Articles tagged with Video Games
A recent study by the University of Cincinnati found that tweens spent more time using media during the 2020 pandemic summer, highlighting the need to reassess notions of 'too much' screen time. The research suggests that media use can have both positive and negative effects on children's lives, with some finding connection with peers ...
A study of 8-12 year olds reveals that media multitasking is associated with worse mental health outcomes, while videogaming shows a positive correlation. The research highlights the importance of balancing screen time with other activities for children's overall well-being.
A study from Lancaster University found that a serious game, 'Point of Contact', increased players' awareness of Covid-19 transmission risk and favorability towards health over livelihood. The game's impact was significant, with 87% of participants saying they would be more careful in following Covid-19 preventative guidance.
Active video games have been shown to give similar physiological effects to traditional exercise, such as jogging, in type 1 diabetics. The studies found that playing these games could help lower blood glucose levels and improve cardiovascular health.
A randomized trial found that a video game with biofeedback can help youth learn to regulate their anger, leading to reduced aggression and oppositional behavior. The game trains kids to stay calm during stressful situations, and its effectiveness was validated in parents' and clinicians' reports.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
A study of nearly 12,000 kids found that screen time is only slightly linked to attention disorders, disturbed sleep, and lower grades. However, excessive screen time may have social benefits, with kids who spent more time with screens having more close friends.
A new study by Dr Mathilde Pavis from the University of Exeter Law School proposes reforming performers' rights to include copyright over their performances. This would provide better protection against unauthorized deepfakes and simplify the structure of intellectual property law.
A recent study of over 700 Peruvian adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown found that teenagers who interacted positively online reported less loneliness and better well-being. The quality of their online interactions, such as chatting with friends and relatives, was a key factor in reducing loneliness.
Researchers at VCU found a clear preference for immediate revenge in six experiments with over 1,500 participants. Participants who ruminated on past provocations or had antagonistic traits showed a shift towards delayed-but-greater revenge.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that people who experience intense boredom frequently in everyday life may seek 'flow' by playing smartphone games to escape their feelings. This 'boredom fix' can lead to negative consequences and excessive gaming, ultimately increasing depression.
Researchers at Lero found that commercial video games could be used as an effective and stigma-free alternative for treating depression and anxiety. The study suggests that these games can be accessed at a low cost or for free, making them a viable option for people with limited access to mental health care.
A recent study found that successful weight losers sit significantly less during the week and weekends compared to those who are weight stable. Weight loss maintainers expended more calories per week in physical activity, suggesting that moving more may be key to long-term weight maintenance.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a model to understand the brain mechanisms behind video game addiction. They found that games can be designed to promote healthy engagement, while also addressing addictive behavior.
A new study uses a citizen science approach and AI to analyze vast amounts of 3D coral reef imagery, providing insights into the health of coral ecosystems. The NeMO-Net video game harnesses the power of citizen scientists to generate training datasets and classify coral species.
A study by a University of Ottawa medical student found that video games can improve surgical skills, particularly in robotic surgery and laparoscopic procedures. Games like Super Monkey Ball and Half Life were associated with improvements in time to completion, economy of motion, and overall performance.
Researchers at Lero found that novice gamers benefit most from tDCS before training sessions, improving performance on complex sensory-motor actions. The study suggests that neurostimulation can accelerate motor performance improvements in novice esports participants.
Researchers trained an AI agent to conduct scientific experiments using a virtual beamline simulation, allowing for efficient and remote experimentation. The team implemented reinforcement learning to train the AI, which enabled it to learn from experience and master the experiment.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that boys who regularly play video games at age 11 are less likely to develop depressive symptoms three years later. In contrast, girls who spend more time on social media appear to develop more depressive symptoms. The study suggests that different types of screen time can positive...
A new mobile game that uses implicit learning significantly improved Indian children's food choices after playing. The study found that children who read more facts about healthy foods made healthier choices, while those reading unhealthy food facts chose unhealthier options.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that children with autism experience a significant decline in physical activity between ages 9 and 13. The study suggests that interventions targeting this age range can help maintain healthy rates of physical activity. The research also highlights the importance of physical activity fo...
The University of Missouri's eMINTS National Center has received a $3.9 million grant to teach computer coding skills to rural Missouri students. The project will partner with 47 schools in rural Missouri, providing coaching and technological support to teachers.
Researchers at Università di Trento developed RoomTetris algorithm to efficiently allocate rooms, increasing hotel occupancy rates and profits. The software has shown promising results in tests, with potential to double profitability for some hotels.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques exhibit the sunk cost phenomenon, persisting longer than optimal when uncertain about outcomes. This behavior is driven by evolutionary mechanisms and uncertainty, suggesting it may be deeply embedded across species.
A team from UNIGE used a specially developed video game to investigate the emergence of emotions, confirming that brain components respond in parallel distributed throughout the brain. The results show transient synchronisation generating an emotional state, involving areas like the somatosensory and motor pathways.
A new algorithm has been developed by Penn State researchers to train adversarial bots that can exploit weaknesses in master game bots using deep reinforcement learning. The algorithm successfully defeated a world-class AI bot in StarCraft II, highlighting the security threat of using such agents.
Research from Binghamton University found that the human perceptual system rapidly adjusts to changes in visual experience, including playing video games. The study shows that people can adapt quickly to changes in their environment, with some arguing that this adaptation is helpful in a digital world.
A study from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that people who played video games regularly as children performed better in working memory tasks even after stopping. However, those without gaming experience showed slower performance and did not benefit from improvements in processing irrelevant stimuli.
Researchers at Dartmouth have developed two new software techniques that can create more realistic lighting effects in computer-generated images. The new techniques focus on 'real-time' graphics, which need to maintain the illusion of interactivity as scenes change in response to user moves.
A recent study has found that various video game practices, including token wagering, real-money gaming, and social casino spending, are significantly linked to problem gambling. Players who engage in these practices are more likely to suffer from disordered gaming, a condition causing significant impairment or distress.
Researchers from the University of Bath have developed motion capture technology that can digitise dogs without a suit and using only one camera. This technology has various applications, including helping vets diagnose lameness and monitoring recovery in canine patients.
A new study suggests that college men who play video games are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as poor eating habits and reduced physical activity. The research found that gamers consumed more saturated fat and sodium, while engaging in less fruit and vegetable consumption.
Researchers developed smart e-glasses that wirelessly monitor brain waves, body movements and UV intensity while acting as sunglasses. The device allows users to control a video game with eye motions and can potentially aid in digital healthcare or virtual reality applications.
A recent six-year study on video game addiction found that about 90% of gamers do not play in a way that is harmful or causes negative long-term consequences. However, a significant minority can become truly addicted to video games, suffering mentally and socially. The study identified predictors such as being male and having low level...
A secondary analysis of UK data found a significant long-term association between early childhood video game use and increased risk of obesity in teenagers. Regular bedtimes and physical activity were also linked to lower body weight, suggesting potential protective effects against excessive gaming.
A new Cornell University study found that students with more video game experience learned better using VR than those with little experience, with males showing greater advantage. The study suggests that either prior video game experience or gender may impact the success of VR-based learning.
Researchers found that participants who consumed a meal while playing a computer game ate significantly less than those who ate without distractions. The study also showed that the effect of distraction on food consumption can persist even after the initial distracted eating experience.
Scientists at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown designed an experiment where mice had to infer water reward locations using indirect evidence. The study revealed key brain regions involved in inference and compared mouse performance to a human version of the task, highlighting the cognitive skill's importance.
Geographers from Staffordshire University developed virtual landscape visualizations to assess Welsh countryside quality. Over 70% of respondents were satisfied with the realism and representativeness of these digital landscapes, which could engage younger audiences in landscape assessments.
A new study found that a single bout of intense cardiovascular exercise can improve video game performance. The research, led by Dr. Marc Roig, challenged the idea that video gaming and physical activity are antagonistic activities. Exercise was shown to benefit players regardless of their fitness level or emotional response.
A study by Rutgers University found that individuals in opioid addiction treatment are more likely to relapse when they exhibit a strong tolerance for risks, especially in situations with unknown outcomes. This knowledge can help clinicians predict and monitor vulnerable patients for changes that may affect their relapse risk.
A new study examined data from over 15,000 participants and found that playing video games as an adolescent is not linked to acts of violence in young adulthood. The research suggests that competing factors, such as gender differences, may contribute to the observed relationship between gaming and fighting.
A recent study found that both professional esports players and recreational video game players are at risk of developing internet gaming disorder when they use gaming as a means of escapism. The study, which surveyed over 4,300 gamers, suggests that escapist tendencies can be a common predictor of gaming disorder in both groups.
A new study from Cornell University researchers found that computational education can foster intercultural learning and unlikely friendships between students from diverse backgrounds. Despite initial resistance, the structure of the class enabled cooperation and bonding among students from different ethnic groups.
A pioneering study published in The Lancet Neurology presents a four-limb robotic system controlled by brain signals that enabled a tetraplegic man to move his arms and walk. The system, operated by recording and decoding brain signals, showed promising early results but requires further improvements before clinical application.
Researchers analyzed 1,309 gamers' playing history over 29 months, finding that varying game difficulty based on players' engagement levels increases use by 4-8%. The study suggests introducing surprises like new maps or game modes to offset decreased player curiosity.
Researchers found that predictors of juvenile delinquency, such as low self-control, are common factors for both boys and girls. For girls, peer associations played a significant role in hacking behavior, while for boys, time spent playing video games was associated with hacking. The study highlights the importance of parents understan...
Researchers found that video games are eight times more likely to be mentioned in news articles about school shootings by white perpetrators than African American perpetrators. The study suggests that racial stereotypes may play a role in this phenomenon.
Round numbers can significantly increase people's sense of accomplishment when tracking progress towards goals, according to Washington State University research. Studies show that customers feel more accomplished when their progress is expressed in round numbers, particularly at intermediate targets.
A study tested a short-term treatment for internet and computer game addiction in 143 men, exploring its effectiveness in addressing addiction. The results of this trial provide valuable insights into potential treatments for these conditions.
Research from Iowa State University found that playing Minecraft fosters creative freedom and increases creativity. Players given the freedom to play Minecraft without instruction were most creative, suggesting that autonomy is crucial for unlocking creative potential.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies with over 38,000 participants found a small positive correlation between video game playing and body mass in adults, but no link was established for children and teenagers. The study suggests that people who spend more time gaming may also spend less time exercising, contributing to weight gain.
Researchers at Lancaster University created a series of games that require players to use their peripheral vision, resulting in significant improvements in object recognition. The study found that even just one gaming session led to lasting improvements in peripheral awareness, suggesting potential applications in team sports and hazar...
A randomized clinical trial found that children exposed to violent video games with guns were more likely to engage in dangerous behavior, such as pulling the trigger at themselves or others. Self-reported consumption of violent media was also a risk factor for this behavior.
A reinforcement learning-trained AI agent achieves human-level performance in a popular 3D multiplayer game, developing high-level strategies independently. The agents outperform human opponents and form cooperative teams, even with slowed reaction times.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found a correlation between excessive engagement with loot boxes and measures of problem gambling, but not problem video gaming. Loot box use was associated with risky gambling behaviours, suggesting that the feature may be contributing to gambling-like problems in gamers.
Researchers developed a video game to study spatial orientation and navigational abilities, finding that virtual navigation performance is comparable to the real world. The game was played by 4 million people and showed changes in navigational habits before clinical Alzheimer's symptoms appear.
A new longitudinal study found that playing video games did not affect boys' social development, but girls who played more frequently at age 10 had weaker social skills two years later. The study suggests that gaming may be a way for socially struggling youth to cope with feelings of isolation and loneliness.
A new study published in Games for Health Journal found that allowing dark play in a serious video game has no significant effect on its effectiveness. The researchers analyzed the effects of dark play on medical students' ability to advise care, learning motivation, and attitudes towards delirious patients.
Researchers suggest dynamic pricing strategy that targets both avid and casual readers, with hardware prices initially high and then lowered while e-book prices increased, locking in consumers and generating ecosystem of products. This approach can be applied to various complementary products beyond tech.