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Artificial intelligence puts focus on the life of insects

Scientists are using AI to identify insects at supernatural speed, opening up new possibilities for discovering unknown species and tracking their life across space and time. Insects have diverse life histories and roles in ecosystems, making manual observation and counting a time-consuming process.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 12, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Advanced materials in a snap

A Sandia Labs research team used machine learning to complete materials science calculations 42,000 times faster than normal, accelerating the creation of new technologies for optics, aerospace, and energy storage.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateJan 5, 2021

High-five or thumbs-up? New device detects which hand gesture you want to make

A new device developed by UC Berkeley engineers can recognize 21 individual hand gestures, including a thumbs-up, for controlling prosthetics or interacting with electronic devices. The system uses advanced AI and wearable biosensors to maintain user privacy and improve human-computer interaction.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Electronics·DateDec 21, 2020

Tiny quantum computer solves real optimisation problem

Researchers at Chalmers University successfully execute QAOA algorithm on 2-qubit quantum computer to solve aircraft route assignment problem, demonstrating potential for practical applications. The algorithm's scalability suggests it could handle larger problems, paving the way for a useful quantum computer.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateDec 17, 2020

AI model shows promise to generate faster, more accurate weather forecasts

A new AI model has shown promise in generating faster and more accurate weather forecasts by analyzing past weather patterns. The model uses about 7,000 times less computing power than traditional forecasting models while still simulating a year's weather around the globe.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·DateDec 15, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

The ever-elusive riddle: What's the best way to cut Christmas cookies?

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen find that computer algorithms cannot optimize packing of objects in two dimensions without overlap beyond four or five items. The study's findings have significant implications for industries such as clothing manufacturing and metal processing, where efficient material cutting is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·DateDec 7, 2020

Split wave

A new approach to neuromorphic computing has been demonstrated using micrometer-sized wafers, enabling fast and energy-efficient pattern recognition. The HZDR team's component exploits spin waves to process information without moving electrons, promising applications in AI-powered smartphones and traffic optimization.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Measuring risk-taking - by watching people move computer mouses

Researchers found that people who move their mouse towards a safe option may be more risk-averse than they appear, while those who veer towards a risky option may be more open to risk. The study used mouse tracking to analyze participants' decision-making and found accurate predictions of future behavior.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2020

Can facial recognition help identify congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that machine learning can accurately identify patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) using subtle facial features. The research uses facial morphology to detect differences in CAH patients and correctly identifies them with greater than 90% accuracy.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 18, 2020

New method brings physics to deep learning to better simulate turbulence

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new method that combines machine learning and physics to simulate turbulent flow, allowing for more accurate predictions in aerospace engineering. This method has the potential to improve design efficiency and reduce costs in industries such as air travel and spacecraft development.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Computational Physics·DateNov 16, 2020

New supercomputer installed at Stony Brook

Stony Brook University has installed a new supercomputer, Ookami, powered by the HPE Apollo 80 system and Fujitsu A64FX processor, offering a balance of high performance and power efficiency. The system is supported by Bright Cluster Manager software and will be available for researchers nationwide to test new computing technologies.

SourceStony Brook University·DateNov 13, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

AI detects hidden earthquakes

A new AI-based method has been developed to detect small, imperceptibly tiny earthquakes that occur on the same faults as bigger earthquakes. This technology could provide insights into how earthquakes interact and spread out along the fault, allowing for a clearer view of earthquake patterns.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2020

Watching nature on TV can boost wellbeing, finds new study

Watching high-quality nature programs on TV can uplift moods and reduce negative emotions, while experiencing virtual reality nature can lead to increased positive feelings and a stronger connection to the natural world. The study found that interactive VR experiences had the most significant benefits.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·DateOct 13, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

How mobile apps grab our attention

Researchers at Aalto University conducted the first empirical study on mobile app design, finding that larger and brighter elements don't catch users' eyes. Instead, text elements and specific locations like the top-left corner tend to draw attention.

SourceAalto University·DateOct 6, 2020

Are brain-computer interface spellers secure?

Researchers have found that EEG-based BCI speller output can be easily manipulated by tiny adversarial noise, exposing a critical security concern. This manipulation can lead to user frustration or severe misdiagnosis in clinical applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 3, 2020

AI learns to trace neuronal pathways

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed an AI tool that can efficiently recognize neurons in microscope images, significantly improving the accuracy of automated tracing and analysis. This breakthrough aims to untangle the mysteries of brain connectivity and enable humans to think about how brains work.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateSep 28, 2020

Spin clean-up method brings practical quantum computers closer to reality

Researchers at Osaka City University have developed a quantum algorithm that removes pesky spin contaminants from chemical calculations on quantum computers. This breakthrough enables precise and accurate predictions of atomic and molecular behavior, which is crucial for applications such as pharmaceuticals and materials research.

SourceOsaka City University·DateSep 25, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Metal wires of carbon complete toolbox for carbon-based computers

A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has created the last tool in the toolbox for building working carbon circuits, a metallic wire made entirely of carbon. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient carbon-based transistors and ultimately, computers that can switch many times faster and use less power.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2020

Meditation for mind-control

Researchers found that meditation training significantly improved brain-computer interface (BCI) control and proficiency in just eight lessons. Brain activity patterns correlated directly with success, with meditation-trained individuals showing enhanced alpha rhythm modulation.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateSep 23, 2020

Engineers pre-train AI computers to make them even more powerful

Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology engineers developed an approach to overcome the initial trial-and-error phase of reinforcement learning. This allows computers to quickly find the right path without extreme fluctuations, slashing energy use by over 20% in complex systems.

SourceSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology - CSEM·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·DateSep 22, 2020

Making raw data more usable

A team of researchers, led by Gautam Das at the University of Texas at Arlington, is working on a human-in-the-loop framework to optimize the data science pipeline. This approach involves humans adding context to datasets, which can help computers determine what information is relevant, making the process faster and less labor-intensive.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateSep 22, 2020

A computer predicts your thoughts, creating images based on them

Researchers at the University of Helsinki developed a technique that models visual perception by monitoring human brain signals, allowing computers to generate new information and create images matching users' intentions. The accuracy of this method was 83% in an experiment where participants focused on certain features.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 21, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Phone system for assessing chest troubles is unsafe and unreliable

A semi-automatic phone triage system designed to help people with chest discomfort during out-of-hours periods has been found to be unsafe and unreliable. The system underestimated the severity of more than a quarter of patients with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for input from nurses to ensure accurate assessment.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOpen Heart·DateSep 21, 2020

Unknown details identified in the Lions' Courtyard at the Alhambra

Experts have documented and analyzed hitherto unknown details in the muqarnas of the Lions' Courtyard at the Alhambra, revealing a different configuration and number of pieces between the two temples. The research also detected geometric deformations due to centuries-old repairs.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalSustainability·DateSep 17, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Heavy TV and computer use impacts children's academic results

A new study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute found that grade 3 students who watched more than two hours of TV daily or spent more than one hour a day on a computer experienced a decline in academic results two years later. Heavy TV use was associated with a loss of four months in learning by age 10, while heavy computer use...

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 2, 2020

New theory hints at more efficient way to develop quantum algorithms

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new theory that may lead to systematic design of quantum algorithms, outperforming classical computers. The theory identifies large groups of quantum states with polynomial complexity, allowing for efficient coefficient sampling procedures to determine their suitability.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Quantum Technologies·DateAug 31, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Thermodynamics of computation: A quest to find the cost of running a Turing machine

Santa Fe Institute researchers Artemy Kolchinsky and David Wolpert present a new framework for understanding the relationship between energy and computation in Turing machines. They derive relationships between algorithmic information and energy, showing that computations with more compressible outputs require more energy.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateAug 26, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

UCLA computer scientists set benchmarks to optimize quantum computer performance

Researchers created a family of benchmark quantum circuits with known optimal depths or sizes to improve quantum compilation design. This could lead to computation speeds up to 45 times faster than currently demonstrated. The benchmarks, named QUEKO, have been made open source and are available on GitHub.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computers·DateAug 14, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Authors' 'invisible' words reveal blueprint for storytelling

A study published in Science Advances reveals that common but invisible words like 'a', 'the', and 'it' follow a consistent pattern across most storylines, regardless of genre or format. The research team identified three stages: staging, plot progression, and cognitive tension, which reflect how humans optimally process information.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 7, 2020

How thoughts could one day control electronic prostheses, wirelessly

A team of researchers at Stanford University has made a breakthrough in developing a wireless brain-computer interface that can accurately control electronic prostheses using thoughts. The new technology uses a tenth of the power required by current wire-enabled systems, making it safer and more natural for patients with paralysis or n...

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateAug 4, 2020

Break it down: A new way to address common computing problem

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a new algorithm called Parallel Residual Projection (PRP) to solve linear inverse problems by breaking them down into smaller tasks that can be solved in parallel on standard computers.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 4, 2020

Novel magnetic stirrer speaks to lab equipment

The Smart Stirrer, a novel magnetic stirrer, monitors multiple parameters such as color, transparency, conductivity, viscosity, and temperature wirelessly to enable real-time tracking of chemical reactions. This innovative device allows for automation, reproducibility, and safety in laboratory settings.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalACS Sensors·DateAug 3, 2020

Digitizing chemistry with a smart stir bar

Researchers created an inexpensive smart stir bar that can automatically measure and transmit data on a solution's properties to a smartphone or computer. This device uses open-source software and low-cost components to detect parameters such as color, electrical conductivity, and viscosity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateJul 22, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Junk DNA might be really, really useful for biocomputing

Researchers propose using repetitive DNA sequences, known as flipons, to create logic circuits and perform calculations. These sequences can form different DNA structures, enabling the creation of genetic programs that can be used to overcome environmental challenges.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalTrends in Genetics·DateJul 22, 2020

Parasite infestations revealed by tiny chicken backpacks

A new insect detection system using tiny chicken backpacks with wearable sensors has been developed to detect blood-feeding livestock mites. The technology, nicknamed 'Fitbits for chickens,' can help farmers identify infestations and improve poultry welfare.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 13, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Decoding material wear with supercomputers

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new method for simulating wear and friction on an atomic scale using supercomputers. This allows them to study the behavior of materials on a microscopic level, enabling the prediction of durability and safety in industrial applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 30, 2020

Ion conducting polymer crucial to improving neuromorphic devices

A new study from Tohoku University and the University of Cambridge has created a polymers-based device that mimics brain neural cells. The research used a combination of PSS-Na and PEDOT:PSS polymers, resulting in a significant increase in response time.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 24, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Microscopic computers: The wires of the future may be made of molecules

Researchers have discovered a new type of molecular wire with good conductivity qualities, paving the way for the development of smaller and more powerful computers. The study's findings suggest that molecules could be used to create electronic devices in the future, overcoming current limitations.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 23, 2020

Researchers discover unique material design for brain-like computations

Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory have developed a unique material design inspired by the human brain's neural structure for brain-like computations. This design strategy promises orders of magnitude reductions in power consumption, suitable for complex data classification and processing.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalMaterials Today·DateJun 18, 2020

Brainsourcing automatically identifies human preferences

Researchers at the University of Helsinki developed a technique called 'brainsourcing' to analyse brain activity and determine preferences. The method uses artificial intelligence to classify images or recommend content based on brain activity, achieving reliable labelling results with only 12 volunteers.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·DateJun 17, 2020