Articles tagged with Smartphones
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A smartphone app detecting jaundice in newborns may prevent deaths and disabilities due to its accuracy and low cost. The app uses images captured on a smartphone camera to quantify the yellowness of the eye, similar to expensive hand-held devices.
A new smartphone app, MAESTRO*, can recognize locusts and grasshopper pests through camera images and record GPS locations. The app aims to enable targeted pesticide delivery to prevent swarms from spreading and devastating crops. Researchers gathered over 3,500 locust images to train the system.
A new review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests an association between excessive smartphone and social media use and mental distress among adolescents. The authors provide guidance for physicians, parents, and teachers on how to help teens achieve a healthy balance between device use and other aspects of their lives.
A review of evidence published in The BMJ found that smartphone apps assessing mole risk cannot detect all skin cancers. While AI-powered apps offer potential for earlier detection and treatment, limitations and variable performance indicate insufficient promise to recommend their use.
A study by University of Birmingham experts reveals that smartphone skin cancer detection apps are unreliable and poorly regulated, with only a small number of studies showing variable and unreliable test accuracy. The researchers call for stricter regulations and better evaluation processes to protect public safety.
A pooled analysis of 14 studies found that text messaging was associated with significantly lower rates of looking left and right before crossing, as well as moderately increased rates of collisions and close calls. Listening to music was not linked to any heightened risk of pedestrian behaviours.
A new smartphone camera-based test can identify urinary tract infections in just 25 minutes, potentially making accurate testing more widely available in developing nations. The test uses a smartphone camera and reagents to detect the presence of E. coli bacteria, which is present in 80% of bacterial UTIs.
A new study finds that 80% of medical students experience a low sense of personal achievement, while 17% report high levels of depersonalization. The study's lead author attributes this to the unique stresses and pressures of each year of medical school.
A study by Politecnico di Milano used smartphone accelerometers to detect heart rate and stress levels with high accuracy. The research involved placing the phone on the abdomen for short periods, allowing it to capture signals associated with mechanical cardiac activity.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system called Video Event Reconstruction and Analysis (VERA) that can accurately locate a shooter based on video recordings from as few as three smartphones. VERA uses machine learning techniques to synchronize video feeds and calculate the position of each camera, with audio p...
UCLouvain's research developed Multipath TCP to support expanding global internet traffic, improving Wi-Fi and mobile network switching. The protocol is used by 800 million iPhones and has won international awards, enhancing connectivity in rural areas and offering a win-win for subscribers and telecom operators.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing a smartphone-based diagnostic system that can detect pathogens in less than 30 minutes using a single drop of blood. The system, which will be handheld and cost less than $10, has the potential to provide fast and affordable results for patients in developing countries.
The NUS team developed a portable, easy-to-use, and low-cost device that can detect toxin-producing algae in water within 15 minutes. The system uses a smartphone and generates real-time results, enabling quick and convenient water quality monitoring.
A new study uses smartphone accelerometer data to measure postoperative physical activity and its impact on recovery. The research team found that patients who experienced complications after surgery had significantly lower daily activity compared to those without complications.
A new smartphone app reminder significantly increased medication adherence among heart patients, with 65% correctly taking their pills at 90 days compared to 21% in the control group. The study's results suggest that mobile health technology can be a cost-effective strategy to improve adherence and reduce poor outcomes.
Researchers at RUDN University have developed a method to identify electronic devices using defects in flash memory cells, which are unique to each device. The distribution and nature of these defects can be used to create 'fingerprints' that cannot be faked.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are developing new memory devices that can support neural networks in low-power embedded systems. These advancements aim to improve the lifetime and reliability of IoT devices, which currently struggle with battery power and memory constraints.
University of Utah engineers create a new type of optical lens that is thinner and lighter than conventional lenses, working with night imaging and enabling longer-flying drones and military applications. The lens is made of plastic instead of glass, reducing manufacturing costs.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have introduced a new method for evaporation cooling using semiconductor quantum wells, reducing waste heat in portable electronics. Devices with this technology may be integrated into smart devices to prevent overheating issues.
A study of over 37,000 users reveals that smartphone typing speeds are decreasing the gap between mobile devices and physical keyboards. Young people aged 10-19 years old can type around 10 words-per-minute faster than their parents' generation.
The new technology uses machine learning to analyze sound and vibration responses from a smartphone's built-in sensors. It achieved high accuracy in identifying everyday objects in various environments, paving the way for innovative object interaction applications.
A new national poll suggests that older adults are hesitant to try virtual health visits due to concerns about technology and quality of care. Despite this, many (64%) would be interested in telehealth options if they became unexpectedly ill while traveling or needed follow-up on previous care.
A new study from the University of Arizona has identified a link between smartphone dependency and symptoms of depression and loneliness. Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms and loneliness, rather than the other way around.
The CREDO project combines data from various detectors, including smartphone cameras, to study the impact of cosmic radiation on health and potential relationships between earthquakes and cosmic ray flux. Researchers aim to verify hypotheses about these phenomena.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a simple, portable, and inexpensive method for detecting extremely low levels of norovirus using a smartphone. The device uses microfluidic chips made of paper and counts fluorescent beads to identify the virus particles in water samples.
Researchers discovered over 1,600 vulnerabilities in the Google Play Store's backend systems, exposing personal information and potentially mobile devices. An automated system called SkyWalker has been created to vet these servers and software library systems, helping developers improve app security.
A new system detects abnormalities in elderly heart rates and temperatures, triggering drone-delivered first aid. The wearable device monitors vital signs wirelessly and quickly alerts caregivers via smartphone notifications.
A team of researchers has developed a soft neural implant that can be wirelessly controlled using a smartphone, enabling chronic chemical and optical neuromodulation. The device uses replaceable drug cartridges and powerful low-energy Bluetooth for prolonged periods.
Researchers have developed a miniaturized system that uses low-cost components and smartphones to detect biological viruses. The device is portable, battery-powered and can detect real viruses, holding potential for aid in disease prevention.
A recent study found that university students who used their smartphones for five or more hours a day had a 43% increased risk of obesity. This prolonged cell phone use was associated with decreased physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle habits, including consuming sugary drinks and fast food.
An expert in The BMJ argues that the expansion of the digital GP service, GP at Hand, may worsen primary care for vulnerable patients. Despite its popularity, the service primarily caters to a healthy and affluent population, leaving GPs with complex cases to manage.
A new Northwestern University study found that distinct areas of the brain process short pulses of light to affect sleep, challenging the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through one central pathway. The research suggests that acute exposure to light does not interfere with overall circadian rhythms.
Researchers from NUS have invented a new way for wearable devices to interconnect using conductive textiles, allowing for more efficient data transmission and improved privacy. The 'wireless body sensor network' enables devices to transmit signals with 1,000 times stronger signal strength than conventional technologies.
A survey of over 3,400 university students found that one in five reported problematic smartphone use, associated with lower grades, mental health problems, and more sexual partners. Problematic smartphone use was also linked to higher rates of alcohol misuse and ADHD-like symptoms.
A new standardized calibration method allows anyone to use a consumer camera for scientific purposes, including measuring pollution and water quality. The method, called SPECTACLE, was developed by researchers and enables users to upload calibration data from their cameras.
A new UBC study found that older smartphone users rely more on auto-lock features and prefer using PINs over fingerprints to unlock their phones. The study also revealed gender differences in authentication choices, with men relying more on auto locks as they age.
Jürgen Matzka has proposed a simplified approach to improve the global magnetic field model, reducing costs and equipment needs. The winning idea aims to measure magnetic field strength from satellites and only require one directional component on ground stations.
The M2 system integrates various device features, allowing users to share apps with greater access for disabled users and enabling innovative experiences like Wii-like gaming and panoramic video recording. This innovation combines multiple devices without modifying existing unmodified mobile apps.
A Purdue University researcher has developed an app that allows users to easily program robots to perform mundane tasks, such as picking up parts and delivering them. The app uses augmented reality and can be used for household chores, reducing the need for expensive software programmers or mobile robots.
Researchers used social media tools to engage large audiences in a concert, sustaining participation for an average of nine minutes. The Crowd in C app allowed audience members to manipulate sounds and create their own compositions, demonstrating the power of computer science in nontraditional ways.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that existing measures of smartphone use are poorly related to actual usage. The study suggests that high smartphone usage is not linked to anxiety and depression as previously thought, and that scales measuring technology 'addiction' perform poorly in predicting real-world behavior.
Straightening single-molecule conductors leads to greater overlap of conjugated bonds, increasing conductivity. The twist conformation hinders charge transport, whereas flat chains facilitate hopping conduction.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a low-cost, smartphone-based diagnostic system using nanoscale porous silicon to detect various bodily fluids. The system accurately detects proteins in urine and bacteria in water with accuracy comparable to commercial benchtop measurement systems.
A new research collaboration aims to develop detection and monitoring devices for smartphones and wearables, enabling real-time health data collection and improving health outcomes. The partnership will create state-of-the-art personal medical devices that can measure a wide range of biomarkers.
Researchers developed an automated cough analysis technology integrated in a smartphone app, achieving high accuracy (81-97%) in diagnosing asthma, croup, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. The tool may enable targeted treatments to begin sooner by removing the need for clinical examinations.
A study by McLean Hospital researchers shows that CBM-I, a way to change mental habits without visiting a therapist, can be effective when combined with CBT in an acute psychiatric setting. The smartphone app version of CBM-I has great promise for individuals with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, offering on-dem...
A QUT study found 68% of drivers willing to use apps blocking texting, web browsing, and email, as long as hands-free calls are permitted. However, only 37% were prepared to block all phone use if it meant sacrificing music functions.
A mindfulness-based smartphone app was found to reduce self-reported daily cigarette consumption and decrease brain reactivity to smoking images in study participants. Those who showed the greatest reduction in cigarette consumption also exhibited decreased brain activity in a region associated with craving.
A French researcher has developed a proof of concept for a smartphone-based shooter location system that uses acoustic analysis to track the origin of gunfire. The system, deployed in TCAPS hearing protection devices, analyzes the supersonic shock wave and muzzle wave generated by bullets to determine the shooter's direction.
Scientists at University of Cambridge developed tiny gold particles to create smallest pixels yet, a million times smaller than smartphone pixels, for large-scale flexible displays. These colour-changing pixels can be applied to building-sized screens, reducing production cost and enabling sustainable technologies.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an innovative Antenna-on-Display (AoD) technology that embeds antennas within super-resolution displays. This technology eliminates the trade-off between ergonomics, esthetics, and technology in 5G smartphones, enabling the deployment of new concepts for 5G devices.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a smartwatch that can recognize 25 different hand activities, including typing on a keyboard, washing dishes, and petting a dog, with around 95% accuracy. The device uses accelerometer data to detect hand motions and bio-acoustic sounds associated with these activities.
A study by University of Washington researchers identified common triggers for compulsive smartphone use, including waiting for a friend, tedious tasks, and social awkwardness. The team also found that users can find meaning in phone use through apps like meme generators and Kindle, which promote lasting connections to the real world.
Researchers at Osaka University have measured cellulose's intrinsic birefringence with unprecedented precision, paving the way for sharper TV, computer, and smartphone screens. The team envisions using cellulose nanofiber films as light compensation materials for liquid crystal displays.
A new method combines seismic data with crowdsourced information from the internet, smartphones, and Twitter to detect earthquakes more quickly. This approach reduces detection time for felt earthquakes to just 1-3 minutes, improving situational awareness.
A new smartphone app called OnTrack can predict when users are likely to lapse in their weight loss plan and send personalized coaching messages to help them stay on track. The study found that participants who used the app reported high levels of satisfaction and experienced a significant reduction in unplanned lapses.
A virtual reality (VR) treatment called ZeroPhobia has been shown to significantly reduce fear of heights symptoms in individuals. By using cognitive behavioral therapy principles in a fully self-guided format, the study found that two to five percent of the population can benefit from this effective and affordable treatment.
A QUT-led study found a significant increase in 'technoference' over the past 13 years, with 24% of women and 15% of men identified as problematic mobile phone users. The survey also revealed correlations between problem phone use off the road and on the road, as well as increased risk-taking behaviors.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a film that gives touchscreens a third dimension, enabling virtual buttons to appear and disappear on demand. The technology uses electroactive polymer films to create tactile signals, opening up new possibilities for computer games, internet searches, and satnav devices.
UK researchers found that mobile devices are increasingly used during alone-together time with parents, increasing by nearly 30 minutes a day between 2000 and 2015. Despite this, shared activities like eating and watching TV remained unchanged at around 90 minutes per day.