Articles tagged with Smartphones
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that smartphone PPG technology can accurately measure blood-oxygen levels and heart rate, comparable to FDA-approved hospital instruments. This technology could enhance remote monitoring of patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease and initial treatment for respiratory viral pandemics.
A digital personality change intervention targeting behavioral changes, psychoeducation, self-reflection, and progress feedback significantly improved trait changes for participants wanting to increase traits. These findings suggest that personality traits can be altered through interventions in nonclinical samples.
The Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA) smartphone app provides navigational assistance for people with disabilities and seniors to use self-driving cars. The app offers a multisensory interface, GPS technology, real-time computer vision, and artificial intelligence to support navigation and vehicle access.
Researchers at UArizona are developing a COVID-19 testing method that uses a smartphone microscope to analyze saliva samples, delivering results in about 10 minutes. The method combines the speed of existing nasal swab antigen tests with the high accuracy of PCR tests.
Researchers studied why people use their smartphones at cafés, identifying three main reasons: delaying conversation, shielding interaction, and sharing content. Deliberate phone use can be seen as polite if explained or used to signal busy-ness, while excessive use can be perceived as rude.
A systematic review of smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers found they increase physical activity levels in healthy adults by an average of 1850 steps per day. The interventions that were most effective included text-messaging prompts, tailored features, and goal-setting tools.
A research team in South Korea developed a self-healing colorless polyimide material that can repair cracks and damaged functions without high-temperature heat. The material, created by mixing linseed oil-loaded microcapsules with silicone, offers advantages such as accelerated healing process and local damage repair at room temperature.
Scientists developed a novel smartphone-based technique to diagnose viral infections using a deep learning algorithm that identifies viruses in metal nanoparticle-labeled samples with 98.97% sensitivity. The system correctly identified clinically relevant concentrations of Zika, hepatitis B and C in patient samples.
The SyNRG team at the University of Illinois is exploring a new sub-area of mobile technology called 'earable computing' that will run on earphones. This platform aims to continuously sense human behavior, provide acoustic augmented reality, and offer seamless security, among other capabilities.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that older adults in NYC are more likely to report fatigue and pain when encountering stressful social environments. The study used smartphone-based data collection to track participants' movements, activities, and emotions.
A new CRISPR-based test for COVID-19 can provide accurate results in under 30 minutes using a smartphone camera, enabling faster and more accessible testing. The test measures viral load, helping healthcare professionals estimate the stage of infection and predict recovery.
Researchers at WPI and Virginia Tech are developing a smartphone app with technology to protect user personal information and identity. The app will use GPS, Wifi, and Bluetooth to track users' locations and close encounters.
A new study found that people who spent more time on their phones were more likely to reject larger, delayed rewards in favor of smaller, immediate rewards. This suggests a link between smartphone use and impulsive decision-making.
Researchers from KIST and PNU developed an encryption device that detects circularly polarized light to strengthen IoT security. The device uses a phototransistor with cholesteric liquid crystal and π-conjugated polymer, exhibiting high sensitivity in detecting circular polarization.
A new form of computerized brain-training called Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) has been shown to reduce early relapse by 17% in individuals undergoing inpatient alcohol withdrawal treatment. The CBM smartphone app SWiPE is designed to train the subconscious brain to avoid alcohol cues and promote healthier behaviors.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that mobile smartphone technology can improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival. The 'Staying Alive' app, which alerts trained responders to nearby cardiac arrest victims, was found to reduce response times and potentially improve outcomes.
A University of Cincinnati cardiologist is developing a smartphone app to deliver targeted COVID-19 information and education to Black communities. The app aims to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans, with input from focus groups in three states.
A new study suggests that smartphone acceleration sensors can provide a low-cost measure of road roughness, allowing engineers to prioritize maintenance and reduce costs. This approach could also be used to assess the condition of rural roads in developing countries.
Researchers at Cornell Tech used smartphone data to predict episodes of schizophrenic relapse, analyzing movement, ambient sound and sleep patterns. The method found a median 108% increase in behavior anomalies before relapse.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to estimate key physiological parameters like maximal aerobic speed and endurance in athletes. The non-invasive data gathering method offers new possibilities for treatments and monitoring.
Researchers found a connection between daily spiritual experiences and overall well-being, with both stable and fluctuating experiences contributing to mental well-being. Daily spiritual experiences, such as feeling God's presence or inner peace, were associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of flourishing.
A randomized clinical trial compared two smartphone apps for helping smokers quit, with one approach using gamification and the other leveraging cognitive behavioral therapy. The study found that both apps were effective in reducing cigarette use, but the gamified app had a higher quit rate at 6-month follow-up.
A study from Dartmouth College found that passive monitoring of phone usage can mirror activity in the brain linked to traits such as anxiety, with predictions matching fMRI scans at 80% accuracy. Phone data analysis also supported long-term emotional traits and helped eliminate subjectivity in other information-gathering techniques.
Researchers developed an IoT-based exercise system that improves physical fitness in elderly individuals by measuring oxygen intake and monitoring exercise intensity. With a 5-month training program, participants increased their fitness level to match that of 10 years earlier, utilizing interval walking training (IWT).
A study of 495 Portuguese adults aged 18-24 found a strong link between smartphone use and feelings of panic, anxiety, and obsession. Researchers discovered that those who experienced nomophobia (fear of being without their phone) scored higher on obsession-compulsion tests.
A recent study found that men who used smartphones and tablets in the evening had poorer sperm quality, with lower sperm concentration, motility, and progressive motility. Additionally, longer sleep duration was associated with higher sperm total and greater progressive motility.
The new lens is made up of a single nanometric layer of silicon on arrays of nanoposts that interact with light. It can be used to produce high-resolution images with a wide field of view, suitable for smartphones and other devices relying on sensors.
A new smartphone app can predict asthma deterioration by measuring night-time coughing, indicating worsening symptoms. The study found a strong correlation between increased night-time coughing and subsequent worsening of asthma symptoms, suggesting the app could be a useful tool for monitoring asthma.
A new study by UCL researchers found that contract tracing apps are unlikely to be effective without large-scale uptake and adherence to quarantine advice. The review analyzed 15 relevant studies and suggests that automated contact tracing methods would still need to be used within an integrated public health response.
A Rutgers University study found that relying on the internet for homework is hurting students' long-term retention and resulting in lower grades. Students who use their smartphones to find answers tend to forget the information and perform worse on exams.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that smartphones can detect changes in gait patterns associated with alcohol intoxication. The research suggests that real-time information about alcohol consumption could be used to reduce harm, prevent drinking and driving, or alert a sponsor for someone in tr...
Researchers at Drexel University developed a smartphone app, UnityPhilly, to empower community members in delivering naloxone during opioid overdoses. The study found that participants successfully reversed overdoses in 95.9% of cases and administered naloxone faster than EMS in over half the events.
Researchers have created a novel method using smartphones to measure soil density, which is crucial for nutrient and carbon stock management. The new approach involves taking high-resolution photos of soil samples with a smartphone camera and analyzing them using photogrammetry software.