Articles tagged with Smartphones
The study, conducted in Northern Ireland schools, found that lockable pouches led to a reduction in smartphone use, improved classroom behaviour, and decreased anxiety and depression symptoms among students. However, challenges in implementation, such as inconsistent enforcement and damage to pouches, were identified.
A new study by the University of Birmingham reveals that TikTok's design can make it difficult for young people to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading mental health advice. The study found that young people tend to rely on relatability rather than reliability when seeking mental health advice on the platform.
A study of behavior-related digital dieting apps found that photo-informed expert feedback increased app use and improved meal recording, while photo-based peer observation reduced engagement and did not affect food choices. The findings provide practical guidance for designing effective digital health apps.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that taking screenshots can degrade memory of information, contrary to the assumption that photos aid recall. They suggest attentional disengagement and cognitive offloading as possible mechanisms behind digital amnesia.
A cohort study found that excessive parental smartphone use is associated with slower language development in children, while digital device ownership is linked to lower concurrent language performance. The study highlights the importance of considering screen use in the broader family context when evaluating children's language develo...
A cross-sectional study in US traffic fatalities found a significant association between major music album releases and increased traffic fatalities, potentially attributed to distracted driving. The study suggests that online music streaming through smartphones may contribute to this risk.
Research shows that pressure measurements from smartphones can enhance hailstorm forecasts, outperforming traditional weather stations in some cases. The study aims to integrate smartphone data into forecast models for better early warnings and local-scale hazard capture.
A systematic review reveals that social media has only partially fulfilled its promise to democratize climate change communication. Established actors continue to shape the discussion, while climate-change skeptics gain visibility. This undermines public debate on climate change.
Researchers reveal a new attack surface exposed to malicious and compromised SIMs, allowing attackers to gather information about devices, interfere with connectivity, and serve as entry points for further cyberattacks. The study highlights four attacker scenarios leading to malicious or compromised SIMs and eSIMs.
A cross-sectional study evaluates state-level limitations and exemptions regarding cellphone use among public school students. State laws regulating cellphone use vary significantly across the US, with some states allowing or restricting phone use during school hours.
A national survey of over 1,000 U.S. adolescents found that nearly one-quarter of teens used mobile food delivery services during school hours, with fast foods and sugary beverages being popular options. Researchers raise concerns about the impact on learning environments and healthy nutrition for students.
A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A study by Rutgers researcher Chien-Chung Huang found that compulsive smartphone habits in older adults can deepen depression. Limited social participation and smartphone addiction were strong predictors of depression, while phone use supporting relationships and interactions was protective.
A Canadian study of over 13,500 older adults found that social networking sites were associated with poorer perceived mental health. Email use was positively correlated with mental health, while no significant associations were found for other digital communication tools.
Researchers developed a compact aperture-adjustable antenna that maintains strong performance across the 57–71 GHz 5G band and improves signal strength by up to 62.2% at both lower and upper-band-edge frequencies. The system achieves data transmission speeds of up to 56 Gb/s, supporting future Beyond 5G and 6G applications.
A meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials found that using smartphone apps or wearable technologies can increase daily step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among people with heart disease. The analysis showed that digital tools, such as self-monitoring, feedback, and goal setting, can motivate patients to be more active.
The PAISES-6G project aims to design secure, intelligent, and respectful 6G networks that integrate sensing capability and use artificial intelligence for cybersecurity. It focuses on three pillars: preventive AI, quantum security, and mechanisms for secure data sharing.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an online tool called Cool Routes that uses real-time weather forecasts and shade data to find the coolest paths for walkers. The tool has been shown to reduce heat exposure by up to 4.5 degrees, making hot-weather walking less of an ordeal.
A cohort study found that smartphone acquisition at age 13 was linked to increased risk of insufficient sleep at age 14. Excessive smartphone use was also tied to higher odds of depression and obesity. Limiting screen time may protect adolescents from these outcomes.
A major security vulnerability was discovered, allowing attackers to fake their identity in smartphone text conversations by exploiting the difference between email and text message formats. The issue was patched in Android and Apple smartphones as well as all major wireless carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile.
A recent study reveals that an individual's readiness to adopt smart technology is deeply tied to their specific experience within their home and community. Researchers identified specific clusters within the older population, ranging from tech-ready urbanites to those in more traditional or isolated residential settings.
The report outlines risk scenarios on Earth, at sea, and in space, analyzing the fragility of interconnected digital systems. Experts call for coordinated action between countries to improve digital resilience and protect essential services.
A cluster-randomized trial found that an adaptive mobile health intervention effectively reduced the rate of gestational weight gain and total gestational weight gain among pregnant patients with overweight or obesity. The study suggests that technology-based interventions can be a valuable tool in managing excess weight during pregnancy.
A study found that repeated use of low-cost mobile breathalyzers led to changes in drinking behavior, with heavy drinkers reducing blood-alcohol concentrations. The device's introduction allowed individuals to track their intoxication levels in real-time, enhancing self-awareness and leading to improved decision-making.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
A randomized trial tested HabitWorks, a smartphone app offering personalized exercises to target interpretation bias. Participants reported significant improvements in interpretation bias, functioning, and overall mental health symptom severity.
A new systematic review found that screen time use among children and adolescents has dramatically risen over the past three decades, with a clear increase occurring after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The review analyzed 60 peer-reviewed studies and found that older children and adolescents reported higher screen time than young...
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host the seventh AI for Good Global Summit from 7 to 10 July 2026 at Geneva’s Palexpo convention centre. The summit aims to guide the future of artificial intelligence and unlock its potential to serve humanity.
Researchers propose using swarms of pico-satellites to form a single large antenna for reliable, high-quality data transmission. This innovative solution could lead to cheaper and more reliable network coverage worldwide, especially in remote areas.
A team of researchers has created a clear nail polish that can turn long fingernails into touchscreen-compatible styluses. The polish works through acid-base chemistry, causing the protons to jump between molecules and change the capacitance slightly enough for smartphones to recognize it as a touch.
A new smartphone app has been shown to significantly improve sex life and delay ejaculation in men with premature ejaculation. The app, developed by urologists and psychologists, teaches men therapeutic techniques and exercises to manage arousal and control ejaculation.
The study highlights the importance of personalized features in healthcare apps to promote physical activity. Key findings include the need for educational components, timely feedback, and tailored exercise suggestions to support users' daily routines and work demands.
A UNIGE study shows that connected devices can gather valuable data to help prevent neurological and mental disorders. The study found that AI-analysed data from smartwatch and smartphone data can accurately predict emotional and cognitive fluctuations, with error rates ranging from 5-20%.
A new study found that middle and high school students spend nearly one-third of the school day on their smartphones, with frequent checking linked to weaker attention and impulse control. The study also found that students who checked their phones more frequently showed poorer cognitive control, a key skill for learning and academic s...
A study found that college students with lower self-control and habitual use of short-form videos experience poorer sleep health and higher stress, but not diminished academic performance. Researchers suggest that institutions of higher learning and society can help by providing holistic mental health and student health outreach services.
A cross-sectional study found that smartphone use during school hours is associated with reduced cognitive control in youths aged 11-18. The study highlights the need for school-level policies and digital literacy programs to address habitual smartphone-checking behaviors that fragment attention.
A team of researchers has developed DopFone, an app that uses a smartphone's speaker and microphone to estimate fetal heart rate with high accuracy. The system was tested on 23 pregnant women and showed promising results, with an average error of 2 beats per minute.
Researchers created a database of smartphone signal fingerprints to confirm devices have not been altered. The method uses electromagnetic waves emitted by smartphones and compares them to a trusted database, identifying deviations that indicate tampering.
Researchers at NICT successfully demonstrated simultaneous communications with 10 devices using a hybrid signal processing method combining quantum annealing and classical computing. This breakthrough addresses the massive connectivity requirements of 6G networks, enabling real-time detection for up to 60,000 possible signal combinations.
Experts like Amber Chandler suggest solutions such as no-tech public spaces, phone-free bedtimes, and hands-on problem-solving to help teenagers cope with unprecedented anxiety. Chandler's book offers evidence-based strategies to nurture belonging in a 'scared new world'.
Researchers say tech companies need to adopt user-centered approaches to create authentication systems that are secure by design. They call for more inclusive and consistent methods, avoiding one-size-fits-all models that burden users with complex security rules.
A health economic analysis found that school restrictive smartphone policies may reduce staff costs by £94 per pupil, but have minimal impact on pupils' mental wellbeing and quality of life. The study also revealed that school staff spend a significant amount of time administering smartphone policies.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reaffirmed the need for critical cooperation on submarine cable resilience, with a focus on shortening repair times and supporting underserved regions. The Porto Summit Declaration and recommendations aim to bolster international cooperation across governments and industries.
A team of researchers at Lancaster University has created a digital platform called 'Pace Me' to help people with Long COVID manage their energy levels. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that the intervention was safe and well-received, but did not outperform standard care in reducing symptoms.
The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 will focus on advancing actionable solutions to strengthen submarine telecommunication cable resilience. The event aims to accelerate cable repairs, improve risk mitigation and enhance regulatory frameworks.
A new study finds that short-term digital disconnection improves well-being, with participants reporting more positive effects and feeling more energetic. However, these changes are relatively small and tend to dissipate after two to three hours.
Researchers found that nearly half of geostationary satellite communications are not encrypted, putting sensitive data such as cellular texts, voice calls, and military information at risk. The study led to immediate action from companies like T-Mobile, Walmart, and KPU Telecom, which enabled encryption in response to the findings.
Smartphone apps based on psychological theories are 3 times more effective than minimal support in helping people quit smoking long-term. The apps improve sustained abstinence rates when combined with traditional interventions or pharmacotherapy.
A study by Bielefeld University used anonymized WhatsApp metadata to show that personalized feedback can help people understand their communication habits. Many participants adjusted their views on response speed and chat participation after seeing data-based visualizations.
A new smartphone-based system can accurately diagnose sleep apnea in stroke patients, identifying 67% of those with moderate to severe apnea. The portable tool uses sensors and digital biomarkers to monitor breathing, oxygenation, and body position during the night.
A study by the University of Washington School of Medicine found that US adolescents spend more than an hour per day using their cellphones during school hours. Social media apps account for the largest share of use. The study's lead author notes that objective smartphone data provides a clearer picture of actual use.
This study found that US youth spent more than an hour using smartphones during school hours, primarily for social media use. Objective findings from a large sample confirm previous self-report studies, highlighting the need for responsible smartphone use among adolescents.
Marty Cooper, Illinois Tech alumnus and 'Father of the Cell Phone,' is being honored for his legacy of mentorship and inspiring others through innovation. He received the 2025 Marconi Society Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime of leadership in wireless communications.
Studies show that patients with advanced ovarian and metastatic breast cancer dedicate approximately 7 hours per week to cancer-related tasks. Most participants report performing these tasks daily, impacting their time burden. The use of a mobile app facilitated the collection of detailed time-use data.
A new analysis using COTSI data reveals that verifying fake accounts for use in the US and UK is almost as cheap as in Russia, while Japan and Australia have high prices due to SIM costs and photo ID rules. The average price of SMS verification for an online platform was $0.26 in the US and $0.10 in the UK.
Researchers conducted two triple-blind human studies using real 5G signals in the 26 GHz band, finding no measurable biological effects on stress responses or brain electrical activity. Cortisol and alpha-amylase levels remained stable across all sampling points, indicating no acute biological changes related to stress.
Researchers use smartphone microphones to detect sound waves that can penetrate through rubble, helping locate trapped victims. The method achieved an error of 5.04 degrees away from the hypothetical victim in a field test on a disaster training site.
A study by Francisco Polidoro Jr. found that NASA's space shuttle design process used a meandering knowledge-building approach, combining oscillation and accumulation to create breakthroughs. This process can be applied to other fields, such as pharmaceuticals, where temporary setbacks can lead to new discoveries.
The Mapping the Digital Gap report found that three in four First Nations people living in remote communities are digitally excluded, facing barriers to accessing and using online services. Despite an 8.7 point improvement in digital ability for First Nations people in very remote communities, the gap remains significant.
A study by Griffith University researchers reveals that smartphone sharing is a growing issue, with 20% of identity theft perpetrators being current or former intimate partners. The study argues that one-user/one-device threat models are inadequate for addressing interpersonal cybersecurity risks.