Articles tagged with Internet
Researchers found over 3,000 online e-cigarette vendors in 2014, offering cheap prices and health claims that may attract youth. The study highlights the need for effective age verification, payment restrictions, and regulation to prevent minors from accessing e-cigarettes.
A clinical trial found that online computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) was more effective than usual care for primary care patients with depression or anxiety. Adding an internet support group provided no additional benefit over CCBT alone, but improved mood and anxiety symptoms compared to usual care.
The NSF Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program aims to address the growing cybersecurity challenge through foundational research and education. The $74.5 million investment will support a wide range of research areas, including access control, cryptography, and human interaction, to develop safer and more secure cyber systems.
A Canadian study created a website tailored for men transitioning to parenthood, addressing their specific information needs. The site provides resources on parenting, relationships, work-life balance, stress management, and sleep improvement.
A new study reveals combosquatting domains are 100 times more prevalent than typosquatting domains, and nearly 60% of abusive domains remain active for over a year. Researchers discovered legitimate companies registering trademark-containing domains that were later taken over by malicious attackers.
Researchers found that 25% of web APIs pose high security and privacy risks, which can be blocked without breaking websites. Blocking these features reduces the amount of code a website accesses, making it safer for users.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new receiver technology that provides consistently high-speed broadband connectivity. The technology enables dedicated data rates of over 10,000 megabits-per-second (Mb/s) for low-cost broadband connections to every UK home.
A new study explores the coevolving web of life as a network, revealing counterintuitive results on direct and indirect effects within large webs of interacting species. The findings suggest that strong coevolutionary selection between partners increases the importance of indirect effects on overall evolution.
Researchers analyzed survey data on automobile purchases between 2002 and 2012 to compare time spent on internet sources with time spent on offline sources. The study found that those who searched more online tend to spend more time at dealerships, while consumers older than 50 spend less time searching and are less likely to be satisf...
A team of UMass Amherst computer scientists are part of a four-institution consortium awarded $4.5 million by the Army Research Labs to develop predictive battlefield analytics and services. The project aims to create a seamless network between humans and technology to give soldiers a competitive edge in future military operations.
A Brown University study finds that political polarization has increased most among demographic groups with low internet and social media use. The authors suggest that broader forces beyond the digital landscape may be driving the rise in partisanship.
A Baylor University survey finds that religious Americans are not concerned with the secular nature of the internet. Most report no effect from the internet on their spiritual lives, while some believe it has a positive impact. The study also reveals varying views on technology's role in religion and life's purpose.
Researchers at The Australian National University have developed a groundbreaking material that enables a global quantum internet by storing quantum information in an erbium-doped crystal for more than a second, significantly longer than previous attempts. This breakthrough aims to unlock the full potential of future quantum computers.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology propose a new way to gather and share information during natural disasters that does not rely on the internet. Using edge computing, mobile phones, routers, and other hardware can create a network, enabling emergency managers and first responders to share and act on information gathered fr...
A study found that Russians who relied on government-controlled TV news perceived the internet as a threat, leading to increased support for censorship. The government's successful persuasion has troubling implications, with many citizens self-censoring their online use.
A new technique allows investigators to analyze individual user behavior from network traffic metadata, reducing the reliance on IP addresses and enhancing cyber security. The approach achieved average recognition rates of 90% in tests involving 46 users.
A new study published in Management Science found that strong professional connections are crucial for securing job interviews and offers. Weaker ties on online networking sites like LinkedIn may provide more job leads but have a negligible effect on actual interviews.
Researchers will conduct ethnographic research in public libraries to better understand the activities and needs of low-income users. A 'Digital Swiss Army Knife' prototype is being developed to provide password generation, secure access, and session protection on portable devices.
A study by Justin Knoll found that individuals with a high tolerance for incivility are more likely to engage in online behaviors such as commenting on news stories, participating in discussions, and donating to candidates. In contrast, activities like signing petitions and circulating content were not affected.
Research reveals that a minority of users' tweets account for the majority of influence, with opinion leaders forming a virtual community that shapes information spread. The study suggests targeting this community for effective advertising on social media platforms like Twitter.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London created an AI that uses internet searches to source and process associated words and images for a novel mind reading card trick. The computer assists in designing the trick by uncovering suggestions and acting as an aid to prompt further creativity.
Researchers found that internet search volumes for suicide increased by 19% after the series release, with 17 of 20 common queries showing higher-than-expected increases. Searches focused on suicidal ideation, such as 'how to commit suicide,' were particularly concerning.
A new study found that Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' corresponded with a substantial increase in internet searches for suicide, including phrases like 'how to commit suicide' and 'suicide prevention'. The study suggests that the show may have inspired some viewers to act on their suicidal thoughts.
A new study uses Google search data to track dengue fever in underdeveloped countries, providing accurate and timely estimates of disease prevalence. The method, called ARGO, combines Google Trends data with government-provided clinical data to alert governments and hospitals when elevated dengue incidence is anticipated.
New research published in the Journal of Retailing shows that offline retailers can use online data to identify consumers who value product touch and target them with marketing strategies. By understanding consumers' mental representations of products, retailers can offer free trials and other incentives to boost sales.
Researchers have successfully developed a new material that promises to improve the strength and durability of microscopic sensors. The alloy, made from nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten, exhibits extraordinary properties, including high tensile strength three times greater than high-strength steel.
A study conducted by University of North Texas professor Daniel Taylor found that online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective in military personnel, with improved sleep quality and reduced use of sleep medication. However, the internet-delivered therapy was about half as effective as traditional methods.
Researchers found that online ads decrease brain activity in frontal/prefrontal cortical areas, indicating a drop in concentration levels. The presence of ads also affects the frontal/prefrontal asymmetry index, with some subjects experiencing increased and others decreased activity.
Analyzing millions of internet searches tied to major societal events offers a new way to understand public reaction. In the study, firearm-related searches more than doubled after the Sandy Hook shooting incident, with retail websites being the most visited sites.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals who experience digital-behaviour problems exhibit significant physiological changes, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, when terminating internet use. These changes are accompanied by heightened anxiety levels.
Researchers developed a new protocol to improve information flow between emergency responders and decision-makers, reducing delays by seconds. The Multi Node Label Routing (MNLR) protocol helps detect failures and reroute data quickly, making it more reliable for emergency situations.
Researchers found that watching videos and listening to music are the most data-intensive activities, accounting for around half of mobile data demand. Changing user behavior, such as gathering together to watch streamed media or using SMS texting instead of instant messaging, could significantly reduce energy consumption.
Research suggests that online health information can compromise the parent-doctor relationship, leading to delayed treatment. Parents who view conflicting symptoms may question their doctor's diagnosis and seek a second opinion, highlighting the importance of discussing concerns with patients.
A recent survey of 14,000 internet users in seven nations found that concerns about fake news undermining democratic processes are unwarranted. In fact, internet users use search to check facts and validity of information, and encounter diverse information across multiple media sources.
Researchers identified a new form of blackhat search engine optimization targeting local listing services like Google Maps. Scammers exploit location-based search to make fake businesses appear in users' searches.
Researchers compiled a list of over 40 online programs with evidence from randomized controlled trials, finding nearly 80% were unavailable to the public. The sites address various health issues, including depression, weight loss, and chronic pain, and offer interactive modules and assignments to complete.
Researchers have discovered that YouTube's encryption is not secure enough to protect user anonymity. A machine-learning algorithm can identify which videos a user watched with high accuracy, allowing intelligence agencies and internet marketers to track viewing habits.
CISPA researchers have developed an early warning system to detect and prevent mass cyber attacks, including DDoS attacks. The system uses honeypots to track and analyze attack patterns, providing valuable insights into the motivations behind these attacks.
A new study by Oxford casts doubt on whether internet filters in the home effectively shield young people from unpleasant online experiences. Researchers found that homes with internet filters had no link to lower rates of negative online experiences among teenagers.
A new Chrome extension called ScaleUp improves web browsing speeds at 30,000 feet by increasing image size and simplifying font loads. The solution reduces latency and packet loss, providing faster Internet access to air travelers.
The Darknet's unique topology makes it difficult to attack, with an attack on a specific node requiring four times more strength than one on the internet. The network can easily counter large attacks by adding more capacity through its decentralized onion router protocol.
Researchers found that trolls form 'anti-social networks' that reinforce their behaviour and are attracted to attention from media reports, highlighting the need for social media platforms to take responsibility for negative content
A new paper by Nathan Hamlin explains a code that could thwart hackers armed with next generation quantum computers. The Generalized Knapsack Code uses alternative number representations to block cyberattacks, providing a viable security method for defending against quantum computing hacks.
Researchers found that hospitalized stroke patients with visible brain vessel changes and those who exhibited weakness or partial loss of movement were at higher risk for falls. Social media campaigns can effectively educate and engage communities about stroke awareness, increasing website traffic by 200% compared to previous years.
A team of researchers led by Yinzhi Cao has developed a novel method for tracking web users across browsers using operating system and hardware level factors. The technique identifies 99.24% of users compared to 90.84% for top single-browser fingerprinting techniques.
A new study found that Wikipedia editors rely more on out-of-copyright information after Google Books digitized a publication, resulting in decreased traffic for pages using copyrighted content. This limitation affects not only readers but also creators seeking to build upon historical information.
Researchers discovered that an algorithm called additive increase, multiplicative decrease (AIMD) is used both in engineered systems like the Internet and biological networks like the human brain. This finding sheds light on how the brain manages information and potentially helps understand learning disabilities.
Researchers at the University of Kent found that people who use Facebook or surf the web tend to underestimate time compared to general internet use. The study, which monitored responses from 44 participants, showed that Facebook-related stimuli lead to a greater distortion in time perception.
A study by Princeton and Stanford universities reveals that anonymous web browsing histories can be linked to social media profiles, raising concerns about internet privacy. Researchers created an algorithm that compared anonymous web browsing histories with public social media feeds to identify users with high accuracy.
Researchers used social media and internet reports to analyze exposure patterns during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic and 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. The study found that alternative data streams can provide reliable information on disease dynamics in the early stages of an outbreak.
Researchers from UGR and hospitals Virgen de las Nieves and San Cecilio found that telerehabilitation reduces side effects of breast cancer treatment, such as pain and fatigue. The online exercise program showed excellent results for patients, maintaining benefits even after 6 months.
A new UTSA study examines how phishing e-mails thrive on overconfidence, finding that self-efficacy is a major factor. The researchers created experimental surveys with subjects choosing between genuine and phishing emails, revealing why certain tactics appeal to different people.
Researchers found that cell phones distract individuals with lower internet usage, impairing attention and judgment. Heavy internet users, however, use mobile phones as spatial cues to enhance visual search.
Researchers studied data from Ashley Madison to identify key characteristics of its users. Income proved to be a significant factor, indicating the service behaves like a luxury good. Religiosity also showed a notable correlation with user spending rates, decreasing by 18% for every additional religious congregation per 1,000 people.
Researchers found that laptop use in class was linked to poorer test scores, with social media and non-academic internet use being the biggest distractions. The study suggests that encouraging students to bring laptops to class without a clear purpose can negatively impact academic performance.
Researchers used internet data to track public interest in conservation over time, finding sudden spikes linked to media coverage and seasonal events. The study suggests harnessing these peaks to aid protection efforts, using methods that are relatively cheap and produce huge sample sizes.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that hackers can hack a credit card account in as little as 6 seconds by guessing the card number, expiry date, and CVV. The 'Distributed Guessing Attack' method allows hackers to circumvent security features and validate card details across multiple websites.
A new recommendation algorithm allows individuals and items to belong to multiple overlapping groups, making it more realistic than existing models. The algorithm's predicted ratings proved more accurate than those from existing systems on five large datasets.
The Internet of Things (IoT) will require new search mechanisms to support billions of connected devices, demanding machine-to-machine searches and secure data access. Complex IoT technologies like smart cities, autonomous cars, and environmental monitoring need efficient indexing and ranking mechanisms.
Researchers used crowdsourced data to investigate earthquake feelings in Italy and Greece. Intermediate-depth earthquakes are often felt on the African side of the Africa-Eurasia plate boundary.