Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Wireless Eavesdropping: Your Phone's Vibrations Could Be Giving Away Your Conversations

2025-08-13

Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a new form of eavesdropping, "wireless tapping," which uses the tiny vibrations produced by a cellphone's earpiece to remotely decipher conversations. Using a millimeter-wave radar sensor and AI-powered speech recognition, they achieved partial transcriptions of conversations from up to three meters away, with around 60% accuracy. This research highlights future privacy risks and warns of potential threats. While currently limited in accuracy, the rapid advancement of AI could lead to its future use in malicious eavesdropping, posing significant privacy concerns.

(www.psu.edu)

Tech wireless eavesdropping

Penn State Develops 2D Material-Based CMOS Computer

2025-06-15

Researchers at Penn State University have developed a CMOS computer based on two-dimensional (2D) materials. Using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), they grew large sheets of molybdenum disulfide and tungsten diselenide, fabricating over 1,000 transistors of each type. The resulting computer, while operating at a relatively low frequency (25 kilohertz), can perform simple logic operations with low power consumption. This research represents a significant milestone in harnessing 2D materials for electronics, offering a promising pathway for future computing technologies, although further optimization is needed.

(www.psu.edu)

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Antarctic Detector Picks Up Anomalous Signal: Unknown Particles from Deep Space?

2025-06-13

The ANITA detector in Antarctica has detected anomalous cosmic ray signals that defy explanation by current particle physics models. These signals appear to originate from below, traveling upward in a direction opposite to what's expected, sparking intense scientific interest. Researchers have ruled out other known particles, suggesting the possibility of dark matter or a gap in our understanding of radio wave propagation in ice. A Penn State team is building a more powerful detector, PUEO, hoping to solve this cosmic mystery and further explore the enigma of cosmic rays.

(www.psu.edu)

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Robot Gender Impacts Customer Decisions in Hospitality

2025-05-09

Penn State research reveals that the gender characteristics of service robots influence customer decisions. For women with a low sense of power, robots with masculine features were more persuasive. However, 'cute' design elements (large eyes, raised cheeks) mitigated the effect of robot gender, leading to similar responses from male and female customers. The study suggests hospitality businesses can leverage these findings by tailoring robot gender to customer demographics to improve sales and service.

(www.psu.edu)

Tech service robots gender bias

Revolutionary 3D-Printed Hair-like Electrodes Enable 24/7 EEG Monitoring

2025-05-08

Researchers at Penn State have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printed EEG electrode that mimics human hair and uses a bioadhesive ink to adhere directly to the scalp without gels. This lightweight, flexible, and stretchable electrode stays in place even during activities like combing hair or wearing a hat, significantly improving signal quality and enabling long-term monitoring. Performing comparably to gold standard electrodes, it maintains reliable contact for over 24 hours without signal degradation, eliminating inconsistencies from electrode repositioning. The discreet design improves patient comfort, paving the way for more convenient and reliable chronic EEG monitoring. Future work aims to make the system wireless.

(www.psu.edu)

Tech Biomedical Engineering

Evidence of Ancient Martian Beaches: Zhurong Rover Reveals Habitable Past

2025-03-01

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests Mars may have once boasted sun-drenched, sandy beaches with gentle waves. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Penn State, used data from the Zhurong Mars rover to identify subsurface rock layers strongly suggesting an ancient northern ocean. This research provides the clearest evidence yet of a significant body of water and a more habitable environment on Mars. By analyzing subsurface sedimentary deposits, scientists found structures similar to Earth's coastlines, including 'foreshore deposits' formed by tides and waves. This indicates the presence of waves, suggesting a dynamic air-water interface – similar to where Earth's earliest life developed. Other possible origins, like ancient rivers or volcanoes, were ruled out. The discovery supports the hypothesis of a vast Martian ocean and suggests a potentially tens-of-millions-of-years-long warm, wet period suitable for life.

(www.psu.edu)

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Undergrad Elegantly Solves Century-Old Problem, Improves Wind Turbine Design

2025-02-24

Divya Tyagi, an aerospace engineering undergraduate at Penn State, elegantly refined a century-old mathematical problem—Glauert's problem—making it simpler and easier to use. Her research expands aerodynamic research, unlocking new possibilities in wind turbine design by addressing factors Glauert didn't consider, such as blade bending under wind pressure. Tyagi's addition, based on the calculus of variations, simplifies the solution, allowing exploration of new facets of wind turbine design and promising improved wind energy production and reduced costs. Her work, published in *Wind Energy Science*, earned her the Anthony E. Wolk Award.

(www.psu.edu)

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