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Mindfulness Can Improve Problem-Solving Skills
Mindfulness can increase the capacity to solve computer-engineering problems, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Seville, Spain. The paper is published in the Journal of Systems and Software. What is Mindfulness? In the field of psychology, mindfulness is to be fully aware of the present. The… Read More
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Tailoring Wearable Devices to Maximize User Benefit
Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied and Sciences (SEAS) and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a machine learning algorithm that helps wearable exosuits conform to individual motion habits. For an exosuit to effectively serve its purpose, it must be perfectly tailored to fit its user’s… Read More
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College Roommates’ Sensitivity to Each Other’s Distress Can Be Helpful
While college roommates can sense each other’s distress, a recent study by New York University psychology researchers suggests they tend to underestimate the level of distress that each experiences. Supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, the study is published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Stress in College College… Read More
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Simple Password Guidance Can Significantly Improve Account Security
A simple and effective way to make internet accounts more secure and harder to crack is by offering detailed support and guidance to technology users when creating account passwords, according to a joint study by researchers from the University of Plymouth in the UK, McGill University in Canada, and Purdue University. The paper is published… Read More
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80% of U.S. Energy Could Come From Wind and Solar Power
The U.S. could reliably source 80 percent of its electricity demand from wind and solar power alone, according to a joint study by researchers from the University of California–Irvine (UCI), the California Institute of Technology, and the Carnegie Institution for Science. The ability to produce this much renewable energy is encouraging, as the conversion of… Read More
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Social Media Does Not Displace Face-to-Face Social Interactions
Contrary to popular belief, recent research suggests that social media is not replacing face-to-face contact with family and friends. The study is published in Information, Communication & Society. Fears of Social Displacement For many years, people have worried that social media is replacing human contact. Supporters of this belief poked at the irony: despite its… Read More
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Why Fewer Women Pursue STEM in More Gender-Equal Countries
A recent study reveals a surprising trend — there are fewer women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in wealthier and more gender-equal countries. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Missouri and Leeds Beckett University, UK, is published in Psychological Science. The researchers have found that countries… Read More
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Farm-Fresh Food for Appalachian State Students
Students at Appalachian State University can now enjoy sustainably-produced and locally-grown meat, eggs, produce, and herbs without having to leave campus, thanks to a new farm-to-table initiative. The initiative is a partnership between Appalachian State’s Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development and Food Services, which was spearheaded by Interim Farm Manager Todd Rudicill and Food… Read More
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Having More Species of Wild Bees Is Beneficial
Pollination increases when there are more species of wild bees, according to a recent study led by Rutgers University. The researchers also found that more species of wild bees are needed for pollination when an area is larger. The paper is published in Science. While previous controlled ecological experiments have linked increased pollination to having… Read More
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Launch Your Alka-Rocket to Win $30,000 and to Break the Guinness World Record
Bayer has officially launched the second annual Alka-Rocket Challenge, an event where student scientists compete for a chance to win $30,000 and to break the Guinness World Record for the highest launch of an Alka-Rocket. Bayer, the multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company and owner of Alka-Seltzer, has extended its invitation to compete to teams… Read More
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Stony Brook Hackathon Inspires Cutting-Edge Student-Built Technologies
Over the President’s Day weekend, Stony Brook University welcomed 174 students to the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology to compete in a 40-hour IoT and security hackathon. The event, called Hack@CEWIT, featured student programmers and designers from all over the U.S. A prize money of $7,000 was disbursed to the competitors who… Read More
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High Expectations Tied to Higher Test Scores
Students who expect higher scores from their exams generally achieve them, according to a recent study. The study is led by Jan Magnus, visiting professor at the Department of Econometrics and Operations Research of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Emeritus Professor at the Department of Econometrics & Operations Research in Tilburg University, the Netherlands, and Anatoly… Read More
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Making Fuel Cells Cars More Affordable
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed an inexpensive and efficient alternative catalyst material for fuel cells, a cleaner source of electricity than natural gas or coal. Their paper is published in Small. A fuel cell uses fuels, such as hydrogen, to produce cleaner and more efficient energy than conventional combustion sources. Additionally,… Read More
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Visualizing Successful Futures Can Help Students ‘Navigate Everyday Stressors’
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that identity-based motivation, or the practice of imagining a successful future for oneself, can help students get past their everyday challenges and stresses. The study was led by Mesmin Destin, associate professor in the School of Education and Social Policy and the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University, and… Read More
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A ‘Green’ Carbon Fiber Alternative to Fossil Fuels
An interdisciplinary research team led by Gregg Beckham, a group leader and senior engineer from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has developed an environmentally friendly process to convert biomass into “acrylonitrile,” a key compound in the manufacturing of carbon fiber. Demand for carbon fiber has increased significantly as manufacturers have begun looking for ways… Read More
