The NATURE FIRST project combines forensic intelligence and remote sensing technologies to monitor protected areas and detect human activities threatening biodiversity. The project aims to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity in Europe by using predictive, proactive, and preventative capabilities.
A new report explores how to leverage low-cost methods to enable people with visual impairment to move through public, urban indoor and outdoor spaces. Tactile maps were found to be a very useful resource, while an accessible mobile app also showed promise as an orientation and mobility aid.
Researchers have demonstrated a power-efficient component for demultiplexing operation using silicon photonic MEMS, enabling efficient wavelength demultiplexing for fiber-optic communications. The compact footprint of the add-drop filter allows fast operation compared to established MEMS products.
The BiCIKL project has reached its halfway stage, launching a European community of key research infrastructures and stakeholders in biodiversity and life sciences. The FAIR Data Place online platform aims to provide scientists with access to all types of biodiversity data 'at their fingertips'.
Researchers at University of Jyväskylä used machine learning to predict ACL injuries in elite athletes but found a low overall accuracy rate. The study analyzed the largest data set ever collected and provided valuable insights into the challenges of predicting injuries in individual athletes.
The 7th International Meeting of the Digital Olfaction Society will showcase innovations and products in digital olfaction. Several demonstrations, including those by Sony and Ricoh, will be displayed, highlighting progress in olfactory measurement, testing, and transmission.
Mount Sinai researchers created a cloud-based digital framework, Employee Health COVID-19 REDCap Registry, to track employee health data and mitigate COVID-19 spread. The platform reduced case follow-up times from days to hours and helped identify occupational and non-occupational risk factors.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new method to create highly detailed 3D models of plants and animals. Over 1,400 models are now publicly available for use in education, research, and virtual exploration.
Research finds public perception of data use is shaped by social inequalities and concerns about potential harm or corporate profit. Experts highlight need for public sector review of data-driven systems to address these issues.
Scientists have developed a new method to store and retrieve digital data encoded in DNA molecules using enzymes. The approach enables complex calculations on DNA-encoded data without converting it back into electronic form.
A recent study from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT shows that tricot, a citizen science approach for on-farm experimentation, generates agricultural data via local organizations in Central America. The approach enables farmers to contribute their time and land, reducing trial costs and increasing applicability.
A study published at the European Emergency Medicine Congress found that a digital technology platform called HealthCall can reduce emergency department attendances for residents in care homes. The system provides staff with easy access to clinical advice and has been shown to result in a 10% reduction in expected monthly attendances.
Researchers found that influencer originality, follower size, and sponsor salience enhance the effectiveness of a message. A balanced approach is most effective, with too little or too much posting hurting engagement. Firms should search for influencers with followers that overlap but aren't an exact match to achieve optimal brand-fit.
The Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University has received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to create a digital archive of Civil War graffiti sites in Northern Virginia. The project aims to preserve unique graffiti covering two historic house museums and expand it to several other sites.
A new study found that using digital technology in care homes can reduce emergency department attendances by 10% each month. The HealthCall app provides staff with easy access to clinical advice, allowing for more targeted care and reduced hospital admissions.
Researchers from Osaka University create an unobtrusive edible tag embedded inside cookies that can be read without destroying the food. The 'interiqr' method uses 3D printing to contain patterns of empty spaces, making QR codes visible with a simple backlight.
A recent study published in Engineering Construction & Architectural Management identified the main obstacles preventing digital transformation in the engineering and construction industry. The three main problems are a lack of laws and regulations, a lack of support and leadership, and a lack of resources and professionals.
A perspective paper explores the role of clinician-data-scientists in healthcare, emphasizing their need for interdisciplinary knowledge and training. The researchers highlight the importance of integrating data science into conventional medical education to prepare clinicians for the digital health era.
A machine learning model developed by Carnegie Mellon University can accurately predict how stay-at-home orders affect people with multiple sclerosis. The model uses passively gathered smartphone and fitness tracker data to identify factors that signal changes in health.
A UK-based trial found that texting young people to encourage safer sex behaviors did not reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea reinfections. The study suggests that health communication interventions should be rigorously evaluated to improve outcomes for this age group.
Researchers reviewed mobile sensing designs, outcomes, and limitations to better understand its capacity for remote detection, longitudinal tracking, and exposure tracing. Despite technical and societal challenges, advances in data analytics and machine learning may improve data quality and scalability.
A new wearable device study, DETECT, found that sensor data significantly improves seven-day average predictions for COVID-19 infection by 32.9% in California and 12.2% nationwide. The study tracked physiological changes before symptom onset, providing a valuable tool for predicting viral threats.
A Swansea University-led study found that parents with higher health literacy were more likely to get their children tested for COVID-19. The research also identified factors associated with increased likelihood of positive test results, including deprived areas and physical activity levels.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston will create a coordinating unit for biostatistics, informatics, and engagement to advance knowledge about human brain neurons. The project aims to produce an open-access digital brain cell reference atlas to improve understanding of neurological functions and disorders.
Two new studies published in NEJM Catalyst demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of telemedicine in addressing access barriers and improving health outcomes. The research highlights the benefits of telemedicine for patients with transportation challenges, mental health services, and overall quality of care.
A team of scientists created a digital mask that can erase identifiable features from facial images while retaining disease-relevant information, allowing for precise diagnosis and reducing the risk of data breaches. The study found that patients are more willing to share their medical data if such a measure is implemented.
The MEMEX project promotes social cohesion by using AI and interactive tools to share community stories linked to cultural heritage. The exhibition features audio-visual stories from Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, and Genoa participants who co-created their own digital content.
The UT Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to implement the 4-H Tech Changemakers program, which aims to increase digital literacy and bridge STEM gaps among Tennesseans. The program will provide students with enhanced opportunities for STEM education through non-traditional methods, dismantling system barriers.
A new study found that rating inflation can have both positive and negative effects on digital platforms. While sales increased due to higher ratings, users' trials declined, and sales were concentrated among popular sellers. The study highlights the importance of building informativeness into rating systems to minimize rating inflation.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed a new Brain-Inspired Replay model that enables continual learning in edge computing systems without storing data. This approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy and high energy efficiency, overcoming the stability-plasticity issue in traditional models.
The proposed CODE-EHR best practice framework aims to standardize the use of structured electronic healthcare records in clinical research. The framework focuses on identifying and addressing data quality issues, ensuring interoperability between systems, and promoting transparency and trust.
A University of the Basque Country team has successfully produced starch-based pharmaceutical tablets using 3D printing technology. The tablets display varying release properties depending on the type of starch used, offering promising solutions for personalized medicine and tailored drug delivery.
The 7th International Meeting of the Digital Olfaction Society will take place in Tokyo, Japan, with a focus on digitalizing smells and aromas. The meeting aims to gather researchers, academics, and industry professionals to share knowledge and develop practical applications for olfactory digitization.
Researchers developed a digital health system approach to enhance clinical decision-making for low-back pain sufferers. The system combines self-reported pain measures with precise motion-sensing data, revealing functional improvements only after six months of surgery.
A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.
A study published in Patterns shows that five digital medicine companies share browsing data related to health topics with Facebook for lead generation and advertising purposes. The researchers found that two companies targeted ads consistent with their own privacy policies, while the other three did not comply with their policies.
A new study suggests that members of the public want to know if their health information or samples from their bodies will be used in research or to help develop new biomedical products. The study found that patients are more likely to want notification about research use of their health information than biospecimens.
The Nature's Notebook platform has collected over 30 million phenological records, enabling data-driven natural resource management. The platform is well-suited for answering well-defined questions but faces limitations in addressing unplanned queries due to spatial and temporal unevenness and species biases.
Researchers at ORNL developed a theory that thylakoids help plants tolerate harsh conditions, while a digital platform informs on hydropower development. AI-powered neutron scattering can also accelerate experiments, and e-waste recycling is being explored.
A team led by Professor Song Min Kim developed a system that can support concurrent communications for tens of millions of IoT devices using backscattering millimeter-level waves. The system offers internet connectivity on a mass scale to IoT devices at a low installation cost.
The partnership aims to enhance early detection and reporting for emerging diseases, building a robust decentralized global surveillance network. The collaboration will focus on advancing equitable data-sharing practices, bolstering epidemiological and genomic surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers developed an EHR-embedded card study to replace traditional paper-based methods in clinic-based research. The digital tool increased efficiency and reduced labor costs, as each participant's responses were linked to clinic and patient data.
A new blockchain model proposes to give Indigenous governments control over how genomic data are used, prioritizing community priorities and respecting Indigenous Nations' rules and regulations. This framework aims to prevent the misuse of genomic data and reinforce stereotypes.
Researchers found a flaw in Google/Apple's exposure notification framework that can be exploited for replay attacks, potentially causing false positive notifications and disrupting trust in the system. A patch, called GAEN+, has been developed to address this issue using coarse location data from Wi-Fi access points and cell phone towers.
Scientists have created a durable molecular encryption key using sequence-defined polymers that can store and transport digital keys securely. They successfully decrypted a file with text from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by extracting the key from ink in a letter, demonstrating the approach's potential for real-world applications.
Researchers developed smart textiles that sense wearer's posture and motions using a novel fabrication process called thermoforming, which improves pressure sensor precision. The technology has potential applications in healthcare and rehabilitation, such as tracking gait or monitoring pressure on diabetic patients' feet.
A recent analysis found that Big Tech companies can provide innovative financial services to people excluded from traditional banking, improving financial inclusion. However, the authors caution that without proper education, these services may introduce risks to financial stability.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A new study shows that community science activities can produce high-quality taxonomic data sets, empowering community scientists and supporting biodiversity discovery. Thousands of microscopic liverwort leaves were measured by community scientists over two years, with surprising accuracy.
The Impact Acceleration Account supports critical early-stage translation of UK research to transform public services, create new businesses, and jobs. The programme provides funding to unlock the value of UK research, including commercialisation of new technologies.
The study investigated changes in vaccine recipient demographics before and after digital and community-based outreach interventions in an underserved NYC community. The findings suggest a positive impact on vaccine uptake among racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the effectiveness of these interventions.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have developed an electronic tattoo that can deliver continuous blood pressure measurements with accuracy exceeding most available options. The device uses graphene bioimpedance analysis to take precise readings, promising a significant improvement in mobile health monitoring.
A conceptual species 'stock market' aims to assign economic value to species and ecosystems, promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation. The SSM would enable the valuation of ecosystem services and actions that harm or benefit biodiversity, fostering a unified approach to environmental decision-making.
MIT researchers demonstrate two security methods that protect analog-to-digital converters from powerful attacks, including power and electromagnetic side-channel attacks. The techniques are more efficient and less expensive than other security methods, minimizing power consumption and cost for portable smart devices.
Charité is leading four new EU projects tackling environmental impact on mental health, developing a cell therapy for IgA nephropathy, and improving AI-assisted stroke care. The projects aim to advance research and innovation in these areas.
The Flinders-designed QOL-ACC tool assesses six key quality of life dimensions and has been implemented with over 1000 older Australians, delivering improved standards and transparency in aged care. The results show that the tool performed strongly in a pilot trial, with lower scores for those with poorer self-reported health status.
A Cornell University study found that consumers will use milk carton QR codes to better depict how long the milk is drinkable, potentially reducing agricultural and food waste. The use of QR codes could also help retailers discard less food by providing consumers with more accurate 'best-by dates'.
A new mobile app provides effective support for children with obesity by tracking their weight development in real-time and offering personalized care. The app achieved twice the weight loss results compared to conventional care, particularly benefiting adolescents who were previously difficult to reach with behavioral therapy.
The collaboration between public and private organizations has led to innovative applications in tourism and culture sectors. Visitors can interact with a humanoid robot and solve puzzles using Meta Quest visors connected to the 5G network, exploring artworks and moving virtual objects.
A team of researchers at Indian Institute of Science developed a record-breaking true random number generator (TRNG) that uses the random motion of electrons to generate secure random numbers. The device, which is more compact and faster than previous TRNGs, has exceeded NIST standards with a high min-entropy value of 0.98.