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Study explores the seasonality of hair loss

A new study analyzes Google Trends data across eight countries, finding summer and fall seasons correlate with greater hair loss. The findings provide evidence for seasonality in hair loss at a population level, supporting future research into the physiology of the hair cycle.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateOct 24, 2017

CoreTrustSeal Certification launched

The ICSU World Data System has launched the CoreTrustSeal Certification, a core-level certification for Trustworthy Data Repositories. The certification is based on the DSA-WDS Core Trustworthy Data Repositories Requirements catalogue and procedures, aiming to promote sustainable and trustworthy data infrastructures.

Shh! Proven security for your secrets

Researchers from Kyoto University have demonstrated the strength of their 128-bit key Vector Stream Cipher, proving its provable security. The study highlights the cipher's low memory usage and structural simplicity, making it suitable for high-density data transmission applications like 5G networks and 4K television broadcasts.

Wearing your brain on your sleeve

Rhoda Au's e-cognitive health initiative collects data from over 2,200 participants using wearable devices, smartphone apps, and in-home devices to detect subtle changes in daily behavior that may indicate cognitive decline. The goal is to identify early signs of Alzheimer's and dementia, improving diagnosis and treatment options.

Towards equal access to digital coins

Scientists at the University of Luxembourg developed Equihash, a memory-hard problem algorithm that resolves Bitcoin's centralization issue. This allows for more democratic digital currencies like Zcash, where users can contribute to mining with standard hardware, reducing investment costs and increasing decentralization.

Low rate of Internet use by seniors for health purposes

A recent study published in JAMA found that only 25% of seniors in the US used digital health technology between 2011 and 2014. The study also revealed socioeconomic disparities in digital health use, with older age, black and Latino ethnicity, divorce, and poor health associated with lower use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 2, 2016

Game apps for creative kids

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed new augmented creativity apps that combine virtual elements with real-life environments, enhancing children's creativity and social skills. The interactive colouring book and collaborative games in 3D showcase the potential of augmented reality to transform public spaces into engaging experiences.

Record for fastest data rate set

Researchers at UCL have achieved a record-breaking data rate of 1.125 Tb/s using custom-built optical communications system with multiple transmitting channels and a single receiver. This breakthrough is expected to support the growth of high-speed internet and cloud services, enabling faster data transfer rates.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2016

What makes Tom Hanks look like Tom Hanks?

University of Washington researchers have developed a technology to capture the 'persona' of a well-photographed person like Tom Hanks from vast numbers of Internet images. The digital model can be animated to deliver speeches that the real actor never performed, and even transfer expressions and mannerisms onto another person's face.

The future of cities

Cities are facing bigger challenges than ever before, including rural-urban migration, optimizing housing conditions, health and education. Digital technology has the potential to overcome many of these challenges, but concerns remain around privacy and cybersecurity.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalAsia-Pacific Biotech News·DateNov 30, 2015

The battle for informational self-determination

ETH Zurich researchers Prof. Dirk Helbing and Dr. Evangelos Pournaras propose a citizen-led platform called Nervousnet to enable self-determination and sustainability. The platform allows users to measure, analyze, and share data in real-time, promoting participatory governance and environmental awareness.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2015

Millipede research 2.0

The first new species of millipede is described using high-detail 3D images, providing unprecedented access to anatomical information. The cybertype-enhanced description allows for widespread sharing and study of the digital specimen, enabling researchers to analyze its unique traits without dissecting the original holotype.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2015

Movie theaters in developing economies should consider the big screen

A new study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business finds that movie house owners can maximize ticket sales by understanding the preferences of their local audience. The research reveals that urban markets with highly educated consumers prefer wider screens, while other regions favor more showtimes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalQuantitative Marketing and Economics·DateAug 10, 2015