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Downwardly mobile: When consumer decisions are influenced by people with lower socioeconomic status

A new study reveals that consumers are influenced by people with lower socioeconomic status, particularly when they aspire to a desirable trait. The 'low status user effect' suggests that observing a person from a lower status group using a product can lead to interest and emulation among higher-status individuals.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 14, 2011

Managing intellectual property a challenge for firms, innovators

Research highlights the need for firms to integrate their patent and business strategies to successfully commercialize multi-invention products. The paper provides a framework for addressing these challenges, including guidelines for choosing from among three types of business models: licensing, componentization, and integration.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCalifornia Management Review·DateSep 8, 2011

Stick-on tattoos go electric

Engineers create epidermal electronic systems (EES) with miniature sensors, light-emitting diodes, tiny transmitters and receivers to measure human physiological data. The devices are seamlessly integrated onto the skin, providing opportunities for non-invasive medical monitoring.

SHSU studies GPS monitoring of Arizona sex offenders

A recent study by Sam Houston State University found that GPS monitoring of Arizona sex offenders triggered a significant number of false alarms, consuming an inordinate amount of probation officers' resources. The study recommends improving the system to reduce non-violation alerts and increasing officer training to address these issues.

SourceSam Houston State University·JournalJournal of Criminal Justice·DateAug 8, 2011

Rare coupling of magnetic and electric properties in a single material

Scientists have found a new mechanism that couples electric and magnetic properties in a material, enabling faster and energy-efficient logic, memory, and sensing technology. This breakthrough could lead to the development of multiferroic materials, which are rare in nature but can display both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 25, 2011

WiFi 'napping' doubles phone battery life

Researchers at Duke University have developed a software called SleepWell that allows mobile devices to sleep while a neighboring device is downloading information, saving energy for both devices. This technology can potentially double the battery life of smartphones and laptops by reducing the energy toll of WiFi usage.

ONR announces technology investments

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced significant investments in technology and education to promote student interest in the sciences. The agency is supporting various partnerships aimed at kindling student enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, with a focus on teacher training and hands-on activities.

A study analyzes the role of universities and technology institutes in firm innovation

The study found that technology centers and universities have different types of clients among the business sector, with universities collaborating with larger firms and technology institutes working with smaller companies. The research also highlights the importance of complementary relationships between these institutions to foster i...

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalEuropean Planning Studies·DateJun 6, 2011

Clubbers can smell a good nightspot

A new study suggests that carefully selected fragrances can positively influence nightclub goers' experience, leading to increased dancing activity, improved music ratings, and enhanced mood. The introduction of pleasant ambient scents may also lead to improved quality of the environment and greater spending in nightclubs.

SourceSpringer·JournalChemosensory Perception·DateMay 17, 2011

Prof to use DNA technology to prevent habitat loss

A University of Guelph professor will use DNA technology to monitor and protect Wood Buffalo National Park, a world heritage site threatened by climate change and industrial development. The project aims to develop a DNA-based early-warning system to identify critical environmental stresses and measure ecological risk.