Latest news with #RochesterInstituteofTechnology
2 days ago
- Science
Aug. 5 might be one of the shortest days of the year: Here's why
Scientists predict Aug. 5 just might be one of the shortest days of 2025. On Tuesday, Earth may rotate up to 1.25 milliseconds faster, according to an updated prediction shared on Multiple factors can contribute to changes in Earth's rotation rates, including atmospheric wind currents, the position of Earth's seas, and the position of the moon. Jason Nordhaus, an associate professor of physics at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, says scientists have been tracking and collecting precise data since the 1960s and 70s that show the length of days has fluctuated over the decades. "It used to be that the Earth is actually spinning much slower, maybe like, three milliseconds slower per day," Nordhaus told ABC News. "Then, it's been steadily heading in the opposite direction, and then in the last maybe five years, it's really spun up. It's going faster, and so you're getting these shorter days." Earth's rotational changes are imperceptible to the human eye, said Nordhaus. "This is nothing anyone would notice," the professor said. "If you wake up in the morning and you look out, you don't know what a millisecond is like." But the tiny changes can be picked up by the atomic clock, a precise tool scientists use for space navigation and for GPS systems, and the changes are more noticeable over time. "If you get it wrong and you're off by a millisecond or two milliseconds, I think that works out to be something like, you get your positions off by maybe 50 centimeters to maybe 100 centimeters. And so, then if you accumulate that over the course of a year, you might be off by half a kilometer in your GPS system," Nordhaus explained. Scientists use the idea of leap seconds to take the changes into consideration, similar to the concept of a leap year. "If you look back through the '70s to today, there's been something around … 25 or 30 leap seconds have been added to counter all this over time," said Nordhaus. This summer, there have been three other days – July 9, July 10 and July 22 – where Earth has appeared to rotate more quickly than usual. On July 9, Earth appeared to rotate 1.23 milliseconds faster, 1.36 milliseconds faster the following day and then about 1.34 milliseconds faster on July 22, according to
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory spots young exoplanet rapidly shrinking in rare cosmic meltdown 330 light-years away
Source: NASA In a distant corner of the universe, astronomers have identified a dramatic planetary event unfolding in real time. A young exoplanet , named TOI 1227 b, located about 330 light-years from Earth, is undergoing rapid atmospheric loss. Despite being just 8 million years old—a cosmic infant compared to Earth's 4.5 billion years—this gas planet is already showing signs of decay. Caught in a dangerously close orbit around a volatile red dwarf star, TOI 1227 b is being bombarded by powerful X-ray radiation that is stripping away its massive atmosphere. This rare glimpse into planetary evolution offers critical insights into the formation and fate of young exoplanets. NASA observes young exoplanet TOI 1227 b under severe atmospheric loss TOI 1227 b is not just young—it's also in a perilous position. Unlike Earth, which orbits the Sun at a safe distance, this exoplanet is located exceptionally close to its parent star, known as TOI 1227. Although the red dwarf is relatively small and cool compared to the Sun, it emits intense X-ray radiation, making it a hazardous environment for any planet caught nearby. This intense energy is bombarding TOI 1227 b relentlessly, causing it to shed its thick, gaseous shell at an alarming rate. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory , astronomers discovered that the host star's radiation is striking the planet with devastating effect. According to their findings, the planet is losing an atmosphere equivalent to Earth's every 200 years. Initially, TOI 1227 b had a size comparable to Jupiter, but scientists believe its mass is closer to Neptune's, suggesting the planet is inflated due to internal heat and external radiation. However, this bloated size is not expected to last—its atmosphere is evaporating quickly. No signs of habitability found on young exoplanet TOI 1227 b Researchers have ruled out the possibility of life or habitability on TOI 1227 b. The planet's proximity to the red dwarf means surface temperatures are extremely high, and water cannot exist in any stable form. With radiation constantly bombarding the planet, any life-supporting conditions are quickly destroyed. Over time, the exoplanet could shrink to just one-tenth of its original size, and may lose as much as two Earth masses of gas within the next billion years. To determine TOI 1227 b's age, scientists used stellar motion data, comparing the movement of the star system to known stellar age groups. They also examined the brightness and temperature profiles of the star to estimate its developmental stage. Among all exoplanets known to be under 50 million years old, TOI 1227 b stands out. It has the longest orbital year and is tethered to one of the smallest stars ever associated with a gas giant. NASA's Chandra mission helps unveil early planetary evolution in TOI 1227 b The discovery was led by Attila Varga of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), with contributions from scientists in Germany and the United States. Their research, which sheds new light on how young planets evolve and erode, is set to be published in The Astrophysical Journal. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, a flagship NASA mission operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center and managed in Massachusetts, played a crucial role in these observations. TOI 1227 b provides scientists with a rare opportunity to witness a planet in its early evolutionary stages, particularly one undergoing atmospheric loss due to stellar radiation. Understanding such transformations helps refine models of planetary formation, migration, and survival, especially in high-radiation environments near red dwarfs. As astronomers continue to track the evaporation of TOI 1227 b, this case could unlock answers to how common such scenarios are across the Milky Way. Also Read | Solar Eclipse August 2 will bring 6 minutes of total darkness; Check, date, time, and visibility areas for a once-in-100-years phenomenon
Gulf Today
09-07-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
AI helps improve academic performance: Study
A new study through a personalized AI-powered robot to interact with students has revealed the positive impact of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into education at elementary school level. The groundbreaking project was led by Dr. Jinane Mounsef, Chair of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) of Dubai's Electrical Engineering and Computing Sciences Department, resulting in an average 8% improvement in academic performance, versus outcomes from human teaching. Combining cognitive and emotional assessment to deliver tailored educational experiences, the tutoring system was tested with a group of grade four school students studying mathematics. In addition to measuring the speed and accuracy of a student's performance, the robot conducted real-time facial expression analysis to determine the learner's state of mind. The metrics were combined to classify students into three categories: Proficient Students (Prof.S), Meeting-Expectations Students (MES), and Developing Students (DVS). These classifications were then used to deliver customized learning content, motivational messages, and constructive feedback to the students. The robot, known as Duet, employed powerful machine learning algorithms and the ROS framework to predict a student's proficiency level with 100% accuracy through indicators such as test scores, task completion time, and emotional engagement. It was then able to adjust the challenges and learning materials dynamically to suit each student's needs. The process also incorporated feedback mechanisms for participants to share their thoughts on the experience of learning through robotics and AI. Explaining the rationale and findings of the research, Dr. Mounsef said, 'We wanted to explore whether personalization enhances the effectiveness of a robotic tutor in improving learning outcomes. To do this, we considered how engagement and academic performance were impacted by the personalization of robotic tutoring and how the results compared to a human teacher, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating the system's impact. Through post-diagnostic exams we found that the experimental group of students using the AI-robot system showed a significant improvement rate over the control demonstrates that such systems can provide a powerful tool to improve efficiency and augment education outcomes.' The research was the subject of an academic paper entitled, 'CARE: towards customized assistive robot-based education', authored by Dr. Mounsef, alongside RIT Dubai graduate student, Nafisa Maaz, and Assistant Professor at Lebanese American University Beirut, Dr. Noel Maalouf. The paper was published by Frontiers in Robotics and AI, a world-leading, multidisciplinary scientific journal. Building on the project, Dr. Mounsef is now preparing to collaborate with colleagues at RIT New York to develop an AI-powered social robot.
Mid East Info
08-07-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
RIT Dubai study shows improvement in academic performance with integration of AI and robotics - Middle East Business News and Information
Research demonstrates positive impact of personalized robotic tutoring in elementary education A study conducted by researchers from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) of Dubai has revealed the positive impact of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into education at elementary school level. The groundbreaking project used a personalized AI-powered robot to interact with students directly, resulting in an average 8% improvement in academic performance, versus outcomes from human teaching. Led by Dr. Jinane Mounsef, Chair of the university's Electrical Engineering and Computing Sciences Department, the research highlighted the potential of personalization in robotic tutoring in a real-world educational setting. Combining cognitive and emotional assessment to deliver tailored educational experiences, the tutoring system was tested with a group of grade four school students studying mathematics. In addition to measuring the speed and accuracy of a student's performance, the robot conducted real-time facial expression analysis to determine the learner's state of mind. The metrics were combined to classify students into three categories: Proficient Students (Prof.S), Meeting-Expectations Students (MES), and Developing Students (DVS). These classifications were then used to deliver customized learning content, motivational messages, and constructive feedback to the students. The robot, known as Duet, employed powerful machine learning algorithms and the ROS framework to predict a student's proficiency level with 100% accuracy through indicators such as test scores, task completion time, and emotional engagement. It was then able to adjust the challenges and learning materials dynamically to suit each student's needs. The process also incorporated feedback mechanisms for participants to share their thoughts on the experience of learning through robotics and AI. Explaining the rationale and findings of the research, Dr. Mounsef said, 'We wanted to explore whether personalization enhances the effectiveness of a robotic tutor in improving learning outcomes. To do this, we considered how engagement and academic performance were impacted by the personalization of robotic tutoring and how the results compared to a human teacher, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating the system's impact. Through post-diagnostic exams we found that the experimental group of students using the AI-robot system showed a significant improvement rate over the control group. This demonstrates that such systems can provide a powerful tool to improve efficiency and augment education outcomes.' The research was the subject of an academic paper entitled, 'CARE: towards customized assistive robot-based education', authored by Dr. Mounsef, alongside RIT Dubai graduate student, Nafisa Maaz, and Assistant Professor at Lebanese American University Beirut, Dr. Noel Maalouf. The paper was published by Frontiers in Robotics and AI, a world-leading, multidisciplinary scientific journal. Building on the project, Dr. Mounsef is now preparing to collaborate with colleagues at RIT New York to develop an AI-powered social robot. She concluded, 'We aim to take forward our work in cognitive development to explore the use of robotics in emotional intelligence. This will involve deploying a human-looking robot that can interact with students on a daily basis to ask questions, gather data and ultimately make recommendations that can help to address their concerns.' About RIT Dubai Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world's leading technological-focused universities with more than 185 years of history. RIT Dubai is now operating from phase one of its new $136 million state-of-the-art campus which provides interactive learning space set over 129,000 square meters. RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business, psychology, media design, leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today's highly competitive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees issued directly from the main campus in New York, and all of RIT's programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever created
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now. The interactive online map, created using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, details some 800,000 galaxies across a vast cosmic distance – which in astronomy amounts to peering back in time. In fact, some of the galaxies are so far away, they appear as they existed not long after the Big Bang. Depicting a section of the universe known as the COSMOS-Web field, the new map is far more expansive than even the iconic Hubble Ultra Deep Field, a view of 10,000 galaxies NASA released in 2004. Spanning nearly all of cosmic time, the new map has the potential to challenge existing notions of the infant universe, the astronomers who created it claimed in a press release. The best part? The interactive map is available for the public to use. A team of international scientists who are part of the Cosmic Evolution Survey program (COSMOS) created and released the map of the universe Thursday, June 5. Compiled from more than 10,000 images of COSMOS-Web – the largest observing program of James Webb Space Telescope's first year in orbit – the map covers about three times as much space as the moon takes up when viewed from Earth. That makes it the largest contiguous image available from Webb, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology, whose Jeyhan Kartaltepe is a lead researcher on the project. An intricate astral tapestry, the map gives stargazers digital views of the ancient cosmos in unprecedented detail and breadth. Scrolling and zooming in can take users some 13.5 billion years back in time when the universe was in its infancy and stars, galaxies and black holes were still forming. 'If you had a printout of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field on a standard piece of paper, our image would be slightly larger than a 13-foot by 13-foot-wide mural, at the same depth," Caitlin Casey, a physicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-lead for the COSMOS project, said in a statement. "It's really strikingly large.' Explore the interactive map . Using its powerful resolution and infrared capabilities, the James Webb Space Telescope observed a region of space known as the COSMOS-web field, which scientists have been surveying for years. The raw data from the COSMOS field observations was made publicly available once it was collected by Webb, but that didn't mean it was easily accessible. That's why the COSMOS project spent two years creating the map from Webb's raw data to make it more digestible for amateur astronomers, researchers and even the general public. "In releasing the data to the public, the hope is that other astronomers from all over the world will use it to, among other things, further refine our understanding of how the early universe was populated and how everything evolved to the present day," according to a statement from UC Santa Barbara. The James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in 2021, far surpasses the abilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, launched 35 years ago in 1990. Orbiting the sun rather than Earth, the Webb is outfitted with a gold-coated mirror and powerful infrared instruments to observe the cosmos like no instrument before. Since reaching the cosmos, Webb has not only facilitated countless scientific breakthroughs in astrophysics, but it also has produced gorgeous images of planets and other celestial objects, including star-forming regions. In March, NASA also deployed into orbit its SPHEREx telescope to collect data on more than 450 million galaxies. Scientists say the SPHEREx observatory will be able to get a wider view of the galaxy – identifying objects of scientific interest that telescopes like Hubble and Webb can then study up close. SPHEREx became operational in May, constantly snapping images of the cosmos. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astronomers release largest interactive map of universe: Check it out
