Articles tagged with Research and Development
A new AI system crowdsources plot points for interactive stories, allowing for more creative narratives and an easier method for interactive narrative generation. The system achieved near-human-level authoring in a test, with improvements over random generators.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a novel anti-inflammatory nanoparticle that shows promise in treating sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), two leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. The treatment, known as SAN101, has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent organ failure.
The University of Oklahoma is developing a faster, more advanced imaging radar to provide unprecedented resolution and flexibility in storm surveillance. The new system will enable scientists to study tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and other phenomena on an incredible time and spatial scale.
A new research from North Carolina State University explores how security tools are used by software developers, finding that peer influence and corporate culture are key factors in adoption. The study also highlights limitations of current tools, including inaccurate notifications and lack of user-friendly interfaces.
A study using the Delphi Method assessed the bioweapons threat and potential misuse of scientific research by querying 59 experts. The results show significant disagreement among authorities, with differing opinions based on factors such as age and expertise.
Researchers have developed an upgrade to the Internet's core encryption protocol, making it resistant to future-proofing by powerful quantum computers. The new protocol uses a mathematical technique called 'ring learning with errors problem' to protect information.
Researchers at UNT Health Science Center and The University of Texas at Arlington have developed a user-friendly system that alerts individuals with sleep apnea to airflow leaks in their PAP machines. This system may motivate patients who give up on treatment due to discomfort or inconvenience.
A study on local salespeople's pricing discretion reveals that central, optimized pricing yields higher profits (20%) than local pricing (11%), improving overall profitability. The hybrid approach balances HQ analytic capabilities with field deal-specific information.
A representative survey of Mogadishu's population used remote sensing and smartphone technology to gather data on household dynamics, access to electricity, and child education. The findings revealed significant challenges in collecting accurate data due to security concerns and fragmented authority structures.
The NSF's EPSCoR program has made eight awards, totaling $42 million, aimed at fostering research collaborations among investigators and institutions across 12 states. The projects focus on developing innovative tools for brain imaging, decoding, and modulation, as well as exploring sustainable energy and water management technologies.
A 700-mile-long airspace has been designated as a Warning Area in the Arctic to facilitate research and exploration while ensuring safety for scientists, oil companies, and pilots. The area will be used for various experiments, including search-and-rescue operations and tracking retreating sea ice.
A new performance capture method developed at Disney Research captures facial features in high resolution, including wrinkles, and operates in real-time with a single video camera. This allows for realistic virtual characters and improved emotional expression conveyance.
The new method uses a hybrid approach employing three different rendering techniques depending on the scale at which the object is viewed. It allows for accurate rendering while reducing computation time, speeding up processing by tens or hundreds of times.
Disney Research has developed a new adaptive rendering method that efficiently corrects for erroneous pixels while preserving crisp detail, resulting in faster production times. The approach uses sparse modeling to predict additional pixels based on patterns identified in a small number of image pixels.
Recent research identified optimal locations for targeted observations to improve forecast skill for ENSO, IOD, TCs, and KLM. The CNOP approach is superior for identifying optimal locations for TCs, while an ensemble approach revealed optimal initial errors for IOD events.
A new laser ablation resonance ionization mass spectrometry technique has successfully dated an Earth rock analogous to the rocks covering one-third of the Moon's nearside. This breakthrough enables direct dating of lunar terrains, filling a critical gap in understanding the Solar System's history.
A study published in Food Quality and Preference found that women tend to buy fragrances for men, suggesting a desire to influence their partner's scent preferences. In contrast, women are less likely to share or gift fragrances with other women, citing concerns about negative connotations.
A new treatment method using magnetic pulses has shown promise in reducing tinnitus symptoms for more than half of study participants. The treatment, known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, targets the auditory cortex in the brain and has been approved only for depression treatment.
A new analysis finds that only a fifth of global health aid went toward research on diseases disproportionately affecting the poor and outbreak preparedness. The study recommends increasing funding for these critical global health functions to address growing threats like drug-resistant tuberculosis.
A study published in The Lancet finds that donor funding for key global health issues is significantly underfunded, with only 21% allocated to global functions. The analysis highlights the need for governments to adopt an approach emphasizing funding for global health functions to improve the health of poor people worldwide.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a wireless-power transfer (WPT) technology that allows mobile devices to be charged in any direction, even when away from the power source. The system can charge multiple devices simultaneously and wirelessly, with an efficiency of up to 34%, making it ideal for emergency situations.
Researchers developed a non-invasive technique using Raman spectroscopy to detect various forms of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma can be detected with an accuracy of 91%, while non-melanoma skin cancers are accurately identified between 73% and 85%.
New grant funds development of efficient genomic data compression software to handle large volumes of genomic data, addressing challenges in data storage and transfer. The project aims to identify commonalities in compression strategies across different types of genomic data.
A systematic review of 65 studies in 34 countries identifies 7 areas of mistreatment and abuse during childbirth, including physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. The authors call for improved access to privacy, resources, and trained staff to reduce morbidity and mortality.
A University of Kentucky researcher is developing an artificial blood technology for mosquitoes, which can help sustain colonies in resource-limited areas and combat diseases like malaria. The approach involves sterilizing mosquitoes using a bacterium and has already shown promising results in controlling Asian tiger mosquito populations.
Researchers have developed a prototype coating for wind turbine blades that mimics the intricate structure of an owl's wing, reducing noise production by up to 30dB. The coating, made of 3D-printed plastic, has shown promising results in wind tunnel tests, potentially leading to more efficient and quieter wind turbines.
A new INFORMS journal study reveals that strong advertising and Research and Development can help protect firms from bankruptcy during unstable market conditions. The study found that brands are more effective at protecting firms when the market is stable, while patents are more effective in turbulent markets.
Researchers at Disney Research Zurich developed a method for accurate video object segmentation using a click-and-drag interface that enables human editors to work efficiently with state-of-the-art algorithms. This approach achieves higher accuracies than fully automated systems by keeping a human in the loop.
A recent study examining 2,400 post-mortem records from VA hospitals found that nearly half of veterans who died from opioid overdoses were also receiving benzodiazepines. Veterans prescribed higher doses of benzodiazepines with opioids had a greater risk of overdose death than those on lower doses.
A study analyzing 4,200 Ph.D. candidates found that 'joiners' - employees who support startup founders - share similar risk-tolerance and autonomy desires as founders, but prioritize functional roles over management. The research highlights the importance of preparing STEM doctorates for entrepreneurial employee career paths.
A research group at Disney Research Pittsburgh developed a computer vision system that continuously improves its ability to recognize objects by picking up hints from videos. The system outperformed other methods in detecting various objects, including microwave ovens and stoves.
A team of Northeastern University researchers is studying community organization and connectivity in rocky intertidal habitats throughout the Gulf of Maine. The study aims to identify common rules governing these communities, which can be scaled up to explain broad biogeographic variation across the region.
Aelan Cell Technologies is a biotech startup researching and developing innovative biomedical technologies and diagnostic tools. Led by Dr. Victoria Lunyak, the company aims to advance human health and longevity with its disruptive technologies.
Researchers have developed a simple score that uses self-reported information to predict an individual's risk of dying within 5 years. The score can be calculated online using a questionnaire and has been validated in a large study sample, showing high accuracy in predicting mortality risk.
The US Commerce Department's NIST has published a roadmap for the next 20 years of research needed to establish seamless public safety communications networks. Location-based services are expected to improve situational awareness for first responders, enabling more efficient allocation of personnel and equipment.
The CODEX device will allow unmanned rovers to determine the age of rocks on the Moon and Mars by analyzing radioactive elements. This technology has major implications for understanding the history of the inner solar system, including the duration of bombardment and volcanism.
Global health leaders propose a global biomedical research and development fund to tackle emerging infectious diseases, anti-microbial resistance, and neglected diseases. The proposed mechanism aims to stimulate innovation and ensure access to health technologies for those who need them.
Researchers developed guidelines for managing food safety risks in school and community gardens. A pilot study shows that the guidelines lead to significant improvements in handwashing, water supply safety, and hazard assessment. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of simple yet crucial measures in reducing foodborne illness risk.
Researchers at North Carolina State University and MIT have developed a lightweight membrane that can significantly reduce low-frequency noise in aircraft cabins. The membrane covers one side of the honeycomb structure and blocks sound energy, making flying more pleasant for passengers.
A novel computational strategy identified CRMP1 as a factor that suppresses misfolding and aggregation of the huntingtin protein in Huntington's disease. CRMP1 overexpression reduces huntingtin aggregation and toxicity, while reduced levels increase toxicity.
The study developed a method enabling dialogue replacement for automated video redubbing, utilizing facial movements associated with speech sounds. The approach produced far more plausible alternative word sequences than conventional methods.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive alternative to touchscreens, called Acoustruments, which can be added to any device. These mechanisms use pluggable plastic tubes and structures to connect the smartphone's speaker with its microphone, allowing users to control devices using acoustically altered sounds.
A team from Disney Research and Carnegie Mellon University have devised a 3D printer that layers together laser-cut sheets of fabric to form soft, squeezable objects with complex geometries and integrated circuitry. The printer combines fabrics and wiring to create interactive objects such as bunnies, doll clothing, and phone cases.
A study published in Psychological Science found that people produce chemical compounds, or chemosignals, when they experience happiness that are detectable by others who smell their sweat. This implies that someone who is happy will infuse others with happiness through the scent of their sweat, similar to how smiling can be infectious.
A novel online tool, PolyMarker, has been developed to automate primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing turnaround time. This innovation enables the identification of genetic markers associated with desirable traits in crops, such as high yield or disease resistance.
Using data from a citizen science project, researchers created a statistical model that analyzes fungal taxa in dust samples to predict their geographic origin. The model achieved an accuracy rate of about 95%, allowing law enforcement and archaeologists to trace dust samples back to specific locations within the continental US.
Syngenta's use of advanced analytics and operations research led to improved crop production, reducing the time and cost required to develop crops with high productivity. The company's innovative tools have resulted in over $287 million in cost savings and a high probability of delivering a portfolio value exceeding $1.5 billion.
Current residential development research is limited by single-discipline perspectives, missing holistic insights into environmental, economic, and social impacts. Key findings include the underrepresentation of ecosystem processes and nutrient cycling in studies.
A six-decade study found that external CEOs spend more on research and development, indicating a commitment to innovation. Internal CEOs, on the other hand, tend to make larger and more frequent mergers using stock rather than cash.
The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization has awarded eight young researchers with a total of $300,000 over three years to establish their independent laboratories. The awardees will support training in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences.
Research from VA's Women's Health Research Network highlights key barriers and unmet needs for women veterans in accessing care, with a focus on primary care, reproductive health, mental health, and military service-related issues. The studies inform policy recommendations to guide quality improvement efforts.
A new study by Battelle Technology Partnership Practice found that R&D programs at NIH, NSF, DOE, and NIST generated significant patents and drove downstream R&D activity. The NIH produced the most patents per dollar spent, with its NIBIB institute being a top producer.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have identified changes in the structure and bonding of graphitic carbon electrodes that may improve the capacity and efficiency of electrical energy storage systems. The new X-ray adsorption spectroscopy capability provided key information on how the structure and bonding evolve du...
Researchers have developed a new high-throughput system to rapidly screen yeasts for producing sustainable biofuels. The technique, in collaboration with the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, aims to find naturally better-performing yeast strains that can boost efficiency and reduce costs.
Disney Research develops a new platform to automate aspects of authoring interactive narratives, allowing users more control over storylines and resolving narrative inconsistencies. The IBTs enable authors to create free-form experiences with multiple story arcs.
Researchers at Umeå University's UMIT Research Lab have developed a new virtual testing technology for future vehicles, reducing development time and costs. This innovation is expected to improve fuel efficiency, manoeuvrability, and safety in vehicles by simulating real-world scenarios before the first prototype is built.
Juliana Freire is developing scalable techniques for traditional search engines, enabling focused crawling for tracking criminal activities and integrating crawling with search and data analysis. Her research also aims to address human trafficking, a key Defense Department mission with a significant web presence.
A new grant will fund research to develop a rapid diagnosis for mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection that kills more than half of its victims. The project aims to create a quick and accurate test to help physicians treat the infection promptly.
Scientists at Arizona State University have created a mathematical framework to detect emerging innovation in research networks, identifying key individuals and patterns. The filter, developed by Nadya Bliss and Manfred Laubichler, has promising applications for funding agencies and interdisciplinary research.
Research from King's College London found that spontaneous release of neurotransmitter glutamate causes neurons to branch and connect with each other, enabling the formation of synapses. This process plays a crucial role in regulating electrical signals through the brain.