Articles tagged with Smartphones
A survey of over 3,400 university students found that one in five reported problematic smartphone use, associated with lower grades, mental health problems, and more sexual partners. Problematic smartphone use was also linked to higher rates of alcohol misuse and ADHD-like symptoms.
A new standardized calibration method allows anyone to use a consumer camera for scientific purposes, including measuring pollution and water quality. The method, called SPECTACLE, was developed by researchers and enables users to upload calibration data from their cameras.
Jürgen Matzka has proposed a simplified approach to improve the global magnetic field model, reducing costs and equipment needs. The winning idea aims to measure magnetic field strength from satellites and only require one directional component on ground stations.
The M2 system integrates various device features, allowing users to share apps with greater access for disabled users and enabling innovative experiences like Wii-like gaming and panoramic video recording. This innovation combines multiple devices without modifying existing unmodified mobile apps.
A new UBC study found that older smartphone users rely more on auto-lock features and prefer using PINs over fingerprints to unlock their phones. The study also revealed gender differences in authentication choices, with men relying more on auto locks as they age.
A Purdue University researcher has developed an app that allows users to easily program robots to perform mundane tasks, such as picking up parts and delivering them. The app uses augmented reality and can be used for household chores, reducing the need for expensive software programmers or mobile robots.
Researchers used social media tools to engage large audiences in a concert, sustaining participation for an average of nine minutes. The Crowd in C app allowed audience members to manipulate sounds and create their own compositions, demonstrating the power of computer science in nontraditional ways.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that existing measures of smartphone use are poorly related to actual usage. The study suggests that high smartphone usage is not linked to anxiety and depression as previously thought, and that scales measuring technology 'addiction' perform poorly in predicting real-world behavior.
Straightening single-molecule conductors leads to greater overlap of conjugated bonds, increasing conductivity. The twist conformation hinders charge transport, whereas flat chains facilitate hopping conduction.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a low-cost, smartphone-based diagnostic system using nanoscale porous silicon to detect various bodily fluids. The system accurately detects proteins in urine and bacteria in water with accuracy comparable to commercial benchtop measurement systems.
Researchers developed an automated cough analysis technology integrated in a smartphone app, achieving high accuracy (81-97%) in diagnosing asthma, croup, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. The tool may enable targeted treatments to begin sooner by removing the need for clinical examinations.
A new research collaboration aims to develop detection and monitoring devices for smartphones and wearables, enabling real-time health data collection and improving health outcomes. The partnership will create state-of-the-art personal medical devices that can measure a wide range of biomarkers.
A study by McLean Hospital researchers shows that CBM-I, a way to change mental habits without visiting a therapist, can be effective when combined with CBT in an acute psychiatric setting. The smartphone app version of CBM-I has great promise for individuals with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, offering on-dem...
A QUT study found 68% of drivers willing to use apps blocking texting, web browsing, and email, as long as hands-free calls are permitted. However, only 37% were prepared to block all phone use if it meant sacrificing music functions.
A mindfulness-based smartphone app was found to reduce self-reported daily cigarette consumption and decrease brain reactivity to smoking images in study participants. Those who showed the greatest reduction in cigarette consumption also exhibited decreased brain activity in a region associated with craving.
A French researcher has developed a proof of concept for a smartphone-based shooter location system that uses acoustic analysis to track the origin of gunfire. The system, deployed in TCAPS hearing protection devices, analyzes the supersonic shock wave and muzzle wave generated by bullets to determine the shooter's direction.
Scientists at University of Cambridge developed tiny gold particles to create smallest pixels yet, a million times smaller than smartphone pixels, for large-scale flexible displays. These colour-changing pixels can be applied to building-sized screens, reducing production cost and enabling sustainable technologies.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an innovative Antenna-on-Display (AoD) technology that embeds antennas within super-resolution displays. This technology eliminates the trade-off between ergonomics, esthetics, and technology in 5G smartphones, enabling the deployment of new concepts for 5G devices.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a smartwatch that can recognize 25 different hand activities, including typing on a keyboard, washing dishes, and petting a dog, with around 95% accuracy. The device uses accelerometer data to detect hand motions and bio-acoustic sounds associated with these activities.
A study by University of Washington researchers identified common triggers for compulsive smartphone use, including waiting for a friend, tedious tasks, and social awkwardness. The team also found that users can find meaning in phone use through apps like meme generators and Kindle, which promote lasting connections to the real world.
Researchers at Osaka University have measured cellulose's intrinsic birefringence with unprecedented precision, paving the way for sharper TV, computer, and smartphone screens. The team envisions using cellulose nanofiber films as light compensation materials for liquid crystal displays.
A new method combines seismic data with crowdsourced information from the internet, smartphones, and Twitter to detect earthquakes more quickly. This approach reduces detection time for felt earthquakes to just 1-3 minutes, improving situational awareness.
A new smartphone app called OnTrack can predict when users are likely to lapse in their weight loss plan and send personalized coaching messages to help them stay on track. The study found that participants who used the app reported high levels of satisfaction and experienced a significant reduction in unplanned lapses.
A virtual reality (VR) treatment called ZeroPhobia has been shown to significantly reduce fear of heights symptoms in individuals. By using cognitive behavioral therapy principles in a fully self-guided format, the study found that two to five percent of the population can benefit from this effective and affordable treatment.
A QUT-led study found a significant increase in 'technoference' over the past 13 years, with 24% of women and 15% of men identified as problematic mobile phone users. The survey also revealed correlations between problem phone use off the road and on the road, as well as increased risk-taking behaviors.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a film that gives touchscreens a third dimension, enabling virtual buttons to appear and disappear on demand. The technology uses electroactive polymer films to create tactile signals, opening up new possibilities for computer games, internet searches, and satnav devices.
UK researchers found that mobile devices are increasingly used during alone-together time with parents, increasing by nearly 30 minutes a day between 2000 and 2015. Despite this, shared activities like eating and watching TV remained unchanged at around 90 minutes per day.
Researchers have developed an app that uses a smartphone camera and photoplethysmography signal to detect diabetes, showing promise for early detection and encouraging further testing by healthcare providers. The app was tested on over 54,000 individuals and correctly identified people with diabetes in over 72% of cases.
Researchers propose using smartphones for disease diagnosis, testing, and treatment in low-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa. Simple testing technologies can be linked into a phone via USB or wirelessly, allowing people to test themselves at home.
Researchers found that 94% of recent authentication systems have flaws in their reported performance metrics, leading to potential security consequences. A novel solution proposes combining two metrics to measure the success of user login systems.
A special issue of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation explores the dynamics between work and pain. The study found that presenteeism, repetitive work, and job stress are linked to chronic pain, with psychological symptoms intensifying physical ones.
A growing body of research suggests that smartphones can negatively impact face-to-face social interactions, leading to feelings of ignored, annoyed, or pushed away. The constant access to text messaging and social media makes it easier for people to disclose personal information and respond to others in their large social networks.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed smartphone-based technologies that can monitor civil infrastructure systems such as crumbling roads and aging bridges. By using various sensors on smartphones, they can determine the specific makeup and deterioration of a road's surface in real-time.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that calibrated smartphone cameras can significantly improve accuracy in eye examinations. The study used three smartphones and compared results to clinician diagnoses, highlighting the importance of camera calibration for telemedicine and AI applications.
The interoperable Artificial Pancreas System smartphone app has shown improved time in the target glucose range and a statistically significant reduction in time below 70mg/dL. The study suggests that this system could provide personalized care for patients with diabetes, offering flexibility and convenience.
A new smartphone software system can quickly detect early signs of opioid overdoses through acoustic signals and breathing patterns. The technology holds potential as a cost-effective tool for prompt medical intervention in cases where timely action is crucial.
Scientists at University of Gættingen have developed an environmentally friendly strategy for drug and pesticide production, leveraging the properties of naturally occurring non-toxic metal manganese. The new approach reduces waste and uses water instead of toxic solvents.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a cuttable wireless power transfer sheet that can charge devices wirelessly and be molded or cut to fit different shapes. The innovative technology offers a potential solution for emerging fields like robotics and could lead to untangled cables and versatile charging solutions.
Researchers have developed a neural network that can accurately detect age and gender from video frames, outperforming existing convolutional neural networks. The new method aggregates confidence levels using mathematical statistics and Dempster-Shafer theory, enabling the detection of age and gender with improved accuracy.
The UrFU-developed system utilizes neuro-electrostimulation and AI to treat various brain disorders, including strokes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and more. It has shown remarkable results in clinical trials, bringing patients out of vegetative states and restoring mental and emotional activity.
A new smartphone app uses fingernail photos to detect anemia with high accuracy, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood tests. The app was developed by a biomedical engineer who lives with beta-thalassemia and aims to facilitate self-management for patients with chronic anemia.
Research finds that mobile payment adoption leads to increased total transaction amounts and frequencies, affecting traditional channels. The study also reveals that the mobile channel substitutes for offline payments and complements online transactions.
Nurses can collect and analyze data using smartphone applications, leading to improvements in data quality and better health outcomes for patients with HIV/AIDS. A larger selection of apps is needed to scale up mHealth innovations and combat the pandemic.
A portable device that can screen for cervical cancer using a smartphone has been developed by researchers at the University of Arizona. The device is estimated to be less than $3,000 and can analyze images automatically, recommend treatment, and identify potentially cancerous areas. Its affordability, portability, and ease of use make...
A new framework, EnfPire, is proposed to preserve users' privacy when using photo-based information services. The framework successfully abstracts location information and returns a set of candidates to the user, who compares them with the original feature using a simple recognizer.
A new study found that a smartphone app can identify potentially fatal heart attacks with high accuracy, similar to a standard 12-lead ECG. The app's speed and accessibility could significantly improve treatment times and save lives.
A research team led by M. Kit Delgado will investigate strategies to reduce cell phone use while driving, including smartphone-based 'nudges' and usage-based insurance programs. The goal is to develop insights on how safe driving discounts could be redesigned to reward safer drivers with lower insurance premiums.
Researchers developed a smartphone app to help people with OCD manage their symptoms, reducing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. After just one week of using the app, participants showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility and reductions in OCD symptoms.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a tool that tracks alertness using smartphone cameras, capturing pupil size through photographs taken every time the device is unlocked. This non-invasive method reliably predicts alertness levels.
A new study by Yale researchers found that brand cache plays a significant role in extending smartphone lifespans, with iPhones lasting up to 67 months compared to Samsung phones' 54.5 months. The study analyzed over 500,000 secondhand phone listings on eBay and found that Apple's brand reputation contributes to its longer lifespan.
Researchers found that frequent media multitaskers were more likely to rate an interviewee as less conscientious when in a messy room, regardless of the video subject's environment. Media multitasking affects how people perceive their surroundings and form impressions of others.
A new study found that nurses face significant challenges in adopting healthy behaviors, with only a few percent meeting physical activity guidelines and eating a balanced diet. The research highlights the need for workplace programs tailored to individual motivation and readiness to change.
The CREDO project, a global particle detector using smartphones, has started collecting scientific data. Researchers have detected deviations from expected distributions in the raw data, which may indicate interactions between high-energy particles and space-time.
Researchers have created a low-cost smartphone system using nano-colorimetry and dark-field microscopy to detect lead in tap water. The system can identify concentrations as low as 5 parts per billion, posing a significant risk to health, especially for young children.
Researchers at IMDEA Networks Institute are exploring a novel 'DisCoEdge' system to optimize device usage and create new services. The system aims to spread heavy computational tasks and large storage over simple devices, enabling novel applications like cooperative data sharing and corporate storage systems.
A new cell phone app and lab kit enable a smartphone to identify bacteria from patients anywhere in the world, leading to faster recovery and lower treatment costs for patients. The test uses a smartphone's camera to measure a chemical reaction and determines a diagnosis in about an hour.
A study by Indiana University sociologist Jessica Calarco found significant gaps in the quality and reliability of technology owned by college students. Students from low-income families and students of color were more likely to experience issues with their devices, leading to stress and negatively impacting academic performance.
Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new ultrasound transducer that could lower costs to as low as $100. The device uses tiny vibrating drums made of polymer resin, reducing manufacturing costs.
A large-scale analysis of mobile app data found that users in English-speaking countries have higher app usage due to widespread English language versions and dedicated apps. Socio-economic factors such as occupation, education, and savings also play a significant role in determining app usage.
Researchers at the University of Otago have developed a new approach to achieve centimeter-level precise positioning on smartphones using a combination of signals from four different GNSSs. This technology has the potential to revolutionize applications requiring accurate location information, such as precise car navigation and surveying.