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Negative social cues on tobacco packaging may help smokers quit

New research suggests that negative social cues on tobacco packaging can trigger feelings of self-consciousness in smokers, particularly those who don't see smoking as identity-relevant. The study found that isolating smokers from positive social associations with smoking can be an effective tool to reduce smoking intentions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Consumer Affairs·DateNov 21, 2018

Hats on for Easter Island statues

The study uses archaeological evidence and physics-based processes to describe how the islanders placed the hats on the statues. The researchers propose that workers would rotate, leverage, and pivot the hats onto the statue tops using small wooden levers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJun 4, 2018

The ultrafast dance of liquid water

Researchers at Stockholm University have discovered correlated motion in water dynamics on a sub-100 femtosecond timescale, indicating a complex network of hydrogen bonds that play a role even on ultrafast timescales. The study reveals the coordinated dance of water molecules due to the formation of tetrahedral structures.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2018

Parent-supplied photos allow pediatric dermatology diagnoses with no office visit in most cases

A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that high-quality photographs taken by parents with their smartphones can accurately diagnose pediatric skin conditions without an office visit. The results showed a 83% agreement between photograph-based and in-person diagnoses, paving the way for improved access to care through telemedicine.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateNov 15, 2017

New technique accurately digitizes transparent objects

A new imaging technique enables precise digitization of clear objects and their surroundings, useful for movie production, virtual reality, and material design. The method uses a robotic arm to record camera locations and combine photographs with CT scans, allowing for pixel-by-pixel comparison and accurate material properties analysis.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateSep 21, 2017

Picture perfect

A new system called Computational Zoom enables photographers to compose images post-capture by controlling object positions and sizes. This allows for novel image compositions, including automatically combining wide-angle and telephoto perspectives into a single multi-perspective image.

Cultural backgrounds of media organizations affect international news coverage

A new study by University of Missouri researchers reveals that cultural values of photojournalists' home countries influence the framing of international events. The study analyzed over 400 photographs from Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Cuba, finding differences in camera angles and news priorities between media outlets from the US, UK,...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournalism Studies·DateMay 22, 2017

Sciences for art

Researchers propose using portable instruments, spectroscopic techniques, and weathering cells to develop strategies for better artwork preservation. Non-invasive techniques like X-ray radiography, infrared photography, and X-ray fluorescence enable the detailed investigation of historical paints' chemical composition.

SourceWiley·JournalChemViews·DateJan 27, 2017

Graffiti for science

Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam developed a new method called 'erosion painting' to visualize erosion rates. By applying paint patterns on rock surfaces and monitoring their removal over time, scientists can analyze the spatial distribution and intensity of erosive processes.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalEarth Surface Dynamics·DateDec 16, 2016

Black bear links real objects to computer images

A study found that American black bears can recognize visual features of objects they know in real life when presented with photographs. This ability has important implications for the use of photographs in computerized studies involving bears and their welfare.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJul 14, 2016

Algorithm makes hyperspectral imaging faster

Researchers at NC State University have developed an algorithm that can quickly and accurately reconstruct hyperspectral images using less data. This breakthrough enables faster imaging times and reduced memory requirements, making it suitable for applications such as security, defense, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing·DateFeb 18, 2016

Scientists take nanoparticle snapshots

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used a Linac Coherent Light Source to observe xenon nanoparticles in extreme environments, capturing their dynamics over time. The technique allows for high-resolution imaging of materials in the gas phase, with implications for studying aerosols and combustion.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 10, 2016

Bright idea for lowlight photography

University of Utah engineers develop a new color filter that lets in three times more light than conventional filters, resulting in cleaner and more accurate pictures taken in lowlight. The filter can be used for smartphone cameras and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalOptica·DateOct 29, 2015

War's greatest picture

Seventy-five years after the start of the WWII Blitz, Herbert Mason's portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of Britain's resilience amidst destruction. The iconic image has been widely reproduced and continues to have a lasting impact on visual shorthand for momentous events.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Journal of Modern History·DateSep 25, 2015