Virtual reality (VR) has been an up-and-coming technology in recent years, and much of it is implemented in recreational activities such as video games and computer software. VR’s utility extends far beyond this, though — as one of the most complex ways ever created to mimic reality, VR is a great tool for scientists to […]
VR, zebrafish, and neuroscience: An unlikely trio Read More »
Late afternoon on Sunday, June 13, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center received an unlucky but increasingly familiar message: The Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode. The telescope’s primary computer halted, likely because of degrading hardware. NASA’s inability to send astronauts on a servicing mission, due to the Space Shuttle’s retirement, severely limited the Goddard team’s
As Hubble falters, astrophysicists find hope in the telescope’s successor Read More »
Y2K, short for “Year 2000” and also known as the Millenium Bug, was actually a problem in the way information was stored in computers prior to 2000. The phrase “Y2K,” instantly conjures up images of baby tees, Britney Spears, Bratz Dolls, double denim, and MySpace. The Y2K aesthetic has massively surged recently thanks to social
On computers, aesthetics, and the end of the world — A.K.A., Y2K Read More »
“I’m the creeper; catch me if you can!” This simple — albeit slightly disturbing — message was the only output of what is considered to be the world’s first computer virus. Created by Bob Thomas at BBN Technologies in 1971, the “Creeper” program was an experiment to test if it was possible for a computer
Computer Viruses: Can our technology social distance? Read More »
Humans love order. We have a natural ability to see patterns in everything around us. It’s how we gather data and draw conclusions. Think about the work you do in school; you read history to see how it repeats itself, and you redo experiments to find repetition in the results. We even teach young children
Finding order in chaos: Exploring quantum systems Read More »
Chaos theory says that even the most seemingly random processes can actually be described and predicted using a set of complex mathematical equations. The original equation used to define chaotic activity is the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation, which models propagating flames. Using this equation, one can model the chaotic elements of many different processes. For example, in
Chaos Theory and Machine Learning Read More »
The average person has 35 apps installed on their phone and spends over two hours per day on social networks. When social media originally took off in the early 2000s, its purpose was for users to connect with friends and family, share positive moments, and seek interesting information about the world. Today, social media platforms
Nefarious notifications: Social media algorithms and how they drive us Read More »
No one can deny the rise of intrigue for crime television over the past decade. Maybe you binge-watched “Criminal Minds” during quarantine, saw episodes of “NCIS” over the years, or perhaps just caught a glimpse of any popular crime show. Regardless, many have a preconception of the forensics involved in these fictional investigations. The process
Fictional forensics: How accurate is forensic science and its portrayal in the media? Read More »
What sets a group of monkeys on a mission to a new place? What compels large schools of fish to change direction from a predator? How do flocks of geese decide to land in the Fens or pick away at the grass on Centennial? On the individual level, researchers have explored decision-making capabilities, and studies
Herd harmony: Technology to study animal group behavior Read More »