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What makes Tom Hanks look like Tom Hanks?

University of Washington researchers have developed a technology to capture the 'persona' of a well-photographed person like Tom Hanks from vast numbers of Internet images. The digital model can be animated to deliver speeches that the real actor never performed, and even transfer expressions and mannerisms onto another person's face.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateDec 7, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New website can identify birds using photos

The Merlin Bird Photo ID system can identify 400 bird species in the US and Canada with accuracy of 90% and is designed to improve with user input. The system combines AI techniques with millions of data points from humans to present the most likely species, including photos and sounds.

SourceCornell University·DateJun 4, 2015

Combining computer vision and brain computer interface for faster mine detection

Computer scientists developed a new method combining computer vision algorithms and brain-computer interface to detect mines in sonar images, outperforming existing methods. The system uses classifiers to capture changes in pixel intensity and improves accuracy by detecting 99.5% of true positives and reducing false positives.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering·DateMay 4, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Researchers develop new computer-based vision screening test for young children

A new computerized vision-screening test, the Jaeb Visual Acuity Screener (JVAS), has been developed to identify children with subnormal visual acuity. The test uses a set testing algorithm to minimize subjective tester bias and provides simple pass/fail results for four age groups.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·DateApr 28, 2015

Researchers develop 'visual Turing test'

A new system designed by researchers from Brown and Johns Hopkins universities aims to assess computer vision systems' ability to understand the context of an image. The 'visual Turing test' evaluates how well computers can recognize subtle details, such as people walking together and having a conversation.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2015

Vision-correcting display makes reading glasses so yesterday

Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a vision-correcting display that uses computation to compensate for individual visual impairments. The technology has the potential to transform lives of people with high-order aberrations and presbyopia, enabling them to use smartphones, tablets, and computers without corrective lenses.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 29, 2014

Crow or raven? New birdsnap app can help!

The new Birdsnap app, developed by Columbia Engineering researchers, can identify 500 common North American bird species using computer vision and machine learning techniques. It offers users various ways to organize species and even annotates images with distinctive parts for easy identification.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateMay 28, 2014
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Low-power Wi-Fi signal tracks movement -- even behind walls

Researchers at MIT have developed a system called Wi-Vi that uses low-cost Wi-Fi technology to track human movement through walls and closed doors. The system cancels out reflections from static objects, allowing it to detect only moving humans.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 28, 2013

New research sheds light on how we see family resemblance in faces

A new study published in the Journal of Vision increases our understanding of how the brain processes facial structure and recognizes family resemblance. Researchers found that people can pick out family members despite underlying differences, such as gender or age, by comparing faces to an average face for that gender.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalJournal of Vision·DateNov 21, 2011

Piecing together the priceless 'Cairo Genizah'

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed software using facial recognition technology to identify and join digitized fragments of the Cairo Genizah collection. This has led to the discovery of pages from a work by Saadia Gaon, a prominent rabbi and philosopher from the 10th century.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateOct 18, 2011

Oranges and mandarins are inspected using artificial vision

Scientists at IVIA have created a machine that detects rotten oranges using computer vision. Another prototype classifies mandarin segments by quality and damage. These machines improve efficiency in the fruit selection process.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalFood and Bioprocess Technology·DateOct 11, 2011
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Digital photos can animate a face so it ages and moves before your eyes

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a tool that can take hundreds of digital portraits and create an animation of a person's face in seconds. The software aligns faces and chooses photos with similar expressions to produce smooth transitions, allowing users to see how a person's expression changes over time.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 2, 2011
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Computer scientists build 'pedestrian remover'

Researchers developed a proof-of-concept system that removes pedestrians from urban scenes in Google Street View, exploring how computer vision can preserve privacy in public environments. The system replaces pedestrians with an approximation of the actual background behind each pedestrian.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateAug 5, 2010
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Migraine sufferers: More difficulty tuning out visual stimuli?

A new study suggests that people with migraines may struggle to filter out visual noise, even when they don't have a headache. Migraineurs performed significantly worse in identifying visual targets than those without migraines when visual distractions were added.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateApr 8, 2010

Automobile control research opens door to new safety features

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a computer program that enables cars to stay within their lane, opening the door to new safety features and military applications. This technology can detect traffic and lanes, allowing cars to avoid accidents caused by driver fatigue or distraction.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateApr 6, 2010
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Researchers demonstrate a better way for computers to 'see'

Researchers from Harvard and MIT demonstrate a new method to build better artificial visual systems by combining genetic screening techniques with high-performance gaming hardware. The approach enables the analysis of thousands of candidate models in parallel, resulting in significant improvements over traditional methods.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 2, 2009

Near vision research study

A research study is being conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of an investigational corneal inlay in reducing the need for reading glasses. The inlay, called AcuFocus Corneal Inlay (ACI), is intended to improve near vision in patients with presbyopia, a natural loss of near vision that occurs after age 45.

SourceThe Cornea and Laser Eye Institute, P.A.·DateNov 5, 2009
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Computer-related injuries on the rise

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found a more-than-sevenfold increase in computer-related injuries from 1994 to 2006. The majority of injuries occurred at home and were caused by tripping or falling over equipment, hitting against or catching on computers, or computer equipment falling on patients.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 9, 2009

A picture is worth a thousand locksmiths

Computer scientists at UC San Diego have created a software program that can duplicate keys from photographs, highlighting the vulnerability of key-based security systems. The system uses computer vision techniques to extract the numeric code from the key's bumps and valleys, making it possible to create identical copies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 29, 2008

More effective treatment identified for common childhood vision disorder

A new study found that office-based vision therapy by a trained therapist, along with at-home reinforcement, is more effective in treating convergence insufficiency (CI) in children than traditional home-based therapy. The treatment resulted in reduced symptoms and improved vision in nearly 75% of participants.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateOct 15, 2008

Watch and learn: Time teaches us how to recognize visual objects

Researchers found that our brains use the timing of visual input to recognize objects, even when they appear differently. By analyzing neural activity in monkeys, they demonstrated that the brain can learn to confuse similar images through temporal contiguity, leading to improved object recognition.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateSep 11, 2008

Age-old magic tricks can provide clues for modern science

Researchers analyzed ancient magic tricks to gain insights into human psychology, revealing the power of misdirection and illusion in shaping our perceptions. The study's findings have long-term implications for fields like human-computer interfaces, where understanding attention and perception is crucial.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateJul 22, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Carnegie Mellon system estimates geographic location of photos

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed an algorithm that can geolocate photos by analyzing their composition and searching through millions of GPS-tagged images on Flickr. The IM2GPS algorithm achieved accurate results, even identifying landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and narrowing down possibilities like beach or desert l...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateJun 18, 2008

From 2-D pictures to 3 dimensions

A team of UC San Diego computer scientists has developed a groundbreaking algorithm for 3D reconstruction from 2-D images, solving the long-standing problem of autocalibration. This technology has vast potential in various applications, including virtual product showcases and augmented-reality walkthroughs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateFeb 29, 2008

MIT researcher: Learning about brains from computers, and vice versa

A recent study by MIT researcher Tomaso Poggio found that a computer model was able to reproduce human behavior in recognizing complex scenes, leading to a significant shift in understanding the visual cortex. The findings have implications for understanding how the brain works and may lead to advancements in artificial intelligence.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 15, 2008
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A new generation of artificial vision systems

Researchers at Frankfurt's Research Center for Neurotechnology have developed new artificial vision systems using neural organization principles. These systems aim to combine individual functions to form a functioning whole, leading to potential applications in intelligent security and autonomous vehicles.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·DateJan 29, 2008

Vacation photos create 3-D models of world landmarks

Researchers at the University of Washington have created 3D models of landmarks using vacation photos from Flickr. The models were accurate enough to show individual figures carved into stone facades, with resolutions comparable to those obtained by laser scanners.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateNov 1, 2007

Test for visual acuity could aid detection, rehabilitation of AMD

A computer-based method to evaluate the eye's ability to distinguish object details and shape in patients with AMD could provide a more accurate way to assess the effectiveness of eye surgery or vision rehabilitation interventions. The test might help detect early detection of AMD and estimate patient potential visual acuity.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateOct 29, 2007

USC biomedical team to participate in $6 million low vision project

The USC team aims to design visual displays that enhance certain parts of an image to help people with AMD digest visual information better. They will use techniques from computer vision and computational neuroscience to build visual displays that compensate for neural loss.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateOct 5, 2007
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Drawing with DNA: 'Bioart' illuminates genomics

The 'Ecce Homology' project uses dynamic media and computer vision to visualize genomic data, making it accessible to the general public. By creating scientifically accurate pictograms of genes and proteins, researchers aim to reduce complexity and facilitate understanding of genomics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateJul 19, 2005

Rehabilitation can restore some vision after stroke

Vision restoration therapy (VRT) is a new technique that can help patients with visual field defects recover their sight after a stroke. Through repeated use of damaged areas, VRT strengthens nerve activity related to vision, leading to significant improvements in sample stimulus detection and reduction in undetected stimuli.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 3, 2005
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Early treatment can prevent severe vision loss in premature infants

Researchers found that early treatment reduced the likelihood of poor vision from 19.5% to 14.5% and structural damage from 15.6% to 9.1% in high-risk premature infants. The study, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, identified risk factors for ROP and showed that prompt treatment can prevent severe vision loss.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateDec 8, 2003

New ways to talk to your computer

Researchers at Cardiff University are exploring a new way to interact with computers using physical objects and acoustic waves. The project, TAI-CHI, aims to create giant 3D touch screens that can be used on any surface.

SourceCardiff University·DateOct 9, 2003
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.