ScienceDaily: Computers & Math News

Evidence mounts for quantum criticality theory Posted: 30 Jan 2015 06:14 PM PST A new study adds to the growing evidence supporting a theory that strange electronic behaviors -- including high-temperature superconductivity and heavy fermion physics -- arise from quantum fluctuations of strongly correlated electrons.

Research uncovers connection between Craigslist personals, HIV trends Posted: 30 Jan 2015 10:28 AM PST Craigslist's entry into a market results in a 15.9 percent increase in reported HIV cases, according to research. When mapped at the national level, more than 6,000 HIV cases annually and treatment costs estimated between $62 million and $65.3 million can be linked to the popular website, the authors state.

Computing: Common 'data structure' revamped to work with multicore chips Posted: 30 Jan 2015 09:18 AM PST Every undergraduate computer-science major takes a course on data structures, which describes different ways of organizing data in a computer's memory. Every data structure has its own advantages: Some are good for fast retrieval, some for efficient search, some for quick insertions and deletions, and so on. Scientists have now developed a new way of implementing priority queues that lets them keep pace with the addition of new cores. In simulations, algorithms using their data structure continued to demonstrate performance improvement with the addition of new cores, up to a total of 80 cores.

Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad and the unknown Posted: 30 Jan 2015 07:26 AM PST Mobile devices are everywhere and children are using them more frequently at young ages. The impact these mobile devices are having on the development and behavior of children is still relatively unknown. Researchers review the many types of interactive media available today and raise important questions regarding their use as educational tools, as well as their potential detrimental role in stunting the development of important tools for self-regulation.

Tweeting about sexism could improve a woman's wellbeing Posted: 30 Jan 2015 05:18 AM PST Publically tweeting about sexism could improve a woman's wellbeing as it has the potential to let them to express themselves in ways that feel like they can make a difference, a new report suggests.

New technologies to help patients with Parkinson's disease Posted: 30 Jan 2015 05:15 AM PST New wearable sensor networks and mobile phone applications are being tested for their potential to monitor and manage patients with Parkinson’s disease. The research aim is the usage of low-cost wearable sensors that can continuously collect and process the accelerometry signals to automatically detect and quantify the symptoms of the patient. Once we this is done, the information is sent to hospital to generate a daily report that will alert the doctor in case of any outlier.

Mobile teledermoscopy for short-term monitoring of atypical moles Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:38 AM PST Allowing patients to use mobile devices to capture skin images appears to be a feasible and effective method for short-term monitoring of atypical nevi (moles), according to an article.

Results of sun-safety mobile app released Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:38 AM PST A smartphone mobile app that can provide personalized, real-time sun protection advice improved some sun protection behavior, according to an article.

Supercomputing the evolution of a model flower Posted: 27 Jan 2015 01:50 PM PST Cold and drought sensitive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana flowering plant found to evolve differential expression responses. Findings increase basic understanding of plant adaptation and can be applied to improve crops. Scientists combined lab data from grown plants with genomic analysis through the Stampede and Lonestar supercomputers of the Texas Advanced Computing Center and the iPlant Collaborative.

Using 3-D printing, clinicians repair tracheal damage Posted: 27 Jan 2015 08:12 AM PST A medical breakthrough has been made using 3-D printing on a MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3-D Printer to create cartilage designed for tracheal repair or replacement. The research combined two emerging fields: 3D printing and tissue engineering. Tissue engineering is like other kinds of engineering, except instead of using steel or computer code to make things, living cells from skin, muscle or cartilage are the raw material.

Practicing nursing care in a virtual world Posted: 26 Jan 2015 05:40 AM PST Oculus Rift, a gaming headset, can help teach nurses how to communicate better, researchers suggest. The Oculus Rift headset gives your body and your mind the powerful experience of being in a virtual world. Your body feels confused, the signals that your brain gets from your eyes don't quite match with what the rest of your body is experiencing. Your heart rate jumps, and you might even feel nauseated. But many are intrigued -- and consumed by the experience.