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Can science predict a hit song?

Researchers at the University of Bristol used musical features and machine learning algorithms to predict song hits in the UK singles chart. They found that danceability increased in popularity from the late 1970s and that slower styles, such as ballads, were more likely to become hits in the 1980s.

Computers will be able to tell social traits from the face

Researchers have developed a computational tool that can determine whether faces are attractive, threatening or dominant with high accuracy. The tool uses machine learning techniques to analyze facial characteristics and was tested on a set of synthetic images, achieving accuracies of up to 96%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 17, 2011

In motor learning, it's actions, not intentions, that count

Researchers at Harvard University's Neuromotor Control Lab found that motion-referenced learning, where the brain learns from actual movements rather than intended actions, can improve learning efficiency. This approach may lead to more effective neurological rehabilitation for individuals with stroke or other motor disorders.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 23, 2011

Robot learns to smile and frown

Researchers at UC San Diego used machine learning to empower their Einstein robot to learn realistic facial expressions, improving the process of teaching robots to make lifelike faces. The team discovered that the model learned to automatically compensate for missing servos and can now make facial expressions it had never encountered.