Communications of the ACM
The news archive provides access to past news stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
October 2011
From ACM TechNews
Idaho Laboratory Analyzed Stuxnet Computer Virus
The U.S. government turned to cyberexperts at the Idaho National Laboratory to analyze the Stuxnet computer virus when it first came out.
From ACM TechNews
A Plaything of Powerful Nations
The latest United Nations-sponsored Internet Governance Forum provided insight on how the Internet is being handled on a global scale.
From ACM TechNews
Scientists Release Most Accurate Simulation of the Universe to Date
The Bolshoi simulation, which ran on the Pleiades supercomputer at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ames Research Center, is the most accurate and detailed large cosmological simulation run to date, according…
From ACM News
Supreme Court Docket: Surveillance, Profanity, and Thought Patents
The Supreme Court’s 2011–2012 term began Oct. 3 with arguments on the docket concerning everything from television profanity to warrantless GPS surveillance.
From ACM News
Before Latest Phone Debut, Apple Has Harsher Competition
As soon as Apple unveils its highly anticipated new version of the iPhone on Tuesday, millions of people are likely to start plotting how to be among the first to buy it. But millions more may be considering a competitor—an…
From ACM News
Why Creative Ideas Are Rejected (and What You Can Do About It)
If you want your creative idea to be accepted, you might want to downplay how creative it is, according to researchers.
From ACM News
How to Hatch a Dinosaur
People have told Jack Horner he’s crazy before, but he has always turned out to be right.
From ACM TechNews
Electronic Elections: One App, One Vote
Rice University researchers led by Bryan Campbell have designed an iPhone app that will allow voters to cast their ballots with their smartphones.
From ACM TechNews
Computational Modeling Can Help Plan Vaccine Introduction, Pitt Study Finds
Computational modeling can predict the impact of a new vaccine introduction and identify potential disruptions before introducing new vaccines to a developing country's active immunization program, according to a new University…
From ACM TechNews
National Convocation Highlights Best Practices for Improving STEM Education
Advances in science and engineering will be largely responsible for future economic growth and job creation, according to a new report issued by the U.S. National Research Council.
From ACM TechNews
The Internet of Tomorrow: Faster, Better and Cheaper
Researchers from the University of Arizona, the University of Southern California, and seven other institutions are trying to save the Internet by making it cheaper, faster, and better.
From ACM TechNews
Women in Science? Universities Don't Make the Grade
Efforts to close the gap between men and women in STEM fields often focus on students instead of faculty and institutional structures, according to a study that examined the reasons behind the continuing low numbers of women…
From ACM News
Taking Touch Beyond the Touch Screen
A tablet computer developed collaboratively by researchers at Intel, Microsoft, and the University of Washington can be controlled not only by swiping and pinching at the screen, but by touching any surface on which it is…
From ACM News
What to Do If You've Been Hacked
It's a nightmare scenario every business fears. Your tech department has spotted suspicious activity on the company network. Your customers and employees are getting hit with credit-card fraud and identity theft. MasterCard…
From ACM News
Ready For the Robot Revolution?
Robots are about to invade our lives. From performing household chores, to entertaining and educating our children, to looking after the elderly, roboticists say we will soon be welcoming their creations into our homes and…
From ACM News
On the Front Line Against the Next Stuxnet
Something has gone terribly wrong on the plant floor at ACME Specialty Chemical International Inc.
From Communications of the ACM
Seeing Is Not Enough
A new DARPA program is teaching cameras visual intelligence — how to spot and understand human behavior.
From Communications of the ACM
Improving Brain-Computer Interfaces
Researchers are demonstrating advances in restorative BCI systems that are giving paralyzed individuals more effective ways to communicate, move, and interact with their environment.
From Communications of the ACM
Living in a Digital World
Technology has created new opportunities to connect and interact. Yet, researchers are increasingly concerned that heavy technology usage is changing people's behavior in less than desirable ways.
From Communications of the ACM
Success at 16
A high school student wins first prize from ACM for developing a faster keyboard layout.