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Virtual Reality Could Help People Lose Weight, Fight Prejudice, Says MU Researcher

By Guest PostNovember 8, 2012Health, Technologyafrican american, alter ego, avatar, black like me, caucasian author, cyber representation, deep south, discrimination, electronic doppelganger, elizabeth behm-morawitz, interactive game, internet based, missouri, moderation, negative effect, obesity treatment, online relationship, outlet, physical realities, practice, racial, second life, self presence, sexual prejudice, skin, social media, unhealthy ways, university, virtual entertainment, virtual world, well being

Study found that online presence can positively affect physical health and well-being

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Internet-based interactive games and social media outlets have become intertwined with the physical realities of millions of people around the world. When an individual strongly identifies with the cyber representation of themselves, known as an avatar, the electronic doppelganger can influence that person’s health and appearance, according to a University of Missouri researcher’s study. Harnessing the power of the virtual world could lead to new forms of obesity treatment and help break down racial and sexual prejudices.

“The creation of an avatar allows an individual to try on a new appearance and persona, with little risk or effort,” said Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, assistant professor of communication in MU’s College of Arts and Science. “That alter-ego can then have a positive influence on a person’s life. For example, people seeking to lose weight could create fitter avatars to help visualize themselves as slimmer and healthier.” (more…)

Computer Viruses Could Take a Lesson from Showy Peacocks

By Guest PostSeptember 1, 2012Science, Technologyavida, charles ofria, chris chandler, computer network, computer program, computer virus, digital organism, epeacock, evolution, evolutionary benefit, genetic quality, havoc, ian dworkin, indicator, lesson, michigan state university, peacock, sexual display, software environment, tails, virtual world

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Computer viruses are constantly replicating throughout computer networks and wreaking havoc. But what if they had to find mates in order to reproduce?

In the current issue of Evolution, Michigan State University researchers created the digital equivalent of spring break to see how mate attraction played out through computer programs, said Chris Chandler, MSU postdoctoral researcher at MSU’s BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action. (more…)

Editor’s Picks: Turning Futuristic Visions into Reality

By Guest PostJanuary 3, 2012Technology3d, alzheimer, avatar kinect projects, baker laboratory, breakthroughs at microsoft, cancers, catwalk, crippling diseases, education and technology, futuristic scenarios, kinect for xbox 360, laptop, magic pushes, malaria, microsoft duo breaks, microsoft home, natural user interfaces, new year, protein mystery, salmonella, steve clayton, the printing dress, university of washington, virtual world, windows azure, your living room

*As we begin the New Year, a look at some of the stories of futuristic scenarios brought to life in 2011, plus developments that promise dramatic improvements in the near future.*

REDMOND, Wash. – Jan. 3, 2012 – From revolutionizing the way we interact with computers to developing tools to speed development of cures for crippling diseases, 2011 was a year of forward-thinking breakthroughs at Microsoft. See some of the innovations introduced in 2011 and how Microsoft is working to take new technologies from the lab to the living room. (more…)

Tag Archives: virtual world

Virtual Reality Could Help People Lose Weight, Fight Prejudice, Says MU Researcher

Computer Viruses Could Take a Lesson from Showy Peacocks

Editor’s Picks: Turning Futuristic Visions into Reality