People are not as good at detecting fake images as initially believed.

A recently released study suggests that people actually find it quite hard to detect fake images, especially if these seem contextually appropriate.

Research results showed that people actually identified only about a third of the photos manipulated as part of the study. Their ability to spot the fakes was also quite influenceable, as the participants were more or less successful, depending on the picture’s context.

University of Warwick, UK, researchers led by Sophie Nightingale conducted this new study. Their study involved almost 700 participants between the ages of 13 to 70. These were asked to look at banks of images in which no picture repeated itself. This, in turn, made it harder to detect if the photos had been altered or not.

Human Capacity of Spotting Fake Images Still Not Fully Understood

The images utilized were real-life situations and depicted everyday scenes. Among the picture banks, half of the photos were real, and the remaining ones had been altered. Nonetheless, these digital modifications were subtle changes.

Namely, the research team airbrushed faces, for example. Or they added or subtracted items. Still, they also made some implausible changes such as incorrectly placed shadows or weird angles.

As the participants were shown banks of 10 images, chance performance for this task was 50 percent. In comparison, the people did not do such a splendid job, as they were only able to correctly identify 65 percent of the fake images. They also accurately identified just 58 percent of the original photos.

When asked to explain why they had made such a choice, the participants were even less successful. However, additional tests had people identify possibly altered areas of an image. The participants fared better in this task, as they correctly spotted 56 percent of the manipulations.

This also seems to suggest that, given time and by catching a hint of something being wrong, people might be able to spot fakes even if the alterations are subtle or barely visible.

“So the challenge now is to try and find ways to help people improve at this task. For instance, fake images often contain tell-tale signs that they have been manipulated,” states Nightingale.

Now, the team is conducting a new research in the same area. They are trying to determine if, given these signs, people can become better at detecting manipulated or fake imagery.

Current study results are available in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications.

Image Source: Pixabay

Coco Loko is a recently released cacao-powder joining the latest trend of snorting chocolate.

A cocoa-based powder called Coco Loko was recently released on the market, with the announcement that it can be snorted. The powder will supposedly give the users a rush without the use of chemicals or other additives. A 10-serving tin can of Coco Loko cost only $24,99.

Snorting chocolate powder – are there any risks?

The founder of the Legal Lean company, which produces the Coco Loko powder, stated that he was inspired by a chocolate-snorting trend in Europe. With the Coco Loko powder, he tried reproducing the product and make it into his own blend.

According to him, by snorting the powder, the users will feel the rush of an energy drink from 30 minutes to an hour. Moreover, the product description claims that it will also produce a serotonin and endorphin rush in the body.

This will make the users feel positive, happy and euphoric. This is the result of the guarana and taurine used in the mix. At the same time, the raw cacao will give the users a sense of calm, as it supposedly reduces anxiety and stress.

On the other hand, it is known that the inside of the nose is a very sensitive area. One protected by the natural secretions and linings of the membrane. Thus, foreign objects that the inside of the nose cannot process might lead to injuries. By snorting the chocolate powder, there is the risk of disrupting the natural defenses. In turn, this could harm the body.

The US Environmental Protection Agency advised avoiding inhaling anything that is made of tiny particles as it is a direct link to respiratory diseases. Still, the exact effects of snorting chocolate and over a certain period of time have not been studied so currently, there is no final answer.

While the powder is already available on Amazon, it was still not approved by the FDA.

Image Source: Pixabay

Research claims that playing video games for a moderate number of hours can improve and help develop academic skills.

A new study goes to contradict the common belief that playing video games, at least on a moderate scale, can impose on a student’s academic results. Research claims that such an activity can actually be helpful as it encourages the development of mental adaptability and also communication skills.

Playing Video Games Can Help Academics

This study was conducted by researchers part of the University of Glasgow and led by Matthew Barr. Results are available in a paper in Computer & Education. Research involved the participation of 36 undergraduate students in Arts and Humanities. These were randomly split into units, one of which acted as a control group. Members of the other were asked to log in 120 minutes of play on a number of games.

These had to be achieved over a period of eight weeks, and in total represented 14 hours of gameplay. Participants were offered commercial titles, not targeted at developing skills or learning. The games included Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Minecraft, Borderlands 2, and others.

The study did not impose game hours or a specific number of minutes per day. Instead, they opened a drop-in basis game lab, open in between specific hours, on particular days. On them, the students could come in and play, but the time management was their own responsibility.

“This work demonstrates that playing commercial video games can have a positive effect on communication ability, adaptability, and resourcefulness in adult learners, suggesting that video games may have a role to play in higher education,” states Barr.

He adds that video games can actually have positive effects for their kids. Barr points out that these commercial video games can help develop and encourage critical thinking and reflective learning. They can also improve adaptability, communication, and problem solving, to state just a few.

The study underlines that this activity can be helpful with academics. But the gained qualities are also featured as desirable attributes and extra points in employability.

Image Source: Flickr