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Internet data could boost conservation

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiological Conservation·DateDec 16, 2016

How it takes just 6 seconds to hack a credit card

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.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateDec 1, 2016

Social media activism is driving corporate agendas

Research by INSEAD found that social media activists can elicit corporate responses by threatening a firm's public image, particularly those with high social and political standing. Companies with greater image vulnerability are more sensitive to threats and respond faster to donations.

SourceINSEAD·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateNov 16, 2016

Designing the future internet

Raychaudhuri's MobilityFirst project aims to rearchitect the internet with name-based routing, improving flexibility, security, and efficiency. The project has underway trials to deliver content closer to users, extend mobile services, and support targeted emergency messaging.

Web of power: How to manage the energy internet

Researchers at Northeastern University have proposed a way to optimize power exchange between the main grid and multiple microgrids using consensus-based algorithms. These algorithms allow decentralized generators to communicate with each other and with the main grid, ensuring reliable and cost-effective energy distribution.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateOct 18, 2016

Poor health literacy a public health issue

A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that people with higher levels of social connection have better health literacy. Researchers also discovered that volunteering and civic engagement are linked to improved health literacy. The study analyzed data from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, highlighting the importan...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBMC Public Health·DateOct 13, 2016

Low rate of Internet use by seniors for health purposes

A recent study published in JAMA found that only 25% of seniors in the US used digital health technology between 2011 and 2014. The study also revealed socioeconomic disparities in digital health use, with older age, black and Latino ethnicity, divorce, and poor health associated with lower use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 2, 2016

Could growing Internet use inspire more democratic uprisings?

A new study found that internet users who primarily accessed the web for entertainment purposes, such as watching cat videos, were less likely to demand democracy in their countries. In contrast, those who used the internet for news and sharing political opinions were more likely to support democratic reforms. The researchers suggest t...

SourceOhio State University·JournalCommunication Research·DateJun 28, 2016

You are not as anonymous as you think online

A recent study published in Frontiers in ICT found that a person's online browsing behavior can reveal their unique digital signature, which can identify them. The research suggests that personality traits can be deduced by general internet usage, offering new avenues for understanding online behavior and its applications.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in ICT·DateJun 7, 2016

Consumers reveal barriers to brain-training app-iness

A recent study investigated consumer attitudes towards brain-training apps, finding that over two-thirds reported improved thinking, memory, and attention. However, cost was the primary barrier to their use, highlighting a need for evidence-based apps. Strong positive expectations about app effectiveness may also drive user behavior.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2016

Study raises online golf tutorials to above par

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that watching online tutorials with prior knowledge of the demonstrator's skill level can lead to improved performance. The researchers found that this approach enables students to better detect technical errors and imitate expert-level shots.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 1, 2016

Crowd review

Researchers develop a method to analyze web reviews and extract design intelligence, identifying pros and cons of features. The DFOC approach can enhance creative efficiency and competitiveness by shortening lead times and improving product quality.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Knowledge and Web Intelligence·DateMar 15, 2016