Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Q&A: When is screen time healthy and when is it not?

Researchers highlight five contexts – duration, time of day, purpose of use, interactivity, and content structure – to determine whether screen time is healthy or harmful. By examining these factors, individuals can protect themselves and their children from unhealthy screen behavior and create healthier digital environments.

SourcePenn State·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 8, 2026

Digital screen time and nearsightedness

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis found a daily 1-hour increment in digital screen time was associated with a 21% higher odds of myopia. Researchers suggest that exposure to screens for less than 1 hour per day may be safe, but prolonged use increases the risk of nearsightedness.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 21, 2025

Better digital memories with the help of noble gases

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new technology that adds xenon to digital memories, allowing for even material coating in small cavities. This breakthrough enables more information storage in the same physical size, with 4 terabytes possible in a memory card once holding only 64 megabytes.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2025

Major youth science innovation award for digital health expert at City University of Hong Kong

Professor Yu Xinge, a leading digital health expert, has been awarded the 3rd Zhong Nanshan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award for his groundbreaking research on bio-integrated electronics. His wearable products aim to monitor health conditions and improve treatment efficiency and accuracy.

Revolutionizing the world of smell and olfaction: Highlights from the 8th Digital Olfaction Society World Congress 2024

The 8th Digital Olfaction Society World Congress highlights groundbreaking advancements in digital olfaction, from smart necklaces to drones equipped with olfactory sensors. The event showcases innovative applications of scent digitization technologies, including virtual reality systems and e-nose devices for early disease detection.

Failing IT infrastructure is undermining safe healthcare in the NHS

Experts warn that poorly functioning IT systems are a clear and present threat to patient safety, resulting from inadequate investment and lack of prioritization. The British Medical Association estimates that 27% of clinicians lose over four hours a week due to inefficient IT systems, highlighting the need for urgent improvement.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeNews article·DateNov 9, 2022

Google/Apple’s contact-tracing apps susceptible to digital attacks

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2022

A golden ticket to smaller electronics

A team of researchers at Osaka University developed a new method for direct three-dimensional bonding of copper electrodes using silver, enabling reliable connections at low temperatures without external pressure. The process can be performed under gentle conditions, resulting in permanent connections as small as 20 micrometers.

Mass production of revolutionary computer memory moves closer with ULTRARAM™ on silicon wafers for the first time

Researchers have successfully demonstrated ULTRARAM¼trade mark computer memory on silicon wafers for the first time, combining non-volatility with speed and energy-efficiency. The technology outperforms previous incarnations, offering data storage times of at least 1000 years and fast switching speeds.

SourceLancaster University·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022

Screen use, mental health symptoms in children during pandemic

A recent study by Xuedi Li and colleagues found that excessive screen time was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research suggests that parents should monitor their child's screen use to mitigate potential mental health effects.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 28, 2021

Digital microscale electrochemical energy storage devices helps to build a fully connected and intelligent world

Researchers highlight importance of digital microscale electrochemical energy storage devices in building a fully connected and intelligent world. They discuss design principles, material selection, and fabrication processes for these devices, which are crucial for seamless integration with various electronic systems.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 15, 2021

US health systems must adopt unified vision to succeed according to a new survey

A new survey by University of Colorado Denver researchers found large disparities in virtual care models across US health systems. Smaller and low-burdened health systems adopted analytics and customer-oriented digital technologies, while larger and higher-revenue systems used futuristic and growth-oriented digital technologies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2021

Mechanical logic for soft robots

Soft robots are enabled by origami mechanisms that transform environmental stimuli into mechanical signals, allowing for basic Boolean logic operations and locomotion. The design uses a polymer actuator that changes shape in response to humidity, paving the way for environmentally responsive soft robotics.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2018

Electronic health records fail because they are merely digital remakes of paper charts

Electronic health record systems can be transformed into platforms that allow doctors to access real-time patient information, reducing physician workloads and improving healthcare quality. This approach enables personalized alerts and notifications, similar to social media feeds, to reduce errors and delays.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Spray-on memory could enable bendable digital storage

Researchers at Duke University have developed a fully-printed digital memory device using an aerosol jet printer and nanoparticle inks. The device stores information in states of resistance, allowing for flexible electronics on bendable materials, and has a write speed rivaling that of flash drives.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Electronic Materials·DateApr 3, 2017

Diverting redirection spam

Researchers have developed a system that uses fuzzy logic to analyze web addresses and detect redirection spam. The system provides an extra layer of security against phishing and malware attacks by assigning a probability to whether a suspicious link is safe or spam.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJun 16, 2016

New rapid synthesis developed for bilayer graphene and high-performance transistors

Researchers at UCSB demonstrate a rapid synthesis technique for large-area Bernal (or AB) stacked bilayer graphene films, exhibiting electron mobility as high as 3450 cm2/(V•s). The growth of high-quality and large-area bilayer graphene films is achieved with controlled stacking order required for low-power digital electronics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateMay 1, 2014

New analysis yields improvements in a classic 3-D imaging technique

Research at Curtin University has enabled major improvements in the widely used century-old 3D printing technique Anaglyph printing. The team targeted crosstalk problems visible as ghost-like shadows and found potential solutions by changing cyan ink, optimizing glasses and light sources, and using improved image processing algorithms.

CeBIT 2011: Electronic fitness trainer

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS develop an electronic fitness trainer that collects data on user movements and breathing, providing personalized feedback and advice. The system aims to motivate users towards regular exercise and improve physical well-being, particularly for older adults.

Impending death for paper coupons?

A University of Arizona research team found that digital coupons are often difficult to use due to technical issues with redemption and cashier knowledge. The study suggests that a more convenient and user-friendly experience is needed to make digital coupons successful.

Flash, aaaaagh!

A recent study analyzing academic websites across the US found that many are using outdated and insecure Flash applications, leaving them susceptible to hacking. The researchers used a tool provided by Hewlett Packard to scan 250 educational sites, revealing low-level security vulnerabilities in over 20% of cases.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJul 2, 2010

BioVault locks up biometrics

BioVault uses biometric data to create a secret key for encryption, resolving the asymmetry issue in traditional biometric systems. The system authenticates users directly with biometrics, providing irrevocable identification and authentication.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJul 31, 2009

XBox forensics

US researchers have developed a forensics toolkit for the Xbox console that enables investigators to access and analyze hidden data. The XFT utility allows users to mount an image of the FATX file system, explore directory structures, and view files in detail.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateApr 30, 2009