Articles tagged with Smartphones
Researchers found that blocking mobile internet for two weeks led to notable improvements in mental health, subjective well-being, and sustained attention. Participants spent more time engaging in offline activities and experienced increased sleep, social connection, and decision control.
Reducing smartphone use improves cognitive functioning, mental health, and wellbeing. Blocking internet access for two weeks resulted in significant improvements in sustained attention ability and symptoms of depression.
Researchers from Science Tokyo developed three design techniques to enhance power efficiency and data rates in wireless transmitters, enabling synergistic operation of electronic devices. The techniques avoid the power-hungry CORDIC circuit block and ensure linearity in amplitude and phase modulation.
A large study found that telemedicine and training apps had minimal positive effects on patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The study suggests that direct care from medical professionals remains crucial for improving health outcomes in this population.
Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.
Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.
A new study found that fertility-tracking technology use increased in some US states after the Dobbs decision, with more women using apps for pregnancy prevention rather than planning. The study suggests a need for education on tech's reliability and implications for user data security.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has developed an ultrathin film that can absorb terahertz waves in the 0.1–1 THz range, enabling secure and clear transmission for 6G wireless communications. The absorber is made of titanium and oxygen and can be used outdoors due to its resistance to heat, water, light, and organic s...
Researchers at Incheon National University have developed a new AI-powered solution to improve high-speed users' connectivity in 5G and 6G networks. The method significantly reduces errors and improves data reliability by prioritizing key parameters such as angles and delays.
A first-of-its-kind study found that restrictive school policies didn't lead to lower phone and social media use among students, nor better outcomes in mental health and wellbeing. The study suggests that reducing time spent on phones is crucial, but schools must consider phone use beyond their boundaries.
A recent study found that half of US adolescents spend at least 66 minutes per day on their smartphones during school hours, with the majority using messaging and social media apps.
A new pilot study assesses how caregivers use advanced wearable technology to support people with dementia, finding that it reduces emotional strain and increases caregiver satisfaction. The technology, called Theora Care, provides a wearable device and smartphone application that alerts caregivers when the person has wandered.
A new research project led by Cambridge will review existing studies on the impact of smartphones and social media on children's mental health and wellbeing. The team aims to provide policymakers with high-quality insights to inform future action, considering factors such as online habits, emerging technologies, and vulnerable groups.
The University of Texas at Arlington is developing more efficient processes for sourcing rare earth elements needed to produce high-performance magnets. The project aims to make the mining of these critical materials more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
The BiliSG app uses machine learning to analyze skin color and predict bilirubin levels in newborns, offering a convenient alternative to traditional testing methods. With 100% sensitivity, the app has shown promising results in monitoring neonatal jaundice and reducing the risk of brain damage.
Researchers at University of Washington developed IRIS, a smart ring that allows users to control smart devices by aiming the ring's small camera at the device and clicking a built-in button. The prototype Bluetooth ring controls devices up to two seconds faster than voice commands.
A new study by UT Health San Antonio found that a smartphone app can help patients with opioid use disorder reduce their days of opioid use and stay in treatment longer. The app combined contingency management behavioral therapy and recovery support from peers, reducing opioid use by 35% compared to medication only.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that 11- to 12-year-olds primarily use their smartphones to communicate with family and friends, rather than engaging with social media. While they do use social media, it is mainly for watching videos on YouTube and other platforms.
A new study suggests that excessive screen time can lead to reduced sleep quality in preschool-age children, worsening behavioral problems such as poor attention and emotional symptoms. The research also found a correlation between screen time and decreased sleep quality.
A new study from Tel Aviv University uses smartphone data to predict wildfire risk, overcoming individual device errors by averaging large amounts of public data. The method provides valuable insights into wildfire evaluation, especially in remote areas lacking traditional weather stations.
Researchers used fitness tracker data and machine learning to detect bipolar disorder mood swings with 80.1% accuracy for depression and 89.1% accuracy for mania. The study's findings move the field toward personalized algorithms suitable for all patients, regardless of compliance or device access.
New Curtin University research reveals complex factors shaping child development beyond screen time. Parental mental health and the type of screen used are found to have an impact on infant development at 12 months.
A study by Osaka University researchers found that visual landmarks can be difficult to find in certain environments, leading to motion sickness. They propose using radio-frequency localization, such as ultra-wideband sensing, to overcome these challenges and improve indoor augmented reality applications.
A new book by Dr Merten Reglitz proposes a human right to free internet access, including protections against government censorship and surveillance. The research argues that governments should provide guaranteed access to the internet with sufficient quality to meet basic human rights needs.
Researchers at Seoul National University's Optical Engineering and Quantum Electronics Laboratory developed an optical design technology that dramatically reduces the volume of cameras with a folded lens system utilizing metasurfaces. The new lens system achieves a thickness of 0.7mm, making it suitable for ultra-compact devices such a...
Researchers recommend public surveillance via online observation platforms like iNaturalist and Observation.org to detect invasive species early. By leveraging the growing number of smartphone users, scientists aim to widen the surveillance net and augment existing biosecurity frameworks.
Researchers have developed a deep-learning-powered metalens imaging system that overcomes limitations of traditional metalenses. The system pairs a mass-produced metalens with an image restoration framework driven by AI to achieve aberration-free, full-color images while maintaining compact form factor.
Research found that prolonged blue light exposure accelerates bone growth and bone age, leading to early puberty in rats. This could have implications for children's height and skeletal development in adulthood.
An international team of scientists identified a surprising factor accelerating lithium-ion battery degradation, leading to reduced charge and potential failure in critical situations. Strategies to reduce self-discharge may include electrolyte additives and cathode coatings to improve battery lifespan.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that teenagers become more sensitive to threats after a few hours alone, regardless of digital connection. This increased threat response can lead to anxiety and unease, even in the presence of online interactions.
HemaChrome's machine learning-based technology enables instant and noninvasive measurement of blood hemoglobin levels from digital photos, facilitating point-of-care diagnostic tests. The collaboration with Global Health Labs aims to address anemia diagnosis gaps in low- and middle-income countries.
Devin Harris and his team have developed an augmented reality app, STRUCT-AR, that allows students to 'stress test' virtual bridges, beams, frames, and trusses. The app, which is set to be tested this spring, aims to improve students' understanding of structural behavior by providing a more interactive and immersive learning experience.
A research team from Hokkaido University has developed a flexible multimodal wearable sensor patch that can detect arrhythmia, coughs, and falls using edge computing on a smartphone. The sensor patch generates large amounts of data that must be processed to be understood.
A study from the University of Surrey found that 99.73% of undergraduate medical students in Afghanistan exhibit symptoms of nomophobia, a fear and anxiety related to being without a mobile phone. Gender, age, and marital status are significant factors influencing nomophobia levels, with married individuals showing higher mean scores.
Researchers have developed a new system for full-body motion capture that leverages sensors within consumer mobile devices. The app, called MobilePoser, tracks a person's full-body pose and global translation in space in real time with advanced machine learning and physics-based optimization.
A Dartmouth study introduced a smartphone app to monitor student mental well-being, which was recognized for its impact on the development of mobile and wearable health technology. The app found strong correlations between student mental health and academic performance, social interactions, and behavior.
Researchers found that users pay a price for free mobile apps, including reduced focus, sleep deprivation, and loss of physical contact. Users prefer to make one-time purchases to protect their privacy over using services with hidden costs.
A new citizen science study has found that a person's subjective impression of their own memory problems is strongly linked to modifiable risk factors for dementia. The research used a smartphone app to gather data from 3,327 people and found a stronger association between subjective memory impairment and risk factors such as depressio...
Researchers have developed two smartphone apps that provide safe indoor navigation, route guidance, and return to a previous location. The apps use built-in sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to track the user's progress, reducing reliance on visual cues.
Researchers explore the influence of digital resources on autobiographical memory, highlighting its potential benefits, such as supporting people with memory difficulties, and risks, like manipulation through deepfakes. The study aims to better understand the interplay between recorded data and memories stored in our minds.
A study using a smartphone-based wayfinding task identified individuals with increased risk for dementia, based on their movement patterns and spatial memory. The research provides promising insights into the potential of digital technologies for early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that one-minute technology breaks can reduce phone use during class, leading to higher test scores. Phone use was lowest during one-minute breaks, suggesting this duration may be optimal for minimizing distractions.
Researchers at UCF are developing materials that allow electricity to move through devices without creating heat, potentially transforming how technology is built and powered. If successful, this could lead to a long-term solution for humankind and the way we consume our natural resources.
Researchers developed a multi-variable model called Hear-MHE that analyzes speech patterns to identify symptoms of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. The test shows promise in predicting overt hepatic encephalopathy and could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment.
A study found that employees who reduced private smartphone use by an hour a day showed improved work satisfaction, motivation, and mental health. The intervention also led to decreased depressive symptoms and increased feelings of control.
Researchers at Klick Labs developed an AI technique using vocal biomarkers to predict chronic high blood pressure with up to 84% accuracy. The study used machine learning to analyze hundreds of indiscernible vocal biomarkers, including pitch variability and speech energy distribution patterns.
A pilot study found that voice changes recorded on a smartphone can signal an impending flare-up of COPD symptoms. Researchers analyzed the voices of 28 people with COPD and discovered higher pitched tones and 'jitter' before an exacerbation occurred.
Researchers developed Transparent Pressure-Calibratable Interference Electrotactile Actuator (TPIEA) technology to provide consistent virtual haptic experiences. The TPIEA uses platinum nanoparticles to reduce impedance and achieve high transmittance, allowing for precise and varied tactile sensations.
Researchers found that sustained neck exertions alter the cervical spine's curvature, leading to muscle fatigue and increased risk of neck pain. The study provides new insights into the mechanical changes that occur in the spine and muscles when performing repetitive tasks.
A recent survey found that phone use at night negatively impacts teenage mental health, particularly among those who have been cyberbullied. Approximately 66% of girls and 58% of boys reported being cyberbullied, with stress levels in the moderate-to-severe range reported by 38% of girls and 23% of boys.
Recent study evaluates Redmi K60 Ultra's multi-frequency GNSS capabilities, demonstrating significant improvements in positioning accuracy and speed. The device sets a new standard for consumer GNSS technology, with broad implications for applications like autonomous driving and augmented reality.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that digital switching, such as swiping through videos, actually increases boredom and reduces satisfaction with content. Participants reported feeling less engaged when watching a single video versus rapidly switching through multiple short videos.
A comprehensive analysis by researchers at TU Graz found that numerous Android manufacturers use insecure kernels, leaving devices susceptible to one-day exploits. The study revealed that only between 29-55% of tested smartphones prevented attacks, with manufacturer kernels performing up to 4.6 times worse than the Generic Kernel Image.
A tailored, interactive text message intervention was found to increase self-reported vaping cessation rates among adolescents recruited via social media channels. The program effectively reduced dual use and prevented teens from starting to smoke.
Researchers from Stellenbosch University discovered that using work-related content during golf sessions reduces performance, whereas personal activities have little to no effect. The study suggests a clear distinction between leisure and professional use of smartphones in recreational settings.
A novel, fast and high-quality neural text-to-speech model was successfully developed using a Transformer encoder + ConvNeXt decoder and MS-FC-HiFi-GAN. The model can synthesize one second of speech at high speed in just 0.1 seconds using a single CPU core, achieving eight times faster synthesis than conventional methods.
Researchers warn that smart vapes with touch screens, animated displays, and built-in games can couple nicotine addiction with gaming disorder. The devices are user-friendly and attractive to youth, potentially broadening the market to include non-nicotine users.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that mental health apps can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in individuals waiting for their initial psychiatric appointment. The study, which involved over 2,000 patients, showed improvement in all groups, regardless of the app used.
A new study is testing whether digital tools can help predict which patients with depression will benefit from specific treatments and deliver them on demand. The researchers hope to use these tools to broaden access to psychiatric care and realize the promise of precision psychiatry.
A study found that giving children digital devices to manage tantrums fails to teach them how to regulate their emotions, instead leading to severe problems. Parents' reliance on digital devices can exacerbate existing emotion regulation issues, emphasizing the need for alternative methods such as coaching and emotional recognition.