Popular on TUN A range of skin tone options for emojis was first introduced in 2015, leading to fears that the icons, if used inappropriately, would provoke negative racial sentiments online. A recent study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, however, has found that emoji skin tone options promote diversity, and not racism, on Twitter. The researchers surveyed over one billion tweets from around the world and concluded that the use of emojis with skin tone options has been positive and the options offer users a form of self-expression. “The introduction of skin tone choices for emojis has been a Do Emoji Skin Tone Options Help Or Hurt Diversity?By: Natalie ColarossiAdvocacy Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:45:24 +0000Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:45:24 +0000 The walls around us everywhere don’t merit much thought, usually. But our run-of-the-mill walls will no longer serve merely as a room divider, not if a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Disney Research has anything to do with it. The researchers have figured out a way to convert ordinary walls into smart walls capable of sensing human touch and detecting gestures or even the use of appliances. What will smart walls bring? The researchers believe the system could be used in many ways, including controlling video games with gestures, adjusting light levels when a TV is Can Walls Be Smart, Really?By: Susan ChuTechnology Wed, 25 Apr 2018 16:04:10 +0000Wed, 25 Apr 2018 16:04:10 +0000 A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of British Columbia in Canada has developed an algorithm to re-create natural motions in computer animation. Traditional computer-simulated motions are seen as clumsy and rhythmless, often failing at mimicking a human’s natural motions. Disappointed by old techniques, the team was inspired to find a solution. “The motivation for this work is that we want to develop simulated characters that can perform some very challenging skills while also moving in a natural manner,” said Xue Bin (Jason) Peng, a UC Berkeley graduate student and researcher. Pieter Abbeel and New Algorithm Leads To Breakdancing, Acrobatic Simulated CharactersBy: Jackson SchroederTechnology Tue, 24 Apr 2018 15:03:44 +0000Tue, 24 Apr 2018 15:03:44 +0000 The MBA is generally regarded as a graduate ticket to ride – a door-opener to board rooms, to referral networks and, for many, to the inner sanctum of our business/economic system. Drawing on shared institutional wisdom, vast real-world academic research and transformative case histories, the degree has become a sort of lingua franca, a common foundation that both launches and unites business careers. That’s certainly accurate, as far as it goes. But from my perspective, as the chair of a robust MBA program at Woodbury University, it doesn’t go nearly far enough. The traditional MBA needs a good, hard second The 21st Century MBA: Not Profitability Or Sustainability, But BothBy: Satinder DhimanAdvocacy Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:00:25 +0000Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:00:25 +0000 Cognitive gains developed through intensive meditation can last for years, a new study suggests. The study is part of the Shamatha Project, a comprehensive longitudinal study on the varied effects of meditation on human cognition, psychology and biology. The research is published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. Led by Clifford Saron, a research scientist from the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis and one of the leaders of the Shamatha Project, the study is a seven-year follow-up on research conducted in 2007. Original 2007 Study The 2007 study examined the effects of intensive meditation Cognitive Gains From Meditation Remain 7 Years LaterBy: Sam BenezraTUN Spotlight Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:40:00 +0000Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:40:00 +0000 A team of researchers from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) and the University of North Texas has developed an environmentally safe, higher-power battery substitute that could lengthen battery life up to five times longer. Most smartphones and electronics use lithium-ion batteries, a type of rechargeable battery that doesn’t last particularly long. In smartphones, lithium-ion batteries may last roughly a day, often leaving users with the inconvenience of a dead battery. To address this limitation, the researchers have developed a method to use lithium-sulfur batteries, a type of battery that What If Smartphone Charge Can Last 3-5 Times Longer?By: Natalie ColarossiSustainability Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:08:33 +0000Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:08:33 +0000 It is well known that physical activity can help reduce negative health conditions such as anxiety or depression, but what do we know about its effects on positive mental health? A new study by the University of Michigan shows that physical activity may result in increased levels of happiness. The researchers, Weiyun Chen, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, and Zhanjia Zhang, a doctoral student, set out to find out if physical activity is associated with happiness, and if so, what populations were most likely to benefit from it By looking at health information on thousands of Can Exercise Make You Happier?By: Natalie ColarossiTUN Spotlight Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:12:56 +0000Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:12:56 +0000 Inspired by the ancient Japanese paper art of kirigami, a team of researchers from the University at Buffalo (UB) has developed a method to create flexible electronic materials made of polymers and nanowires. This new technique could lead to improvements in smart clothing, bendable display screens, electronic paper, and other applications that require malleable circuitry. The full paper, which describes the method, is published in the journal Advanced Materials. Traditionally, electronic materials are hard, rigid and non-flexible. This has made it difficult for scientists to develop bendable electronics that don’t break. But this new technique accommodates large stretchability, which would Ancient Paper Art To Spur Development of Smart ClothingBy: Jackson SchroederTechnology Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:05:03 +0000Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:05:03 +0000 A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas and Penn State University has developed a surface that can rapidly collect water molecules from fog and air vapor and direct them toward a reservoir along lubricated microgrooves. The researchers drew inspiration for the design of their “hydrophilic directional slippery surface,” or SRS, from the process by which living organisms such as desert beetles, pitcher plants and rice leaves naturally collect and direct water. “Existing processes for creating fresh water, such as desalination, rely on the transition from vapor to water,” Simon Dai, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in Beetles and Plants Inspire Efficient Water-Harvesting TechnologyBy: Sam BenezraSustainability Wed, 18 Apr 2018 16:04:27 +0000Wed, 18 Apr 2018 16:04:27 +0000 A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and Dartmouth College has developed a new device that uses infrared light to monitor how body language impacts social interactions. Because body language influences many aspects of people’s lives, including job interviews, doctor-patient conversations and group projects, many people have tried to study them through video sessions, audio recordings and paper questionnaires. However, these approaches can be biased, inaccurate and burdensome on users for most of them require obtrusive devices, such as invasive cameras. To address this, the researchers developed a device, called a Protractor, that uses infrared light to measure Device Decodes Body Language Using Infrared LightBy: Hyeyeun JeonTechnology Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:12:10 +0000Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:12:10 +0000 Music, from a very young age, has an enormous impact on human emotions, development, and social interactions. The more scientists learn about the way people process music, the better they can understand perception, multisensory integration, and social coordination throughout someone’s life. Two separate studies, which were recently presented at the 25th meeting of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, portray the many behavioral impacts of music. The first study dissects how musical engagement influences infants’ social-emotional development, the second links the presence of performers and audience during a live concert to improved connection and greater enjoyment of music. The Lullaby Study A Lullabies and Rock Shows: How Music Makes Us SocialBy: Jackson SchroederTUN Spotlight Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:21:56 +0000Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:21:56 +0000 Mental training may be the key to overcoming embarrassment and helping people avoid humiliation or distress, a new study suggests. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have found that when people train their mind to be an observer, rather than an active participant, in an embarrassing situation, it is possible to overcome feelings of self-consciousness. The study is published in Springer’s journal Motivation and Emotion. The Study Led by Li Jiang, post-doctoral affiliate at CMU and lead author of the study, the research team conducted multiple studies involving embarrassing advertisements to test New Study Shows How To Overcome EmbarrassmentBy: Natalie ColarossiTUN Spotlight Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:42:04 +0000Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:42:04 +0000 It may sound counterintuitive, but researchers at MIT have used plastic, commonly known as a material for heat insulator, to develop the next-generation heat conductor. “Nowadays heat dissipation is an increasingly critical challenge for integrated devices that continue to miniaturize towards nanoscale,” said Yanfei Xu, postdoc in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and co-lead author of the study. The challenge was made apparent in the wake of mass recall of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 after reports of explosion due to overheating in 2016, and companies have invested in developing a smarter heat dissipation technique for rechargeable devices. According to Xu, MIT Engineers Figure Out How To Turn Plastic Into Heat ConductorBy: Hyeyeun JeonTechnology Fri, 13 Apr 2018 16:28:25 +0000Fri, 13 Apr 2018 16:28:25 +0000 Researchers from Dartmouth College and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new model for airport flight scheduling that promises to manage air traffic congestion without systematically favoring certain airlines over others. At the busiest airports, the combination of low capacity and heavy air traffic is a major cause of delays in the U.S., costing over $30 billion annually, according to the study. As a result, there is currently a significant effort being undertaken to review scheduling guidelines and research more efficient models. Equity, the Driving Force The new scheduling model promises to reduce delays associated with air traffic without prioritizing Scientists Develop Model To Ease Air Traffic Congestion Without Sacrificing EquityBy: Sam BenezraTechnology Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:28:02 +0000Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:28:02 +0000 A team of researchers led by the University of Central Florida (UCF) has developed an infrared laser device capable of detecting any molecule in the air. With this device, people can look for traces of air pollution, global warming gases and chemical agents, conduct medical breath analyses, and even use the device to look for traces of life on interplanetary missions. “We can detect molecules in a very sensitive way,” said Konstantin Vodopyanov, UCF professor of optics and photonics and lead author of this research. “We can take the air from the room and we can see not only the New Laser Device Paves Way For Diagnosing Diseases Through Breath AnalysisBy: Jackson SchroederLife 4.0 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:12:30 +0000Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:12:30 +0000 50+ Student Discounts Every Student Needs to Know About
A range of skin tone options for emojis was first introduced in 2015, leading to fears that the icons, if used inappropriately, would provoke negative racial sentiments online. A recent study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, however, has found that emoji skin tone options promote diversity, and not racism, on Twitter. The researchers surveyed over one billion tweets from around the world and concluded that the use of emojis with skin tone options has been positive and the options offer users a form of self-expression. “The introduction of skin tone choices for emojis has been a 
The walls around us everywhere don’t merit much thought, usually. But our run-of-the-mill walls will no longer serve merely as a room divider, not if a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Disney Research has anything to do with it. The researchers have figured out a way to convert ordinary walls into smart walls capable of sensing human touch and detecting gestures or even the use of appliances. What will smart walls bring? The researchers believe the system could be used in many ways, including controlling video games with gestures, adjusting light levels when a TV is 
A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of British Columbia in Canada has developed an algorithm to re-create natural motions in computer animation. Traditional computer-simulated motions are seen as clumsy and rhythmless, often failing at mimicking a human’s natural motions. Disappointed by old techniques, the team was inspired to find a solution. “The motivation for this work is that we want to develop simulated characters that can perform some very challenging skills while also moving in a natural manner,” said Xue Bin (Jason) Peng, a UC Berkeley graduate student and researcher. Pieter Abbeel and 
The MBA is generally regarded as a graduate ticket to ride – a door-opener to board rooms, to referral networks and, for many, to the inner sanctum of our business/economic system. Drawing on shared institutional wisdom, vast real-world academic research and transformative case histories, the degree has become a sort of lingua franca, a common foundation that both launches and unites business careers. That’s certainly accurate, as far as it goes. But from my perspective, as the chair of a robust MBA program at Woodbury University, it doesn’t go nearly far enough. The traditional MBA needs a good, hard second 
Cognitive gains developed through intensive meditation can last for years, a new study suggests. The study is part of the Shamatha Project, a comprehensive longitudinal study on the varied effects of meditation on human cognition, psychology and biology. The research is published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. Led by Clifford Saron, a research scientist from the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis and one of the leaders of the Shamatha Project, the study is a seven-year follow-up on research conducted in 2007. Original 2007 Study The 2007 study examined the effects of intensive meditation 
A team of researchers from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) and the University of North Texas has developed an environmentally safe, higher-power battery substitute that could lengthen battery life up to five times longer. Most smartphones and electronics use lithium-ion batteries, a type of rechargeable battery that doesn’t last particularly long. In smartphones, lithium-ion batteries may last roughly a day, often leaving users with the inconvenience of a dead battery. To address this limitation, the researchers have developed a method to use lithium-sulfur batteries, a type of battery that 
It is well known that physical activity can help reduce negative health conditions such as anxiety or depression, but what do we know about its effects on positive mental health? A new study by the University of Michigan shows that physical activity may result in increased levels of happiness. The researchers, Weiyun Chen, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, and Zhanjia Zhang, a doctoral student, set out to find out if physical activity is associated with happiness, and if so, what populations were most likely to benefit from it By looking at health information on thousands of 
Inspired by the ancient Japanese paper art of kirigami, a team of researchers from the University at Buffalo (UB) has developed a method to create flexible electronic materials made of polymers and nanowires. This new technique could lead to improvements in smart clothing, bendable display screens, electronic paper, and other applications that require malleable circuitry. The full paper, which describes the method, is published in the journal Advanced Materials. Traditionally, electronic materials are hard, rigid and non-flexible. This has made it difficult for scientists to develop bendable electronics that don’t break. But this new technique accommodates large stretchability, which would 
A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas and Penn State University has developed a surface that can rapidly collect water molecules from fog and air vapor and direct them toward a reservoir along lubricated microgrooves. The researchers drew inspiration for the design of their “hydrophilic directional slippery surface,” or SRS, from the process by which living organisms such as desert beetles, pitcher plants and rice leaves naturally collect and direct water. “Existing processes for creating fresh water, such as desalination, rely on the transition from vapor to water,” Simon Dai, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in 
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and Dartmouth College has developed a new device that uses infrared light to monitor how body language impacts social interactions. Because body language influences many aspects of people’s lives, including job interviews, doctor-patient conversations and group projects, many people have tried to study them through video sessions, audio recordings and paper questionnaires. However, these approaches can be biased, inaccurate and burdensome on users for most of them require obtrusive devices, such as invasive cameras. To address this, the researchers developed a device, called a Protractor, that uses infrared light to measure 
Music, from a very young age, has an enormous impact on human emotions, development, and social interactions. The more scientists learn about the way people process music, the better they can understand perception, multisensory integration, and social coordination throughout someone’s life. Two separate studies, which were recently presented at the 25th meeting of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, portray the many behavioral impacts of music. The first study dissects how musical engagement influences infants’ social-emotional development, the second links the presence of performers and audience during a live concert to improved connection and greater enjoyment of music. The Lullaby Study A 
Mental training may be the key to overcoming embarrassment and helping people avoid humiliation or distress, a new study suggests. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have found that when people train their mind to be an observer, rather than an active participant, in an embarrassing situation, it is possible to overcome feelings of self-consciousness. The study is published in Springer’s journal Motivation and Emotion. The Study Led by Li Jiang, post-doctoral affiliate at CMU and lead author of the study, the research team conducted multiple studies involving embarrassing advertisements to test 
It may sound counterintuitive, but researchers at MIT have used plastic, commonly known as a material for heat insulator, to develop the next-generation heat conductor. “Nowadays heat dissipation is an increasingly critical challenge for integrated devices that continue to miniaturize towards nanoscale,” said Yanfei Xu, postdoc in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and co-lead author of the study. The challenge was made apparent in the wake of mass recall of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 after reports of explosion due to overheating in 2016, and companies have invested in developing a smarter heat dissipation technique for rechargeable devices. According to Xu, 
Researchers from Dartmouth College and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new model for airport flight scheduling that promises to manage air traffic congestion without systematically favoring certain airlines over others. At the busiest airports, the combination of low capacity and heavy air traffic is a major cause of delays in the U.S., costing over $30 billion annually, according to the study. As a result, there is currently a significant effort being undertaken to review scheduling guidelines and research more efficient models. Equity, the Driving Force The new scheduling model promises to reduce delays associated with air traffic without prioritizing 
A team of researchers led by the University of Central Florida (UCF) has developed an infrared laser device capable of detecting any molecule in the air. With this device, people can look for traces of air pollution, global warming gases and chemical agents, conduct medical breath analyses, and even use the device to look for traces of life on interplanetary missions. “We can detect molecules in a very sensitive way,” said Konstantin Vodopyanov, UCF professor of optics and photonics and lead author of this research. “We can take the air from the room and we can see not only the 
