Study shows: the pandemic acted as a catalyst for digitalisation in public administration

In just a few weeks and months, the restrictions imposed by the pandemic made possible what would have taken much longer under normal circumstances: Public administration has digitalised many services and switched to teleworking processes. Birgit Moser-Plautz examined this transformation using ten Austrian case studies and also drew comparisons with the United States. She recently presented her findings in two publications.

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The Dunning-Kruger effect and the muesli bar: Those who know the least tend to believe they are highly competent

The Dunning-Kruger effect can be observed in many different areas: Those who know the least often think of themselves as particularly competent, while those with a lot of knowledge tend to underestimate their own expertise. A research team recently investigated the extent to which this phenomenon can be observed in the area of media and nutrition. The results are clear: Even when it comes to evaluating a supposedly healthy low-carb bar, people who are not competent at all consider themselves to be particularly competent.

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Drones inspect electricity pylons: Navigation technology under development at the University of Klagenfurt

Power lines are frequently damaged during snowfall or snowstorms. Until now, engineers working for the energy providers have had to painstakingly inspect power pylons and insulators on site to check for damage. In the future, drones will be able to perform this task. Researchers at the University of Klagenfurt are developing new technologies to support autonomous inspections.

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Flying by radar: New navigation technology for drones

Autonomous drones typically use the GPS satellite navigation system to navigate autonomously. In the absence of sufficient GPS coverage, many drones rely on cameras. Both technologies have drawbacks. Researchers involved in the CARNIVAL project are currently working on new methods to improve radar navigation.  

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