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On the way to smart hearing aids

The Collaborative Research Centre Hearing Acoustics is developing smart hearing aids that use artificial intelligence to adjust to different environments. The project, which aims to create more adaptable hearing devices, has received $8.1 million in funding for another four years.

Digital rice selection technology

Researchers are utilizing UAVs to capture real-time images of rice crops, extract crop phenotypic traits from the images, and analyze that information to discover superior, high-yielding rice genotypes. The team aims to develop automated algorithms to identify key traits and select best-performing rice genotypes.

BU researchers develop a novel AI algorithm for digital pathology analysis

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have developed a novel AI algorithm, Graph Transformer (GTP), to classify lung cancer subtypes based on whole slide images. The framework outperforms current state-of-the-art methods and has implications beyond digital pathology for computer vision applications.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2022

Scientists use machine learning models to help identify long COVID patients

Researchers developed XGBoost machine learning models using de-identified EHR data from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative to identify potential long-COVID patients. The models achieved high accuracy, identifying key features such as post-COVID respiratory symptoms and pre-existing risk factors for acute COVID severity.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

The quest for an ideal quantum bit

A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new qubit platform formed by freezing neon gas into a solid and trapping an electron there. The platform shows great promise in achieving ideal building blocks for future quantum computers, with promising coherence times competitive with state-of-the-art qubits.

Study of privately insured patients finds short-term telehealth follow-up comparable to most in-person care during first year of COVID-19 pandemic

For 18 out of 21 analyzed conditions, patients with telehealth consults did not require more unplanned hospitalizations or emergency department visits within 14 days compared to those making an initial in-person visit. However, patients with upper respiratory infections and bronchitis were more likely to need follow-up visits.

What is the next move for site-specific nutrient management research in sub-Saharan Africa?

Researchers assess development and performance of tailored approaches to fertilizer application in SSA, highlighting scalability and technical challenges. Solutions to overcome barriers to widespread adoption are outlined, including investment in soil capacity estimation and farmer-friendly digital tools.

SourceAfrican Plant Nutrition Institute·JournalField Crops Research·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 30, 2022

Artificial intelligence to bring museum specimens to the masses

Scientists from Cardiff University have developed a new artificial intelligence method to automate the extraction of information from large collections of museum specimens. The 'image segmentation' method can accurately locate and bound different visual regions on images, allowing for faster and more efficient digitization processes.

SourceCardiff University·JournalMachine Vision and Applications·DateMar 24, 2022

Enhancing historical climate model data using super-resolution technology

Historical climate model data can now be improved using super-resolution technology, a new analysis tool that enhances older meteorological model data. Researchers have successfully reconstructed high-quality and high-resolution data using this method, which was previously used for image and video upscaling.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 18, 2022

Intensity control of projectors in parallel – a doorway to an augmented reality future

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel method to calculate pixel intensity in parallel, reducing latency and enabling efficient dynamic projection mapping. This breakthrough technology has the potential to advance spatial AR applications and bring us closer to a more immersive AR-centric future.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates

A team of researchers has developed a DNA-based data storage platform with an expanded molecular alphabet, enabling the storage of vast amounts of digital information. The new system uses nanopores to distinguish between natural and chemically modified nucleotides, increasing storage density and sustainability.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2022

First data in a decade highlights ethnic disparities in cancer

The study found that White people are more than twice as likely to get some types of cancer, including melanoma skin cancer and oesophageal bladder cancers, compared to Black, Asian or Mixed ethnic backgrounds. Black people are also more likely to get certain types of cancer, such as myeloma and prostate cancer.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 1, 2022

First real-world study shows the potential of gait authentication to enhance smartphone security

A new study by the University of Plymouth has demonstrated the potential of gait authentication to protect smartphones from cyber crime. The system achieved an average accuracy rate of around 85% in recognizing individuals' stride patterns, with rates rising to almost 90% when participants were walking normally and fast.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalComputers & Security·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2021

Access and equity around biodiversity data is at the forefront of international negotiations

The article highlights the importance of access and equity in sharing biodiversity data, with scientists warning that unequal distribution of genetic data and benefits is hindering innovation and conservation efforts. The CBD and Plant Treaty need reform to address this issue.

Digitizing the Natural History Museum London's entire collection could contribute over £2 billion to the global economy

The Natural History Museum's digital collection has been downloaded over 28 billion times, contributing to advancements in food security, biodiversity conservation and medicine discovery. The museum's digitisation efforts are expected to have a tenfold return on investment, with benefits exceeding £2 billion over 30 years.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalResearch Ideas and Outcomes·DateDec 8, 2021

Digital pill system tracks HIV prevention pill adherence with 98 percent accuracy

A digital pill system has been found to be a feasible and accurate intervention for tracking HIV prevention pill adherence, with 98% accuracy. The system uses radiofrequency transmitters and wearable reader devices to track pill ingestion, providing a novel solution for individuals with low compliance.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes & Human Retrovirology·DateDec 7, 2021

AI that classifies colorectal polyps proves useful in the clinic

A new AI model has been developed to classify colorectal polyps, demonstrating accuracy and sensitivity at a level comparable to practicing pathologists. The model was tested in a clinical trial involving 15 pathologists, showing significant improvements in accuracy compared to traditional methods.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2021

Tech-based health and exercise programs less beneficial for users with low socio-economic status, study shows

A recent study found that digital health programs and apps are less effective in boosting physical activity among users with lower socio-economic status. Researchers analyzed over 14,000 studies and concluded that these interventions do not provide clear benefits for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateNov 12, 2021

Nuclear radiation used to transmit digital data wirelessly

Researchers at Lancaster University successfully transferred digitally encoded information wirelessly using nuclear radiation, achieving 100% successful transmission tests. This novel approach uses fast neutrons, which can penetrate materials like metals, making it ideal for safety-critical scenarios and emergency rescue operations.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021

Innovative hub to combine environmental, economic, health and social data to improve outcomes for communities and the environment

A new Digital Solutions Hub will provide a gateway to interconnected toolkits and resources, integrating existing data sources on pollution, flooding, biodiversity, geology, carbon capture, and environmental health. The hub aims to improve decision-making by providing cross-sectional data for informed decisions in various sectors.

Social media is reshaping British universities’ value systems in a scramble for likes and shares

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that universities are increasingly using social media metrics to claim impact in research, despite this being a 'naïve and problematic' grasp of the concept. This is linked to institutional isomorphism, where organisations imitate each other's approaches to uncertain goals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPostdigital Science and Education·DateNov 3, 2021

Four reasons why businesses won't adopt reusable packaging – and one way to address them all

A new study by Lancaster University identifies four major concerns that hinder the adoption of reusable packaging: affordability, digitalization challenges, regulatory hurdles, and data collection limitations. To address these concerns, researchers propose implementing a track and trace system using unique barcodes to enable businesses...

SourceLancaster University·JournalSustainable Production and Consumption·TypeObservational study·DateNov 1, 2021

Biodiversity collections address science workforce needs

A new module in biodiversity collections addresses the need for scientists to have both foundational biological skills and data acumen. The module was implemented in 10 courses across four universities and showed strong learning results, with students feeling well-prepared to collect and archive specimens, as well as deposit digital da...

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

U-M Apple Watch Study provides an unprecedented look at the health status of a diverse patient population

The MIPACT study analyzed data from thousands of participants, revealing differences in heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels by age, race, ethnicity, and clinical conditions. The study's findings have significant implications for clinicians, providing a more complete picture of daily life and resulting health.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateOct 26, 2021

Measuring financial and digital literacy in vulnerable populations

A new approach to measuring financial and digital literacy is proposed by a team of researchers led by Angela Lyons. The study finds that while promoting literacy is important, it may not be enough to ensure resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and those living in poverty.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEmerging Markets Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021