A three-year project at Durham University has found that collaborative learning increases both fluency and flexibility in mathematics, while using interactive smart desks can have benefits over traditional paper-based activities. The new 'Star Trek classroom' also encourages active student engagement and equal access.
Researchers at the University of Warwick create a simple and inexpensive conductive plastic composite that can be used to produce electronic devices using low-cost 3D printers. The material enables users to lay down electronic tracks and sensors, allowing for the creation of touch-sensitive areas and custom-designed devices.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center conducted a pilot study on a non-invasive approach using musical tones to balance brain activity and reduce insomnia. The study found that participants who received HIRREM therapy experienced a 10.3 point drop in Insomnia Severity Index scores, indicating improved insomnia symptoms.
A Penn State researcher examined a low-income community project that provided WiFi and computer training, finding technology alone cannot address underlying issues. The study highlights the need for political action over reliance on tech to solve poverty problems like low wages and childcare access.
Researchers identified stone-tipped spear points at the South African site of Kathu Pan 1, dating back 500,000 years. This finding suggests that humans were using such technology 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, shedding new light on early human adaptations and capacities.
A new partnership aims to broaden participation in computer science programs and enhance teacher training nationwide. The Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance seeks to replicate successful state-level initiatives, growing the pipeline of students in US computer science programs.
The new system-on-a-chip enables integration of large components onto a single microchip, achieving significant improvements in power consumption. It cuts the size, weight, power consumption, and cost by about 10 times compared to conventional body data monitoring technologies.
Researchers have created a new type of nanometer-scale diamond tip for thermal processing, which exhibits exceptional wear resistance and durability. The tip can scan surfaces for distances exceeding 1.2 meters without measurable wear, opening up new possibilities for AFM applications.
Researchers develop novel sensor systems using RFID and sensors to monitor human activity, enabling timely assistance for older people living independently. The system adapts to individual routines and context-aware reasoning, producing alerts when necessary.
Griffith University researchers have developed a device capable of amplifying the information in a single photon without adding noise, preserving quantum information. The breakthrough has far-reaching implications for quantum technologies, including improved quantum cryptography and long-distance communication.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, researchers have successfully beamed a person into a rat facility, allowing the rat and human to interact on the same scale. The technology enables real-time interaction between humans and animals, providing new insights into animal behavior.
A recent study has found that former political prisoners in East Germany continue to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 15 years after their imprisonment. The study, which followed up with 78 men and 15 women who were initially interviewed in the mid-1990s, revealed that PTSD affects about a third of those studied.
A new study suggests that obesity can become a self-perpetuating disorder, making it harder to lose weight, especially if it persists over time. The longer mice remained overweight, the more irreversible their obesity became.
The DARPA director stresses the need for radical innovation and collaboration between government, academia, and industry to develop next-generation cruise missiles with autonomous guidance. This partnership is crucial for giving U.S. warfighters a decisive edge in future battles.
Dr. Thomas H. Jordan, a renowned geophysicist, received the AGI Outstanding Contribution to the Public Understanding of the Geosciences Award in 2013. He is recognized for his efforts to increase public awareness of earthquake processes, probabilities, preparedness, and risk at an international level.
Research highlights the potential impact of airport security scanners on diabetes devices, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. The Editorial calls for more research to understand and potentially repair this issue affecting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who use insulin pump therapy.
The Navy chief advocates for quarterly S&T meetings with industry and academia partners to accelerate innovation. He highlights the importance of collaboration in developing new naval technologies, emphasizing that innovative solutions will benefit both the warfighter and taxpayers.
Advaita Corporation, a startup based on Wayne State University tech, received $125,000 from the Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund program. Its Pathway-Guide software solution provides cutting-edge gene pathway analysis technology for researchers.
Researchers developed a new X-ray technology that analyzes scattered radiation to detect emphysema in lungs. This technology helps identify disease progression and localization, aiding early diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing atom-optics technology to directly detect gravitational waves, which could revolutionize astrophysics. The technology uses atomic interferometry to measure minute changes in space-time.
The partnership will focus on measurement and characterization of nanomaterials for enhanced optical, electrical and mechanical properties. The research aims to kickstart advances in energy, healthcare, materials science and national security.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has been honored with the ASM Materials Education Foundation's Pacesetter Award for its efforts to promote STEM education. The award highlights ONR's aggressive initiatives to address the critical shortage in the science and engineering workforce, including summer camps and teacher training programs.
Clemson University researchers will use artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance coordination in perioperative services at three hospitals. The goal is to develop a more efficient system while maintaining quality of care, addressing the escalating cost of healthcare.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new technology that aims to make terabyte storage cheaper and easier. They use similar optical data storage technology as commercially available Blu-ray discs but write data in dozens of layers instead of two or four, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has successfully engineered microbes to produce biodegradable materials like polylactic acid, which can be used in various applications. Metabolic engineering enhances microbial performance to improve the production of desired chemicals and materials.
A new digital tabletop system, PiVOT, allows users to view shared content while each individual receives a personalized view, with multiple views possible at the same location without interfering with others. The system supports various applications and has been implemented with a sample prototype evaluated for its effectiveness.
A pan-Quebec study found that students prefer engaging lectures over targeted tweets, while instructors were more comfortable with emails than social media. The research suggests that curriculum design and professional development should prioritize interactive activities over technology integration.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs has received a five-year, $108 million grant from the US Agency for International Development. The project aims to build the capacity of local organizations in developing countries to design and implement effective health communication projects.
A $250,000 NSF grant will support the largest indoor hydroponic gardening initiative for youths in Boston's history. The program, led by Professor Michael Barnett, will teach 600 students about science, nutrition, and economics through soil-free gardening technology.
The proposed algorithm generates feature sensitive non-uniformly distributed discrete sample points for underlying point sets. It uses a Gaussian sphere-based sampling scheme to simplify the point set surfaces, and then applies an adaptive re-sampling framework to generate the desired samples.
Researchers at UCSB have developed inexpensive medical diagnostic tests that can detect a wide range of diseases in under five minutes, using nanometer-scale DNA switches. The new technology has the potential to significantly impact world health by eliminating the lag between testing and treatment.
Researchers aim to improve laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for detecting trace amounts of substances of interest to Homeland Security. The project seeks to develop a more sensitive emission process, enabling analysis at a distance with greater accuracy.
Researchers at Tufts University developed 'transient electronics' that can dissolve in a prescribed time, ranging from minutes to years. These devices promise medical implants that never need removal and consumer electronics that become compost.
Researchers have demonstrated a less-expensive way to create textured nickel ferrite (NFO) ceramic thin films, which can easily be scaled up for manufacturing needs. The new technique allows for the creation of NFO thin films with an aligned crystalline structure, maximizing their magnetic properties.
The University of Oklahoma has received an award to develop a research ethics program for international students collaborating with US universities. The program aims to enhance students' awareness of cultural expectations and research policies in global research contexts.
A new sensor and monitoring system is being developed to enable consumers to monitor their energy, gas, and water use, saving them money. The system, funded by the NSF, uses pervasive computing technology to provide homeowners and businesses with real-time insights into their resource consumption.
A GW University researcher is using a green electrochemical process to form cement without CO2 gases, aiming to replace traditional cement production methods. The project could potentially decrease the cost of solar cement and contribute to training the next generation of renewable energy scientists.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system that converts speech input into passwords, reducing the risk of fraudsters obtaining voice biometric data. The system uses different mathematical functions to generate hundreds of alphanumeric strings, providing an additional level of security.
A University of Minnesota research team is developing a biodegradation technology using naturally-occurring bacteria to remove contaminants from fracking wastewater. The goal is to make the water suitable for re-use in fracking and significantly reduce industry's water usage.
Researchers have identified a specially engineered steel surface that suppresses bubbling, reducing the risk of liquid explosions and fostering gentle heating. The textured surface maintains vapor layer stability, preventing boiling over and frost formation.
Researchers aim to create nanoelectronic devices and logic circuits using quantum dots and light, promising breakthroughs in electronic circuitry density and speed. The project combines organic chemistry, semiconductor growth, and nanofabrication to develop a solid-state technology platform.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University are developing small, high-frequency radiation-enabled chips capable of producing images through packaging and clothing. These chips have the potential to provide sophisticated yet affordable security technology for everyday use, addressing concerns around cost and size.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have discovered pre-thermalization, where an intermediate state emerges between an ordered initial state and statistical equilibrium. This state exhibits some equilibrium properties but retains distinct order for a remarkably long time.
North Carolina State University leads a $18.5 million NSF grant to develop self-powered health monitoring sensors and devices. These devices could transform healthcare by providing uninterrupted streams of vital signs data, improving disease management and environmental policy.
Insignia Technologies, formed by the merger of Insigniapack and Novas Technologies, will exploit design expertise to create smart packaging labels initially in the food sector, expanding into other areas. The company's patented smart pigment technology aims to reduce waste and environmental impact.
The European Commission's FET program has granted €4 million to create a functional 3D neuronal structure similar to the human brain. Researchers will develop a controlled environment to study and analyze the network.
The 'magic carpet' technology uses plastic optical fibres to map a person's walking patterns and identify gradual changes or sudden incidents like falls. As many as 30%-40% of community-dwelling older people fall each year, making this technology vital for preventing accidents.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a science outreach toolkit aimed at promoting STEM careers among secondary students. The toolkit, based on their Genomics Field Trip Program, provides valuable information for lesson plans and offers a blueprint for designing research-based field trips.
Researchers will develop new tools to monitor and understand performance for diverse applications on HPC systems. The goal is to improve the ability to track resources and increase productivity among stakeholders.
A new flexible electronics technology developed by Wayne State University's Yong Xu has opened up possibilities for health care and medical applications of electronic devices. The technology is compatible with mainstream CMOS processes, allowing for the creation of high-performance and high-density CMOS circuits on flexible substrates.
A new study from the University of Missouri finds that separated parents who use technology effectively can coordinate exchanges about their children more easily, reducing stress on kids. In contrast, hostile couples use communication tech to manipulate or withhold info, causing pain to children.
Scientists at Vienna University of Technology developed a method called 3D-photografting, which allows them to attach molecules at exact positions. This technique can be used to grow artificial biological tissue with specific inner structures and create tiny three-dimensional 'labs on a chip' for sensor technology.
Researchers have developed a digital microscope that creates high-resolution images at fast speeds, enabling scientists to study biological processes like cell activity in greater detail. The new device uses a programmable micromirror system to reject unwanted light and improve image quality.
Researchers from Rice University unveiled a new multi-antenna technology dubbed Argos, which aims to dramatically increase network capacity by allowing cell towers to simultaneously beam signals to more than a dozen customers on the same frequency. The technology could result in a six-fold increase in network capacity and energy savings.
WPI will develop miniaturized wireless sensors to detect early signs of blood loss, and create algorithms to process signals from those sensors to measure seven physiological parameters. The project aims to save the lives of soldiers wounded on the battlefield with wearable sensors and smartphone technologies.
Senesky and Pavone, Stanford assistant professors, receive $200,000/year grants for research on extreme environments and spacecraft motion planning. The awards support development of materials and electronics for future NASA space programs.
The University of Toronto team has developed a novel, waterless toilet design that uses a sand filter and UV-ray disinfecting chamber to process liquid waste and incinerate solid waste. The design is sustainable, easy to use, and can be repaired by people with limited resources and training.
A new study finds that ownership enhances product attractiveness by creating an association between the item and consumer identity. Gender differences are also noted, with men prioritizing social group distinctions and women focusing on connections.
A team of University of Georgia researchers has developed a technique combining LiDAR and satellite imagery to create precise coastal maps. The new website provides access to high-resolution data on beach availability, tidal ranges, and erosion for policymakers, conservationists, and tourists.
Researchers at Drexel University are working on designing a hybrid network-on-chip that uses both antennas and wired interconnections to optimize communication speed. This new chip will provide a more robust platform for high-performance computing applications, such as multi-core processors and 3D chip design.