Experts argue that digital menstrual tracking apps and cycle syncing practices have weak evidence bases and pose risks to health, privacy, and wellbeing. Despite their potential benefits, these apps require critical interrogation and resistance due to their potential for widespread impact on women's health.
GBIF has grown to include 70 participating countries and 3.8 billion biodiversity data records, supporting over 15,000 publications and eight new peer-reviewed research papers per day. Despite challenges, GBIF continues to provide critical infrastructure for biodiversity science and policy worldwide.
USC researchers will lead a $20M NSF effort to develop AI-powered optimization tools for power grids and supply chains. The project aims to improve decision-making in these complex systems and expand AI education for high school students.
A decade-long review of Kids First DRC shows how shared data expands research opportunities across diseases, institutions, and scientific disciplines. The resource has supported findings with potential to improve diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment in pediatric care.
The European Law Institute has approved its first comprehensive framework for dealing with digital assets and personal digital content after death. The rules provide a dual legal framework recognizing the need for protection, privacy, and dignity in digital inheritance.
The Digital Badge Program addresses concerns about AI chatbots and mobile applications for mental health support, providing feedback to developers on regulation, safety, data protection, and usability. The program's focus on continuous refinement allows companies to address deficiencies before earning a badge.
A new article by Trevor van Mierlo highlights the importance of trust in digital behavioral health. Key findings include the need for dynamic governance and verifiable audit trails to address mistrust issues.
A University of Washington-led research team created GovScape, an efficient search system for PDFs from the End of Term Web Archive. The system can currently search 10 million PDFs and uses highly efficient AI models to process documents, costing less than $1.5k.
New research from the University of Kansas finds that AI technology can be used to deliver relevant ads without collecting personal data. The studies show that AI systems can generate relevance by interpreting content structure, semantic cues and emotional tone within a webpage.
Klick Labs is launching a series of clinical studies with Mayo Clinic exploring the use of novel vocal biomarkers in connection with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, ovulation, and blood glucose. The research collaboration aims to leverage the voice's hidden properties to flag critical health issues and enhance patient care.
A study led by UC Riverside highlights the importance of rigorous participant verification procedures in online health research to maintain data quality. Researchers found that combining automated screening, human review, and participant verification can substantially improve confidence in online research findings.
A study by DZNE shows that smartphone-based memory tests can detect subtle cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) more quickly than conventional testing. This approach has the potential to accelerate clinical trials for new dementia drugs and be used in routine care.
A randomized clinical trial found that an app-facilitated palliative care intervention maintained health-related quality of life and reduced acute care use. This digital self-management approach also boosted patient self-efficacy.
The Journal of Medical Internet Research publishes a theme issue on digital inclusion in the Global South, examining access, agency, and impact. The focus areas include measuring digital access, gendered digital realities, and digital innovations across health and livelihoods.
A new report from Brookings Institution highlights the federal government's growing use of AI, but also notes significant disparities and bottlenecks to widespread adoption. Large agencies lead the way, while smaller agencies struggle with workforce capacity and trust issues.
The UN is highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation to create smarter, more resilient and sustainable cities. The International Telecommunication Union has released a Call to Action for Humanity, identifying five strategic priorities to address urban challenges.
The report outlines risk scenarios on Earth, at sea, and in space, analyzing the fragility of interconnected digital systems. Experts call for coordinated action between countries to improve digital resilience and protect essential services.
New technologies are shifting healthcare towards proactive care, using AI for early heart disease detection and miniaturized CRISPR-based diagnostics. These innovations enable seamless integration of existing medical screenings and provide laboratory-grade accuracy in a portable format.
Researchers at Texas A&M University created HIPPO, a browser extension that generates unique passwords for each website without storing them. Participants preferred HIPPO over traditional password tools for ease and security, reporting higher satisfaction rates.
Researchers developed an AI tool that analyzes routine electronic health records to predict ADHD risk in children years before a typical diagnosis. The model accurately identified risk in children age 5 and older, with consistent performance across patient characteristics.
A systematic scoping review found that social media influencer promotion of prescription drugs carries risks of inaccurate or misleading advice. The study emphasizes the need for updated guidelines and digital literacy initiatives to safeguard public health.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a comprehensive digital materials ecosystem that integrates AI tools to streamline materials design, enabling faster and more accurate discovery of new materials. The ecosystem uses databases, AI, and scientific workflows to predict material properties and optimize design processes.
A low-cost digital intervention increased expectation to adopt health behaviors among adults using GLP-1RAs, with effects persisting for 2 weeks. The written microsteps intervention plus short video boosters may play a role in promoting sustained behavior change.
The Antscan platform combines innovative 3D imaging and AI to digitize over 2,200 ants from museums and private collections. The resulting 3D images enable researchers to investigate biodiversity, shape-genome variation, and environment in a new way.
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute, McGill University, and the University of Ottawa have launched ARCHIMEDES, a national health data platform providing Canadian researchers with secure access to diverse health data. The platform enables collaboration, supports advanced analyses, including AI algorithms, and prioritizes public trust.
A new study by UCSF found that most healthcare systems are neglecting to ask patients if they have access and skills to use digital tools, despite increasing online care demands. The lack of assessment is particularly concerning for uninsured patients, who often experience worse health outcomes.
A new study finds that nearly 1 in 3 teens have received a sext, and almost 1 in 4 have sent one. Sextortion is also common, with nearly half of teens who sent a sext reporting being targeted.
ASU researchers use DNA to store and protect information in fundamentally new ways, offering a nature-inspired alternative to silicon-based solutions. The approach uses tiny DNA structures that act like physical letters to record and analyze electrical signals, providing high accuracy and scalability.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reaffirmed the need for critical cooperation on submarine cable resilience, with a focus on shortening repair times and supporting underserved regions. The Porto Summit Declaration and recommendations aim to bolster international cooperation across governments and industries.
Researchers developed a comprehensive framework for dynamic digital product passports to track lifecycle changes in perishable goods, enabling earlier interventions to prevent spoilage and reduce waste. The technology could support more circular supply chains and improve transparency across food and drink supply chains.
A study by Bielefeld University used anonymized WhatsApp metadata to show that personalized feedback can help people understand their communication habits. Many participants adjusted their views on response speed and chat participation after seeing data-based visualizations.
A global report highlights fragmented data systems and lack of standardization hindering botanic gardens' contribution to biodiversity conservation and scientific research. Researchers call for a unified, equitable global data system to transform how living collections manage and share information.
Researchers found science fiction and genre elements were popular among readers, with top authors including Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia E. Butler. The analysis also revealed trends driven by news events and the selection of canonical authors for the Seattle Reads program.
A team of researchers developed an innovative algorithm called 'Ponte' that integrates advanced functionalities to provide reliable wireless communications in industrial environments. The algorithm guarantees strict limits on delay and reliability, even over Wi-Fi, making it suitable for controlling robotic arms and autonomous vehicles.
A new study found that highly educated, Western European millennials have the most digital concerns, with individuals having higher levels of digital literacy being the most affected. The research also found that people's perceptions of digital harm are heightened by their level of digital exposure and knowledge.
Researchers at AIMR and UC Santa Barbara develop a breakthrough digital p-bit design that eliminates bulky analog components, enabling self-organizing hardware-based probabilistic computing. This advances applications in AI, logistics, scientific discovery, and future computing systems.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study uses large language models to accelerate georeferencing in plant specimen collections, unlocking millions of records for global ecological research. The breakthrough technology improves upon traditional methods with near-human accuracy and efficiency.
The University of Houston has been redesignated by the NSA as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) through 2029. This recognition underscores UH's growing role in advancing research and workforce training to strengthen US resilience against evolving cyber threats.
Researchers can utilize a combination of automated and manual actions to quickly identify suspicious behavior and prevent fraudulent actors from enrolling in online studies. A comprehensive checklist of indicators helps researchers spot potential fraud, such as similar patterns in email addresses or predictable responses.
GenAI use is narrowing the digital divide in Australia, but significant gaps persist among remote and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. The study found that Australians aged 18-34, Indigenous peoples, and those with lower digital skills are more likely to use GenAI.
New tools, such as CheatBlocker and QuotaConfig, help address challenges of data integrity in decentralized clinical trials. CheatBlocker detects fraud, while QuotaConfig ensures sample representativeness. These innovations aim to increase the reliability and security of remote clinical trials.
Researchers from TU Graz have documented and analyzed Buddhist temples in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal, creating 3D models and 2D plans to preserve their history. The study provides insights into the sacred architecture of the region, categorizing existing buildings in their historical and art-historical context.
JMIR Publications invites submissions on navigating AI-enabled uncertainty in healthcare management, with a focus on practical guidance for senior management and administrators. The theme issue explores topics such as AI-enabled reimbursement, cloud migration, and vendor dynamics.
The Global Pathogen Analysis Platform (GPAP) will enable low- and middle-income countries to conduct research and surveillance of infectious diseases independently. The platform aims to prevent disease outbreaks from developing into pandemics by detecting genetic sequences of potential pathogens.
Researchers developed two new indices to analyze workplace chat data and identify employees at risk of loneliness. The study found a potential link between active online communication and stronger in-person social connections, but also noted that private messages may not accurately reflect feelings of loneliness.
The Variant Workbench enables researchers to explore genetic data in a single, integrated workspace, linking genomic information with clinical conditions. By reducing data complexity, the tool facilitates scientific discovery and accelerates pace of research.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an AI-powered method to detect hidden hardware trojans in chip designs, offering a 97% accurate solution. The approach leverages large language models to scan for suspicious code and provides explanations for detected threats.
The MetaGraph digital tool enables fast and accurate searching of vast DNA sequence datasets, streamlining genetic research. By indexing raw data with metadata, researchers can identify specific mutations and rare hereditary diseases in patients, accelerating discoveries in fields like antibiotic resistance.
Dr. Gerhard Andersson's pioneering work in internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy has produced over 200 controlled trials and transformed mental healthcare accessibility across continents.
A recent study by the University of Washington reveals that highly walkable areas lead to significantly increased walking among residents. The study used data from the Argus step-tracking app and found that a 49-point increase in Walk Score was associated with an average increase of 1,100 steps per day.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is digitizing images of pollen from over 18,000 plant species to create a massive database. This dataset will be used to train an AI model to aid pollen identifications, transforming the process into a digital and universally accessible one.
A faulty cybersecurity software update led to a widespread technology outage at US hospitals, resulting in disruptions to patient-facing network services. Internet measurement techniques may be useful for surveillance and study of critical digital health care infrastructure.
A new poll suggests that older adults are divided on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with some expressing curiosity and others skepticism. The study found that nearly all participants wanted clear labeling of AI-generated information, while also acknowledging its potential benefits for independent living. However, many express...
A team of researchers from UC3M, MIT and Adobe have developed Imprinto, a system for embedding invisible digital information in printed documents. This technology uses infrared ink and a special camera to enable advanced interaction with physical documents without altering their visual appearance.
Researchers at KAIST have created a new Li-Fi platform that offers speeds up to 224 Gbps and enhances security through on-device encryption. The device uses eco-friendly quantum dots and demonstrates improved brightness and efficiency, opening up new possibilities for ultra-high-speed data communication.
A University of Cambridge report argues that menstrual tracking app data is a valuable resource for advertisers but poses significant privacy and safety risks to users. The report calls for better governance of the industry to protect user data and urges public health bodies to launch alternative apps.
University of Missouri researchers create digital sentiment map using AI to analyze public Instagram posts, linking emotional tone to real-life features. The tool aims to improve city services, identify areas of concern, and inform emergency response decisions.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that one glacier in Antarctica is rapidly losing ice to its neighboring glacier due to changes in flow direction. This 'ice piracy' effect has been observed over less than 18 years, contrary to previous estimates of hundreds or thousands of years.
A study by King's College London reveals how surveillance technologies in smart homes exacerbate power imbalances between domestic workers and employers, undermining their rights and increasing vulnerability. The constant monitoring of these employees can lead to mental wellbeing issues and a lack of trust in the workplace.
Recent high-quality deepfake videos can feature realistic heartbeats and minute changes in face color, making them challenging to detect. Researchers found that even small variations in skin tone and facial motion can replicate the original pulse in deepfakes.