Research on computing hardware and its future. Covers quantum error-correction, cyber defense, novel materials, and AI frameworks.
Scientists have developed a new method to read brain activity patterns associated with specific thoughts, enabling the decoding of secret intentions. The technique, called multivariate pattern recognition, combines brain imaging data with sophisticated computer algorithms to predict subjects' decisions.
Researchers at MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms have created a microfluidic device that uses bubble logic to control chemical reactions and perform process control information like a computer. The technology has the potential to revolutionize large-scale chemical analysis, synthesis, testing, and industrial production processes.
Nine new projects and four renewals have been awarded large amounts of time on IBM Blue Gene/L systems at Argonne National Laboratory through the DOE INCITE program. Researchers will investigate topics such as protein structure prediction, foam formation, and nanoscale light manipulation to advance materials science and computing.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a method to align polar molecules in crystals, which could lead to faster and more efficient microchips. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce energy costs and create new technologies that make computers cooler.
Researchers created a compound that can switch between magnetic states upon light exposure, enabling binary information storage on an atomic scale. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-small data storage devices for future computers.
The University of Chicago's Center for Astrophysical Thermonuclear Flashes will perform the world's most advanced simulations of exploding white dwarf stars using 2.5 million hours of processing time. The goal is to understand the nature of dark energy, a mysterious force dominating the universe.
Yehoshua Perl's research aims to track down errant or misplaced medical terms in government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions. His team develops techniques to identify and correct errors, ensuring consistent and accurate communication of clinical information.
A new system uses machine-learning methods to identify authors based on similar names, affiliations, and publication data, achieving 90.6% accuracy in a large-scale test. The algorithm will be integrated into the next generation of CiteSeer, the largest academic search engine.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are developing mathematical models to represent the safest and most effective ways to perform surgery. By analyzing data from robotic medical tools, they aim to evaluate a surgeon's work and help doctors improve their skills. The goal is also to enable robotic surgical tools to perform with gre...
Researchers have cracked the workings of the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old computer that tracked astronomical movements with remarkable precision. The ancient Greek device predicted eclipses and recreated the moon's irregular orbit, challenging previous assumptions about their technological capabilities.
Dr. Youqi Wang is creating a new approach to designing ballistic-resistant fabrics and textiles. Her research focuses on the mechanical properties of fibers and how they interact with each other.
Andrew Christlieb, a Michigan State University assistant professor of mathematics, has been awarded $300,000 over three years to study questions of plasma physics and develop new methods for solving complex problems. His research aims to improve the speed and accuracy of computer models used in simulations of complex systems.
A large study published in Environmental Health journal reveals that IBM factory workers in the US are more likely to die from cancer than the general population. The study confirms previous findings and highlights clear health risks for computer factory workers worldwide.
Researchers developed a DNA-based computer that can diagnose West Nile Virus and bird flu faster and more accurately. The technology has the potential to be used in instruments to diagnose and treat cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.
A new research program aims to teach computers to scan through text and sort opinion from fact, with the goal of improving national security. The project uses machine-learning algorithms to train computers on examples of text expressing both fact and opinion, enabling them to distinguish between the two.
Researchers from UCSB and Intel built the world's first Hybrid Silicon Laser using standard silicon manufacturing processes, combining Indium Phosphide for light emission and silicon for light routing. This breakthrough addresses the last major barrier to producing low-cost, high-bandwidth silicon photonics devices.
Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a new type of transistor that uses quantum mechanics to regulate current flow in single molecules. This breakthrough could enable the creation of incredibly powerful, compact computers and medical devices.
Researchers have developed a device that combines a tiny camera, computer, and transparent display on glasses to improve the visual abilities of people with tunnel vision. The study shows significant improvements in object detection and reduced search time for patients.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a tiny ion pump that can cool small microelectronic components efficiently. The device uses an electrical charge to create a cooling air jet and has been shown to significantly cool an actively heated surface on just 0.6 watts of power.
The Wisconsin Emerging Scholars in Computer Science (WES-CS) program at UW-Madison is working to increase diversity in the field by recruiting underrepresented groups of freshmen and implementing parallel team-learning techniques. The program has seen success with its 'First-Year Interest Group' and innovative 'Digital Divide' course, ...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Ballbot, a self-contained mobile robot that balances dynamically on a single sphere, enabling it to move easily among people and furniture. The robot's tall and skinny design allows it to outperform traditional statically stable robots in environments with obstacles.
JitterBugs are tiny devices that can be hidden in keyboards to steal data without user knowledge. They work by adding nearly imperceptible processing delays after each keystroke, allowing them to transmit stolen information through network connections.
Researchers developed an electronic artwork system that recognizes eight key facial features to determine the emotional state of a viewer. The system adapts the artwork's colors and brush strokes in real-time, creating a unique interactive artistic experience.
Researchers have developed a 'Fingertip Digitizer' that can transfer the meaning and intent of common hand gestures to virtual worlds, allowing for greater precision and control. The device can also sense physical characteristics of objects and detect health anomalies.
A new method for rendering realistic hair in computer animation has been developed by Cornell researchers, allowing for more accurate simulations of light scattering and diffusion. This breakthrough reduces computation time by 87.5%, enabling the creation of more realistic blond and light-colored hairstyles.
A UW-Madison team has developed a new process to create thin-film semiconductors on flexible materials, enabling the creation of powerful, low-power electronic devices. The technique can be used to make wearable electronics, computer monitors that roll up like a window shade, and other applications for non-computer uses.
Researchers at MIT developed mesh-like webs of light-detecting fibers, measuring direction, intensity, and phase of light without lenses or filters. The fiber constructs can generate rough images of objects, providing a new approach to situational awareness and interactive technology.
Researchers developed a brain-to-movement system called BrainGate, which enabled a paralyzed man to control objects using only his thoughts. The pilot clinical trial findings show that movement signals persist in the primary motor cortex long after a spinal cord injury, allowing for direct and successful control of external devices.
Researchers aim to understand how complex visual scenes are encoded by the brain using a new computer model. The computer will mimic nerve cell interactions and track patterns of neural spikes in real-time.
Researchers have developed a system that enables people with severe paralysis to generate signals in the motor cortex of their brain, which can be detected and converted into actions. Two patients, Matthew Nagle and a 55-year-old man, successfully controlled computers and even opened prosthetic hands using only their thoughts.
Physicists at NIST have developed a novel electromagnetic trap for ions that could be mass produced to build large-scale quantum computers. The new trap, described in Physical Review Letters, uses a 'chip-like' geometry to confine ions and has shown promise in trapping multiple ions without generating excessive heat.
A Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist has created a computer program called GS1 that can play winning hands of Texas Hold'Em without knowing much about the game. The program relies on game theory to analyze poker rules and outperformed two leading 'pokerbots' in tests.
Researchers develop a program that automatically generates 3D models from a single photograph, improving object recognition and understanding of geometric context. By teaching computers to spot visual cues that differentiate between vertical and horizontal surfaces, they create a breakthrough in computer vision research.
A new method of user-testing in interactive games is being developed using 'immersidata,' which captures machine-readable records of commands sent by players. The tool, ISIS, analyzes these records to identify problems in game design and development, including navigation errors and emotional responses.
A new study finds that computer-based screenings increase the odds of identifying domestic violence victims, but don't guarantee that it will be addressed during emergency department encounters. The study found that women are more likely to disclose their domestic violence situations to clinicians who use computer-based screenings, and...
A computer-based screening program increased discussions about domestic violence among women visiting emergency departments, particularly those who received standard care. Women using the computer screening were more likely to disclose their own experiences and receive referrals for domestic violence.
Physicians will happily adopt information technology, according to Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary. The main barriers to IT adoption are often related to time constraints and resistance from physicians, rather than power or politics.
A unified theory outlines the processes involved in perception of advertising, including gauging attractiveness and evaluating relevance. Attractive spokespeople may be less persuasive than unattractive ones when consumers believe their thinking is unduly influenced.
Researchers found that using a high-dose nicotine patch significantly reduced relapse rates among smokers who experienced lapses. Participants who used the active patch after lapsing were up to 4-6 times less likely to 'cheat' again, making it more effective in preventing full relapse.
A recent study found that using forearm supports can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain as well as hand, wrist, and forearm pain. The study also showed that arm boards and ergonomics training provide the most protective effect against musculoskeletal disorders.
Researchers found that computer animations can heighten a person's confidence but not necessarily accuracy when it comes to making fair decisions. The study suggests that animations can introduce additional bias, leading to harsher penalties.
A new mathematical algorithm designed to improve noise cancellation technologies can reduce unwanted helicopter and cabin noise by 40 decibels or more. The 'feedforward' active-noise control works by generating anti-noise signals that adapt to acoustic coupling, solving a long-standing problem in the field.
A team of scientists has created a simple mathematical model to explain how dogs walk, which could help inform the design of quadruped robots and treatments for hip dysplasia. By comparing computer simulations with real-world observations, they found that dogs' walking patterns can be attributed to a passive stiff-limbed model.
Researchers found that when men were angered and anticipated retaliation, they chose to read negative online news stories. Women, on the other hand, selected more positive news to dissipate their anger before a confrontation. This shows that people use news to regulate their moods, reflecting societal norms around gender roles.
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research has awarded projects to investigate integration of immigrants into their new home country. Researchers are also exploring the brain's processing with magnetic stimulation and creating virtual environments for socio-psychological research.
Biologists have completed the first computer simulation of an entire life form, a virus, to study its dynamics and mechanistic properties. The simulations provided crucial information on the virus's assembly and could contribute to improvements in public health and the creation of artificial nanomachines.
A team of researchers at Duke University has developed a computer-assisted method to find novel and superior materials by simulating and lab synthesizing vast universes of possible molecules. The technique, called LCAP, uses a universal property applicable to all molecules to identify optimal candidates for various applications.
A team of researchers, led by Giulia Galli at UC Davis, used a supercomputer to investigate the structure of liquid water. They found that water molecules may not cluster in tetrahedral groups as previously thought, but instead form rings and chains.
A study at Rice University found that brain activity differs between merged and unmerged dialect groups when hearing similar sounds. This suggests that the merged-dialect group processes the words differently, relying on explicit memory for previous visual stimuli.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated that quantum dots can transfer energy in a "coherent" fashion when exposed to light, paving the way for potential optical quantum computing and medical imaging applications. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient computers, as well as reduced heat generation.
Research by Lingraphicare America reveals that speech generating devices can help stroke patients recover from aphasia, even years after the initial injury. The study found nearly half of subjects improved to a less severe diagnostic category, with gains observed across all severity levels.
The Cityware project aims to develop pervasive computing technology that enables users to access services anywhere, anytime. The project will test new location recognition tools, interactive games and cultural activities, as well as information services for everyday life.
Thomas C. Hales famously proved Johannes Kepler's 400-year-old conjecture on sphere-packing using a computer-assisted proof, which was initially met with skepticism by reviewers. Hales is now using his problem-solving skills to 'prove the proof' using a specially written computer language in the Flyspeck Project.
Computer interface design should respect the real world, considering human intuitions and tactile experiences. Design principles emphasize balancing physical and virtual interactions to deliver information technology benefits without sacrificing physical advantages.
Mathematician Devlin discusses the shift from intuitive proofs to formal systems, highlighting the limitations of traditional methods. He also explores the impact of computer analysis on proof validity, demonstrating how new techniques have increased mathematical accuracy.
Computer interface design should prioritize physical interactions, taking into account the physical world's intuitions and fidelity of control. Prototyping is key to gathering user feedback for continuous improvement, ensuring interfaces augment rather than replace human experiences.
The Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise + Nutrition (PACE+) intervention improved diet and physical activity habits among teens. After one year, adolescents in the PACE+ program reduced their sedentary behaviors by one hour per day and increased their number of active days.
A new clinical prediction rule for estimating the probability of PE significantly reduces adverse outcomes by identifying patients at low or high risk. The revised Geneva score provides a standardized, easy-to-compute tool for diagnosing and managing PE.
The European Union's ban on lead in electronic appliances has led to the widespread adoption of Ames Laboratory's lead-free solder, which was patented in 1996. The solder blend of tin-silver-copper alloy offers a lower melting temperature and greater strength than other alternatives.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered that magnetic vortices in nickel-iron alloy exhibit unique behavior when trapped within lithographically patterned ferromagnetic structures. The study, published in Nature Physics, shows promise for the development of faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices.