Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Ultra-thin film creates vivid 3D images with large field of view      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new ultra-thin film that can create detailed 3D images viewable under normal illumination without any special reading devices. The images appear to float on top of the film and can be clearly viewed from all angles. The new imaging film uses a technology known as light-field imaging, which captures the direction and intensity of all rays of light within a scene to create a 3D image. With additional development, the new glass-free approach could be used as a visual security feature or incorporated into virtual or augmented reality devices.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Training virtually can reduce psychosocial stress and anxiety      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Everyone knows that exercise brings physical and psychological benefits. A new study suggests that virtual reality exercise induces similar effects, meaning those with limited mobility may be able to improve their mental well-being.

Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Wildfire smoke exposure negatively impacts dairy cow health      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Increasing frequency and size of wildfires in the United States over the past several decades affect everything from human life and health to air quality, biodiversity, and land use. The US dairy industry is not exempt from these effects. The Western states, where wildfires are especially prevalent, are home to more than two million dairy cows that produce more than 25% of the nation's milk. A new report examines how dairy cattle in the Western United States may be affected by unique air pollutants from wildfire smoke.

Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Earliest record of wildfires provide insights to Earth's past vegetation and oxygen levels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While wildfires over recent years have raged across much of the western United States and pose significant hazards to wildlife and local populations, wildfires have been a long-standing part of Earth's systems without the influence of humans for hundreds of millions of years.

Environmental: Wildfires
Published

New fire shelter prototypes could buy time for wildfire firefighters      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Temperatures inside new wildfire shelter prototypes remained within survival limits for longer, and the shelters took longer to break open, compared with an industry standard.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Staring at yourself during virtual chats may worsen your mood      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study finds that the more a person stares at themself while talking with a partner in an online chat, the more their mood degrades over the course of the conversation. Alcohol use appears to worsen the problem, the researchers found.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Study evaluates how to eliminate telemedicine's virtual waiting room      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have conducted a 10-week study to evaluate how text messaging a link to patients when their doctor is ready provides a way to connect patients and doctors without relying on the virtual waiting room.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Designers find better solutions with computer assistance, but sacrifice creative touch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A computer-guided approach to design can propose more solutions and balance out human inexperience and design fixation.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Haptics device creates realistic virtual textures      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Tactile sensation is an incredibly important part of how humans perceive their reality. Haptics or devices that can produce extremely specific vibrations that can mimic the sensation of touch are a way to bring that third sense to life. However, as far as haptics have come, humans are incredibly particular about whether or not something feels 'right,' and virtual textures don't always hit the mark. Now, researchers have developed a new method for computers to achieve that true texture -- with the help of human beings. Called a preference-driven model, the framework uses our ability to distinguish between the details of certain textures as a tool in order to give these virtual counterparts a tune-up.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Virtual immune system roadmap unveiled      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have published a roadmap for creating a digital twin of the immune system. Patterned after digital twins used in industry to test innovations on a model, the digital twin would create a virtual immune system tailored to individuals. Physicians could use this model to develop precision treatments based on a person's genetics and personal history. It could answer questions why some people react differently to COVID-19 infection, for example, or design precise immunosuppressant therapy for transplant patients, or allow pharmaceutical companies to more quickly bring drugs to market.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Algorithms empower metalens design      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new method for designing large-scale metasurfaces that uses techniques of machine intelligence to generate designs automatically. The method will enable new metasurface designs that can make an impact on virtual or augmented reality, self-driving cars, and machine vision for embarked systems and satellites.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Eavesdroppers can hack 6G frequency with DIY metasurface      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Crafty hackers can make a tool to eavesdrop on some 6G wireless signals in as little as five minutes using office paper, an inkjet printer, a metallic foil transfer and a laminator.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Study finds realism a key factor in driving engagement with virtual reality videos      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A recent study finds that realism is a key factor in determining whether viewers engage with virtual reality videos -- and that engagement is itself a key factor in determining whether viewers are interested in watching VR videos in the future.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Laser bursts drive extremely fast logic gates      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By clarifying the role of 'real' and 'virtual' charge carriers in laser-induced currents, researchers have taken a decisive step toward creating ultrafast computers.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Head, body, eye coordination conserved across animal kingdom      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Fruit flies synchronize the movements of their heads and bodies to stabilize their vision and fly effectively, according to researchers who utilized virtual-reality flight simulators. The finding appears to hold true in primates and other animals, the researchers say, indicating that animals evolved to move their eyes and bodies independently to conserve energy and improve performance. This understanding could inform the design of advanced mobile robots.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Immersive VR: Empowering kids to survive in fire, flood, and war      (via sciencedaily.com) 

When you live in the driest State in the driest country in the world, bushfires are an unfortunate, and all-too-regular part of life. Learning how to survive such emergencies is important for all people, but especially for our youngest citizens.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

New process enables 3D printing of small and complex components made of glass in just a few minutes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists combine materials science invention with newly developed 3D printing technology. Components made of highly transparent glass can be manufactured in just a few minutes and with great geometric freedom. Possible applications of the new process technology are micro-optical components of sensors, microscopes or lab-on-a-chip systems

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

New polymer materials make fabricating optical interconnects easier      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed new polymer materials that are ideal for making the optical links necessary to connect chip-based photonic components with board-level circuits or optical fibers. These materials can be used to easily create interconnects between photonic chips and optical printed circuit boards, the light-based equivalent of electronic printed circuit boards.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

How did visitors experience the domestic space in Pompeii?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have used virtual reality and 3D eye-tracking technology to examine what drew the attention of the visitors when entering the stunning environment of an ancient Roman house. The team recreated the House of Greek Epigrams in 3D and tracked the gaze of study participants as they viewed the home.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Adding AI to Museum exhibits increases learning, keeps kids engaged longer      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have demonstrated a more effective way to support learning and increase engagement at science-focused museum exhibits. They used artificial intelligence to create a new genre of interactive, hands-on exhibits that includes an intelligent, virtual assistant to interact with visitors. When the researchers compared their intelligent exhibit to a traditional one, they found that the intelligent exhibit increased learning and the time spent at the exhibit.