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Despite reported dislike, older readers put in less effort when using e-readers
Posted by on February 6, 2013
Reading text on digital devices like tablet computers requires less effort from older adults than reading on paper. (read more)
New technology gives doctors an important diagnostic tool
Posted by on February 6, 2013
When cocaine producers began using an inexpensive medication, levamisole, to dilute the cocaine to boost their profits, their customers were showing up in hospital emergency rooms with serious skin injuries caused by cocaine-levamisole toxicity. A dermatologist has provided photographs of the skin condition to VisualDx -- a new technology that was created with more than 100,000 medical images to help… (read more)
Pushing boundaries of virtual reality
Posted by on February 5, 2013
Devices that detect and convey sense of touch may have applications in telemedicine. (read more)
Faster video streaming in a mobile era
Posted by on February 5, 2013
In the smartphones and tablet era, more and more users are watching videos on the move -- with a resulting strain on mobile networks. The combination of the HEVC video compression standard with LTE brings networks welcome relief. (read more)
Biodiversity exploration in the 3-D era
Posted by on February 4, 2013
A group of marine biologists from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research in Crete are testing computed tomography as a tool to accurately document the anatomy of biological specimens. The resulting 3-D models can be instantly accessed and interactively manipulated by other researchers, thus promoting rapid dissemination of morphological data useful to biodiversity research. (read more)
Microchip moves information around in 3-D: From left to right, back to front, and up and down
Posted by on January 30, 2013
Scientists have created, for the first time, a new type of microchip which allows information to travel in three dimensions. Currently, microchips can only pass digital information in a very limited way -- from either left to right or front to back. (read more)
Satellite visualization tool for high-resolution observation review (thor) accessible from any location with internet access
Posted by on January 29, 2013
With minimal coding effort an Earth-observing satellite tool can be converted into a practical web-based application. In addition, a 3-D visualization technique has been developed. (read more)
Streaming video over temporary networks
Posted by on January 29, 2013
There are extra challenges when accidents occur in hard-to-reach locations such as in a tunnel or impassable mountain terrain where no stable computer networks are found. For the past ten years, however, technology for mobile ad hoc networks that enable rescue workers to communicate with one another or with a command control centre has been available. These networks configure themselves automatically… (read more)
'2-D' electronic devices, may be possible: Fine patterns made with single-atom-thick graphene and boron nitride
Posted by on January 27, 2013
Scientists have created a process to make patterns in atom-thick layers that combine a conductor -- graphene -- and an insulator -- hexagonal boron nitride. The process may lead to new possibilities for two-dimensional electronics. (read more)
Video game controllers affect hostility during game play
Posted by on January 25, 2013
When selecting a video game to play, opting to turn on your Wii may provide a different experience than playing your Xbox, according to a new study. (read more)
Researchers make DNA data storage a reality: Every film and TV program ever created -- in a teacup
Posted by on January 23, 2013
Researchers have created a way to store data in the form of DNA – a material that lasts for tens of thousands of years. The new method makes it possible to store at least 100 million hours of high-definition video in about a cup of DNA. (read more)
Software package for all types of imaging
Posted by on January 23, 2013
Signal reconstruction algorithms can now be developed more elegantly because scientists have released a new software package for data analysis and imaging, NIFTY is useful for mapping in any number of dimensions or spherical projections without encoding the dimensional information in the algorithm itself. The advantage is that once a special method for image reconstruction has been programmed with… (read more)
Keeping to your New Year resolutions with PiFace
Posted by on January 8, 2013
After a festive period of excess, a January diet is one of the most common New Year resolutions for many people. Sticking to it, however, is harder, with temptation around every corner and inside every cupboard. Now scientists have come up with a unique deterrent -- a talking, tweeting chicken guarding your cupboards to shame hungry dieters into abstaining. The chicken, which not only barks out orders… (read more)
Smart search engines for news videos
Posted by on January 7, 2013
Searching for video recordings regularly pushes search engines to their limit. The truth of the matter is that purely automatic algorithms are not enough; user knowledge has to be harnessed, too. Now, researchers are making automated engines smarter. (read more)
Video analysis: Detecting text every which way
Posted by on January 3, 2013
Software that detects and extracts text from within video frames, making it searchable, is set to make a vast resource even more valuable. (read more)
On-demand synaptic electronics: Circuits that learn and forget
Posted by on December 20, 2012
Researchers in Japan and the US propose a nanoionic device with a range of neuromorphic and electrical multifunctions that may allow the fabrication of on-demand configurable circuits, analog memories and digital–neural fused networks in one device architecture. (read more)
TV and the internet: a marriage made in entertainment heaven
Posted by on December 18, 2012
If you have bought a new television lately, the chances are it is a lot smarter than your old one. Smart TVs, also known as connected or hybrid televisions, featuring integrated internet connectivity, currently account for around a third of TV sales in Europe. They are the end point in a huge and rapidly expanding value chain driven by the intensifying convergence of television and the internet. (read more)
Cream of the crop: Sandwich chips combining the best of two technologies
Posted by on December 18, 2012
Two Leibniz institutes broke new technological ground and successfully combined their -- up to now separate -- technology worlds. Due to their high performance, the novel chips developed within the HiTeK project promise to open up new applications. (read more)
Video-game users: Who are sports gamers?
Posted by on December 13, 2012
From Gran Turismo to WWE Smackdown, sports-based video games represent a wide variety of pursuits. When it comes to the people who actually play those games, however, little is known. How do sports video game players fit their games into a larger sports-related context? How does their video game play inform their media usage and general sports fandom? (read more)
Violent video games: More playing time equals more aggression
Posted by on December 10, 2012
A new study provides the first experimental evidence that the negative effects of playing violent video games can accumulate over time. (read more)
Mobile browsers fail Internet safety test
Posted by on December 5, 2012
How unsafe are mobile browsers? Unsafe enough that even cyber-security experts are unable to detect when their smartphone browsers have landed on potentially dangerous websites, according to a recent study. (read more)
Breakthrough in augmented reality contact lens
Posted by on December 5, 2012
Scientists have developed an innovative spherical curved LCD display, which can be embedded in contact lenses. The first step toward fully pixilated contact lens displays, this achievement has potential wide-spread applications in medical and cosmetic domains. (read more)
Mathematics helps mobiles and tablets match eyes' ability to switch from sunshine to shadow
Posted by on November 29, 2012
Researchers have pushed the boundaries of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video to match our own eyes’ ability to cope with the real world's ever rapidly changing light intensity - such as sun simply going behind clouds. Now researchers have found a way to compress and stream HDR video directly to monitors and mobile devices, such as an iPad, bringing enormous benefits to industries including gaming and… (read more)
Graphene/nanotube hybrid makes single-surface material for energy storage, electronics
Posted by on November 27, 2012
A seamless graphene/nanotube hybrid may be the best electrode interface material possible for many energy storage and electronics applications. (read more)
Putting more cores to work in server farms
Posted by on November 26, 2012
Scientists have found that reorganizing the inner architecture of the processors used in massive data processing centers can yield significant energy savings. Their work is part of the EcoCloud program. (read more)
Computer mediation can help combat bullying in schools
Posted by on November 20, 2012
Research has demonstrated how computer mediation could help combat bullying in schools.  (read more)
Antenna-on-a-chip rips the light fantastic
Posted by on November 16, 2012
A lab produces a micron-scale spatial light modulator like those used in sensing and imaging devices, but with the potential to run orders of magnitude faster. (read more)
Beating the dark side of quantum computing
Posted by on November 16, 2012
A future quantum computer will be able to carry out calculations billions of times faster than even today's most powerful machines by exploit the fact that the tiniest particles, molecules, atoms and subatomic particles can exist in more than one state simultaneously. Scientists and engineers are looking forward to working with such high-power machines but so too are cyber-criminals who will be able… (read more)
Largest resolution immersive visualization facility
Posted by on November 16, 2012
A new Reality Deck, a 416 screen super-high resolution virtual reality four-walled surround-view theater, is the largest resolution immersive display ever built driven by a graphic supercomputer. Its purpose and primary design principle is to enable scientists, engineers and physicians to tackle modern-age problems that require the visualization of vast amounts of data. (read more)
Scientists discover ways to optimize light sources for vision: Tuning lighting devices could save billions
Posted by on November 15, 2012
Vision researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery into the optimization of light sources to human vision. By tuning lighting devices to work more efficiently with the human brain, the researchers believe billions of dollars in energy costs could be saved. (read more)
Using skills gleaned from video games, high school and college students outmatch medical residents in surgical simulations
Posted by on November 15, 2012
What can high school and college-age video game enthusiasts teach young surgeons-in-training? According to a new study the superior hand-eye coordination and hand skills gained from hours of repetitive joystick maneuvers mimic the abilities needed to perform today's most technologically advanced robotic surgeries. (read more)
Increasing efficiency of wireless networks: New method could have broad impacts on mobile Internet and wireless industries
Posted by on November 13, 2012
Researchers have developed a new method that doubles the efficiency of wireless networks and could have a large impact on the mobile Internet and wireless industries. (read more)
How online video stream quality affects viewer behavior
Posted by on November 13, 2012
It may seem like common sense that the quality of online video streaming affects how willing viewers are to watch videos at a website. But until computer science researchers developed a way to rigorously study the question, no one had been able to scientifically test the assumption. (read more)
Digital tablets improve speed and ease of reading for people with moderate vision loss
Posted by on November 11, 2012
People who have eye diseases that damage their central vision can regain the ability to read quickly and comfortably by using digital tablets, according to a recent study. The research found that people with moderate vision loss could increase their reading speed by 15 words-per-minute, on average. Using a tablet with a back-lit screen resulted in the fastest reading speeds for all study participants,… (read more)
How presidential candidates' actions speak louder than their words
Posted by on November 5, 2012
Scientists have released a comprehensive computerized study of the body language of the major-party U.S. presidential candidates, using expertise of computer scientists and body language experts at both universities. (read more)
Field geologists (finally) going digital
Posted by on November 5, 2012
Not very long ago a professional geologist's field kit consisted of a Brunton compass, rock hammer, magnifying glass, and field notebook. No longer. In the field and in the labs and classrooms, studying Earth has undergone an explosive change in recent years, fueled by technological leaps in handheld digital devices, especially tablet computers and cameras. (read more)
One step closer to rollable, foldable e-Devices
Posted by on October 31, 2012
New research brings industry and consumers closer to several improvements in e-Readers and tablets, including a simpler and more colorful way to make rollable and foldable devices. Some day, you may be able to fold up your iPad and put it in your pocket. (read more)
Biology-friendly robot programming language: Training your robot the PaR-PaR way
Posted by on October 23, 2012
PaR-PaR, a simple high-level, biology-friendly, robot-programming language uses an object-oriented approach to make it easier to integrate robotic equipment into biological laboratories. Effective robots can increase research productivity, lower costs and provide more reliable and reproducible experimental data. (read more)
Glove keyboard may revolutionize use of devices with one hand
Posted by on October 23, 2012
Give a hand to some computer engineering students for designing a tool that could revolutionize new ways of using electronic devices with just one hand. It's called a Gauntlet Keyboard, a glove device that functions as a wireless keyboard. Instead of tapping keys on a keyboard, the user simply touches their thumb to points on their fingers assigned a letter or other keyboard function. (read more)
Fast image processing developed for industry
Posted by on October 19, 2012
The mining and steel industries, as well as the aggregates industry that produces rock and stone for construction and industry needs, were the focus end-users for new fast image analysis capabilities for measurement feedback in industry processes. Researchers have developed LTU-CUDA, a software for fast image processing based on high performance graphics cards commonly found in today’s personal… (read more)
Robots that perceive the world like humans
Posted by on October 18, 2012
Perceive first, act afterwards. The architecture of most of today’s robots is underpinned by this control strategy. The eSMCs project has set itself the aim of changing the paradigm and generating more dynamic computer models in which action is not a mere consequence of perception but an integral part of the perception process. It is about improving robot behavior by means of perception models closer… (read more)
Tactile glove provides subtle guidance to objects in vicinity
Posted by on October 10, 2012
Researchers have shown how computer-vision based hand-tracking and vibration feedback on the user's hand can be used to steer the user's hand toward an object of interest. A study shows an almost three-fold advantage in finding objects from complex visual scenes, such as library or supermarket shelves. With the new glove the user and feels their hand being gently 'pulled' toward the target. (read more)
An operating system in the cloud: TransOS could displace conventional desktop operating systems
Posted by on October 9, 2012
A new cloud-based operating system for all kinds of computer is being developed. (read more)
Making computer data storage cheaper and easier: Technology on track for terabyte discs
Posted by on October 9, 2012
Researchers have developed technology aimed at making an optical disc that holds 1 to 2 terabytes of data -- the equivalent of 1,000 to 2,000 copies of Encyclopedia Britannica. The entire print collection of the Library of Congress could fit on five to 10 discs. The discs would provide small- and medium-sized businesses an alternative to storing data on energy-wasting magnetic disks or cumbersome… (read more)
Digital tabletop system with views on demand
Posted by on October 9, 2012
A tabletop system where users can come together and view shared content is being unveiled. A team of scientists has developed the system aimed at supporting mixed-focus collaborative tasks. (read more)
Wireless data at top speed
Posted by on October 8, 2012
Whether it’s a wedding, birthday party or other celebration, these days the chances are you’ll have your camcorder with you to record the great occasion. But we often forget to bring the data cable along with us, so despite promising the hosts to transfer the images to their computer the morning after, we hardly ever do. (read more)
What number is halfway between 1 and 9? Is it 5 -- or 3?
Posted by on October 5, 2012
A new information-theoretical model of human sensory perception and memory sheds light on some peculiarities of the nervous system. (read more)
Computerized osteoporosis detection
Posted by on October 1, 2012
A computerized approach to examining patient bone X-rays for diagnosis of osteoporosis could side-step the subjectivity associated with visual examination, according to a new research. (read more)
Space travel with a new language in tow
Posted by on October 1, 2012
Last Friday, for the first time ever, SES, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator, has allowed an Ariane 5 rocket to transport a TV satellite into space, which is made by Astrium and runs entirely on latest generation software. Every single one of the programs used to operate the satellite was written in the new satellite language SPELL. (read more)
New method monitors semiconductor etching as it happens -- with light
Posted by on September 28, 2012
Researchers have a new low-cost method to carve delicate features onto semiconductor wafers using light -- and watch as it happens. The technique can monitor a semiconductor's surface as it is etched, in real time, with nanometer resolution. This allows the researchers to create complex patterns quickly and easily, and adjust them as needed. (read more)
Computers match humans in understanding art
Posted by on September 26, 2012
Understanding and evaluating art has widely been considered as a task meant for humans, until now. Computer scientists tackled the question "can machines understand art?" The results were very surprising. In fact, an algorithm has been developed that demonstrates computers are able to "understand" art in a fashion very similar to how art historians perform their analysis, mimicking the perception… (read more)
Mathematics and fine art: Digitizing paintings through image processing
Posted by on September 25, 2012
A new paper proposes a simple technique for reliable digitization of paintings using fusion of photographs taken from different angles through statistical methods without the need for professional-grade photographic equipment. (read more)
Intuitive visual control provides faster robot operation
Posted by on September 25, 2012
Using a novel method of integrating video technology and familiar control devices, a research team is developing a technique to simplify remote control of robotic devices. (read more)
Active video gaming linked with higher energy expenditure in children
Posted by on September 24, 2012
Compared with rest and sedentary video game play, active video gaming with dancing and boxing were associated with increased heart rate, oxygen uptake and energy expenditure in a study of 18 school children in England. (read more)
The jacket that talks to Facebook in an emergency
Posted by on September 17, 2012
In an emergency situation, we cannot expect rescue crews to do their jobs while fumbling with a tiny mobile phone when they need to read and send messages. Instead the scientists decided to create a prototype jacket that could communicate with Facebook. (read more)
Social media 'narbs' may have predicted violence in Libya
Posted by on September 14, 2012
Social media expert Ananda Mitra coined the word "narbs" to describe the small pieces of information floating in the digital sphere. His research shows that using social media to spread hate messages is a trend, not a fad, and that narb patterns may have predicted the violence in Libya. (read more)
Computer program can identify rough sketches
Posted by on September 13, 2012
Computer scientists have developed a new program that can recognize rough sketches in real time, something that up to now had been very difficult for computers to do. To make the program work, the researchers used 20,000 real sketches to teach the program how humans actually sketch objects. (read more)
Disaster is just a click away: Computer scientist, psychologist look at developing visual system to warn Internet users of safety risks
Posted by on September 11, 2012
Two professors are researching how to help computer users who have little to no computer experience improve their Web browsing safety without security-specific education. The goal is to keep users from making mistakes that could compromise their online security and to inform them when a security failure has happened. (read more)
Engineers built a supercomputer from 64 Raspberry Pi computers and Lego
Posted by on September 11, 2012
Computational engineers have built a supercomputer from 64 Raspberry Pi computers and Lego. The son of one of the professors (aged 6) provided specialist support on Lego and system testing. (read more)
Built-in germanium lasers could make computer chips faster
Posted by on September 10, 2012
Researchers have investigated how they could make the semiconductor germanium emit laser light. As a laser material, germanium together with silicon could form the basis for innovative computer chips in which information would be transferred partially in the form of light. This technology would revolutionize data streaming within chips and give a boost to the performance of electronics. (read more)
Who’s the most influential in a social graph? New software recognizes key influencers faster than ever
Posted by on September 7, 2012
Determining the most influential person on a social media network is complex. Thousands of users are interacting about a single subject at the same time. New people are constantly joining the streaming conversation. Researchers have developed a new algorithm that quickly determines betweenness centrality for streaming graphs. The algorithm can identify influencers as information changes within a network. (read more)
Towards computing with water droplets: Superhydrophobic droplet logic
Posted by on September 7, 2012
Researchers in Finland have developed a new concept for computing, using water droplets as bits of digital information. This was enabled by the discovery that upon collision with each other on a highly water-repellent surface, two water droplets rebound like billiard balls. (read more)
Can videogaming benefit young people with autism spectrum disorder?
Posted by on September 5, 2012
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are typically fascinated by screen-based technology such as video games, and these can be used for educational and treatment purposes, as described in a new article. (read more)
Violent video games not so bad when players cooperate
Posted by on September 4, 2012
New research suggests that violent video games may not make players more aggressive -- if they play cooperatively with other people. (read more)
Scanning for drunks with a thermal camera
Posted by on September 4, 2012
Thermal imaging technology might one day be to identify drunks before they become a nuisance in bars, airports or other public spaces. Researchers in Greece are developing software that can objectively determine whether a person has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol based solely on the relative temperature of different parts of the person's face. (read more)
Smartphone app can track objects on the battlefield as well as on the sports field
Posted by on August 30, 2012
Researchers have developed new software using smartphones' GPS and imaging abilities, that determine the exact location of distant objects as well as monitor the speed and direction of moving objects. (read more)
Researchers make clinical trials a virtual reality
Posted by on August 30, 2012
Clinical trials can be time-consuming, expensive and intrusive, but they are also necessary. Researchers have developed an invention that makes clinical trials more efficient by moving them into the virtual world. (read more)
Computer viruses could take a lesson from showy peacocks
Posted by on August 29, 2012
Computer viruses are constantly replicating throughout computer networks and wreaking havoc. But what if they had to find mates in order to reproduce? Researchers have now created the digital equivalent of spring break to see how mate attraction played out through computer programs. (read more)
Photonics: Think thin, think vibrant
Posted by on August 29, 2012
Flat panel displays and many digital devices require thin, efficient and low-cost light-emitters for applications. The pixels that make up the different colors on the display are typically wired to complex electronic circuits, but now researchers have developed a display technology that requires a much simpler architecture for operation. (read more)
Magnetic vortex reveals key to spintronic speed limit
Posted by on August 28, 2012
Spintronics use electron spin to write and read information. To mobilize this emerging technology, scientists must understand exactly how to manipulate spin as a carrier of computer code. Now, scientists have precisely measured a key parameter of electron interactions called non-adiabatic spin torque that is essential to the development of spintronic devices. This unprecedented precision guides the… (read more)
Capturing movements of actors and athletes in real time with conventional video cameras
Posted by on August 28, 2012
Within milliseconds, and just with the help of mathematics, computing power and conventional  video cameras, computer scientists can automatically capture the movements of several people. The new approach helps not only animation specialists in Hollywood movies but also medical scientists and athletes. (read more)
By text-mining the classics, professor unearths new literary insights
Posted by on August 27, 2012
One researcher combines programming with text-mining to compare 18th- and 19th century authors’ works with one another based on their stylistic and thematic connections. He crunches massive amounts of text to map how books are connected to one another -- from each's word frequency and choice to its overarching subject matter. (read more)
Invention will strike a chord with musicians
Posted by on August 24, 2012
Digital software and hardware is set to revolutionize the music industry around the world. (read more)
New standard high efficiency video coding encodes films more efficiently
Posted by on August 23, 2012
Television resolution is constantly improving – and this must go hand-in-hand with transmitting the data more efficiently. Reputable manufacturers of televisions, computers and mobile telephones are developing a new standard for data transmission. (read more)
Computer-simulated knitting goes right down to the yarn
Posted by on August 17, 2012
A new method for building computer-simulated knitted fabric out of an array of individual stitches has just been developed. The innovation creates a 3-D model of a single stitch and then combine multiple copies into a mesh, like tiles in a mosaic. (read more)
Nano, photonic research gets boost from new 3-D visualization technology
Posted by on August 13, 2012
For the first time X-ray scientists have combined high-resolution imaging with 3-D viewing of the surface layer of material using X-ray vision in a way that does not damage the sample. This new technique expands the range of X-ray research possible for biology and many aspects of nanotechnology, particularly nanofilms, photonics, and micro- and nano-electronics. This new technique also reduces "guesswork"… (read more)
Scientist invents pocket living room TV
Posted by on August 13, 2012
Leaving your TV show midway because you had to leave your home will no longer happen as you can now ‘pull’ the program on your TV screen onto your tablet and continue watching it seamlessly. (read more)
Full color images at 100,000 dots-per-inch resolution, using metal-laced nano-structures
Posted by on August 12, 2012
Inspired by colorful stained-glass windows, researchers from Singapore have demonstrated an innovative method for producing sharp, full-spectrum color images at 100,000 dpi which can be applicable in reflective color displays, anti-counterfeiting, and high-density optical data recording. (read more)
Wireless power for the price of a penny?
Posted by on August 10, 2012
The newspaper-style printing of electronic equipment has led to a cost-effective device that could change the way we interact with everyday objects. (read more)
Security risk: Sensitive data can be harvested from a PC even if it is in standby mode, experts say
Posted by on August 10, 2012
When you switch off your computer any passwords you used to login to web pages, your bank or other financial account evaporate into the digital ether, right? Not so fast! Researchers in Greece have discovered a security loophole that exploits the way computer memory works and could be used to harvest passwords and other sensitive data from a PC even if it is in standby mode. (read more)
Computer scientists reveal how aquatic Olympic gold is captured -- above and below the surface
Posted by on August 9, 2012
Computer scientists have isolated the movements of Olympic swimmers and divers through a cutting-edge technique that reveals their motions above and below the water’s surface. (read more)
What makes Paris look like Paris? Software finds stylistic core
Posted by on August 7, 2012
Paris is one of those cities that has a look all its own, something that goes beyond landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame. Researchers have developed visual data mining software that can automatically detect these sometimes subtle features, such as street signs, streetlamps and balcony railings, that give Paris and other cities a distinctive look. (read more)
Touch your philodendron and control your computer: Technology turns any plant into an interactive device
Posted by on August 6, 2012
Any houseplant -- real or artificial -- could control a computer or any digital device with new technology, called Botanicus Interactus. (read more)
Making mobile better: Mobile computing devices may overtake personal computer for internet use in 2013
Posted by on August 2, 2012
Mobile computing devices will probably overtake the personal computer as the most common means for accessing the Internet worldwide sometime in 2013 and it may not be a seamless transition, according to experts. (read more)
Animation research could offer unparalleled control of characters without skeletons
Posted by on August 2, 2012
Computer-generated characters have become so lifelike in appearance and movement that the line separating reality is almost imperceptible at times. But while bipeds and quadrupeds have reigned supreme in CG animation, attempts to create and control their skeleton-free cousins using similar techniques has proved time-consuming and laborious. Researchers have found a possible solution to this challenge… (read more)
Identifying dolphins with technology
Posted by on July 31, 2012
A student-developed computer program simplifies the process of manual photo identification of bottlenose dolphins and other species. (read more)
Adding a '3D print' button to animation software
Posted by on July 31, 2012
Watch out, Barbie: omnivorous beasts are assembling in a 3D printer near you. A new tool turns animated characters into fully articulated action figures. Computer scientists have created an add-on software tool that translates video game characters —- or any other three-dimensional animations —- into fully articulated action figures, with the help of a 3D printer. (read more)
Interactive proofs: Ten-year-old problem in theoretical computer science falls
Posted by on July 30, 2012
Interactive proofs -- mathematical games that underlie much modern cryptography -- work even if players try to use quantum information to cheat. Computer scientists show there are multiprover interactive proofs that hold up against entangled respondents. (read more)
Picture worth a thousand numbers: New data visualization tool helps find the 'unknown unknowns'
Posted by on July 26, 2012
Scientists have developed a software tool that enables users to perform in-depth analysis of modeling and simulation data, then visualize the results on-screen. The new data analysis and visualization tool offers improved ease of use compared to similar tools, the researchers say. (read more)
Birds' perceptual and maneuvering abilities inspire small unmanned aerial vehicles
Posted by on July 25, 2012
Scientists are looking at birds' perceptual and maneuvering abilities as inspiration for small unmanned aerial vehicle autonomy. They are examining the control and behavioral processes of birds and other small animals when flying at high speeds through complex environments, such as forests or urban settings. (read more)
'Control-Alt-Hack' game lets players try their hand at computer security
Posted by on July 24, 2012
Do you have what it takes to be an ethical hacker? A new card game developed by computer scientists gives players a taste of life as modern computer-security professional. (read more)
Controlling your computer with your eyes
Posted by on July 12, 2012
Millions of people suffering from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries or amputees could soon interact with their computers and surroundings using just their eyes, thanks to a new device that costs less than £40. Composed from off-the-shelf materials, the new device can work out exactly where a person is looking by tracking their eye movements, allowing them… (read more)
Inexperienced video gamers show Macbeth effect
Posted by on July 12, 2012
Current research found that when study participants were asked to select gift products after they had played a violent video game, inexperienced players selected more hygienic products, such as shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant, compared to those who played violent video games more often. Inexperienced players also felt higher moral distress from playing violent games. (read more)
Data storage of tomorrow: Ferroelectricity on the nanoscale
Posted by on July 10, 2012
Scientists have brought some clarity to the here-to-fore confusing physics of ferroelectric nanomaterials, pointing the way to multi-terabyte-per-square-inch of non-volatile computer memory chips. (read more)
Online news 'takes off in US and UK while most Germans prefer a newspaper'
Posted by on July 9, 2012
Researchers are examining how the digital revolution is changing the way we access news. Among the first findings, it shows that of those surveyed, most Germans still prefer a newspaper. Meanwhile, online news has overtaken print and TV news as the most frequently used medium in the UK and US for those using computers, mobile phones and tablets for news. One in five people in the UK now shares news… (read more)
New advanced electronics? Unprecedented subatomic details of exotic ferroelectric nanomaterials
Posted by on July 8, 2012
Scientists have described a technique revealing unprecedented details about the atomic structure and behavior of exotic ferroelectric materials, which are uniquely equipped to store digital information. This research could usher in a new generation of advanced electronics. (read more)
'Next-generation digital Earth' charted
Posted by on July 2, 2012
The world has gotten smaller and more accessible since applications like Google Earth became mainstream, says an expert. However, there is still a long way to go, and there are important steps to take to get there. (read more)
New spin on old method to develop more efficient electronics
Posted by on July 1, 2012
With the advent of semiconductor transistors -- invented in 1947 as a replacement for bulky and inefficient vacuum tubes -- has come the consistent demand for faster, more energy-efficient technologies. To fill this need, researchers are proposing a new spin on an old method: a switch from the use of silicon electronics back to vacuums as a medium for electron transport -- exhibiting a significant… (read more)
All things big and small: The brain's discerning taste for size
Posted by on June 20, 2012
The brain organizes objects based on their physical size, with a specific region of the brain reserved for recognizing large objects and another reserved for small objects, according to a new article. These findings could have major implications for fields like robotics, and could lead to a greater understanding of how the brain organizes and maps information. (read more)
Megapixel camera? Try gigapixel
Posted by on June 20, 2012
By synchronizing 98 tiny cameras in a single device, electrical engineers have developed a prototype camera that can create images with unprecedented detail. (read more)
Videogamers no better at talking while driving
Posted by on June 13, 2012
No matter how much time you've spent training your brain to multitask by playing "Call of Duty," you're probably no better at talking on the phone while driving than anybody else, according to a new study. (read more)
Slashing energy needs for next-generation memory
Posted by on June 7, 2012
Researchers have unveiled a new data-encoding scheme that slashes more than 30 percent of the energy needed to write data onto memory cards that use "phase-change memory" -- a competitor to flash memory that has big backing from industry heavyweights. (read more)
Slime moulds work on computer games
Posted by on June 7, 2012
British computer scientists are taking inspiration from slime to help them find ways to calculate the shape of a polygon linking points on a surface. Such calculations are fundamental to creating realistic computer graphics for gaming and animated movies. The quicker the calculations can be done, the smoother and more realistic the graphics. (read more)
Video games may be helpful in treating 'Lazy eye' in adults
Posted by on June 6, 2012
Suppose someone told you that researchers had discovered that a major cause of vision loss is treatable, and that the most promising new treatment is—playing video games? It may sound far-fetched, but those are the conclusions of a new article. (read more)
Nuclear weapon simulations show performance in molecular detail
Posted by on June 5, 2012
US researchers are perfecting simulations that show a nuclear weapon's performance in precise molecular detail, tools that are becoming critical for national defense because international treaties forbid the detonation of nuclear test weapons. (read more)
New materials could slash energy costs for carbon dioxide capture
Posted by on May 30, 2012
A detailed analysis of more than four million absorbent minerals has determined that new materials could help electricity producers slash as much as 30 percent of the "parasitic energy" costs associated with removing carbon dioxide from power plant emissions. (read more)
Revolutionary chipset for high-speed wireless data transfer
Posted by on May 24, 2012
Scientists have invented a revolutionary chipset for high-speed wireless data transfer, a new microchip that can transfer data the size of 80 MP3 song files (or 250 megabytes) wirelessly between mobile devices, 1000 times faster than Bluetooth. (read more)
Big step toward quantum computing: Efficient and tunable interface for quantum networks
Posted by on May 23, 2012
Quantum computers may someday revolutionize the information world. But in order for quantum computers at distant locations to communicate with one another, they have to be linked together in a network. While several building blocks for a quantum computer have already been successfully tested in the laboratory, a network requires one additonal component: A reliable interface between computers and information… (read more)
Educational games to train middle schoolers' attention, empathy
Posted by on May 21, 2012
Two years ago, at a meeting on science and education, experts challenged video game manufacturers to develop games that emphasize kindness and compassion instead of violence and aggression. (read more)
Indoor navigation system for blind
Posted by on May 18, 2012
A computer science engineering team has developed an indoor navigation system for people with visual impairments. The researchers have explained how a combination of human-computer interaction and motion-planning research was used to build a low-cost accessible navigation system, called Navatar, which can run on a standard smartphone. (read more)
Helping Hands reaches out to patients with cerebral palsy
Posted by on May 10, 2012
A student-made invention, Dino-Might, was designed to help children with cerebral palsy restore strength and flexibility to their hands and wrists. (read more)
Life-size 3-D hologram-like telepods may revolutionize videoconferencing in the future
Posted by on May 3, 2012
Imagine a Star Trek-like human-scale 3-D videoconferencing pod that allows people in different locations to video conference as if they are standing in front of each other. "Why Skype when you can talk to a life-size 3-D holographic image of another person?" says one of the inventors. (read more)
Action videogames change brains, improve visual attention
Posted by on April 26, 2012
Playing an action videogame, even for a relatively short time, causes differences in brain activity and improvements in visual attention, a new study shows. (read more)
Not all today's students are 'tech-savvy'
Posted by on April 22, 2012
A small minority of today’s university students don’t use email and others are confused by the array of technologies available at universities. Yet many students couldn’t bear to be without their mobile phones and find themselves distracted by social networking sites during study.  (read more)
Katrina changed everything: New software predicts how water will spread
Posted by on April 18, 2012
All over the country, millions of Americans still live behind dams or levees, and if these were to fail and unleash catastrophic flooding, as some did in New Orleans in 2005, property and life might once again pay the price. Now there is some remarkable software to help swiftly predict how the water will spread. (read more)
NASA views our perpetual ocean
Posted by on April 9, 2012
The swirling flows of tens of thousands of ocean currents were captured in a scientific visualization created by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. (read more)
Computer scientist leads the way to the next revolution in artificial intelligence
Posted by on April 2, 2012
Scientists have taken Alan Turing's work to its next logical step, translating her 1993 discovery into an adaptable computational system that learns and evolves way much more like our brains do. (read more)
Photonics: Integrated laser on silicon is looking good
Posted by on March 28, 2012
A unique 'micro-loop mirror' design may enhance the performance of integrated laser on silicon. (read more)
Nintendo Wii™ game controllers help diagnose eye disorder
Posted by on March 8, 2012
Wii remotes are not all about fun and games. Scientists can use them to assess and diagnose children with an abnormal head position caused by eye diseases. Researchers have now developed a low-cost digital head posture measuring device with Nintendo Wiimotes to help diagnose this condition, medically called ocular torticollis. (read more)
Players get more pleasure from motion-based video games
Posted by on March 7, 2012
The newest motion-based video games — which are more interactive than standard video game systems with gamepads — are more realistic, give a greater sense of “being there” and are more enjoyable, according to findings by communications studies researchers. (read more)
First computer model of how buds grow into leaves
Posted by on March 1, 2012
Leaves come in all shapes and sizes. Scientists have discovered the simple rules that control leaf shape during growth. Using this "recipe," they have developed the first computer model able to accurately emulate leaf growth from a bud. (read more)
Future smart phones will project images on the wall
Posted by on February 28, 2012
New laser light source has a global market in consumer electronics. Mobile phones currently on the market are capable of showing high quality images and video, but the phones' small size sets insurmountable limits on screen size, and thus the viewing experience. Scientists are now developing a better laser light source for projectors that will be integrated into mobile phones, which will enable accurate… (read more)
Video games depict religion as violent, problematized, study shows
Posted by on February 27, 2012
Many newer-generation video games equate religion with violence in the game narratives, new research shows. (read more)
Impulsive kids play more video games, and kids who play more video games may become more impulsive
Posted by on February 23, 2012
Impulsive children with attention problems tend to play more video games, while kids in general who spend lots of time video gaming may also develop impulsiveness and attention difficulties, according to new research. (read more)
New robots can continuously map their environment with low-cost camera
Posted by on February 16, 2012
Robots could one day navigate through constantly changing surroundings with virtually no input from humans, thanks to a system that allows them to build and continuously update a three-dimensional map of their environment using a low-cost camera such as Microsoft's Kinect. (read more)
Video games lead to new paths to treat cancer, other diseases
Posted by on February 16, 2012
The cure for cancer comes down to this: video games. Scientists have made highly realistic video game images that simulate the inner workings of human cells. Playing these 'games' helps medical researchers see exactly how cells live, divide and die. The research opens new paths for tumor-killing drugs to treat cancer and other diseases. (read more)
Virtual reality supports planning by architects
Posted by on February 15, 2012
Even the most exact construction plan lacks many details and design options. The building owner needs imagination to obtain an idea of the constructed building. Now, new 3D video glasses provide a true representation in virtual reality. With the help of integrated high-resolution motion sensors, the virtual environment adapts to the natural movement of the head in real time. (read more)
Sound rather than sight can activate 'seeing' for the blind, say researchers
Posted by on February 8, 2012
Scientists have tapped onto the visual cortex of the congenitally blind by using sensory substitution devices (SSDs), enabling the blind in effect to "see" and even describe objects. SSDs are non-invasive sensory aids that provide visual information to the blind via their existing senses. For example, using a visual-to-auditory SSD in a clinical or everyday setting, users wear a miniature video camera… (read more)
Scientists develop biological computer to encrypt and decipher images
Posted by on February 7, 2012
Scientists have developed a "biological computer" made entirely from biomolecules that is capable of deciphering images encrypted on DNA chips. (read more)
Engineers boost computer processor performance by over 20 percent
Posted by on February 7, 2012
Researchers have developed a new technique that allows graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs) on a single chip to collaborate – boosting processor performance by an average of more than 20 percent. (read more)
Judder-free videos on the smartphone
Posted by on February 3, 2012
Overloaded cellular networks can get annoying – especially when you want to watch a video on your smartphone. An optimized Radio Resource Manager will soon be able to help network operators accommodate heavy network traffic. (read more)
Unraveling a butterfly's aerial antics could help builders of bug-size flying robots
Posted by on February 2, 2012
By figuring out how butterflies flutter among flowers with amazing grace and agility, researchers hope to help build small airborne robots that can mimic those maneuvers. (read more)
Artificial intelligence: Getting better at the age guessing game
Posted by on February 1, 2012
The active learning algorithm is faster and more accurate in guessing the age of an individual than conventional algorithms. (read more)
Adolescents with autism spend free time using solitary, screen-based media
Posted by on January 25, 2012
Children with autism spectrum disorders tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study found that adolescents with autism (64.2 percent) spend most of their free time using solitary, or non-social, screen-based media (television and video games) while only 13.2 percent spend time on socially interactive media (e-mail, Internet chatting). (read more)
How kids with autism spend screen time
Posted by on January 25, 2012
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to be preoccupied with screen-based media. A new study looks at how children with ASDs spend their “screen time.” Researchers found a very high rate of use of solitary screen-based media such as video games and television with a markedly lower rate of use of social interactive media, including email. (read more)
Faster-than-fast Fourier transform
Posted by on January 18, 2012
Researchers have developed a new algorithm that, in a large range of practically important cases, improves on the fast Fourier transform. Under some circumstances, the improvement can be dramatic -- a tenfold increase in speed. The new algorithm could be particularly useful for image compression, enabling, say, smartphones to wirelessly transmit large video files without draining their batteries or… (read more)
Gaming technology for calculating floods
Posted by on January 18, 2012
Norwegian researchers have borrowed a page from game developers to devise simulation technology that can save lives in many parts of the world by helping to reduce the damage from catastrophic floods. (read more)
Software for analyzing digital pathology images proving its usefulness
Posted by on January 13, 2012
As tissue slides are more routinely digitized to aid interpretation, a software program is proving its utility. In bladder cancer test case, a new software tool separates malignancy from background tissue. (read more)
Cyber project looks to help IT professionals with DNS vulnerabilities
Posted by on January 11, 2012
Computer scientists have developed a visualization tool known as DNSViz to help network administrators within the federal government and global IT community better understand Domain Name System Security (DNSSEC) and to help them troubleshoot problems. (read more)
HokieSpeed is a new powerful supercomputer for the masses
Posted by on December 21, 2011
Virginia Tech crashed the supercomputing arena in 2003 with System X, a machine that placed the university among the world's top computational research facilities. Now comes HokieSpeed, a new supercomputer that is up to 22 times faster and yet a quarter of the size of X. As researchers from around the world have used System X to crack riddles of the blood system and further DNA research, HokieSpeed… (read more)
Computer vision research: Do you see what I see?
Posted by on December 21, 2011
A question confronting neuroscientists and computer vision researchers alike is how objects can be identified by simply "looking" at an image. But teaching a computer to "know" what it's looking at is far harder. Scientists have now modeled human brain structure to develop better programming approaches for computer object identification. (read more)
Computer simulations shed light on the physics of rainbows
Posted by on December 6, 2011
Computer scientists who set out to simulate all rainbows found in nature, wound up answering questions about the physics of rainbows as well. The scientists recreated a wide variety of rainbows by using an improved method for simulating how light interacts with water drops of various shapes and sizes. Their new approach even yielded realistic simulations of difficult-to-replicate "twinned" rainbows… (read more)
Computerized method for matching images in photos, paintings, sketches created
Posted by on December 6, 2011
Computers can mimic the human ability to find visually similar images, such as photographs of a fountain in summer and in winter, or a photograph and a painting of the same cathedral, by using a technique that analyzes the uniqueness of images, say researchers. The research team found that their surprisingly simple technique performed well on a number of visual tasks that normally stump computers,… (read more)
Violent video games alter brain function in young men
Posted by on November 30, 2011
A functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of long-term effects of violent video game play on the brain has found changes in brain regions associated with cognitive function and emotional control in young adult men after one week of game play. (read more)
Mimicking the brain -- in silicon: New computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses
Posted by on November 15, 2011
For decades, scientists have dreamed of building computer systems that could replicate the human brain's talent for learning new tasks. Researchers have now taken a major step toward that goal by designing a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information. This phenomenon, known as plasticity, is believed to underlie many brain functions, including learning and… (read more)
Researchers develop eButton, an easier way to monitor food intake, exercise, and lifestyle
Posted by on November 9, 2011
People attempting to lose weight won't need to track their daily food intake anymore, thanks to a wearable, picture-taking device. eButton -- a device worn on the chest (like a pin) that contains a miniature camera, accelerometer, GPS, and other sensors -- captures data and information of health activities, eliminating the need for daily self-reporting. (read more)
The perfect clone: Researchers hack RFID smartcards
Posted by on November 3, 2011
Professional safecrackers use a stethoscope to find the correct combination by listening to the clicks of the lock. Researchers have now demonstrated how to bypass the security mechanisms of a widely used contactless smartcard in a similar way. Employing so-called “Side-Channel Analysis” the researchers can break the cryptography of millions of cards that are used all around the world. (read more)
Video game playing tied to creativity, research shows
Posted by on November 2, 2011
Both boys and girls who play video games tend to be more creative, regardless of whether the games are violent or nonviolent, according to new research. (read more)
Humanities researchers and digital technologies: Building infrastructures for a new age
Posted by on November 2, 2011
Without research infrastructures such as archives, libraries, academies, museums and galleries, significant strands of humanities research would not be possible, experts argue. By drawing on a number of case studies, a new report demonstrates that digital RIs offer Humanities scholars new and productive ways to explore old questions and develop new ones. (read more)
A SHARP new microscope for the next generation of microchips
Posted by on October 31, 2011
Scientists are building the world's most advanced extreme-ultraviolet microscope to study and design the photolithography masks, materials, patterns, and architectures essential to the next generation of integrated circuits. (read more)
Using photons to manage data
Posted by on October 27, 2011
Managing light to carry computer data, such as text, audio and video, is possible today with laser light beams that are guided along a fiber-optic cable. These waves consist of countless billions of photons, which carry information down the fiber across continents. A research team wants to refine the optical transmission of information by using a single photon, the fundamental building block of light… (read more)
To diagnose heart disease, visualization experts recommend a simpler approach
Posted by on October 27, 2011
A team of computer scientists, physicists, and physicians has developed a simple yet powerful method of visualizing human arteries that may result in more accurate diagnoses of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The prototype tool, called "HemoVis," creates a 2D diagram of arteries that performs better than the traditional 3D, rainbow-colored model. In a clinical setting, the tool has been shown to… (read more)
Three key questions for the IT industry
Posted by on October 27, 2011
Today’s multicore processors are not being utilized in a sufficiently intelligent way. They get too hot and run slowly because they are used inefficiently. At the same time, transistors are becoming so small that they will ultimately become unreliable. Major research organizations are now attempting to create a revolution in computer architecture. (read more)
French digitial kitchen is a recipe for success
Posted by on October 24, 2011
An innovative kitchen that gives step-by-step cooking instructions in French could spark a revolution in language learning in the UK. (read more)
TapSense: Touchscreen technology distinguishes taps by parts of finger
Posted by on October 20, 2011
Smartphone and tablet computer owners have become adept at using finger taps, flicks and drags to control their touchscreens. But researchers have found that this interaction can be enhanced by taking greater advantage of the finger's anatomy and dexterity. By attaching a microphone to a touchscreen, the scientists have shown they can tell the difference between the tap of a fingertip, the pad of… (read more)
The eyes have it: Computer-inspired creativity
Posted by on October 20, 2011
Constraints on creativity imposed by computer-aided design tools are being overcome, thanks to a novel system that incorporates eye-tracking technology. (read more)
Researchers create simulator to train embryologists
Posted by on October 18, 2011
Researchers in Spain have presented a unique system that simulates the environment of an embryology laboratory and avoids the waste of valuable human biological material and breakages of medical equipment. (read more)
Wearable depth-sensing projection system makes any surface capable of multitouch interaction
Posted by on October 17, 2011
OmniTouch, a wearable projection system developed by researchers, enables users to turn pads of paper, walls or even their own hands, arms and legs into graphical, interactive surfaces. OmniTouch employs a depth-sensing camera to track the user's fingers on everyday surfaces. This allows users to control interactive applications by tapping or dragging their fingers, much as they would with touchscreens… (read more)
The future of airport passport control
Posted by on October 14, 2011
Digital security specialists, major European electronics makers, and experts in biometrics worked together to make passport control at airports faster. The technology also could have broader applications on the way our identity documents are design and on the way we access public services. (read more)
Computer vision experts develop 'questionable observer detector'
Posted by on October 11, 2011
Biometrics experts are developing a tool that can help law enforcement and military officials identify suspicious individuals at crime scenes. (read more)
'Ghostwriting' the Torah? New algorithm distinguishes contributors to the Old Testament with high accuracy
Posted by on October 11, 2011
A professor has developed a new computer algorithm to help unravel the different sources that contributed to the authorship of the scriptures. Sidestepping the problems of content-based analysis, his algorithm searches for patterns in writing style to give deeper insight into ancient writings such as the Bible. (read more)
Delays in video calls may not always hurt communication, study finds
Posted by on October 11, 2011
A new study reveals how the delay computer users sometimes experience when making video calls over the internet can actually help communication in some circumstances, even though it is frustrating in many others. Researchers found that when two strangers first talked about an emotionally charged topic over a video connection with a one-second delay, they actually reported less frustration than did… (read more)
Practical play: Interactive video games appear valuable for ICU patients
Posted by on October 5, 2011
Interactive video games, already known to improve motor function in recovering stroke patients, appear to safely enhance physical therapy for patients in intensive care units, new research suggests. (read more)
Researchers develop optimal algorithm for determining focus error in eyes and cameras
Posted by on September 26, 2011
Researchers have discovered how to extract and use information in an individual image to determine how far objects are from the focus distance, a feat only accomplished by human and animal visual systems until now. (read more)
Two-dimensional learning: Viewing computer images causes long-term changes in nerve cell connections
Posted by on September 26, 2011
Viewing two-dimensional images of the environment, as they occur in computer games, leads to sustained changes in the strength of nerve cell connections in the brain. When the researchers presented rats with new spatial environments on a computer screen, they observed long-lasting changes in the communication between nerve cells in a brain structure which is important for long-term memory (hippocampus).… (read more)
Put down that game controller: Researcher suggests video games may not boost cognition
Posted by on September 15, 2011
Wouldn't it be nice if all those hours kids spent glued to their PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo DS video games actually resulted in something tangible? Better grades, perhaps? Improved concentration? Superior driving skills? Over the past decade, many studies and news media reports have suggested that action video games such as Medal of Honor or Unreal Tournament improve a variety of perceptual… (read more)
Personalized 3-D avatars for real life
Posted by on September 15, 2011
Until now, 3-D avatars were mainly used as fun objects for diversion and entertainment purposes of the end user. However, researchers in Spain developed a "personalized 3-D avatars" technology, the aim of which is to facilitate the building of low-cost 3-D avatars. (read more)
Social media for dementia patients
Posted by on September 15, 2011
Research scientists in Norway are developing a "Facebook Light" -- with a user interface suitable for the elderly and people with dementia -- to promote important social contact. Both research and experience show that social contact enables people with dementia to maintain their level of functioning longer. (read more)
Novel software used in first global camera trap mammal study
Posted by on September 13, 2011
A novel software system has been used in the first global camera trap study of mammals. The research emphasizes the importance of protected areas to ensure the diversity and survival of a wide range of animal populations. (read more)
Virtual reality may help adults recover from stroke
Posted by on September 6, 2011
Early results suggest that using virtual reality (VR) human-computer interfaces might help adult stroke patients regain arm function and improve their ability to perform standard tasks, when compared to patients who don't use VR, according to a new review. (read more)
Innovation is step toward digital graphene transistors
Posted by on September 6, 2011
Researchers are making progress in creating digital transistors using a material called graphene, potentially sidestepping an obstacle thought to dramatically limit the material's use in computers and consumer electronics. (read more)
Advertising in violent video games results in poor recall, negative brand perception
Posted by on September 3, 2011
Embedding advertisements in violent video games leads to lower brand recall and negative brand attitudes suggesting advertisers should think twice about including such ads in a media campaign, according to new research. (read more)
Digital quantum simulator developed
Posted by on September 1, 2011
Physicists in Austria have come considerably closer to their goal to investigate complex phenomena in a model system: They have developed a digital, and therefore, universal quantum simulator in their laboratory, which can, in principle, simulate any physical system efficiently. (read more)
To clear digital waste in computers, 'think green,' researchers say
Posted by on September 1, 2011
A digital dumping ground lies inside most computers, a wasteland where old, rarely used and unneeded files pile up. Such data can deplete precious storage space, bog down the system's efficiency and sap its energy. Computer scientists now propose adapting a real-world approach to the cleanup effort. (read more)
Build music with blocks: Audio d-touch
Posted by on August 24, 2011
Researchers have developed a new way to generate music and control computers. (read more)
Football analysis leads to advance in artificial intelligence
Posted by on August 18, 2011
Computer scientists in the field of artificial intelligence have made an important advance that blends computer vision, machine learning and automated planning, and created a new system that may improve everything from factory efficiency to airport operation or nursing care. And it's based on watching the Oregon State University Beavers play football. (read more)
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory flight-tests autonomous multi-target, multi-user tracking capability
Posted by on August 17, 2011
Researchers have shown an autonomous multi-sensor motion-tracking and interrogation system that reduces the workload for analysts by automatically finding moving objects, then presenting high-resolution images of those objects with no human input. (read more)
Holograms reveal brain's inner workings: Microscopy technique used to observe activity of neurons like never before
Posted by on August 16, 2011
Like far away galaxies, powerful tools are required to bring the minute inner workings of neurons into focus. Borrowing a technique from materials science, a team of neurobiologists, psychiatrists, and advanced imaging specialists from Switzerland report how digital holographic microscopy can now be used to observe neuronal activity in real-time and in three dimensions -- with up to 50 times greater… (read more)
3-D face models that give animators intuitive control of expressions
Posted by on August 9, 2011
Flashing a wink and a smirk might be second nature for some people, but computer animators can be hard-pressed to depict such an expression realistically. Now scientists have created computerized models derived from actors' faces that reflect a full range of natural expressions while also giving animators the ability to manipulate facial poses. (read more)
Tactile technology for video games guaranteed to send shivers down your spine
Posted by on August 8, 2011
A new tactile technology called Surround Haptics makes it possible for video game players and film viewers to feel a wide variety of sensations, from the smoothness of a finger being drawn against skin to the jolt of a collision. The technology is based on rigorous psychophysical experiments and new models of tactile perception. (read more)
Body-mounted cameras turn motion capture inside out
Posted by on August 8, 2011
Traditional motion capture techniques use cameras to meticulously record the movements of actors inside studios, enabling those movements to be translated into digital models. But by turning the cameras around -- mounting almost two dozen, outward-facing cameras on the actors themselves -- scientists have shown that motion capture can occur almost anywhere -- in natural environments, over large areas… (read more)
Tracking crime in real time
Posted by on August 8, 2011
Professors have developed a high-powered context-based search algorithm to analyze digital data on-the-fly to support ongoing criminal investigations. The research not only gives crime-fighters a new tool, but also may be used for more legitimate location-based marketing. (read more)
Researchers propose Internet consumer 'nutrition label'
Posted by on August 2, 2011
When it comes to broadband speeds, US Internet service providers largely deliver on their promises, says a new report, but "throughput" is only one of several metrics listed in the report that affect network performance. ISPs should provide a broadband "nutrition label" -- easy-to-understand information about service-limiting factors -- and users need better ways of measuring the performance their… (read more)