A significant number of patients use the internet as a source of medical information, with over 25% using it in the last year. Physicians should initiate dialogue early on concerning where patients should look for accurate, comprehensive and understandable online health information.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center outline a method for securely collecting sensitive medical research data via the Internet. This approach enables faster and cheaper data collection with the same level of security as traditional methods.
The International Development Research Centre presents four case studies on ICTs in Latin America, highlighting their impact on civil society organizations and indigenous communities. These projects showcase the potential of technology to bridge development gaps and promote social change.
A McGill University research project demonstrates streaming high-quality multichannel audio over the internet from Montreal to Los Angeles. The demonstration features renowned recording engineers mixing 12 channels of audio in real-time.
A study of 75 countries reveals that social, economic and political factors are crucial for Internet development, including literacy, education, political freedom and service-based economies. Countries with the greatest Internet development have high rates of these factors, making them poised to cross the digital divide.
A three-year study found that living in a highly-wired neighborhood with high-speed local network encourages greater community involvement, expands relationships, and maintains ties with friends and relatives. The study also reveals new methods of communication and increases collective action and political involvement.
A new study suggests that people who seek sex partners online are at a greater risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. The survey found that online sex seekers were more likely to have had previous STDs and had more partners than those who did not use the internet to solicit sex.
The ACM SIGCOMM 2 000 conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden, gathering researchers from USA and Europe to discuss network security, Internet telephony, and other topics. Notable speakers included Prof. André Danthine, Dr. Radia Perlman, and Professor Henning Schulzrinne.
Researchers argue that online retailers focus too much on site hits and not enough on customer behavior patterns. By analyzing these patterns, retailers can identify frequent shoppers and target their marketing efforts more effectively to increase sales.
A recent MIT study found that online retailers, such as Amazon.com, charge higher prices than low-cost competitors like Books.com and CD Universe. The study reveals substantial differences in prices across retailers on the Internet, with top brands maintaining price advantages despite lower costs.
The article describes how novel human genes can be found using data mining techniques on the Internet. Researchers identified putative human genes related to peptide transporter proteins, which are essential for drug absorption and distribution.
A recent study by Dr. Mani Subramani and Eric A. Walden found that Internet firms can earn almost double the profits of brick-and-mortar firms through partnerships. This is due to their ability to form strong relationships with partners, increasing investment and output value.
A team of researchers at Sandia National Laboratories has developed an intelligent software agent that can defend itself and other computers against cyber attacks. The agent uses a multi-agent collective approach to detect and respond to unusual requests or commands, providing real-time protection against various types of threats.
A new Ohio University study reveals that e-commerce has increased the value of used and rare books, with online sales accounting for a 12.5% increase in book sales. The study also found that prices for rare books have climbed, while common titles have seen stabilization or decrease in price.
DoubleTwist has completed the first annotation of the human genome, revealing genes and valuable information. The analysis used Sun Enterprise supercomputers and DoubleTwist's proprietary genomic analysis software to process all available sequence data.
Researchers found that local communication, such as talking to neighbors, is crucial for a sense of community. The study also highlights the importance of strategic community organizations and media in building a stronger sense of belonging.
A Harvard study challenges conventional wisdom, suggesting that online retailers can charge higher prices due to reduced price competition. The study reveals that consumer loyalty and convenience of the internet enable firms to increase prices, leading to higher profits.
Dr. Guoray Cai's research highlights the importance of considering geographical space in understanding cyberspace. The study found that variations in access bandwidth can generate feelings of distance due to faster communication channels, and existing infrastructure biases towards certain categories of consumers.
A study by UF/Cincinnati psychiatrists found that internet addicts struggle with mental illnesses like manic depression and anxiety disorders. On average, each participant had five other major psychiatric problems.
Despite computers and the Internet's potential to revolutionize information access for people with disabilities, progress has been slow due to a lack of investment from governments and industries. However, advancements in technology, such as accessible software programs and tactile graphics, hold promise for improving accessibility.
Researchers aim to optimize internet traffic flow by allocating available capacity fairly among competing packets of information. A new algorithm developed could be applied to various networks, including telephone systems and power grids.
The article highlights the need for synergy between the Internet and evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, citing examples like the Cochrane Collaboration. The authors argue that technological advancements will enable multisensory modes of communication and ubiquitous computing, revolutionizing health initiatives.
A recent study found that communication drives the use of the Internet at home, with individuals using e-mail in more sessions and consistently than they use the World Wide Web. The study, which tracked 229 people's behavior over a year, shows that social uses of the Internet are strongly favored by novice users.
The National Library of Medicine is launching an initiative to increase internet access to health information, with a focus on underserved communities. The 49 funded projects will provide computers and teach computer skills to individuals in rural, inner-city, and suburban areas.
A recent study suggests that female and older computer users are more concerned about moral issues affecting the Internet, such as spreading computer viruses and sharing offensive games. The researchers found that younger respondents were less likely to view these actions as harmful.
A study by Ohio State University scholars found that 27% of Web pages listed correct answers to library reference questions, while 9% contained incorrect answers. The researchers suggest evaluating source credibility and supplementing with other resources for more accurate information.
Two new journals, New Journal of Physics and Internet Journal of Chemistry, have received SPARC's Leading Edge program endorsement. These peer-reviewed electronic journals offer wide dissemination of top-quality research at zero cost, improving accessibility for scientists and libraries.
A recent survey by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients (70%) and physicians (83%) want to communicate via e-mail, but only 14% and 27% are currently using it. The study aims to facilitate electronic communication between patients and their doctors.
The CU National Snow and Ice Data Center has posted avalanche awareness information on its website to educate skiers and backcountry enthusiasts. The materials provide guidance on evaluating snowpack stability, recognizing danger signals, and surviving avalanches, with links to related sources.
A study of 46 Internet sites selling prescription drugs found that only five revealed their locations, while nine sites sold medications without a physician's prescription. The researchers also found that online doctor consultations cost more than in-person visits, and some popular drugs were sold at higher prices online.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that Washington D.C. is the most internet-accessible city in the United States, with high-ranking cities in the West and Northeast performing well. Cities with more connections to commercial-Internet backbones were rated as more accessible.
A new study found nearly half of Internet health pages contain unverified information, with 6% containing wrong data. Doctors and patients can benefit from using trustworthy sources, such as government and nonprofit sites, to access accurate health info.
The study highlights the benefits of anonymity, including its value in protecting users who engage in socially unacceptable activities. It recommends balancing regulation with education and public awareness to foster legitimate uses while deterring illegal ones.
The convention will explore the role of psychologists in preventing teenage aggression and violence, as well as the consequences of internet usage. Experts will also discuss cancer treatment and prevention, including promoting well-being in cancer patients.
Jon Kleinberg, a computer scientist at Cornell University, is working on making the Internet more efficient by studying how information moves through networks. He aims to develop better routing algorithms that can handle congestion and optimize network capacity.
eMediator provides versatile virtual agents with game theory and expert system capabilities, offering flexible bidding and optimal strategies. The platform allows users to create their own agents and view a list of available agents, providing flexibility and control in the bidding process.
The EFF Cooperative Computing Awards offer over half a million dollars in prize money for finding huge prime numbers and solving scientific problems.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will launch a management academy to boost training for public health professionals in four states. The academy aims to improve how health departments nationwide serve citizens, addressing concerns discussed for decades.
Children's literature experts believe that traditional storytelling can reconnect kids with books and media. The new book 'Story: From Fireplace to Cyberspace' offers practical and theoretical approaches to revitalize storytelling for children.
Researchers investigate e-mail usage between doctors and patients, aiming to improve patient-physician communication and satisfaction. The three-year study will examine the effects on efficiency, phone calls, visits, and overall organization.
Astronomers will discuss Hubble Space Telescope findings on life in the universe, including environments suitable for life being probably plentiful. They'll also explore Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa, as well as two upcoming NASA missions searching for signs of life elsewhere in the solar system.
The University at Buffalo has received a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to connect its high-performance network infrastructure to the VBNs, allowing for faster research collaboration and data transfer. The university's joining Internet 2 will also enhance its competitive position in research and education.
A team of researchers has developed software called Crowds that allows internet users to become anonymous members of a pool of surfers, masking their IP addresses and making it difficult for websites to track their activities. The software routes requests through the crowd, increasing anonymity and reducing profiling attempts.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded a $961,582 grant to establish interactive learning modules on the internet for writing grant proposals. The program will target historically underrepresented institutions and provide training and mentorship to help them develop their research capabilities.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that excessive internet use is associated with decreased social involvement, increased depression, and loneliness. The research, which monitored 169 home computer users over time, suggests that the internet can have negative effects on emotional well-being.
A group of hackers, the Cult of the Dead Cow, has released a malicious Back Orifice program that allows them to secretly control a machine over local networks or the Internet. The program can be downloaded without users realizing its presence, and once installed, it enables hackers to take control of the system like a puppet.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory successfully marked selected internet traffic for priority service over unmarked traffic in a cross-country demonstration. The demonstration showcases a key milestone in the development of differentiated services, which will provide specialized services to network customers.
The UPMC Image Engine Project combines clinical images with medical records to improve patient care. The system allows clinicians to download and view full-size images for diagnosis and treatment, while maintaining patient confidentiality.
A study by Dr. Yannis Bakos finds that electronic marketplaces will favor buyers over sellers in the long run, reducing prices and increasing competition. However, sellers can counter this threat by focusing on product features rather than prices and differentiating their products.
Computer scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed processes that enable internet address lookup to be done at a speed of 100 nanoseconds, compared to the current average of 1.2 microseconds. This promises to give routers faster throughput by making it easier to find destination addresses for messages.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that individuals who use electronic communications report more total communications than those using only traditional methods. This suggests a potential problem with 'communication overload',
The AAAS Conference on Anonymous and Pseudonymous Communications on the Internet brought together experts to analyze online and offline anonymity in journalism, whistleblowing, human rights, and more. The participants developed recommendations for guidelines in anonymous communication use.
The World Wide Web Consortium has formed a new initiative to address web accessibility for people with disabilities. Judy Brewer, director of the International Program Office, will discuss the activities and impact of accessible design, as well as marketing benefits for non-disabled technology users.
Jango, a new software robot developed by the University of Washington, uses a novel web navigation technology to automatically search the web for products and provide users with detailed information. The robot can initiate orders and protect user credit card information through encryption.
Researchers from Boston University developed network measurement techniques that enable Net.Medic to identify and fix internet performance problems. The software is designed to improve the effectiveness of the internet for millions of users worldwide.
The GovNews Project introduces a new category on Usenet, facilitating the delivery of official notices, news, announcements, reports, and publications from government agencies. Millions of people will now be able to participate in discussions on topics like privatization, procurements, and environmental issues.
The BirdSource website enables citizens to share their bird-watching observations, creating a comprehensive database of North American bird distribution, migratory pathways, and population trends. This initiative leverages citizen-science data from programs like FeederWatch and the Christmas Bird Counts.
The museum has developed an innovative program that allows visitors to reconstruct a fragmented clay pot, draw their own masterpiece, and play a tune on a 1,800-year-old flute using computer kiosks. This 'hands-on' approach makes objects in the museums seem more alive, providing a vast array of information about the artifacts and art o...
Experts from around the world have agreed on a standard for locating environmental information, enabling easy access to a virtual library of data and information. The initiative aims to make use of base standards like ISO 10163 to provide a universal service for searching and accessing environmental information.
The latest survey from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals a slowdown in the World Wide Web's expansion, with minor changes in demographics and a significant decrease in new internet users. The study highlights growing concerns over cyberspace privacy, falsification of information, and censorship among web users.