Articles tagged with Telephones
A new translation app can help English speakers understand foreign-language food menus, allowing individuals with medical restrictions to make informed decisions. The app uses a method called n-gram consolidation to improve accuracy and reduce memory requirements, enabling real-time translations without internet connectivity.
Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough that could allow wireless phone companies to double throughput on their networks without adding a single cell tower. The new 'full-duplex' technology uses an extra antenna and computing tricks to enable simultaneous transmission and reception on the same frequency.
Researchers monitored two million anonymous mobile phones after Haiti's earthquake and cholera outbreak, providing real-time data on population movements. The method improved humanitarian aid delivery by tracking the migration patterns of people in need of help.
A study using mobile phone positioning data tracks population movements after disasters, providing more accurate estimates than ad hoc methods. The method can be used for close to real-time monitoring of population movements during outbreaks, leading to better allocation of relief supplies.
A new energy-harvesting technology, reverse electrowetting, converts human motion into electrical power to power mobile electronic devices. This technology could enable footwear-embedded energy harvesters that capture energy produced by humans during walking and convert it into up to 20 watts of electrical power.
MIT researchers have developed a new security scheme that can automatically create connections between wireless devices and defend against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. The scheme uses novel techniques to detect and prevent MITM attacks, making it stronger than previous solutions.
Researchers analyzed jailhouse phone conversations between accused male abusers and their female victims to understand why some victims recant charges. The analysis revealed a five-step process where perpetrators use emotional appeals to minimize actions and gain sympathy, ultimately leading to the victim's decision to recant.
A new assessment tool, SNOT-16, has been found to effectively evaluate the quality of life in adult patients with acute rhinosinusitis. The modified questionnaire assesses symptom severity and frequency, demonstrating validity and responsiveness.
A study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that sending text message reminders to healthcare workers in rural Africa improved the implementation of national guidelines for treating malaria. The intervention resulted in a 25% improvement in health workers' practices, leading to more patients receiving accurate antimalarial treatment.
The ONR-funded Build A Bird app has been downloaded over 10,000 times a week, teaching players about flight dynamics and the Navy's commitment to K-12 STEM education. The app is part of a larger effort to engage underserved youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that mobile health software helped patients with Type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels by an average of 1.9 percent over a year. The software provided real-time feedback, medication regimens and a virtual coach to help patients manage their condition.
Dr. Devra Lee Davis discusses health risks associated with cell phone use, including brain cancer and long-term implications for young people. She provides recommendations for safe use, such as maintaining distance from the brain and body.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that children and adolescent mobile phone users are not at a statistically significant increased risk of brain cancer compared to non-users. The study included data from over 352 brain cancer patients and 646 control subjects, and found no clear exposure-res...
Neuroscientists from Ruhr-University Bochum found that high-powered electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones can disturb learning processes on the synaptic level within the brain. However, daily use of mobile phones is unlikely to cause significant harm.
A new cell phone application called TagSense can accurately tag photographs with information about people, locations and activities. The system uses the multiple sensors on a mobile phone and those of other phones in the vicinity to provide more detailed tagging, making it easier to search and retrieve desired pictures.
A trial found that sending motivational and supportive text messages to smokers doubled their chances of quitting at six months. The study, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, showed that continuous abstinence rates were significantly increased in participants who received personalized text messages.
The IARC classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on studies that found a possible link between long-term mobile phone use and increased risk of brain tumors. Exposure limits were established, but the evidence is not yet conclusive.
Researchers found that consumers strongly react against mimicry by similar others, leading to avoidance behaviors such as re-customizing or exchanging products. This effect is driven by consumer desire for distinctiveness and uniqueness.
Proactive telephone counseling helps increase long-term smoking cessation, with a positive effect on both point prevalence and prolonged abstinence. The study suggests that active recruitment methods do not significantly impact quit rates, contrary to previous assumptions.
Researchers found that cash-based overcompensation leads to higher satisfaction ratings than industry-standard compensation or voucher-based overcompensation. Participants were most satisfied with a $400 cash bonus, but satisfaction levels did not increase linearly with the amount of cash provided.
Research suggests that cell phone use can lead to increased testosterone levels but decreased fertility due to altered hormone balances.
A study by MIT researchers found that remanufacturing products can be more energy-efficient in some cases, but new technology often cancels out savings. The team looked at life-cycle analysis and found that many remanufactured products are less energy-efficient due to newer versions being more efficient.
A new malaria detection device has been developed using a standard camera cellphone and red laser pointer to noninvasively obtain finger blood perfusion images. The probe uses optical polarization/speckle principles to detect malaria pigment in blood, maximizing medical safety and patient comfort.
The project aims to develop a Microbial Fuel Cell-based charger that can increase access to healthcare via mobile applications in sub-Saharan Africa. The charger would cost around $1 and could charge a phone in 24 hours, making it a low-cost solution for households lacking power.
MIT researchers develop new communications protocols using motion detection to improve handoffs, throughput and bit rate selection on wireless networks. Experiments show gains of up to 50% in network performance.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute assistant professor Xuegang (Jeff) Ban has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to study the potential of mobile devices in monitoring and optimizing traffic systems. His research aims to develop new methods for using cell phone and GPS data to improve traffic congestion and safety.
A new study found that employee mood affects perceptions of customers and work quality, with positive moods linked to greater verbal fluency and reduced errors. Employees in a bad mood tend to answer fewer calls, need more breaks, and perform less well, while positive customers can help improve their mood.
Scientists have developed a fast-recharge, three-dimensional lithium-ion battery that recharges in minutes, not hours. The new battery has a longer lifespan and can store more energy per unit volume, making it ideal for electric cars.
The Commonwealth Fund survey reveals a bleak picture for working-age adults who lost their jobs and health insurance, with 57% of those who were insured through a job that was lost becoming uninsured. The survey also finds that health care costs are preventing people from getting the healthcare they need, with 75 million adults skippin...
A recent study published in PubMed found that swiping contaminated plates three times significantly reduced bacterial counts. The mechanical removal of bacteria, not the disinfectant itself, was key to this effect. Saline wipes were found to be as effective as disinfectant wipes when swiped multiple times.
Researchers found older adults take significantly longer to cross streets while talking on mobile phones, with heightened cautiousness offering no safety benefits. The study also revealed a significant impairment in street-crossing tasks for older adults engaged in dual activities.
The GuLF STUDY is the largest health study of its kind ever conducted among cleanup workers and volunteers, aiming to understand the health effects of oil spills and exposure to crude oil. The study will enroll 55,000 people and collect data on their physical and mental health, lifestyle, and job history over a period of up to 10 years.
Wonyoung Kim's new device can reduce power usage of modern processing chips by shutting off unused parts, enabling longer battery life and lower energy bills. The on-chip voltage regulator also enables faster performance by quickly adjusting power supply.
The University of Illinois team produces animated educational videos on topics like insect control and water treatment to reach a larger audience at a fraction of the cost. The initiative uses cell phones as a platform to distribute the content, targeting viewers in both developing and developed countries.
Researchers found increased brain glucose metabolism in regions closest to the phone antenna after 50-minute cell phone use. However, the clinical significance of this finding is unclear and further studies are needed.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute are developing multi-hazard and multi-channel technologies to create trend-setting warning systems. The PRONTO project uses automatic information collection and assessment to support rescue services in crisis situations.
A new study published in Bioelectromagnetics suggests that radio frequency exposure from cell phones does not increase the risk of developing brain cancers. The researchers found no statistically significant change in brain cancer incidence rates between 1998 and 2007, contradicting some previous studies.
A psychological scientist in Germany found that dialing specific numbers on a cell phone can induce positive emotions and activate word meanings. The study used number sequences corresponding to words, such as "love" and "friend," to show that mere typing of these numbers could affect participants' emotional responses.
Research by University of Illinois scientist Barbara H. Fiese found that family mealtimes with three key ingredients - action, behavior control, and communication - can reduce asthma severity and increase quality of life in children. The study suggested specific guidelines for allocating time during mealtimes to each ingredient.
Researchers have developed a computer algorithm to identify and block distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on mobile ad hoc networks in under 22 seconds. The technique can halt 80% of attack traffic and provide a model framework for building better security systems.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that women outperform men in figuring out innovative products. Women are able to accurately identify unusual products when exposed to ads alongside similar or related items, but struggle to remember specific product claims.
The new nanoscoop material can withstand extremely high rates of charge and discharge, making it ideal for high-power rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric automobiles. The technology could potentially be ramped up to suit the demanding needs of batteries for electric vehicles.
The MEDEA+ Trusted Secure Computing project has developed a family of components and software to efficiently secure computers, communications, and multimedia devices. These innovations include integrity management, user identification/authentication, and privacy management.
Research on over 28,000 children found that prenatal exposure to mobile phones was associated with an increased risk of behavioral problems. Children exposed to mobile phones before and after birth were 50% more likely to exhibit abnormal behavior.
Experts warn that consumers have little control over their online tracking and profiling, leading to a loss of privacy and potential manipulation of behavior. Nancy King, associate professor at Oregon State University, advocates for a balance between protecting consumer privacy and allowing behavioral advertising to thrive.
Researchers found that women call their fathers less frequently and hang up sooner during high-fertility days, possibly to avoid male control. They also spent more time on phone calls with mothers, suggesting an unconscious drive for reproductive success.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists identifies Sirt3 as a crucial enzyme in the aging process, which helps to slow down aging by reducing free radicals produced by mitochondria. The findings provide a rational basis for devising interventions to retard aging and improve health in old age.
A trial in Kenya found that using text messages to help patients adhere to their treatment improves absolute adherence rates by 12% and numbers achieving viral load suppression by 9%. Patients who received SMS support were more likely to report adherence to ART.
A new study finds that weekly SMS check-ins increase the likelihood of patients with HIV having undetectable viral loads, leading to better health outcomes and reduced transmission. The text-message support system showed a 12% increase in undetectable levels among participants.
Mobile phone technology is being used to improve healthcare for mothers, newborns, and children in underserved populations. The use of mHealth has the potential to support global development goals, particularly in reducing child and maternal mortality.
A study found that hospitalization and restricted activity increased the likelihood of transitioning to new or worsening disability, particularly among those with physical frailty. The researchers also discovered that fall-related injury conferred the highest risk of developing new or worsening disability.
Problem drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption over time, but fail to reach 'normal' levels. Despite decreases, heavy drinkers continue to consume more than the general population.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new software that can track facial features on mobile phones with high accuracy. The technology, built on 20 years of research, has great potential to replace passwords and PIN numbers, enabling novel ways of interacting with phones.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's MILLEE Project developed two educational mobile phone games that helped Chinese children increase their knowledge of Chinese characters. The cooperative learning encouraged by the games contributed to character learning.
A low-cost spectrometer built with a cell phone can help high school students grasp chemistry concepts. By analyzing light spectra, students learn about material properties and critical thinking skills.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a new touch-based directional device that can provide safe navigation cues to drivers, even when they're distracted by cell phones or visually impaired. The system uses gentle skin stimulation on the fingertips to convey directions, potentially reducing accidents and improving safety...
A study published in Psychological Science found that hearing only one side of a conversation makes it more distracting than hearing both sides. Volunteers performed worse on concentration tasks when they could only hear half of the conversation.
Researchers at NIST have found theoretical evidence of a new method to generate high-frequency waves used in modern communication devices. The team's analysis predicts the creation of a soliton in a magnetic sandwich, which could lead to more secure and interference-resistant wireless technology.
A pilot study in North Carolina found that mailing surveys instead of calling people on the phone yields higher response rates and more complete data. This method is being tested as a replacement for the current home telephone survey used by NOAA to determine which areas off the coast are overfished.
Scientists have developed a new class of biofuel cells that can produce electricity using sugar or cooking oil, opening possibilities for recharging portable electronics. The first mitochondria fuel cell successfully produces electricity in lab tests.