http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/computer_science/ Computer Science. Read all the latest developments in the computer sciences including articles on new software, hardware and systems. en-us Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/computer_science/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171746.htm Researchers are making progress in developing a new type of transistor that uses a finlike structure instead of the conventional flat design, possibly enabling engineers to create faster and more compact circuits and computer chips. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141249.htm Computer scientists are using Android, the open-source mobile operating system championed by Google, to transform a cell phone into a flexible data-collection tool. Their free suite of tools, named Open Data Kit, is already used by organizations around the world that need inexpensive ways to gather information in areas with little infrastructure. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105355.htm College age students text the most, preferring it to calls or e-mail. However, new research is suggesting that the copious amounts of texting could lead to overuse injuries -- once only reserved for older adults who have spent years in front of a computer. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102700.htm An international team of scientists has shown how the chemistry of surface reactions underpinning catalysis can be modeled accurately with computers. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121203.htm If you forget your password when logging into an e-mail or online shopping website, the site will likely ask you a security question: What is your mother's maiden name? Where were you born? The trouble is that such questions are not very secure. But computer scientists are testing a new tactic that could be both easier and more secure. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109121203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029151439.htm Researchers have succeeded in getting hold of the environment of a quantum particle. This allows them to exercise greater control over a single electron, and brings the team of researchers a step closer still to the super-fast quantum computer. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029151439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102658.htm Researchers in Spain have designed a system for the mobility of military troops within a battlefield following the mechanisms used by ant colonies to move. The scientists have used settings of Panzer General, a commercial war video game, for the development of this software. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106102658.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121209.htm A computer scientist has new evidence regarding a photograph of accused JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. He digitally analyzed the iconic image of Oswald pictured in a backyard setting holding a rifle in one hand and Marxist newspapers in the other, and he says the photo almost certainly was not altered. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105121209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105102729.htm A team of researchers in Spain has developed a protocol to distort the user profile generated by Internet search engines, in such a way that they cannot save the searches undertaken by Internet users and thus preserve their privacy. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105102729.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101628.htm The eyes may be the mirror to the soul, but the iris reveals a person's true identity. A new report demonstrates that iris recognition algorithms can maintain their accuracy even with compact images, affirming their potential for large-scale identity management applications. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103112247.htm When searching for basketball videos online, a long list of Web sites appears, which may contain a picture or a word describing a basketball. But what if the computer could search inside videos for a basketball? Researchers are developing software that would enable computers to search inside videos, detect humans and specific objects, and perform other video analysis tasks. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103112247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102246.htm The spread of malware, or computer viruses, is a growing problem that can lead to crashed computer systems, stolen personal information, and billions of dollars in lost productivity every year. One of the most insidious types of malware is a "rootkit," which can effectively hide the presence of other spyware or viruses from the user. But now researchers have devised a way to block rootkits and prevent them from taking over your computer systems. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103102246.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171611.htm Shoppers could see lower prices but less variety to choose from as more manufacturers sell directly to consumers through the Internet, according to new research. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171611.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031003511.htm What are the odds that your digital identity will be stolen by cyber criminals? Why do bank payment systems crash when everybody is trying to pay for Christmas gifts by credit card? Cyber criminals are everywhere. Now, help is just a click away. Researchers have developed a new, ultrafast digital signature scheme that is 17,000 times faster than current systems for verification, and 10,000 times faster in providing a digital signature. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031003511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028113948.htm Scientists are using an adapted version of VPIC, a particle-in-cell plasma physics code, to model the nonlinear physics of laser backscatter energy transfer and plasma instabilities in an attempt to reach fusion ignition. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028113948.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162001.htm Scientists have always attempted to develop spin transistors by incorporating local ferromagnets into device architectures. A far better and practical way to manipulate the orientation of an electron's spin would be by using purely electrical means. Researchers have now found an innovative and novel way to control an electron's spin orientation using purely electrical means. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027162001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029120858.htm Does your laptop sometimes get so hot that it can almost be used to fry eggs? New technology may help cool it and give information technology a unique twist. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029120858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095447.htm Service-centric software engineering is the latest paradigm in computing, and researchers have developed a platform they believe will launch the concept into the business world. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095447.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161536.htm In a new study the evolutionary history of more than 10,000 sequences from more than 400 HIV-infected individuals was compared. The idea is to identify common features of the transmitted virus, and attempt to create a vaccine that enables recognition the original transmitted virus before the body's immune response causes the virus to react and mutate. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161539.htm Smokers who crushed computer-simulated cigarettes as part of a psychosocial treatment program in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence than smokers participating in the same program who grasped a computer-simulated ball, according to a new study. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152942.htm A new "Roadrunner Universe" model requires a petascale computer because, like the universe, it's mind-bendingly large. The model's basic unit is a particle with a mass of approximately one billion suns (in order to sample galaxies with masses of about a trillion suns), and it includes 64 billion and more of those particles. The model is one of the largest simulations of the distribution of matter in the universe, and aims to look at galaxy-scale mass concentrations above and beyond quantities seen in state-of-the-art sky surveys. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152942.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026125535.htm The world's fastest supercomputer, Roadrunner, at Los Alamos National Laboratory has completed its initial "shakedown" phase doing accelerated petascale computer modeling and simulations of a variety of unclassified, fundamental science projects. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026125535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026133016.htm A robot is currently building a looping brick wall right in the middle of New York City. Over a period of three weeks, passers-by can watch the "Pike Loop" installation in the making on a traffic island. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026133016.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016224157.htm Researchers have demonstrated some of the first commercially viable plasmonic devices, paving the way for a new era of high-speed communications and computing in which electronic and optical signals can be handled simultaneously. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016224157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022153637.htm While more older adults than ever are using cell phones and computers, a technology gap still exists that threatens to turn senior citizens into second-class citizens, according to Florida State University researchers. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022153637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020192204.htm Japanese researchers have developed a computer program which may be able tell from an emergency call if you are about to die. Research shows that a computer algorithm is able to predict the patient's risk of dying at the time of the emergency call. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020192204.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111614.htm Engineers have created a new material that would allow a fingernail-size computer chip to store the equivalent of 20 high-definition DVDs or 250 million pages of text, far exceeding the storage capacities of today's computer memory systems. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163025.htm Scientists have created a remote-controlled robot that is able to simulate the "visual" experience of a blind person who has been implanted with a visual prosthesis, such as an artificial retina. An artificial retina consists of a silicon chip studded with a varying number of electrodes that directly stimulate retinal nerve cells. It is hoped that this approach may one day give blind persons the freedom of independent mobility. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015191043.htm Conventional imaging systems incorporate a light source for illuminating an object and a separate sensing device for recording the light rays scattered by the object. By using lenses and software, the recorded information can be turned into a proper image. Human vision is an ordinary process: the use of two eyes (and a powerful brain that processes visual information) provides human observers with a sense of depth perception. But how does a video camera attached to a robot "see" in three dimensions? Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015191043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122651.htm A new computerized approach to airport operations is being developed that will reduce delays, speed up baggage handling and decrease pollution. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122639.htm Computer scientists are working on the development of an efficient and intelligent facial expression recognition system. The system is capable of locating the face region using derivative-based filtering and recognizing facial expressions using boosting classifier. The portable device is being developed to help autistic children understand the emotions of surrounding people. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122639.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133117.htm In the quest for smaller, faster computer chips, researchers are increasingly turning to quantum mechanics -- the exotic physics of the small. The problem: the manufacturing techniques required to make quantum devices have been equally exotic. That is, until now. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015133117.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122056.htm Researchers have combined low-power, embedded processors typically used in netbooks with flash memory to create a server architecture that is fast, but far more energy efficient for data-intensive applications than the systems now used by major Internet services. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014122056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084212.htm Studying the formation of nanoscopic carbon geodesic domes offers insight into the growth of graphene sheets, and may lead to compact, efficient circuitry. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162746.htm Millions of Internet users have been enjoying the fun -- and free -- services provided by advertiser-supported online social networks like Facebook. But a computer scientist worries about the possible down side -- privacy problems. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013162746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210329.htm A computer which automatically recognizes sign language enables children who are deaf or hard of hearing to expand their sign language vocabulary more quickly. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210329.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803092606.htm The world's smallest computers, made of DNA and other biological molecules, just got more "user friendly." Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803092606.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110053.htm Two decades ago, studies showed that computer users were violating best practices for setting up hack-proof passwords, and not much has changed since then. What's clear, say researchers , is that until human factors/ergonomics methods are applied to the problem, it isn't likely to go away. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013110053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706090557.htm From the motion sensor to the computer chip, in many products of daily life components are used whose functioning is based on smallest structures of the size of thousandths -- or even millionths -- of millimeters. These micro and nano structures must be manufactured and assembled with the highest precision so that in the end, the overall system will function smoothly. Scientists have now developed a metrological scanning probe microscope into a micro and nano coordinate measuring instrument. This now allows dimensional quantities with nanometer resolution also to be measured on three-dimensional objects in an extraordinarily large measurement range of 25 mm x 25 mm x 5 mm. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706090557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192739.htm The University of Tennessee's Kraken supercomputer was just upgraded to a peak performance exceeding one petaflop, making it the fastest system in the country managed by an academic institution and placing it among the five fastest systems in the world. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081353.htm Using computer modeling, researchers have discovered lung cancer "pathways" that could become targets for new drugs. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007081353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006202858.htm Challenge a simple pocket calculator at arithmetic and you may be left in the dust. But even the most sophisticated computer cannot match the reasoning of a youngster who looks outside, sees a fresh snowfall, and knows how to bundle up for the frosty outdoors. For artificial intelligence scientists, enabling computers to have such human-level intelligence requires a commonsense knowledge base that can evolve and learn new things. But it's an elusive goal. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006202858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123050.htm The qubits that carry quantum information are typically fragile, but a new method of combing six photons leads to robust qubits that are immune to many of the effects that threaten to scramble quantum data. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm Stroke rehabilitation technology which patients can operate in their own homes while playing computer games, is being developed by academics in the UK. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161900.htm Robots equipped with wireless and sensing capabilities are available for use in the home. But the safety and privacy risks of these devices are not yet adequately addressed, according to a new study. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161900.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113339.htm Because it will be difficult to prevent cyber attacks on critical civilian and military computer networks by threatening to punish attackers, the United States must focus its efforts on defending these networks from cyber attack, according to a new analysis by experts. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008113339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007103026.htm Recent bank failures point to the continuing need for vigilance by regulators and investors. Now, a new report discusses the possibility of an early-warning system that spots the outliers before they fail. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007103026.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006113005.htm Researchers in Spain are creating a statistical model to calculate the probability of university students dropping out and to help in the drawing up of strategic plans to reduce the number of students who give up their studies. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006113005.htm