Articles tagged with Games
A new study by the University of Sussex found that four-year-olds display overconfidence in their abilities, even when faced with evidence to the contrary. Girls outperformed boys in a card game due to a lower-risk strategy, but also experienced greater swings in confidence.
Researchers discovered that competing against an idealised avatar negatively impacts physical performance, whereas a realistic avatar increases motivation and improves outcomes. The study suggests that exergame designers should use realistic avatar customisation to enhance player experience and performance.
A Yale University study found that robots expressing vulnerability improve human-to-human communication, leading to more positive group experiences. Humans on teams with vulnerable robots spent twice as much time talking to each other and reported enjoying the experience more.
Researchers suggest starting with Final Four picks and building backward and forward from there for optimal strategies. The study's models produce many brackets that would have placed in the top 100 of the ESPN bracket challenge, especially those that start by picking Elite Eight or Final Four teams.
The game, developed by Cambridge sociologists and stem cell scientists, aims to provide a flavor of the lives and labor behind biotechnological advances. Players must balance competing demands, grow cells, and navigate the scientific career ladder while managing relationships and reputation.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Mozilla developed a new sandboxing approach for web browsers using WebAssembly. This approach shifts some browser code into secure sandboxes, preventing malicious code from taking over users' computers.
A University of Colorado Boulder study challenges the International Paralympic Committee's rule requiring double, below-the-knee amputees to race at a shorter height. The research shows that blade shape and stiffness, not height, impact speed, with elite athletes achieving speeds up to 8% faster in certain prosthetic configurations.
Researchers designed an AI model that predicts student learning in educational games, improving instruction and outcomes. The multi-task learning framework considers each question individually, enabling more accurate predictions than conventional methods.
The UT-designed board game, 'Taphonomy: Dead and Fossilized,' teaches key concepts about how fossils form through a fun, interactive experience. The study found that 71% of students thought the game helped them learn about fossilization, and it was preferred to regular lab work by many.
Research suggests that captive-bred game birds may be unprepared for life in the wild due to unnatural early life conditions. Mimicking natural conditions in captivity could promote more natural behavior and improve survival chances. Adding perches and unpredictable food supply are proposed solutions.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that likeability plays a crucial role in interactions between women and men, but not in same-sex interactions. Women benefit from being likable in all social situations, while men only experience advantages if they are likable when interacting with the opposite sex.
A study by the University of Bath found that rugby's 'Big Brother' data culture can lead to heightened distrust, anxiety, and insecurity among players. Players feel judged on numbers rather than their true performance, leading to a loss of natural affinity and decision-making abilities.
A new perspective piece challenges standard economic theory by highlighting individual trajectories over time. People's behavior often deviates from classical recommendations due to a lack of understanding of unique wealth evolution.
Researchers have discovered that people make choices based on a model of the 'mind of the group' and an evolving simulation of its effects. In large groups, humans create an average model of a 'mind' representative of the group, even when identities are unknown.
A new study examined whether young children's verbal engagement with an onscreen interactive media character could boost their math skills. Children who had stronger emotional feelings for the character and talked more to the character about math had quicker and more accurate math responses during virtual game play.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that humans perform worse when played against a robot that gives discouraging remarks, and better when encouraged. The study's results have implications for automated learning, mental health treatment, and human-robot interaction.
A new study created three games for level three and higher semi-autonomous vehicles, which can play with other players nearby. The researchers evaluated the games using a virtual reality driving simulator and participant feedback, finding that participants rated the games highly in immersion and enjoyed playing with strangers.
Researchers propose a virtual speed bump to reduce the impact of arbitrage traders on stock markets. The tweak can improve liquidity and make prices reflect reality better. Several exchanges have shown interest in the approach.
Research found that shoppers who win discounts through promotional games make a purchase and spend more money than those offered standard discounts. Games increase the likelihood of buying, leading to higher sales and long-term profitability for retailers.
A novel player trait model has been developed to evaluate individual gaming preferences, enabling the creation of tailored experiences. The five-trait model assesses social, aesthetic, challenge, goal, and narrative elements to provide personalized game recommendations.
A study by neuroscientists from HSE University found that brain signals in the striatum and parietal cortex influence price adjustments in competitive markets. The results provide insight into the brain mechanisms at work when determining prices in such conditions.
A new study suggests that popular mobile phone games can provide a tool to detect early signs of cognitive decline, including dementia. The research found that patterns of tap, swipe, and rotational gestures correlate with brain function.
Rats learn to play a simplified version of hide and seek with humans, exhibiting strategic gameplay and learning to alternate roles. They develop unique vocalizations and show intense activity in the prefrontal cortex during game events.
Researchers at Penn Medicine and Deloitte Consulting LLP used behavioral insights, gaming elements, and social incentives to improve workplace physical activity. The study found that adding competition led to significant increases in physical activity, while other groups saw only temporary improvements.
University of Copenhagen researchers Asger Dag Törnquist and David Schrittesser solved the long-standing problem of an 'ever-winning lottery ticket.' They found that complete coincidence does not exist in lottery numbers, preventing the existence of a winning ticket. The team's solution confirms Mathias' 1969 hypothesis.
A study by Wake Forest School of Medicine found that youth football players with higher vertical jumping ability and faster times in speed and agility drills experience more head impacts, especially during games. The researchers analyzed performance on physical ability tests and on-field head impact data to quantify exposure.
Researchers found that 'information gerrymandering' can bias election outcomes, with one party winning up to 60% of the time in simulated elections. The study used experiments involving 2,520 participants and identified actual information networks that show similar patterns.
New research suggests that the structure of social networks can sway voting outcomes towards one political party, even if both parties are equal in size and influence. This phenomenon is known as information gerrymandering, where people's decisions are constrained by their social networks and distorted by zealots and automated bots.
A new interactive board game has been developed to enhance training for healthcare professionals supporting victims of domestic violence and abuse. The game takes the form of an interactive board game which helps trainees understand the complexities of DVA and explore ways to support those in their care.
A UCI-led study found that online brain game exercises can improve cognitive multitasking skills in people aged 70 and above. The research showed that consistent training can retain cognitive youth into old age, making it an increasingly valuable skill in today's information-rich environment.
Researchers found that wearing a bike helmet decreases the 'Frontal Midline Theta Power' in brain activity, indicating reduced cognitive control during risk decision-making. This suggests that wearing a helmet can influence behavior through subtle suggestions on a subconscious level.
A new study suggests that digital games can be an effective way to unwind and recuperate after work. Participants who played shape-fitting games reported feeling more energized and relaxed compared to those using mindfulness apps.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville developed a gamelike intervention that reduces hallway disruptions by up to 74 percent. The intervention rewards classes for quick transitions, leading to improved behavior and faster class changes.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that using first-person mental technique can help people overcome barriers to finding their passions. Visualizing activities from a first-person perspective can tap into memories and accurately identify what experiences are actually enjoyable.
A Pokémon-like card game about ecology and biodiversity can result in broader knowledge of species and a better understanding of ecosystems than traditional teaching methods. Participants who played the Phylo game retained information about species and ecosystems and were more motivated to donate money to prevent environmental events.
A rigged card game was used to study how people perceive inequality and fairness. The study found that winners were more likely to believe the game's outcome was fair, even when it was heavily tilted in their favor.
A new study found that videogames, as part of an emotional intelligence training program, can enhance teenagers' evaluation and expression of emotions. The game, EmotivaMente, was designed to promote emotional intelligence among adolescents and showed promising results in this area.
A recent study by UNLV researchers found that players cannot reliably detect differences in how much and often a slot machine pays, despite common perceptions. The study used two identical machines with varying payouts over nine months, showing no statistically significant indication of play migration from higher to lower payout games.
Researchers developed Pluribus AI that can play six-player no-limit Texas hold'em poker, outperforming top professionals and five copies of itself. The AI confirms traditional wisdom on limping as a suboptimal strategy for most players.
A new study by Dr. Brad McKenna found that online virtual worlds can be used by social movements to create safe spaces for members, such as an LGBT group in World of Warcraft. The research showed how the group utilized game features and virtual environment to achieve their objectives.
A new athletic training method has been shown to reduce head injuries in high school football players, with a 26-33% decline in head impacts during games. The training technique, developed by UMass Lowell Prof. Erik Swartz, aims to teach players to avoid hitting their heads as the first point of contact and improve tackling abilities.
A study by Rutgers University found that grandparents allow their grandchildren an average of two hours of screen time during a four-hour visit, highlighting the need for parental guidance. Grandparents, particularly fathers, tend to permit more interactive screen time, while mothers and younger children benefit from stricter rules.
Rowan Martindale received a $570,000 NSF CAREER Grant to study ancient ocean ecosystems' responses to rapid global change. Her research focuses on the Early Jurassic's Moroccan High Atlas Mountains ecosystem collapse, which parallels modern climate change impacts.
Researchers developed a technology to transform game design according to latency levels, predicting player success rates and maintaining gaming performance. The team modified the Flappy Bird game's pillar heights to achieve similar success rates with added latency.
A new online game called Bad News has been shown to increase 'psychological resistance' to fake news by exposing players to disinformation tactics. The game reduces perceived reliability of fake news headlines and tweets by up to 24%, with the greatest effect on those most susceptible to fake news.
A new study aims to develop safe throwing amounts for young baseball players by tracking their total number of throws and intensity. The research team will use sensor technology to capture data on 10-11 year old male competitive pitchers over 12 months.
Researchers from TU Berlin and Charité investigate how motion sickness affects automated driving, with a focus on alleviating discomfort. Over 40% of respondents experienced symptoms during car rides, highlighting the need for technical measures to reduce kinetosis.
Researchers identify preferential activation of a brain region to Pokémon characters in adults who played videogames extensively as children. The study sheds light on the development of dedicated brain regions for processing visual stimuli.
A specially designed mobile game, Sea Hero Quest, can detect people at risk of Alzheimer's by analyzing their spatial navigation skills. Researchers found that those with a high genetic risk, like the APOE4 gene, performed worse on the game, highlighting a potential early detection method.
A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that men tend to act less interested in sex when they want it, whereas women initially show less interest but can become more engaged if the man is attractive. The researchers suggest that this 'tactical game' allows individuals to assess each other's quality withou...
Researchers from the University of Waterloo found that virtual reality can help individuals with autism and other neurological disorders recalibrate their internal clock. The study used a VR game to encourage participants to adjust their time perception, resulting in significant reductions in estimates of time by around 15 percent.
A new series of tangram games has been developed to train and assess children's reading, writing, and word identification skills at an early age. The games, led by Dr Simpson Wong, aim to identify children with early visual processing difficulties and provide suitable support.
A University of Otago study reveals that structured play can help toddlers develop essential self-regulation skills, leading to improved behavior and life outcomes. The ENGAGE program, involving simple games and activities, was found to be equally effective as the Positive Parenting Programme in managing children's behavior.
Athletes competing in singles tennis, golf, and cycling events are most at risk of sunburn due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. The study recommends adopting specific sun protection regulations and guidelines to mitigate the risks.
A UCF study found that high general intelligence is not enough to stop ecological disasters, highlighting the importance of social intelligence in managing shared resources. The research used a digital game to simulate an ecosystem and found that teams with high social intelligence were more effective at optimizing resource use.
Researchers found that spectators felt more positive emotions when a referee's decision benefited their team during suspenseful games. The study suggests that advertisers can use individual targeting and tailored branding to create positive associations with sponsored brands.
A recent study published in Behaviour Research Methods found that NBA players who excelled early in their careers retained more skill as they aged. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,800 players and discovered a slower decline in performance after the peak of their career.
A new brain training game, Decoder, has been shown to improve attention and concentration in healthy young adults after playing for 8 hours over a month. The game was tested against Bingo and no game controls, with significant improvements in focus and performance.
A Johns Hopkins study found that the brain's push-pull dynamic between hemispheres contributes to risk-taking behavior, with cumulative feelings from past bets influencing decisions. Researchers used stereoelectroencephalography to analyze neural signals and developed a mathematical equation to calculate each patient's bias.
Researchers discovered that individuals with epilepsy exhibit increased high-frequency brain activity in the right hemisphere when making risky bets and the left hemisphere when avoiding risks. The findings suggest a brain-based mechanism for risk-taking biases, which can be influenced by past behaviors.