Computers

Working safely is not only about processes, but context -- understanding the work environment and circumstances, and being able to predict what other people will do next. A new system empowers robots with this level of context awareness, so they can work side-by-side with humans on assembly lines more efficiently and without unnecessary interruptions. Instead of being able to … [Read more...] about Robots can be more aware of human co-workers, with system that provides context

The digital revolution is built on a foundation of invisible 1s and 0s called bits. As decades pass, and more and more of the world's information and knowledge morph into streams of 1s and 0s, the notion that computers prefer to "speak" in binary numbers is rarely questioned. According to new research from Columbia Engineering, this could be about to change. A new study from … [Read more...] about Deep learning networks prefer the human voice — just like us

Researchers have found a way to use chaos to help develop digital fingerprints for electronic devices that may be unique enough to foil even the most sophisticated hackers. Just how unique are these fingerprints? The researchers believe it would take longer than the lifetime of the universe to test for every possible combination available. "In our system, chaos is very, very … [Read more...] about Scientists harness chaos to protect devices from hackers

School-based interventions that target students with, or at risk of, academic difficulties in kindergarten to grade 6 have positive effects on reading and mathematics, according to an article published in Campbell Systematic Reviews. The review analyzed evidence from 205 studies, 186 of which were randomized controlled trials, to examine the effects of targeted school-based … [Read more...] about Do school-based interventions help improve reading and math in at-risk children?

The founding chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Houston is reporting a new deep neural network architecture that provides early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune disease marked by hardened or fibrous skin and internal organs. The proposed network, implemented using a standard laptop computer (2.5 GHz Intel Core i7), can … [Read more...] about Screening for skin disease on your laptop: New artificial neural network design can differentiate between healthy and diseased skin

With over 70% of respondents to a AAA annual survey on autonomous driving reporting they would fear being in a fully self-driving car, makers like Tesla may be back to the drawing board before rolling out fully autonomous self-driving systems. But new research from Northwestern University shows us we may be better off putting fruit flies behind the wheel instead of … [Read more...] about Understanding fruit fly behavior may be next step toward autonomous vehicles: Could the way drosophila use antennae to sense heat help us teach self-driving cars make decisions?

A world-first 'flow model' devised by Australian researchers could drastically slash public transport commuter times during peak periods on some of the busiest roads in major cities, new research shows. When this flow model was implemented to improve the worst traffic bottlenecks across Melbourne, commuters saved close to 2000 hours of travel time during a single morning peak … [Read more...] about Go with the flow: New model helps cities crack bottlenecks, decrease commute times

Math's top prize, the Fields Medal, has succeeded in making mathematics more inclusive but still rewards elitism, according to a Dartmouth study. Published in Nature's Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, the study analyzed the effectiveness of the Fields Medal to make math at its highest level more representative across nations and identities. The result provides a … [Read more...] about Big data tells story of diversity, migration of math’s elite: Analysis of nearly 250,000 mathematicians gives a picture of the world of math

The qubit is the building block of quantum computing, analogous to the bit in classical computers. To perform error-free calculations, quantum computers of the future are likely to need at least millions of qubits. The latest study, published in the journal PRX Quantum, suggests that these computers could be made with industrial-grade silicon chips using existing manufacturing … [Read more...] about Study shows promise of quantum computing using factory-made silicon chips: A single qubit on a standard silicon transistor chip has been successfully demonstrated as

A new study, out this week, could pave the way to revolutionary, transparent electronics. Such see-through devices could potentially be integrated in glass, in flexible displays and in smart contact lenses, bringing to life futuristic devices that seem like the product of science fiction. For several decades, researchers have sought a new class of electronics based on … [Read more...] about A new, positive approach could be the key to next-generation, transparent electronics: Filling a crucial gap in the materials spectrum