The EU has launched an online treatment program called Prevent It to reduce child sexual abuse, providing a nine-week digital program with individual support. The program has shown promising results in reducing the risk of sexual exploitation and is now available in several languages.
Researchers catalogued fake interaction resale panels offering customized services, including buying likes, views, followers, and online visits on various platforms.
A study found that demographic factors like low income, race, and rural residence are linked to low telemedicine literacy. The Technology Literacy Index showed that counties with low TLI had lower median incomes and college degrees.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed a wireless, soft e-skin for interactive touch communication in the virtual world. The e-skin can detect and deliver the sense of touch, enabling one-to-multiuser interaction and overcoming the limitations of space and distance.
US public health websites lack accessibility features for people with low literacy or limited English proficiency, making it harder for them to find COVID-19 treatment information. The study suggests the need for national guidelines on accessibility and readability for these websites.
Researchers at UTHSC are conducting a study on interactive technology to aid weight loss in overweight and obese adults. The CHAMPS program will deliver a weight loss program via internet, patient portal, text messaging, and phone calls to reduce barriers and promote significant weight loss.
A new UC San Diego model uses internet search data to predict housing price declines, with a national forecast of a 5% decrease. Cities like San Diego and Phoenix are predicted to experience significant price drops, while others, such as Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton and Kansas City, are expected to see stable prices.
A growing use of blockchain in global supply chains creates a 'regulatory gap' for resolving disputes, according to new research. The study suggests that firms using blockchain feel left to their own devices when solving disagreements and conflicts, highlighting the need for appropriate mechanisms.
A University of Kansas study analyzed over 1,000 AI-generated ads and found that they are only labeled as ads about half the time, often appealing to consumers in positive ways. The prevalence of AI in programmatic advertising raises concerns about consumer deception and the need for updated guidelines to require transparency.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
A study published in PLOS Digital Health found that ChatGPT scored between 52.4% and 75.0% on the USMLE exams, exceeding the passing threshold of approximately 60%. The model demonstrated high concordance rates and produced significant insights for most responses.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new calibration algorithm for HumTouch technology, which converts AC hum noise into touch location data. The algorithm improves accuracy and speeds up calibration, enabling nearly any surface to be turned into a touch sensor with high precision.
Researchers analyzed nearly 400,000 Twitter posts to find that five popular conspiracy theories overlapped in narratives highlighting malicious purposes and secretive actions. The most common conspiracies included those related to Bill Gates, 5G Networks, vaccinations, QAnon, and Agenda 21.
A new secure computation method is introduced, allowing for decentralized computation of encrypted data on a single server without significant computational cost. This method addresses drawbacks of existing methods, providing faster and more secure computations.
A new study analyzed nearly 20,000 conversations between online users and a chatbot called SimSimi to understand user interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that daily chats with the chatbot mostly led to positive emotions and reduced negative moods during lockdowns.
Physicists at the University of Bath developed an optical fiber that uses topology to enhance its robustness, protecting light from environmental disorder. This design allows for scalable structure preservation over long distances, making it suitable for future quantum networks.
Internet-delivered parent-child interaction therapy shows promise in expanding care for underserved children with developmental delay. The study found significant improvements in child behavior that were maintained across follow-up visits.
A recent study by Ohio State University found that despite widespread internet access, many refugee communities struggle to use digital technology for daily needs. The research highlights the importance of addressing social and cultural barriers to bridge the digital divide.
Researchers found no evidence of a critical mass needed to start and maintain new research fields. Instead, pioneering regions with early investment can establish dominance. However, late-comers face significant costs to catch up, as seen in China's semiconductor science, where strategic interventions over decades led to a dominant role.
A new form of thin-film device technology using alternative semiconductor materials could contribute to a more sustainable IoT. Wireless power harvesting from the environment using photovoltaic cells and RF energy harvesters is being explored.
New signal-processing algorithms have been shown to help mitigate the impact of turbulence in free-space optical experiments. The researchers achieved record results using commercially available photonic lanterns and a spatial light modulator to emulate turbulence.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have created a technology that converts radio frequency signals into direct current electricity, reducing the need for batteries in wireless systems. This innovation can help promote a more sustainable future by harnessing ambient energy from radio waves.
Physicians in Brazil's states of São Paulo and Maranhão used telemedicine for various purposes, including staff meetings, training sessions, and patient consultations. However, the technology has limitations and requires regulation to ensure quality care.
A web-based multicomponent intervention has been shown to improve blood pressure control and lower blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension. The study included 4,100 patients and found that such an intervention can provide a new, effective way to treat hypertension in the community.
Researchers at MIT have developed a scheme for private information retrieval that is about 30 times faster than other comparable methods. The technique enables users to search an online database without revealing their query to the server, with potential applications in private communication and targeted advertising.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that internet-delivered anonymous cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) significantly reduced the viewing of child sexual abuse material. The study, published in Internet Interventions, shows promise for a feasible and effective treatment approach.
Researchers investigate how voice technology affects consumers' willingness to disclose personal info, with potential benefits for marketers and policymakers. The study reveals that voice technology can both increase and decrease disclosure, depending on the context.
Researchers found that algorithms classify white men better, reproduce false beliefs about physical attributes, and make stereotypical associations between men and sciences, women and arts. Under-representation of women in AI design and biased datasets contribute to the problem.
Elias Bou-Harb, UTSA cyber security professor, has received $1.5 million in grants from the National Science Foundation to research Internet of Things (IoT) security and critical infrastructure protection. The projects aim to develop algorithms to fingerprint exploited IoT devices and improve internet security on IoT devices.
A novel AI-based malware detection and classification system has been developed for 5G-enabled Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems. The system achieved an accuracy rate of 97% on benchmark datasets, enabling the secure connection of applications such as smart cities and autonomous vehicles.
Researchers have demonstrated a power-efficient component for demultiplexing operation using silicon photonic MEMS, enabling efficient wavelength demultiplexing for fiber-optic communications. The compact footprint of the add-drop filter allows fast operation compared to established MEMS products.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is investigating the role of online media in shaping facts and influencing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to better understand how individuals and communities develop their understanding of major events, ultimately acting on that understanding.
Researchers developed high-capacity free-space optical links using unipolar quantum optoelectronic devices, achieving unprecedented data rates of up to 30 Gbit/s at 31-meter distances. The system's performance is resistant to weather conditions and showcases potential for fast, long-range optical links.
The University of Missouri is revamping its training courses for childcare providers with a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The new online video-based courses aim to be more accessible and engaging, covering topics such as safe sleep, transportation, and emergency preparedness.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method that uses optics to accelerate machine-learning computations on low-power devices. By encoding model components onto light waves, data can be transmitted rapidly and computations performed quickly, leading to over a hundredfold improvement in energy efficiency.
A national survey of 2,600 individuals found that many youth have experienced online child sexual abuse, which can be an extension of dating abuse, bullying, or harassment. The study highlights the need for professionals to understand these dynamics when planning prevention and intervention strategies.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine are developing a pilot program to tackle health disparities by leveraging electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The project aims to improve AI/ML delivery and research operations in community health centers and federally qualified health centers.
Researchers found that online fans in China engage in participatory censorship, self-censoring and policing others to strengthen the authoritarian regime's control over the internet. The study suggests that users create a social imaginary of censorship, speculating about the government's parameters and acting upon it.
A new study emphasizes the need for a collective approach to build digital resilience in children, involving home environments, schools, policymakers, and internet corporations. The findings highlight the importance of considering contextual factors such as family support in promoting tailored approaches.
A literature review found that only 53% of primary research supported the association between land change and zoonotic disease risk. Webpage content often overstated the evidence, neglecting uncertainty. The authors recommend more accurate and nuanced science communication to improve understanding.
Researchers have demonstrated a new visible light communication system that uses a single optical path to create a multi-channel communication link over the air. The system, based on devices called multiple quantum well (MQW) III-nitride diodes, can save half the channel space, cost and power by using a single link.
Researchers designed an integrated system to support joint operations between UAVs and mobile robots for surveillance, epidemic prevention, and rescue operations. The system aims to improve public safety while ensuring privacy and security.
Researchers find XAI methods improve AI performance and explain bias in data, enabling accurate applications like insurance decision-making. Implementing XAI helps manage power consumption and optimize AI systems for efficient Industry 4.0 growth.
Rice University researchers have received three NSF grants to develop tools and techniques for improving wireless communications. The projects focus on creating more efficient sensing and communication technologies, as well as protocols for resilience in the face of natural or human-induced disasters.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed a new Brain-Inspired Replay model that enables continual learning in edge computing systems without storing data. This approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy and high energy efficiency, overcoming the stability-plasticity issue in traditional models.
A new study found that 41% of teenagers can't tell the difference between true and fake online health messages. The researchers suggest focusing on health literacy and media literacy training, as well as skills like analytical thinking and scientific reasoning to help teenagers spot editing cues.
Researchers explored the global spread of misinformation on spiders, finding that sensationalism and misinformation decrease when experts are consulted. Local events can quickly become international news, emphasizing the need for improved information quality at local nodes to reverberate globally.
Researchers examine pricing and brand equity implications of brands selling on one-party versus third-party online platforms. Brands may increase unit sales but compromise brand perceptions, while 3P platforms provide full control over pricing and product presentation.
A new study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that 36% of YouTube videos on hay fever contained misleading information, leading to increased user interaction. Medical associations were the most reliable source of information, with only 32% of TV show/YouTube channel videos classified as useful.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo developed a system called DualCheck, which replaces traditional human verification tasks with educational content on online safety and ethics. Trials showed that users responded positively to the experience and felt they gained something from these microlearning sessions.
A new study found that a fully-automated online behavioral obesity treatment program led to significant weight loss among participants, with an average 12-week weight loss of 5.10%. The program addressed barriers in primary care, including limited resources and overburdened providers.
Researchers developed a novel computational method to control large complex networks using local information, addressing the challenge of controlling complex systems. The method considers computational time and information communication costs to produce optimal choices.
A recent NTU Singapore study reveals that frequent use of videoconferencing platforms contributed to higher levels of fatigue among workers. The researchers found a significant link between increased videoconferencing usage and feelings of fatigue, with reliable internet connections unable to mitigate this effect.
Researchers developed a novel approach to detecting hidden malicious codes in websites by analyzing common attack patterns and user-side scripts. The method can identify malicious distribution patterns with high accuracy and speed, including zero-day attacks.
Researchers discovered that search results yield male-dominated output despite neutral searches, promoting gender bias and potentially affecting hiring decisions. Exposure to such outputs influences perceptions and decisions, reinforcing societal inequalities.
A recent analysis found that Big Tech companies can provide innovative financial services to people excluded from traditional banking, improving financial inclusion. However, the authors caution that without proper education, these services may introduce risks to financial stability.
Researchers analyzed 4,000 Facebook posts to understand how clickbait influences user engagement. They found that both headlines and text can 'bait' users into interacting with a post, with some techniques more successful than others.
Following the leaked SCOTUS draft ruling, internet searches for abortion medication increased by 350,000 during the first week of May. These searches were more prevalent in states with restrictive reproductive rights.
Computer scientist Morgan Vigil-Hayes receives $561,599 grant to develop crowdsourced measurements of broadband coverage among rural and low-income populations. Her goal is to bridge the gap between accurate data and community needs.
A new study uses finite element simulation to optimize energy harvesting from vibrating micromagnets for wireless sensor networks in the Internet of Things. The research aims to provide a sustainable micro-energy source for the ubiquitous sensors, reducing the need for battery replacements or recharging.