IT Across Careers

Google Earth is being used by researchers to map different mutations and outbreaks of dangerous variants of the H5N1 virus, the virus that causes avian influenza. Researchers hope that by displaying the data in a 3-D visual map they can come up with new biological control strategies to predict where mutations of the virus are likely to occur.

People can listen on their computers or portable players to podcasts produced by Colonial Williamsburg and other historic sites and museums. Podcasts are another way to bring historic information to new audiences. The audio files are recorded by historians and interpreters who portray historical figures and are available through the institution’s web site.

Large companies, especially retailers, coordinate with law enforcement in safeguarding their properties, but Target takes the concept of “assets protection” many steps further. Target operates on the nation’s top forensics labs at its headquarters in Minneapolis and routinely assists law enforcement in solving crimes.

Originally developed for communication and surveillance networks on battlefields, a new type of wireless network design facilitates more powerful communications without the expensive infrastructure and could potentially help extend the batter life of consumer wireless devices.

Most students are not taught how to critically evaluate information found on the Internet. The ability to read, understand, and decipher online material requires a unique skill set—qualities many of today's students have yet to grasp, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut and Clemson University, who with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, are creating a custom built model to help students acquire the kinds of higher-level comprehension skills necessary to navigate today's digital landscape.

At the recent Supernova 2006 conference co-hosted by Wharton in San Francisco, a panel of video entrepreneurs and industry experts predicted that virtually every organization marketing to consumers -- from TV stations and sports teams to soft drink and detergent makers -- will rapidly develop a video presence on the Internet. And it may not stop there. If video publishing grows at rate similar to that of websites and blogs in recent years, what does it mean for traditional broadcasters, businesses, and users alike?

Cellphones are one of the latest targets for data and security breaches. As newer models offer increased memory and more features, owners can use them as portable mini computers and load them with reams of data that does not erase easily. Using commercially available software to retrieve your stored personal data, hackers are able to reconstruct your personal profile from address books, contacts, e-mails, photos, and the names and phone numbers of the last people you called.