The use of big data to address the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts poses ethical concerns that could undermine its benefits without clear governance guidelines that protect and respect patients and society, a University of Massachusetts Amherst study concludes. In research published in the open-access journal BMC Medical Ethics, Elizabeth Evans, associate professor in the … [Read more...] about Big data saves lives, and patient safeguards are needed
Computers
AI model uses retinal scans to predict Alzheimer’s disease: Study shows potential for a new, accessible way to diagnose the neurological disease
A form of artificial intelligence designed to interpret a combination of retinal images was able to successfully identify a group of patients who were known to have Alzheimer's disease, suggesting the approach could one day be used as a predictive tool, according to an interdisciplinary study from Duke University. The novel computer software looks at retinal structure and blood … [Read more...] about AI model uses retinal scans to predict Alzheimer’s disease: Study shows potential for a new, accessible way to diagnose the neurological disease
Math enables custom arrangements of liquid ‘nesting dolls’
While the mesmerizing blobs in a classic lava lamp may appear magical, the colorful shapes move in response to temperature-induced changes in density and surface tension. This process, known as liquid-liquid phase separation, is critical to many functions in living cells, and plays a part in making products like medicines and cosmetics. Now Princeton University researchers have … [Read more...] about Math enables custom arrangements of liquid ‘nesting dolls’
Teaching computers the meaning of sensor names in smart home
The aim of smart homes is to make life easier for those living in them. Applications for environment-aided daily life may have a major social impact, fostering active ageing and enabling older adults to remain independent for longer. One of the keys to smart homes is the system's ability to deduce the human activities taking place. To this end, different types of sensors are … [Read more...] about Teaching computers the meaning of sensor names in smart home
Esports: Fit gamers challenge ‘fat’ stereotype
Esports players are up to 21 per cent healthier weight than the general population, hardly smoke and drink less too, finds a new QUT (Queensland University of Technology) study. The findings, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, were based on 1400 survey participants from 65 countries. First study to investigate the BMI (Body … [Read more...] about Esports: Fit gamers challenge ‘fat’ stereotype
‘Electronic amoeba’ finds approximate solution to traveling salesman problem in linear time
Researchers at Hokkaido University and Amoeba Energy in Japan have, inspired by the efficient foraging behavior of a single-celled amoeba, developed an analog computer for finding a reliable and swift solution to the traveling salesman problem -- a representative combinatorial optimization problem. Many real-world application tasks such as planning and scheduling in logistics … [Read more...] about ‘Electronic amoeba’ finds approximate solution to traveling salesman problem in linear time
Getting the right grip: Designing soft and sensitive robotic fingers: Scientists make a big leap in development of soft robotic grippers by integrating sensing mechanisms into 3D printable fingers
Although robotics has reshaped and even redefined many industrial sectors, there still exists a gap between machines and humans in fields such as health and elderly care. For robots to safely manipulate or interact with fragile objects and living organisms, new strategies to enhance their perception while making their parts softer are needed. In fact, building a safe and … [Read more...] about Getting the right grip: Designing soft and sensitive robotic fingers: Scientists make a big leap in development of soft robotic grippers by integrating sensing mechanisms into 3D printable fingers
Energy-efficient magnetic RAM: A new building block for spintronic technologies
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Seoul National University in South Korea have demonstrated a new way to enhance the energy efficiency of a non-volatile magnetic memory device called SOT-MRAM. Published in Advanced Materials, this finding opens up a new window of exciting opportunities for future energy-efficient magnetic memories based … [Read more...] about Energy-efficient magnetic RAM: A new building block for spintronic technologies
Report assesses promises and pitfalls of private investment in conservation
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) today released a report entitled "Innovative Finance for Conservation: Roles for Ecologists and Practitioners" that offers guidelines for developing standardized, ethical and effective conservation finance projects. Public and philanthropic sources currently supply most of the funds for protecting and conserving species and ecosystems. … [Read more...] about Report assesses promises and pitfalls of private investment in conservation
Microfluidic system with cell-separating powers may unravel how novel pathogens attack: The system can separate different cell types within microdroplets.
To develop effective therapeutics against pathogens, scientists need to first uncover how they attack host cells. An efficient way to conduct these investigations on an extensive scale is through high-speed screening tests called assays. Researchers at Texas A&M University have invented a high-throughput cell separation method that can be used in conjunction with droplet … [Read more...] about Microfluidic system with cell-separating powers may unravel how novel pathogens attack: The system can separate different cell types within microdroplets.