Articles tagged with Computers
Scientists discovered microscopic differences in minicolumns, a group of brain cells involved in language, between humans and non-human primates. These findings suggest that the human brain is organized differently than its primate counterparts, which may explain the complexity of human communication.
Researchers have developed a new circuit using hollow carbon nanotubes, which can switch between 'on' and 'off' states and perform logic functions. The design enables more complex circuits to be built, potentially replacing silicon in microchips within the next 10-15 years.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania will explore ways to incorporate a focus on embedded computer reliability into product design, developing models and analysis tools to identify potential bugs. The goal is to improve product dependability and reduce costs by predicting reliability earlier in the design phase.
PPPL will participate in four SciDAC projects focused on plasma confinement systems and data analysis, aiming to improve physics models and computer resources. The projects will enable geographically separated scientists to collaborate and analyze high-speed data.
A new screen at Sandia National Laboratories can render complex scientific data sets in seconds, outperforming the movie industry's cluster of computers. The facility uses massively parallel imaging to create images with high resolution and detail, allowing scientists to better understand complicated systems.
A wearable translator is being developed by ONR to provide real-time language translation for the military and civilians. The device will be able to understand context and generate appropriate translations, benefiting various professionals such as airport personnel and tourists.
A new computer recycling model developed by Purdue University's Julie Ann Stuart can help recyclers determine the economic viability of processing bulk materials. The model takes into account factors such as metal prices and helps prevent financial losses for recyclers.
The Purdue University engineers' modified office chair uses software algorithms to interpret pressure sensor data and determine the user's seating posture. The system demonstrated an overall accuracy of 96% in distinguishing between different postures, with a special dynamic system being worked on for real-time tracking.
Engineers at the University of Rochester have created uniform silicon quantum dots that could revolutionize computing by reducing transistor size. The dots are made of cheap and abundant silicon, making them a viable alternative to expensive materials used in previous attempts.
Researchers found appreciable concentrations of triphenyl phosphate in 10 of 18 brand-new video monitors, which may be a health hazard for computer users even with adequate ventilation. The compound's levels remained high after two years of working use, highlighting the potential risks of computer work.
The Magic Book project enables readers to move from a real-world reading experience to an immersive virtual environment, interacting with characters and objects. This technology has applications in storybooks, technical manuals, and textbooks, offering a seamless transition between physical and virtual environments.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed an environmentally friendly adhesive that can be easily removed and cleaned up, making it possible to recycle outmoded computers. The adhesive, dubbed Alpha-Terp, can be broken down using heat or industrial solvents, allowing for the reuse of valuable components.
A new teaching method combines computer-assisted methods with hands-on laboratory exercises to help undergraduate students understand molecules. The integrated experiment allows students to explore molecular characteristics on the computer and test predictions in the lab.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that students who read essays on a computer screen struggled to comprehend the text and rated it as less interesting and less persuasive. Despite the same content, computerized texts were harder for students to understand, which may be due to different processing abilities.
Researchers solved the 'nug30' problem, a test of computer capabilities that challenged computer scientists for 32 years, by designing an efficient algorithm and leveraging high-performance computing resources. The solution demonstrates advancements in combinatorial optimization problems and their applications in real-world fields.
The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has awarded a $136.9 million contract option to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to provide information services from May 2000 to April 2001. This brings the total value of the contract to approximately $1.05 billion if all options are exercised.
For over 40 years, chemist Ernest Davidson has used computers to simulate and study chemical reactions with precision. Today's computer programs can model complex reactions involving up to 30 atoms, enabling chemists to devise new reactions.
Researchers created light-emitting materials combining fluorescence and phosphorescence, increasing efficiency production of light. This breakthrough allows developers to choose from a wider range of materials, adding flexibility and reducing costs for products such as laptops and cell phones.
The PSLQ algorithm has found surprising relations in mathematics and physics, including a formula for calculating any binary digit of pi without prior calculations. This breakthrough uses high precision arithmetic to discover new mathematical relations among numbers.
Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new surface chemistry that simplifies DNA computing and enables scaling up to tackle complex problems. This breakthrough demonstrates DNA computing's potential to surpass conventional computers in information storage and processing capabilities.
The Peabody Conservatory's 'Virtual Orchestra,' developed by Forrest Tobey, will perform an original composition and arrangements by Charles Byungkyu Kim during the 24-hour Times Square 2000 celebration. The performance will feature a blend of old and new sounds, including electronic timbres and instruments produced live in Times Square.
The new circular configuration increases the conversion ratio without adding volume or weight, advancing the field of piezoelectric transformers. The devices use a lead, zirconium, titanium ceramic doped with manganese and cerium, providing increased efficiency and higher conversion ratios.
Yale scientists have created reversible electronic switches at the molecular level, which could lead to significant advancements in computing technology. The switches are comparable to or exceed conventional electronic devices and offer a potential solution to the limitations of shrinking circuit size.
A new study reveals that relying on computers for pilot support can actually decrease performance and increase errors. The researchers found that volunteers who used automated cues performed poorly, while those who relied solely on instrument readings achieved higher accuracy.
Researchers at USC have created a machine system that recognizes spoken words better than humans, with potential benefits for Navy sonar and improving interaction between man and computer. The system may eventually enable voice control of computers, help the deaf, and aid air traffic controllers in noisy environments.
Researchers at University College London have developed a novel approach to determine the melting temperature of iron at high pressures, allowing them to estimate the Earth's core temperature. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding earthquakes, volcanoes, and the Earth's magnetic field.
A trio of Temple University computer scientists develop a framework to provide wide-ranging IT education to non-computer science majors. The project aims to change attitudes toward technology and foster second-level courses across various disciplines.
Researchers developed a system that enables users to interact with a computer-controlled map using natural speech and hand gestures. The system recognizes spoken words and gestures, allowing users to locate buildings and parking lots on the Penn State campus.
Researchers at U of T have created a new kind of luminescent silicon film that emits and transmits photons, a significant step forward in photonics. The discovery holds out the promise of new improved light-emitting diodes, optical interconnectors, displays, and chemical sensors.
MIT researchers have created a sensory tabletop that can track hand movements in three dimensions, allowing for new interactive technologies. The table uses electrodes to detect tiny currents generated by the user's hand, which are then used to calculate the hand's position in 3D space.
A new sign language called thumbcode allows users to type 30 words per minute, compared to 60 words per minute for touch typists. The device-independent language uses hand positions to represent characters and can be used with gloves or video cameras.
UC Engineers create RACE, a technique that redesigns computer hardware to adapt to user demands. The approach results in significant speed boosts for applications like image processing, enabling desktop computers to approach supercomputer speeds.
Despite the Asian recession, US firms remain in a strong position due to their dominance of knowledge processing and increasing return markets. However, the authors warn that if American firms fail to adapt, they risk losing market share to Asian companies, who are emerging as a formidable new elite.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed an algorithm that enables computers to filter out unwanted material and locate land mines in surveillance images with a high degree of accuracy. The system uses size and shape restrictions, as well as optical frequencies, to distinguish between mines and other objects.
A new computer keyboard design with modified key switches has been shown to reduce hand pain and numbness in frequent users. The study, conducted by researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley, found a significant reduction in symptoms after 12 weeks of use.
Researchers developed a code using first two letters of last name, first name, month of birth, year of birth, and sex. This allowed them to identify 124 HMO members with active TB listed in the state's registry but not known by their HMO
Professor W. Wesley Peterson will receive the Japan Prize for his pioneering work in algebraic coding theory, a fundamental theory for error-correcting codes used in reliable digital communication systems. The prize recognizes Peterson's influential book, Error-Correcting Codes, published in 1961.
A new technique discovered by Lars Sørensen allows thieves to unlock and steal from cars using handheld computers, exploiting vulnerable infrared remote controls. The method is being taken seriously by car manufacturers, who are investigating ways to mitigate the threat.
Researchers have developed a neurotrophic electrode that can be implanted in the brain to help paralyzed patients communicate through a computer. The system uses neural signals to drive a cursor on a screen, allowing patients to interact with their environment.
Researchers at Penn have developed a smart ICU system that improves vital-sign monitoring of critically-ill patients using artificial computer intelligence. The system utilizes neural networks and fuzzy logic to analyze patient data, enabling clinicians to identify dangerous deviations from ideal vital signs.
Researchers have developed brain implants that allow people with severe disabilities to control a computer cursor using their thoughts. The technology has shown promise in enabling individuals with paralysis or other conditions to interact with the world, with further research ongoing to improve its capabilities.
University of Munich and University of Delaware researchers have developed technology to probe artificial molecules, enabling the observation of Rabi oscillations. This breakthrough may help overcome technological hurdles associated with artificial molecules and pave the way for new computing strategies.
Porous silicon, a light-emitting material, can now be stabilized using a developed process at Purdue University. This allows for the creation of faster, smaller computers and new types of sensing devices. The treatment enables the manipulation of light-emitting properties to respond to certain chemicals or conditions.
A new device has been developed to protect patients from radiation exposure during CT scans, with significant reductions in breast and thyroid radiation exposure reported. The reusable protective garment is expected to cost less than $30, making it a potential game-changer for individuals at risk of increased lifetime breast cancer risk.
Researchers at Ohio University created a new type of chemical sensor that stores large amounts of information indefinitely, allowing workers to be alerted to potential dangers. The sensors can detect specific chemicals in the air and provide accurate readings on exposure levels.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers are developing mobile, wearable computer systems to provide fast access to maintenance and repair information for aircraft mechanics. The project aims to cut time and cost of planes going in and out of repair depots, benefiting the US Air Force.
A 3D computer program is replacing traditional 2D hand-drawn charts with a morphable 3D body image, allowing for more precise assessment and calculation of burn surface area. This accuracy facilitates treatment planning and research, leading to potential improvements in patient outcomes and the development of new therapies.
Research at San Francisco State University reveals a strong connection between computer mouse use and increased muscle tension, particularly in the arms, necks, and shoulders. Training sessions and frequent breaks can significantly reduce muscle tension levels.
The FalconView portable mapping system allows pilots to plan flights on laptops with enhanced features and real-time updates. It includes a new form of imagery, five-meter controlled image base, which offers twice the resolution of the previous imagery, and is tailored to various aircraft types.
The team, led by Gregory L. Snider, has successfully demonstrated a transistorless approach to computing using quantum dots. This technology could lead to the development of smaller, faster, and more powerful computers with increased storage capacity, potentially replacing conventional microelectronic devices.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on optimizing performance and efficiency in personal computers, enabling applications like more accurate weather predictions and safer cars. A compiler program called POLARIS automatically translates conventional programs to run on parallel processing computers, leading to faster speeds.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing new tools to improve speech recognition accuracy. The team aims to enable computers to understand any kind of human speech and provide a powerful way to search through hours of recorded speeches and news reports.
Williams College professors Zimmerberg and Wisniewski create interactive multi-media resources to support introductory neuroscience courses, including videos and CD-ROMs for laboratory simulations. The project aims to make materials available globally for various educational levels and settings.
A new object recognition technique developed at Johns Hopkins University could help robots sort and pack chocolates with accuracy. By comparing distinctive series of numbers, called electronic signatures, a computer can tell how closely two objects resemble one another.
Researchers at the University of Rochester are developing augmented reality technology that can seamlessly combine virtual and real-world images. This technology has numerous applications in medicine, entertainment, maintenance, and defense, including improved surgeries, enhanced soldier capabilities, and streamlined repairs.
A new computer program developed at the University of Rochester enables users to have natural conversations with computers. The program, Phenelope DuJour, uses intention recognition to understand user intent and respond accordingly, improving the efficiency of human-computer interactions.