Could a seawater battery help end our dependence on lithium?
Researchers have developed a catalyst that accelerates sodium-air reactions in seawater batteries, achieving an average discharge voltage of 2.7 volts over 100 cycles.
Smartphones
Articles tagged with Smartphones
A handful of photos yields a mouthful of (digital) teeth
A Disney Research team has developed a model-based method to realistically reconstruct teeth for digital actors and medical applications, even with obscured teeth in photos or videos. The new method uses statistical modeling to create natural variations in tooth shape and spacing.
Research uses mobile technology to help people quit smoking
A mobile app developed by researchers at the University of Oklahoma uses real-time risk estimation to predict tobacco cessation lapses, achieving an 80% accuracy rate. The app combines six questions to identify lapse-risk factors and delivers tailored messages to help smokers overcome triggers.
Break a sweat: Wearable sweat tech offers new way to track health
A new sweat-sensing skin patch can track biomarkers like electrolytes, glucose, and pH to monitor health and fitness. The device was tested in healthy volunteers and showed reliable results with minimal discomfort.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 23, 2016
iPhone camera application may detect atrial fibrillation
A smartphone application called Cardiio Rhythm uses facial signals to detect subtle beat-to-beat variations in heart rate, correctly identifying over 92% of cases with atrial fibrillation. The technology's convenience makes it attractive for large-scale community screenings.
Most smartphone healthy diet applications fall short of recommended guidelines
Most smartphone applications claiming to improve diet and nutrition fail to adhere to evidence-based guidelines. A study found that over 75% of apps received low scores for addressing daily food group amounts and whole grains. This highlights the need for app developers to address these gaps.
Smartphones offer promise in better gauging rural life, researchers find
Researchers found that smartphones enhance self-reporting of weather incidents, school attendance, illness, and other daily life aspects in rural areas. This technology has the potential to provide near-real-time data for policy makers and planners.
Increased smartphone screen-time associated with lower sleep quality
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between increased smartphone screen-time and lower sleep quality. Over 650 adult participants recorded their daily screen-time using a smartphone application, revealing that longer screen-time periods were linked to poorer sleep quality and less sleep overall.
People power: Technology allows smartphone-based water testing
Researchers at the University of Houston developed a smartphone-based water testing system using DotLens technology. The system uses commercially available test kits with a low-cost attachment that provides a narrow-band light source, allowing users to identify waterborne pathogens such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum.
Yearning for a new phone? You might be suffering from 'comparison neglect'
Researchers found that 78% of consumers admit comparing the upgrade to the status quo is necessary, but fail to do so in decision-making. When explicitly reminded to compare features, the likelihood of upgrading decreases. The study suggests overcoming comparison neglect requires accurate marketing and awareness.
Have a dental emergency? Your smartphone may soon be able to help you avoid trip to the ER
A new mobile application, DentaCom, captures and transmits images of dental emergencies to provide dentists with the information needed to make decisions. The app guides individuals through a series of questions, allowing them to complete a guided report and take photos within four minutes.
NYIT receives grant for smartphone security research
Researchers at NYIT will study new techniques for secure and energy-efficient smartphone authentication. They aim to reduce the battery drain on smartphones while protecting user identity and privacy.
Designing the future internet
Raychaudhuri's MobilityFirst project aims to rearchitect the internet with name-based routing, improving flexibility, security, and efficiency. The project has underway trials to deliver content closer to users, extend mobile services, and support targeted emergency messaging.
Smartphones alone not the smart choice for teen weight control, study finds
A 24-week behavioral study found that combining fitness apps with social support and accountability helps teens maintain weight loss. However, when smartphones were the only tool, teens lost initial weight but couldn't sustain it.
Today's self-taught typists almost as fast as touch typists
A recent study by Vanderbilt University researchers found that self-taught typists can type almost as quickly and accurately as touch typists, as long as they can see the keyboard. This challenges traditional typing techniques taught in schools, which may not be effective for nonstandard typists.
WSU portable smartphone laboratory detects cancer
Researchers at WSU have created a low-cost, portable laboratory on a smartphone that can analyze several samples at once to detect cancer biomarkers with lab-quality results. The device has been up to 99% accurate and can be used in clinics and hospitals without on-site labs.
Smartphone app could be used to test for potentially fatal irregular heart rate
A smartphone app combined with a hand-held ECG monitor can detect atrial fibrillation with a high degree of accuracy. The condition affects nearly one in 10 people and is associated with a heightened risk of stroke and death.
Plugged-in parenting: How parental smartphone use may affect kids
A new study suggests that parents' excessive use of smartphones around young children can lead to internal tension, conflicts, and negative interactions. The study's findings highlight the need for parents to set boundaries and prioritize family time to maintain emotional well-being.
SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateOct 12, 2016
Smartphone microscope creates interactive tool for microbiology
The LudusScope, a 3D printed smartphone microscope, enables kids to play games and make serious observations with miniature light-seeking microbes called Euglena. The device allows students to build their own instrument and collect data on Euglena behavior, swimming speed, and natural biological variability.
Drone safety: User-centric control software improves pilot performance and safety
A new study found that a user-centric control interface significantly improves performance of drone pilots, resolving some of the user control issues undermining drone safety. The findings suggest that current remote control methods can lead to hazards and accidents.
Artificial intelligence could help farmers diagnose crop diseases
Researchers at Penn State and EPFL developed an AI model to recognize specific plant diseases from images, achieving an accuracy rate of 99.35% in a public dataset. The technology has great potential for supplementing existing disease diagnosis methods and could be implemented on smartphones, especially in developing countries.
Smartphone hacks 3-D printer by measuring 'leaked' energy and acoustic waves
A University at Buffalo study reveals smartphones can steal sensitive data from 3D printers by measuring electromagnetic energy and acoustic waves. Researchers replicated printing objects with a high accuracy rate using smartphone sensors, highlighting the security risks of 3D printing industries.
Link between weather and chronic pain is emerging through innovative smartphone research
A mass participation study involving over 9000 UK participants found a correlation between sunny days, rainfall, and pain levels. The study suggests that understanding how weather influences pain could lead to new treatments.
HemaApp screens for anemia, blood conditions without needle sticks
Researchers developed HemaApp to estimate hemoglobin concentrations and screen for anemia, with a 69-82% correlation to CBC tests. The mobile app uses a smartphone camera and external light sources to analyze finger colors and detect blood components.
Researchers find vulnerabilities in cars connected to smartphones
A recent study found that MirrorLink, a system allowing vehicles to communicate with smartphones, has significant security vulnerabilities. Hackers can exploit these weaknesses to control safety-critical vehicle components, posing a risk to driver safety and security.
What your choice of smartphone says about you
A study by Heather Shaw found that Android users are perceived as more honest and humble, but this was not reflected in reality. In contrast, women are twice as likely to own an iPhone, while iPhone users prioritize high-status phones.
Smartphone detects atrial fibrillation with existing hardware
A new low-cost application has been developed to detect atrial fibrillation using a smartphone's accelerometer and gyroscope. The algorithm achieved sensitivity and specificity rates of over 95%, making it a promising tool for widespread screening and early detection.
Interscatter enables first implanted devices, contact lenses, credit cards to 'talk' WiFi
Researchers at University of Washington have introduced a new way to communicate that allows devices like brain implants, contact lenses, and credit cards to talk to everyday devices. The new technique, called interscatter communication, works by converting Bluetooth signals into Wi-Fi transmissions over the air.
Modeling mood swings
A study of over 28,000 people reveals that individuals consistently follow a hedonic flexibility principle, engaging in mood-increasing activities when feeling bad and useful activities when feeling good. This finding clarifies how emotions shape behavior and explains the trade-offs humans make for long-term happiness.
SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2016
RetroScope opens doors to the past in smart phone investigations
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technique called RetroScope, which can recover multiple previous screens of an Android app from the phone's memory image. The technique uses the device's graphical rendering code to obtain and bring up several previous screens shown by an app.
Smartphone exercises for a better mood
Researchers at the University of Basel found that brief smartphone exercises can improve mood. Participants felt more alert, calm, and uplifted after using short video tutorials on their smartphones as a guide.
Scientists simulate tiny bacteria-powered 'windfarm'
Researchers from Oxford University used computer simulations to demonstrate how chaotic bacterial swarming can be organized to power microscopic rotors and devices. The study found that densely packed bacteria can spontaneously assemble into a 'bacterial windfarm' capable of generating persistent mechanical power.
It's automatic: CMU smartphone app manages your privacy preferences
A field study suggests a personalized privacy assistant app can simplify managing smartphone app permissions, with users adopting almost 80% of recommended settings. The app learns user preferences and provides quick recommendations, improving comfort with privacy settings.
A little impurity makes nanolasers shine: ANU media release
Researchers at The Australian National University have improved the performance of tiny lasers by adding impurities, increasing light emission efficiency. The discovery could lead to development of low-cost biomedical sensors, quantum computing, and a faster internet.
Wireless, wearable toxic-gas detector
MIT researchers have developed low-cost chemical sensors that enable smartphones to detect trace amounts of toxic gases. The sensors, made from chemically altered carbon nanotubes, can be worn by soldiers on the battlefield or people working with hazardous chemicals to rapidly detect the presence of chemical weapons.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 30, 2016
Video privacy software lets you select what others can see
Computer scientists at Duke University have developed software that allows users to specify what others can see on camera, preventing inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information. The researchers presented a system that enables users to select the part of a scene they want to share, either by hand or with a few clicks.
Text messaging with smartphones triggers a new type of brain rhythm
Researchers found a unique 'texting rhythm' in approximately 1 in 5 patients using smartphones while having their brain waves monitored. The study suggests that texting can change brain waves and may have significant implications for brain-computer interfacing, gaming, and driving.
$2.3 million grant funds app creation to diagnose diseases
FeverPhone is a smartphone-based diagnostic system that can diagnose six febrile diseases in the field using a drop of blood, providing rapid and accurate diagnoses. The system has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes in resource-limited countries by enabling timely treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality.
In science essay, WPI professor says FBI approach to investigations puts security at risk
Professor Susan Landau argues the FBI's approach is outdated and needs investment in '21st century investigative savvy' to secure smartphones. The agency must invest in building up its technical understanding to conduct modern cyber investigations.
How did ignoring people for our smartphones become the norm?
Research from University of Kent suggests smartphone addiction causes people to view phubbing as normal behavior, due to experiencing or being ignored in social situations. Factors such as internet addiction, FOMO, and lack of self-control also contribute to this phenomenon.
New smartphone app makes it easy to find -- and enroll in -- clinical trials
A new smartphone app aims to improve patient access to medical innovations through clinical trials. The app, developed by University at Buffalo researcher Peter Elkin, allows patients to quickly search for and enroll in local clinical trials, reducing barriers to life-saving treatments.
Force-feeling phone: Software lets mobile devices sense pressure
Researchers have developed a software called ForcePhone that allows smartphones to detect force or pressure on their screens or bodies, enabling users to command devices with gestures. The technology uses the phone's microphone and speaker to translate vibrations into commands, offering a natural interface beyond basic touch interfaces.
Japanese-language MyShake app crowdsources earthquake shaking
The MyShake app, released in Japanese, collects ground-shaking information from smartphones to analyze quakes and relay data to the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory. The system has recorded earthquakes worldwide, including induced earthquakes, and plans to provide life-saving early warnings.
An app knows if a beer has gone stale
A team of chemists from the Complutense University of Madrid has developed a simple and low-cost method to measure beer freshness using a polymer sensor and a smartphone app. The results show that the new system is comparable to more sophisticated methods, such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Can a smartphone application help treat anxiety and depression?
The 'Catch It' app uses CBT principles to help users understand their moods through a diary. Users report statistically significant reductions in negative mood intensity and increases in positive mood intensity.
Phones at the dinner table: U-M study explores attitudes
A survey of 1,163 people found that phone use varies depending on activity and who is at the table. Adults generally think it's more acceptable to use a phone than children, but perceived appropriateness declines with age.
Study: Smartphone alerts increase inattention -- and hyperactivity
A study of college students found that constant smartphone alerts can cause symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, similar to those experienced by individuals with ADHD. By minimizing phone notifications, participants reduced these symptoms, suggesting a link between digital stimulation and attention deficits in modern society.
Smartphone app for monitoring heart palpitations is comparable to 14-day event monitor
A University at Buffalo study found that a smartphone app for monitoring heart palpitations provides comparable performance to traditional 14-day event monitors. The AliveCor app was found to be significantly easier to use and more acceptable to patients, with 94% compliance rate compared to 58% for the event monitor.
A new mobile phone app for grassroots mapping
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed an Android mobile app that harnesses the capabilities of modern smartphones to generate spatial data for mapping landscapes. The app uses on-board sensors in smartphones, including GPS, compass, and camera, along with lightweight drones or kites, to capture high-quality images.
Consumers reveal barriers to brain-training app-iness
A recent study investigated consumer attitudes towards brain-training apps, finding that over two-thirds reported improved thinking, memory, and attention. However, cost was the primary barrier to their use, highlighting a need for evidence-based apps. Strong positive expectations about app effectiveness may also drive user behavior.
Weighing the pros and cons of mental-health apps
Only 14 mental health apps were examined in a recent literature review, with little efficacy, safety or clinical outcome data found. A framework, ASPECTS, has been proposed to guide psychiatrists and patients in evaluating apps for clinical use.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateApr 26, 2016
Smartphones and wearables could revolutionize medical care for people with brain disorders
A new research program aims to improve patients' quality of life by monitoring major depressive disorder, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis using wearable devices and smartphone technology. The RADAR-CNS programme may allow treatment to begin before a patient's health deteriorates, preventing relapses.
If your favorite brand is sincere, is innovation what you expect?
A study by Aparna Sundar of the University of Oregon found that consumers are less likely to accept sensory mismatches from sincere brands, but can tolerate them from exciting brands. The research suggests that marketers should consider how sensory innovation aids their brand narrative.
Researchers develop magnifying smartphone screen app for visually impaired
A new smartphone application allows users to control a magnified screen projected onto Google Glass using head movements, improving navigation and orientation. The technology has shown a 28% reduction in trial time compared to conventional manual scrolling.
SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateApr 22, 2016
Smartphone users are redefining privacy in public spaces
A Tel Aviv University study found that smartphone technology has led to diminished overall privacy, as individuals voluntarily share personal data and location information. The researchers developed an Android application to collect data and discovered a correlation between the type of space and willingness to share information.
Travels with my smart phone
Research suggests that relying on smartphones for internet access while traveling can cause significant anxiety. The study, conducted by Hui-Jen Yang and Yun-Long Lay, found that young people and those with higher levels of education experience greater 'smart phone web-dependence' and associated anxiety.
SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Information and Communication Technology·DateApr 6, 2016
Learning Japanese ancient characters with your smartphone
The KuLA application enables users to study hentaigana and cursive-style kanji using images from Japanese historical books. Researchers can utilize these resources more effectively, bridging the knowledge gap in pre-modern materials between Japan and international studies.
Can your fitness tracker save your life in the ER?
A recent case report found that a patient's activity tracker and smartphone helped identify the onset time of his atrial fibrillation, allowing for timely electrical cardioversion. The device provided critical information to medical providers, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
Engineers adapt laser method to create micro energy units
Engineers at the University of Missouri have developed a method to transfer energy sources to virtually any shape using an efficient laser-writing technique. This technique enables the fabrication of microbatteries and micro fuel cells that are more environmentally friendly, highly designable, and thin.
Why are some people more attached to their phones than others?
A study by psychologists Henry Wilmer and Jason Chein found that people who constantly check their phones exhibit poor impulse control and a tendency to devalue delayed rewards. This suggests that frequent smartphone use is associated with impatience and impulsivity.