Articles tagged with Smartphones
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A new study by the University of Plymouth has demonstrated the potential of gait authentication to protect smartphones from cyber crime. The system achieved an average accuracy rate of around 85% in recognizing individuals' stride patterns, with rates rising to almost 90% when participants were walking normally and fast.
A new smartphone application, iCanQuit, has been shown to be more effective in helping Black US adults quit smoking and remain abstinent. The app uses acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help users manage cravings and stay motivated.
A Dartmouth study uses mobile sensing to predict individual job performance based on commute data, revealing the link between work commute and job quality. The research also shows how data from personal tech devices can help improve employee productivity and satisfaction.
A new study shows that older adults with mild dementia can improve their daily task completion using digital voice recorder apps and reminder apps. Greater usage of these apps is associated with better memory and greater improvements in activities of daily living.
The Mountain Rain or Snow project collects observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation from across mountainous regions. Volunteers can submit their own reports via smartphone or computer to improve satellite monitoring and model predictions, leading to better weather forecasts, skiing conditions, and avalanche risk assessments.
A peer-reviewed study published in Life journal proves Reflex identifies biomarkers for concussions, enabling accurate clinical diagnosis and decision-making. The study, conducted by Purdue University, uses pupillary light reflex to measure concussion patients' recovery and prevent compounding injuries.
A new smartphone app, MyHealthyPregnancy, evaluates preeclampsia risk and patient adherence to low-dose aspirin recommendations. The study found that 37% of high-risk patients were unaware they needed to take the medication, highlighting a need for improved communication between providers and patients.
A new rapid screening test for glaucoma uses infra-red sensors to monitor eye movement, providing accurate results within seconds. The test could help advance early detection of the disease, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and make it more accessible for national screening programs.
A new 'smart bandage' has been developed to track wound moisture levels wirelessly, enabling doctors to monitor wounds without removing the bandage. The technology could help improve wound healing rates by detecting optimal moisture levels, reducing the risk of disruption to the healing process.
Researchers developed a program to target vaccinations using digital contact tracing technology, which can almost halve the number of vaccines required to bring the pandemic under control. The new program prioritizes individuals with the most contacts for vaccinations while keeping personal data private.
Researchers developed PocketView, a display technology that shows basic information like notifications and time through fabrics, offering versatility and ease of use. The technology is relatively inexpensive and can be incorporated into existing devices, making it a potential game-changer in wearable tech.
A new smartphone-based app, iBehavior, will be tested to improve the accuracy of data in clinical trials involving individuals with intellectual disability. The app uses ecological momentary assessment to track symptoms related to executive function, often associated with ADHD.
Researchers led by Stevens Institute of Technology's Sang Won Bae developed a machine-learning model using smartphone data to detect cannabis intoxication in young adults. The study combined features such as GPS, noise, light, and activity levels to predict intoxication with high accuracy. This technology has the potential to provide e...
Researchers create a novel framework for generating and detecting Lamb waves in transparent materials without damaging the sample. They use laser-induced plasma shock waves and high-speed polarization cameras to spot microscopic scratches, demonstrating potential for non-contact damage detection.
The living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency that human engineers can only dream about, with optimized mosaics of different sensitivities parsing 40 visual features. The retinas adapt to current conditions and conserve energy by tuning out noise, making them orders of magnitude less power-hungry than smartphone sensors.
Researchers develop a new method to perform logic operations more efficiently and reliably using magnonics. Nanostructured antiferromagnetic wires are well-suited for this purpose, enabling quick and low-energy computation.
Mathematical modeling suggests that contact-tracing apps can help achieve herd immunity by identifying individuals with greater exposure to others and targeting them for vaccination. The approach, known as 'hot-spotting,' could reduce the number of vaccine doses needed by up to half.
A study of 200 heart attack survivors who used a smartphone app showed that they had a 52% lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days. The app, which tracked medication use and lifestyle changes, also motivated users to improve their quality of life.
A new augmented reality app, Phobys, has been developed to help people reduce their fear of spiders through exposure therapy. The app uses a realistic 3D spider model projected into the real world and offers nine levels of training, with game elements to maintain motivation.
A study compared four voice assistants - Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana - to assess their accuracy in providing information on cancer screening. The top three assistants provided consistent information with USPSTF guidelines roughly 70% of the time.
Top-performing diet and nutrition apps often track dietary intake, anthropometrics, and physical activity but lack behavior change features. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that premium versions offered more features than free ones, but these did not significantly impact app ratings or user engagement.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and Bonn have synthesized molecular nano spheres made of silicon atoms, known as silafulleranes, which can encapsulate chloride ions. The discovery of these new compounds may lead to improved applications in electronics, solar cells, and batteries.
Researchers confirm FDA recommendation that patients keep consumer electronics, such as cell phones and smart watches, six inches away from implanted medical devices. Studies found that these devices can trigger magnet mode in pacemakers and defibrillators, posing a risk to patient safety.
A systematic review of online interventions found that exergames and smartphone apps increased physical activity levels and improved emotional states among young people. The study suggests a positive impact on mental health and social development through digital mediums.
New research published in PNAS suggests that community-based monitoring can improve water management in rural Costa Rica by reducing groundwater extraction and improving water quality. The program, which used a smartphone application and WhatsApp, showed modest but significant effects after one year.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a system that splits a single millimeter wave beam into multiple paths to improve reliability and throughput. The technology achieved high speeds of up to 800 Mbps with 100% reliability, even in outdoor tests over distances of 262 feet.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a tunable neural network framework that achieves high accuracy and efficiency for sparse CNNs. The new architecture employs a Cartesian-product MAC array and pipelined activation aligners to enable dense computing of sparse convolution, resulting in better resource utilization.
A recent study published in Biosystems Engineering explores the potential of smartphone cameras to assess soil organic matter and evaluate soil fertility. The technique uses advanced image analysis and machine learning to predict SOM values rapidly and with high correlation to traditional soil analysis.
A research team developed a novel sensor that can detect and convert infrared light into electrical signals at temperatures up to 100°C. The device eliminates the need for cooling devices, reducing production costs and operating speeds, making it suitable for smartphone and autonomous vehicle applications.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that people who experience intense boredom frequently in everyday life may seek 'flow' by playing smartphone games to escape their feelings. This 'boredom fix' can lead to negative consequences and excessive gaming, ultimately increasing depression.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that smartphone photos of the inner eyelid can be used to screen for anemia. The algorithm achieved accuracy rates of up to 94.4% in predicting anemia, making it a potential tool for early diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings.
A new system, dubbed Easy Secure Photos (ESP), encrypts photos uploaded to cloud services, protecting them from attackers and the cloud services themselves. Users can visually browse and display encrypted images as if they weren't encrypted.
According to a recent paper in Nature Human Behaviour, smart technology is not dumbing us down. Instead, it's augmenting human cognitive abilities, allowing us to excel in complex tasks. By leveraging tools like GPS and computers, we can free up brain energy to think creatively.
Research found smartphone apps and telehealth initiatives improve healthcare systems and patients' quality of life in relation to pain management. User involvement is vital for app development and acceptability.
A field experiment involving 100 students showed that soft smartphone bans can increase efficiency for standard routine tasks, but have no notable impact on more complex tasks. The success of soft bans also depends on employees' perceptions of social norms and freedom of choice.
A study of over 53,000 Korean adolescents found that moderate smartphone use is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors, including a higher intake of junk food and fewer fruits and vegetables. Teens who spent more than 3 hours per day on their phone were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese.
A new smartphone app developed by Cornell University engineers can predict grape yields up to 24% more accurately than traditional methods. The app uses computer-vision technology to analyze video footage of grape vines, allowing farmers to secure labor and equipment in advance and reduce profits.
Shanjiang Zhu is developing an Android version of the InfraHub smartphone app to report bicycle and pedestrian facility issues. The project also includes social media outreach to encourage users to report facility issues.
Researchers have deciphered brain activity associated with trying to write letters by hand and developed an algorithm to identify letters. The system displayed the text on a screen in real time, allowing the participant to type 90 characters per minute, more than double the previous record for typing with a brain-computer interface.
GeroSense AI tracks biological age and resilience via smartphone sensor data, providing personalized health recommendations. The technology predicts biological age acceleration and stability, enabling timely detection of lifestyle or health status changes.
Researchers studied Netflix expansion in 40 Asian countries and one restricted country, finding a 19.7% increase in pirated content search in the restricted country. Demand for pirated content is also higher for less dialogue-oriented content, particularly among non-English-speaking consumers.
A new mobile app is being developed to safeguard users of cryptocurrency by detecting vulnerabilities in popular 'wallet' applications used to manage Bitcoin. The app, called the Bitcoin Security Rectifier, monitors for signs of intrusions and alerts users when an attack is happening, providing remedies based on the type of attack.
Community-based monitoring programs collect credible data at local scales, informing decision-making and advancing sustainability challenges. Digital platforms enable community participation, but equitable access is crucial to avoid inequities.
A Brigham Young University study found that mobile night shift functions do not improve sleep quality, contrary to manufacturer claims. Researchers tested 167 emerging adults and found no significant differences in sleep outcomes between those using phones with Night Shift enabled or disabled.
A network of off-the-shelf smartphones deployed in Costa Rica detected and alerted on five earthquakes, outperforming scientific-grade warning systems. The system, called ASTUTI, uses accelerometers built into phones to provide early warnings for potential disasters.
Smartphone-based imaging systems can guide diagnosis and treatment with portable, user-friendly biomedical imaging. Emerging technologies like multispectral and quantitative fluorescence imaging offer promising diagnostic applications.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science develop biofuel cells that use lactate to generate power for wearable devices. The new design can drive a commercially available activity meter for 1.5 hours using one drop of artificial sweat.
A study by University of Tokyo researchers found that writing on physical paper leads to more brain activity when remembering information an hour later. Paper's unique spatial and tactile information enhances memory recall. In contrast, digital tools were slower and scored worse in simple test questions.
A modeling study suggests that digital contact tracing can significantly reduce COVID-19 outbreaks if a significant portion of the population adopts a contact tracing app. With 20% adoption, cases decrease by 35%, while higher adoption rates lead to further reductions.
Researchers develop HeadFi, a plug-in headphone adapter that transforms regular headphones into sensors for user identification, heart rate monitoring and gesture recognition. The invention shows promise in upgrading existing headphones without requiring new hardware or customization.
Researchers develop dynamic and intelligent solution to detect malware in Android apps without rooting devices or breaching privacy. The system achieves high accuracy in sensitive behavior detection, promising enhanced smartphone security.
A NUI Galway study found that problem and non-problem gamblers differ in the gratifications they seek from mobile gambling. Problem gamblers use apps to facilitate social interaction and avoid boredom, while non-problem gamblers do not.
Assistant Professor Guoyu Lu is creating an AI system that uses smartphones to analyze crop roots, enabling quick and efficient analysis of root shape, surface area, and angles. The goal is to develop a mobile app that can assess various crops and improve breeding resilient crops.
Researchers found that young novice drivers who speak into hand-held smartphones while driving are also likely to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs. The study also found a strong correlation between talking on a hand-held phone and speeding, overtaking, and other high-risk behaviors.
Researchers from Skoltech have designed a software-based algorithm for synchronizing time across smartphones, achieving an accuracy of several microseconds. This method can be used to create a network of sensors and has potential applications in various fields, including photography and noise cancellation.
A new method using smartphones offers precise means to gauge food consumption over time, capturing seasonal shifts in diet patterns. The approach has the potential to predict physical well-being and tackle food insecurity affecting two billion people worldwide.
A study by West Virginia University found that top sleep trackers can accurately measure total sleep time and sleep efficiency, but struggle with sleep staging accuracy. Researchers tested eight commercial sleep trackers and found that some devices overestimated or underestimated sleep metrics, while others were unable to quantify slee...
Researchers at Graz University of Technology develop a new method of contact discovery that significantly limits privacy threats, using intersection calculations and encryption protocols. The ContactGuard application stores encrypted address book entries on the mobile phone, preventing service providers from accessing sensitive data.
A digital intervention using a smartphone app altered major personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion. Participants who used the app for more than three months reported greater success in achieving their change goals compared to those who only used it for two months.
A virtual reality app called Easyheights has been shown to improve ability to handle real height situations, with participants able to ascend further towards the top than before training. The app uses 360° images and gradually increases perceived distance without increasing fear levels.