Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Revolutionary self-sensing electric artificial muscles      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have made groundbreaking advancements in bionics with the development of a new electric variable-stiffness artificial muscle. This innovative technology possesses self-sensing capabilities and has the potential to revolutionize soft robotics and medical applications. The artificial muscle seamlessly transitions between soft and hard states, while also sensing forces and deformations. With flexibility and stretchability similar to natural muscle, it can be integrated into intricate soft robotic systems and adapt to various shapes. By adjusting voltages, the muscle rapidly changes its stiffness and can monitor its own deformation through resistance changes. The fabrication process is simple and reliable, making it ideal for a range of applications, including aiding individuals with disabilities or patients in rehabilitation training.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Bees make decisions better and faster than we do, for the things that matter to them      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Research reveals how millions of years of evolution has engineered honey bees to make fast decisions and reduce risk.

Mathematics: General Mathematics: Statistics Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Number cruncher calculates whether whales are acting weirdly      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

We humans can be a scary acquaintance for whales in the wild. This includes marine biologists tagging them with measuring devices to understand them better. These experiences can make whales behave erratically for a while. Such behaviour can affect research quality and highlights an animal ethics dilemma. Now, researchers have figured out how to solve the problems with math.

Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

AI tests into top 1% for original creative thinking      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research suggests artificial intelligence can match the top 1% of human thinkers on a standard test for creativity.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Researchers create highly conductive metallic gel for 3D printing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a metallic gel that is highly electrically conductive and can be used to print three-dimensional (3D) solid objects at room temperature.

Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Artificial cells demonstrate that 'life finds a way'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study using a synthetic 'minimal cell' organism stripped down to the 'bare essentials' for life demonstrates the tenacity of organism's power to evolve and adapt, even in the face of an unnatural genome that would seemingly provide little flexibility.

Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Growing bio-inspired polymer brains for artificial neural networks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method for connecting neurons in neuromorphic wetware has been developed. The wetware comprises conductive polymer wires grown in a three-dimensional configuration, done by applying square-wave voltage to electrodes submerged in a precursor solution. The voltage can modify wire conductance, allowing the network to be trained. This fabricated network is able to perform unsupervised Hebbian learning and spike-based learning.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Displays controlled by flexible fins and liquid droplets more versatile, efficient than LED screens      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Flexible displays that can change color, convey information and even send veiled messages via infrared radiation are now possible, thanks to new research. Engineers inspired by the morphing skins of animals like chameleons and octopuses have developed capillary-controlled robotic flapping fins to create switchable optical and infrared light multipixel displays that are 1,000 times more energy efficient than light-emitting devices.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Turning old maps into 3D digital models of lost neighborhoods      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Imagine strapping on a virtual reality headset and 'walking' through a long-gone neighborhood in your city -- seeing the streets and buildings as they appeared decades ago. That's a very real possibility now that researchers have developed a method to create 3D digital models of historic neighborhoods using machine learning and historic Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.

Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

NeuWS camera answers 'holy grail problem' in optical imaging      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have demonstrated full-motion video camera technology that can 'see' through light-scattering media. The research could potentially be used in cameras that peer through fog, smoke, driving rain, murky water and parts of the body that hide tumors and other lesions.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

'Electronic skin' from bio-friendly materials can track human vital signs with ultrahigh precision      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have used materials inspired by molecular gastronomy to create smart wearables that surpassed similar devices in terms of strain sensitivity. They integrated graphene into seaweed to create nanocomposite microcapsules for highly tunable and sustainable epidermal electronics. When assembled into networks, the tiny capsules can record muscular, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure measurements in real-time with ultrahigh precision.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Researchers make a quantum computing leap with a magnetic twist      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists and engineers have announced a significant advancement in developing fault-tolerant qubits for quantum computing. In a pair of articles, they report that, in experiments with flakes of semiconductor materials -- each only a single layer of atoms thick -- they detected signatures of 'fractional quantum anomalous Hall' (FQAH) states. The team's discoveries mark a first and promising step in constructing a type of fault-tolerant qubit because FQAH states can host anyons -- strange 'quasiparticles' that have only a fraction of an electron's charge. Some types of anyons can be used to make what are called 'topologically protected' qubits, which are stable against any small, local disturbances.

Computer Science: General Mathematics: General
Published

What math can teach us about standing up to bullies      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research from Dartmouth takes a fresh look at game theory to show that being uncooperative can help people on the weaker side of a power dynamic achieve a more equal outcome -- and even inflict some loss on their abusive counterpart. The findings can be applied to help equalize the balance of power in labor negotiations, international relations and everyday interactions, as well as integrate cooperation into interconnected AI systems such as driverless cars.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
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'Toggle switch' can help quantum computers cut through the noise      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

What good is a powerful computer if you can't read its output? Or readily reprogram it to do different jobs? People who design quantum computers face these challenges, and a new device may make them easier to solve.

Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Generative AI models are encoding biases and negative stereotypes in their users      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the space of a few months generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, Google's Bard and Midjourney, have been adopted by more and more people in a variety of professional and personal ways. But growing research is underlining that they are encoding biases and negative stereotypes in their users, as well as mass generating and spreading seemingly accurate but nonsensical information. Worryingly, marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by the fabrication of this nonsensical information.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Physicists discover a new switch for superconductivity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study sheds surprising light on how certain superconductors undergo a 'nematic transition' -- unlocking new, superconducting behavior. The results could help identify unconventional superconducting materials.

Computer Science: General Energy: Technology Physics: Optics
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New microcomb device advances photonic technology      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have outlined a new high-speed tunable microcomb that could help propel advances in wireless communication, imaging, atomic clocks, and more.

Computer Science: General
Published

An app can transform smartphones into thermometers that accurately detect fevers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team has created an app called FeverPhone, which transforms smartphones into thermometers without adding new hardware.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

AI that uses sketches to detect objects within an image could boost tumor detection, and search for rare bird species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Teaching machine learning tools to detect specific objects in a specific image and discount others is a 'game-changer' that could lead to advancements in cancer detection, according to researchers.

Biology: Botany Biology: General Computer Science: General Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Nature Paleontology: Climate
Published

AI reveals hidden traits about our planet's flora to help save species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Machine learning can help extract important information from the huge numbers of plant specimens stored in herbaria, say scientists.