Minneapolis: Engineers are trying to find out, with software that helps people locate their friends in a crowd – and make new friends who share similar interests.

Rockville: Several reports indicate that prolonged viewing of mobile devices and other stereo 3D devices leads to visual discomfort, fatigue and even headaches. According to a new Journal of Vision study.

Philadelphia: Smart phone users reading text messages and internet pages hold their devices at a closer distance than they would for printed text which may have important implications for prescribing vision correction.

Ithaca: Your smartphone knows where you go and how fast, while its microphone hears your voice. Soon, your phone may measure your stress … and help you to deal with it.

Washington:  If a research team in Japan gets its wish, "normally off" computers may one day soon be replacing present computers in a move that would both eliminate volatile memory, which requires power to maintain stored data, and reduce the gigantic energy losses associated with it.

London: According to 20% of 4,500 consumers in nine countries, smartphones are extremely frustrating simply because onscreen keyboards are too small for fingers.

Wasington: Pinecone or pine nut? Friend or foe? Distinguishing between the two requires that we pay special attention to the telltale characteristics of each. And as it turns out, us humans aren’t the only ones up to the task.

Wasington: To speed up reproduction, there's no substitute for the tender touch of a live cockroach.

Dallas: A color-coded smart tag could tell consumers whether a carton of milk has turned sour or a can of green beans has spoiled without opening the containers, according to researchers.

Albuquerque: Unexpected voltage increases of up to 25 percent in two barely separated nanowires have been observed at Sandia National Laboratories.