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When there’s money to lose, phone usage while driving drops

A study found that drivers who received weekly feedback on their phone use and a cash incentive of up to $50 used their phones less than those given no incentive or feedback. The intervention also led to a 21% decrease in handheld phone usage when drivers were told they would lose money if they engaged in phone use while driving.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 10, 2024

Kids given ‘digital pacifiers’ to calm tantrums fail to learn how to regulate emotions, study finds

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.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalFrontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJul 10, 2024

Key electronic device developed for the massive arrival of 6G networks

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a telecommunications switch capable of operating at high frequencies with lower power consumption than current devices. The switch uses non-volatile material hBN, allowing it to activate its ON or OFF state with an electrical voltage pulse instead of a constant signal.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2024

University of Cincinnati, Swing Therapeutics study: Mobile app therapy leads to significant improvement in fibromyalgia management

A new study published in The Lancet found that a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia. Stanza, a smartphone app delivering acceptance and commitment therapy, showed improved symptoms including pain intensity, fatigue, and depression.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 8, 2024

Research shows maternal cell phone use may negatively impact infant language development

Research by the University of Texas at Austin found a 16% overall decrease in infants' speech input during real-world interactions when mothers used their phones. Phone use had stronger effects on speech during specific times of the day, highlighting the importance of parents being aware of their phone use's impact on caregiving.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateJun 26, 2024

Improving the effectiveness of earthquake early warning systems

Researchers suggest three measures to improve EEW alerts: conducting nationwide drills, maintaining safe environments, and adding clear instructions to encourage immediate action. Studies found that people often wait for tremors to begin instead of taking protective measures, highlighting the need for more effective warning systems.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2024

Why do we overindulge?

Research found that distractions while engaging in hedonic activities lead to lower enjoyment and satisfaction, resulting in overconsumption. Participants who were distracted during lunch reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, which was associated with increased snacking later in the day.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

Study finds patients with limited English proficiency have poorer experiences with virtual health care

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patients with limited English proficiency are more likely to rate video health care visits as worse than in-person appointments, despite having access to telehealth services. The study highlights the need for designing telehealth platforms that better serve marginalized populations.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 9, 2024

Researchers say future is bright for treating substance abuse through mobile health technologies

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are developing evidence-based mobile health interventions to treat substance use disorders. By leveraging smartphones, they aim to create highly tailored interventions delivered at the right time for individuals, reducing stigma and improving treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalAnnual Review of Clinical Psychology·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 8, 2024

The popular kids in school may be sleeping less

Researchers found that popular teens sleep less than their peers, with popular girls experiencing more insomnia symptoms. This study suggests that social context and emotional investment may contribute to sleep difficulties in popular teenagers.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sleep·TypeSurvey·DateMay 1, 2024

Smartphone swabs provide convenient toxicology testing

A new study published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine reveals that smartphone swabs can successfully detect drugs on phone surfaces. The method, which uses dry swabs, identified MDMA, cocaine, and THC as the most common substances, with other drugs including ketamine, LSD, and heroin also detected.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2024

A win–win approach: maximizing Wi-Fi performance using game theory

A team of researchers has developed a novel approach using game theory to maximize Wi-Fi performance by optimizing user positions. By analyzing the incentives for all users, their potential game model condenses the impact of new users and inter-user interference into a single function.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2024

An international sample of adolescents shows almost 17% experience weight-related bullying online, especially for social media users—with almost 70 percent of Twitter users reporting being bullied

A study found that almost 17% of adolescents experience weight-related bullying online, with the highest rates reported by Twitter users. The survey also revealed a strong association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying, with a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of screen time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 17, 2024

AI to improve cataract surgery in the Global South

Researchers develop AI-assisted algorithm to analyze surgical videos of cataract surgeries in Global South, aiming to improve surgical outcomes and training. The algorithm can work with conventional image material and smartphone videos, addressing the need for resource-saving solutions in these countries.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalTranslational Vision Science & Technology·DateApr 15, 2024

System uses artificial intelligence to detect wild animals on roads and avoid accidents

A team of researchers developed an AI-powered computer vision model to detect Brazilian wild animals on roads and warn drivers in real-time. The system uses roadside cameras and portable computers to identify species such as anteaters, wolves, and tapirs, with the potential to save lives and reduce roadkill.

Researchers use smartphone screen to create 3D layered holographic images

A new approach uses a smartphone screen to create full-color 3D holographic images by leveraging computer-generated holography (CGH) and an optical component called a spatial light modulator. The method has the potential to enhance near-eye displays in virtual reality headsets, creating more realistic and interactive user experiences.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 2, 2024

Text nudges can increase uptake of COVID-19 boosters– if they play up a sense of ownership of the vaccine

Researchers found that adding a note to play up psychological sense of ownership was more effective at convincing people to get the booster. This approach outperformed lab findings and expert insights, highlighting the importance of reproducibility in behavioral science.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 18, 2024

Lighting the way to noninvasive blood glucose monitoring using portable devices

A novel approach estimates metabolic activity and infers blood glucose levels from near-infrared measurements in commercial smartphones and smartwatches. The phase delay between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals closely relates to oxygen consumption during cardiac cycles, serving as a gauge for metabolism.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMar 8, 2024

Combating fractional spurs in phase locked loops to improve wireless system performance in Beyond 5G

Scientists from Tokyo Tech propose two design techniques to minimize unwanted signals known as fractional spurs, which degrade phase noise in output of the PLL. The first technique uses a cascaded-fractional divider and achieves a -62.1dBc fractional spur, while the second technique employs a pseudo-differential DTC, resulting in an in...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2024

“All_Aboard” app effectively aids blind and visually impaired commuters in finding bus stops

A new smartphone app called All_Aboard has been developed to aid blind and visually impaired individuals in finding bus stops. The app uses artificial intelligence and camera technology to detect street signs and provide auditory cues, achieving a success rate of 93% compared to Google Maps' 52%.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalTranslational Vision Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2024

Assessing loan applicants’ credit risk via smartphone activities helps improve financial inclusion and business profitability

A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that using alternative data from smartphones is more effective in improving financial inclusion (23% better) and business profitability (42% better) compared to social media data. This approach can help microloan companies adopt cost-effective solutions and offset potential economic loss.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalMIS Quarterly·DateDec 12, 2023

Smartphone use differs between urban and rural areas

Smartphone usage patterns differ substantially between urban and rural populations, with urban users favoring social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. In contrast, rural users tend to use Facebook and Snapchat, suggesting that environment influences smartphone behavior.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 28, 2023

Aussie teens are not actually selfie-obsessed

Researchers from RMIT University found that Australians aged 20 to 40 years old take more selfies than teenagers and older Australians. Older participants used their smartphones for functional purposes like capturing information at work, whereas teenage participants preferred taking photos during exciting events or with friends.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Visual Literacy·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 27, 2023

AI recognizes faces but not like the human brain

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that AI's deep convolutional neural networks can identify faces but struggle to capture other important information like emotional state and trustworthiness. Brain activity scans revealed a weak correlation between AI's codes and human brain represent...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Smartphones and smart speakers may be able to detect alcohol intoxication by analyzing voice patterns: Study

Researchers found that changes in voice patterns predicted alcohol intoxication with 98% accuracy. The study suggests that smartphones and smart speakers could be used to deliver 'just-in-time interventions' to prevent injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023