3D printing will revolutionize consumer goods, individualized custom products, and product development with its ability to print solid objects almost instantly. The technology allows for rapid prototyping, digital downloads, and on-demand production, making traditional retail models obsolete.
Researchers used computer analysis to identify potential new antibiotics, such as lovastatin and gentisic acid, which show promise against emerging bacterial threats. The approach could save time and lives during outbreaks or bioterrorism attacks.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have designed an AI software program that can recognize jokes, marking a significant advancement in computer capabilities. The bot uses phonological similarity and wordplay to identify humor, but is still limited by its current knowledge base and formal communication systems.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology using tiny 'ionic wind engines' that could dramatically improve computer chip cooling. The technology increased the heat-transfer coefficient by as much as 250 percent, outperforming existing methods.
VictorTango, a Virginia Tech engineering and geography student team, is among semi-finalists competing in DARPA's Urban Challenge for $2 million. Their custom-designed drive-by-wire control system and navigation software enable the vehicle to make driving decisions almost human-like.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a method called 'radiance caching' to efficiently render images with smoke, fog, and other visual effects. This approach cuts computational time and energy by reusing previously computed lighting values.
The new UC San Diego model can create life-like milk images based on fat and protein content, and work backwards to determine the composition of a material. This technology has potential applications in food safety, atmospheric science, and diagnostic medicine.
A randomized controlled trial found that parents who received customized safety reports scored higher on child safety knowledge and reported better safety practices than those who received generic health reports. The study suggests that computer technology can be an effective tool in promoting child safety.
Researchers have developed a new software that allows for super-realistic animation of beers pouring. The technology uses smoothed particle hydrodynamics to create more efficient and realistic animations, making it accessible to smaller film production houses.
Shukla's work on designing, analyzing, and predicting electronic system performance has drawn national attention from the National Academy of Sciences and the White House. He is currently researching embedded software code generation for space and aviation mission applications.
Researchers found that two evolutionarily ancient brain regions fired when subjects saw their money go to charity, even in situations without free choice. This neural activity is associated with the pleasure center of the brain, indicating a genuine sense of satisfaction and altruism.
Researchers at National Physical Laboratory have developed an electron surf machine that delivers electrons one by one in a reliable steady stream at a rate of over a billion per second. This technology has the potential to increase computer efficiency, allowing for faster processing and more secure digital communication.
Researchers Gene Cooperman and Dan Kunkle used advanced techniques to solve the cube in 26 moves or less, surpassing the previous best of 27 moves. They utilized 7 terabytes of RAM and a new computational method to achieve this feat.
Computer scientists at Oregon State University developed a new approach to fix errors in spreadsheets, which can be used by anyone without extensive training. The system, called GoalDebug, provides a short list of suggested changes, allowing users to identify and fix problems efficiently.
Skills being used in British workplaces have been rising for the last two decades, but at a slower pace in recent years. The study found that computing skills are becoming more essential, while jobs requiring 'influence skills' such as writing reports and teaching others are also on the rise.
An international team of mathematicians has factored a 307-digit number, shattering the previous record. The achievement was made possible by advances in distributed computing and refined algorithms.
A study found that using a 'walk-and-work' desk increases energy expenditure by 100 kilocalories per hour, equivalent to shedding 20-30 kg annually. The device allows workers to walk on a treadmill while working, reducing sedentary behavior.
The TRIPS processor is a demonstration of Explicit Data Graph Execution (EDGE) technology, offering an alternative approach to multicore processing. It features two 16-wide processors per chip, capable of issuing 16 operations per cycle and sustaining high execution rates.
Virginia Tech researcher Patrick Schaumont is developing a methodology to create secure embedded system designs. His goal is to protect sensitive information stored on portable computers, including access codes and high-resolution photographs.
A study by University of Alberta researchers found that cultural differences affect how people interpret facial cues, with Japanese focusing on eyes and Americans on mouth. The findings suggest that understanding culture is essential when interpreting facial expressions.
The Ohio State University software analyzes crash data to pinpoint traffic accident hotspots, revealing surprising patterns such as increased speeding accidents during weekday rush hours. The tool also indicates that drunk-driving accidents tend to occur on specific interstates and routes near major cities.
A team of researchers from VCU and UC Cincinnati have made a significant breakthrough in spintronics by extending the spin relaxation time in organic nanostructures to over a second. This discovery has the potential to enable the development of smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic devices.
A computer-based decision tool has been developed to predict a patient's treatment preferences when they are incapacitated. This tool, called a 'population-based treatment indicator,' analyzes the treatment preferences of similar individuals and estimates the likelihood that the patient would want certain treatments.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new method to simulate the hidden properties of water, resolving long-standing ambiguities in its structure and behavior. The study uses quantum mechanics to predict the properties of liquid water, opening up new avenues for understanding its applications in various fields.
Rebecca Slayton argues that while scientists can inform public debate, their role is limited due to the complexity of computing and testing. Computer professionals played a significant role in opposing missile defense proposals in the 1960s and 1980s, but their warnings were initially dismissed as pessimism.
Ron Fedkiw's work on physically based simulation has improved realism in feature films, such as Poseidon and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. He designed new algorithms to simulate complex phenomena like water and fire, enabling unprecedented special effects.
Researchers found a significant decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity among teenagers, from 5.9 hours/week in early adolescence to 4.9 hours/week in midadolescence for girls. Meanwhile, sedentary behaviors like computer use increased substantially, associated with increased risk of obesity.
A new computer tool evaluates 16 predictive features to identify genetic mutations linked to a higher risk of cancer. The tool demonstrated an accuracy rate exceeding 94% in identifying protein functions associated with increased cancer risk.