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Where now for agent-based computing?

Businesses have successfully implemented agent-based systems to boost productivity, such as a factory floor that increased production by 10% and a shipping company that improved its route management through simulations. However, challenges remain in adopting these technologies, including cultural and conceptual barriers, as well as the...

New technology shows our ancestors ate…everything!

Researchers used new software to analyze fossilized tooth surfaces, revealing that early humans like Australopithecus africanus ate tougher leaves and Paranthropus robustus ate harder foods. The study also showed unexpected variability in the samples, suggesting both species relied on less preferred foods during periods of scarcity.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateAug 5, 2005

$3.5 million for computer simulation of molecules

The University of Utah has received a $3.5 million grant from the Department of Defense's Office of Naval Research to develop cutting-edge computer simulation methods for describing chemical reactions in complicated molecular systems. This advancement will greatly expand the application of molecular simulation techniques to new scienti...

New software helps with anti-terrorism planning

A new software developed for the U.S. Marine Corps helps organizations prioritize resources and allocate funds to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. The system considers factors such as protecting people, mission importance, and acceptable risks.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology·DateFeb 16, 2005

Could your 'jigsaw strategy' lead to a Christmas argument?

A study found that people use different strategies to complete a jigsaw puzzle, which can increase competition and conflict when collaborating with others. The researchers identified two main approaches: 'border obsessives' who focus on completing the border first, and 'opportunistic' puzzlers who take a more creative approach.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction·DateDec 23, 2004

New software improves database security

QFilter uses non-deterministic finite automata (NFA) to filter out parts of queries asking for unauthorized access, significantly improving query-response time. The technology offers a practical solution to the ongoing problem of database access controls without requiring substantial changes to existing databases.

Giving computers the jitters helps explain human behavior

A computer program simulated how people who felt threatened would respond to a serial subtraction problem, showing a 25% decrease in performance speed. Increasing knowledge through instruction and practice, or continuously checking results to bolster confidence, can help individuals switch their pre-task appraisal from threatening to c...

Grid computing steps up a gear

The European DataGrid (EDG) project has successfully built a test computing infrastructure capable of providing shared data and computing resources across Europe. GridPP resources contributed to the EDG testbed, developing important 'middleware' for efficient task distribution and security. The EGEE project will take Grid technology fu...

Latest exploration tools for University students

Cardiff University is introducing students to state-of-the-art software for interpreting three-dimensional seismic data, enabling deeper study of the earth's structure. The new technology has already helped identify a meteor impact crater off the Yorkshire coast and aims to reduce risk and cost in oil exploration.