Communications of the ACM
The news archive provides access to past news stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
May 2019
From ACM TechNews
Computational Tool Enables Molecular Analysis of Biomedical Tissue Samples
Stanford University researchers have developed a computational tool that facilitates analysis of individual cell behavior in biomedical tissue samples.
From ACM TechNews
Waymo and Lyft Partner to Scale Self-Driving Robotaxi Service in Phoenix
Technology developer Waymo and ride-hailing company Lyft have partnered to deploy driverless vehicles for Lyft's robotaxi service in Phoenix, AZ.
From ACM News
Welcome the Plants That Move on their Own
Exploring the potential of plant-robot hybrids that can produce architectural artifacts and living spaces.
From ACM TechNews
Hummingbird Robot Flies, Hovers Like Real Thing
Purdue University researchers have built robot hummingbirds that learn to fly and hover like their real-world counterparts, using algorithms and computer simulation.
From ACM TechNews
San Francisco Bans Facial Recognition Technology
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has banned the use of facial recognition technology for surveillance purposes by police and other agencies in the city.
From ACM TechNews
For the First Time, Engineers Measure Accuracy of 2 Qubits in Silicon--and It Works
Researchers have quantified the accuracy of two-quantum-bit operations in silicon, in another step toward reliable quantum computing.
From ACM TechNews
When Computer Science Majors Take Improv
Northeastern University computer science majors are required to take a class in theater and improvisation, where they practice exercises to cultivate empathy, creativity, and teamwork.
From ACM TechNews
Robots Thrive in the Forest on Jobs Humans Find Too Boring
Sweden's forest companies are embracing technology to cut costs and boost profits, while freeing employees from mundane tasks.
From ACM TechNews
Scientists in China Develop ltra-Long Range AI Camera
Researchers in China have developed camera technology that can render human sized-subjects from up to 28 miles away.
From ACM News
New Secret-spilling Flaw Affects Almost Every Intel Chip Since 2011
Almost every computer with an Intel chips dating back to 2011 are affected by the vulnerabilities.
From ACM News
AI Accelerates Innovation
Yet patent attorneys fear the darker consequences of artificial intelligence.
From ACM TechNews
How Chinese Spies Got the NSA's Hacking Tools, and sed Them for Attacks
Symantec researchers discovered Chinese intelligence agents had acquired National Security Agency hacking tools and used them in 2016 to attack American allies and private firms in Europe and Asia.
From ACM TechNews
Dataset Bridges Human Vision and Machine Learning
Researchers have created a new dataset that allows cognitive neuroscientists to better leverage deep learning models that have significantly improved artificial vision systems.
From ACM TechNews
Low-Cost Intervention Boosts ndergraduate Interest In Computer Science
Researchers have shown that an online intervention taking less than 30 minutes significantly increases interest in computer science among both male and female undergraduate students.
From ACM TechNews
CM Researcher Designs Suitcase, App to Help the Blind at Airports
An international team of researchers has developed a combined suitcase/smartphone app to help the blind navigate airports with greater independence.
From ACM TechNews
Rattled by Cyberattacks, Hospitals Push Device Makers to Improve Security
With cyberattacks against Internet-connected medical devices on the rise, hospitals and health systems in the U.S. are pressuring device manufacturers to bolster their products' safety.
From ACM TechNews
For Better Computing, Liberate CPs From Garbage Collection
Researchers have created a compact accelerator that relieves a CPU of the "garbage collection" task of deleting redundant or irrelevant data from apps to make more memory available.
From ACM TechNews
R's Out of Top 20 Programming Languages Despite Boom in Statistical Jobs
Tiobe ranks the R programming language as the 21st most popular in its monthly index for May, marking the first time in three years the language sits outside the top 20.
From ACM TechNews
Top Schools Are Offering More Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Courses
A recent Coinbase study found that 42% of the top 50 universities worldwide now offer at least one course on cryptocurrency and blockchain.
From ACM TechNews
Android App to Tackle Cybersecurity in the Developing World
Android is offering a free app to boost security for smartphone users in the developing world.
From ACM TechNews
Amazon Accused of Violating Kids' Privacy With Smart Speakers
Privacy and child-advocacy organizations have filed a complaint alleging Amazon has been illegally recording and retaining conversations of children using its Echo Dot Kids device.
From ACM TechNews
.K. Drones Map Chernobyl's 'Red Forest'
U.K. researchers used a drone-mapping system they developed to survey Chernobyl's "Red Forest," one of the most radioactive locations on Earth.
From ACM TechNews
'RobbinHood' Ransomware Takes Down Baltimore City Government Networks
A "RobbinHood" ransomware attack earlier this week crippled networks used by Baltimore's city government.
From ACM TechNews
World's Fastest Supercomputer Coming to .S. in 2021
In 2021, Oak Ridge National Laboratory will become home to a $600-million exascale machine that could become the world's fastest supercomputer.
From ACM TechNews
Nike Wants Your Sneakers to Fit Better, So It's sing AR
Starting in July, customers in any Nike retail store in the U.S. can have their feet scanned to learn exactly what shoe size they need, in any style Nike makes.
From ACM TechNews
OS Researchers Develop Better Way to Determine Coastal Flooding Risk
A new computer-model assembly technique could lead to better insights into coastal flood risks.
From ACM TechNews
The Pentagon's Drones May Soon Run on Open Source Software
The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit has reached a deal with Swiss company Auterion to enhance the agency's open source drone software.
From ACM TechNews
Dell Laptops and Computers Vulnerable to Remote Hijacks
Dell laptops and personal computers can be remotely commandeered via a vulnerability in the Dell SupportAssist utility.
From ACM TechNews
New Approach Could Accelerate Efforts to Catalog Vast Numbers of Cells
A new technique can derive fully comprehensive samples, or "sketches," of vast cellular datasets, to simplify analysis.
From ACM News
Hacking the Body Electric
Electroceuticals use electricity, rather than chemicals, to treat the body's ills.