Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a cost-effective method for live cell imaging using smartphones, enabling laboratories worldwide to study cellular responses to treatments. The innovative system utilizes 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf electronics, providing excellent cell culture conditions and high-resolution imaging.
A new type of light-enhancing optical cavity has been developed, representing a step toward brighter single-photon sources. This breakthrough could help propel quantum-based encryption and secure networks.
SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateDec 21, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A new concept harnesses low-frequency mechanical energy to generate electricity, improving performance at lower frequencies than existing devices. The device, called an ionic diode, operates at one-tenth Hertz and has a higher peak power density compared to piezoelectric generators.
SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that phosphatidylserine treatment can enhance the stability of microtubular highways in neurons and improve cargo movement along these pathways. The study suggests that this supplement may be instrumental in reversing detrimental effects of Familial Dysautonomia.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers found that dominant Arctic char produce sperm swimming faster in diluted ovarian fluid, while subordinate males produce faster-swimming sperm in water. These adaptations may give them an edge in competition for mates.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateDec 21, 2016
A new study reports an estimated 76,380 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2016, with current lifetime risk being 1 in 54 for invasive melanoma. The overall burden of disease is increasing, with rising rates and higher mortality rates, exceeding the previous estimate of 10,130 deaths
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
The proposed Parallel Intelligence framework enables machines to learn from real-world interactions, moving beyond traditional AI approaches that rely on big data. This new paradigm allows software to learn from millions of scenarios and make decisions in parallel with physical systems.
SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateDec 21, 2016
A new tissue culture system has revealed that microglia from aged brains are engulfing amyloid plaques on site, with young microglia secreting factors to rejuvenate older cells. The discovery highlights a potential strategy for removing amyloid plaques and improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology demonstrated that graphene can transport extremely high currents when impacted by highly charged xenon ions. The material's rapid electronic response allows it to withstand extreme currents without damage, making it a promising candidate for ultra-fast electronics applications.
SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at JILA used an advanced atomic clock to mimic the behavior of crystalline solids, demonstrating a novel 'off-label' use for atomic clocks. The study reveals potential applications in spintronics and quantum computing.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A team of scientists has created a device that screens breath samples to classify and diagnose several types of diseases, including kidney cancer and Parkinson's disease. The breathalyzer uses an array of nanoscale sensors to detect unique volatile chemical components in exhaled breath.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 21, 2016
A study found that surgeons' recommendations play a crucial role in determining the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) in breast cancer patients. Among patients without clinical indications, CPM use was substantial when patients did not receive a recommendation against it, but low when they did.
A 3.5-billion-year-old phosphorus surplus coincided with the emergence of complex life on Earth, suggesting a key role in animal evolution. The discovery was made by analyzing sedimentary rock records from ancient coastal zones.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2016
The new Special Issue addresses topics in epidemiology, basic science, and policy, providing reliable information on digestive cancers in Latin America. Key findings include the rising incidence of gastric cancer and the need for awareness, with five articles from experts in the region.
Sourceecancermedicalscience·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateDec 21, 2016
A team of scientists from France has developed a method to visualize ice crystals in three dimensions as they grow, providing new insights into their formation process. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis, the researchers can capture rapid images of ice crystals growing and measure their expansion rates.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Omega·DateDec 21, 2016
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research found that German men have fewer children than women and have them later in life. Eastern Germany's male birthrate is particularly low due to a surplus of men in reproductive age.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalDemographic Research·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at The University of Manchester have made a major step forward in nuclear waste recycling technologies by describing the electronic structure of uranium nitride compounds. A family of 15 complexes was synthesized, and advanced techniques were used to gain insight into their electronic states. This research has the potential...
SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
Research from the University of Washington suggests that preschool-aged children can learn bias through nonverbal signals displayed by adults, such as tone of voice or facial expressions. Children are likely to generalize this learned bias to others, potentially leading to group bias and prejudice.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 21, 2016
A new study highlights the difficult decisions healthcare providers face when treating HIV-positive patients with seizures, where medication options are limited. Seizures are a common symptom in advanced stage HIV, affecting up to 11% of those undiagnosed and untreated.
SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateDec 21, 2016
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
Neurons in the brain store immature RNA copies that are pre-manufactured and only need splicing upon stimulation, significantly reducing production time and enabling rapid adaptation. This discovery reveals a new regulatory mechanism for brain plasticity processes.
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have identified a protein inhibitor drug that prevents blood vessel blockages, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The study found that PAI-039 decreased blockage formation by about 50 percent, producing a powerful effect in preventing vascular diseases.
Hoaxy is a new tool that visualizes how claims in the news and fact checks of those claims spread online through social networks. The tool helps understand the mechanisms behind fake news spread and can be used by users to evaluate evidence about a claim and its rebuttal.
UC Riverside scientists created astrophotography classes for non-science students, resulting in improved understanding of telescopes and cameras, as well as renewed interest in astronomy. The cost-effective courses also encouraged students to take up astrophotography as a hobby, opening the path to future amateur astronomers.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of STEM Education·DateDec 21, 2016
The project investigates Buddhist networks in Eastern Central Asia from the 6th-14th centuries, exploring transregional links between China, India, Tibet, and Central Asian regions. The team will analyze manuscripts and conduct field research to understand how Buddhism spread and evolved.
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
A study in California found that high-severity wildfires hinder natural conifer regeneration, with only 60% of plots showing seedling growth five to seven years after fire. A new tool developed by researchers can help foresters prioritize which lands to replant and when.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEcosphere·DateDec 21, 2016
A new study reveals that RAF1 acts as a negative regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma, while promoting growth in inflammatory cells. This finding highlights the need for a more thorough understanding of the disease at the molecular level to design novel therapies.
SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
Research found elevated levels of uranium-234, thorium-230, lead-210 and polonium-210 in drill cuttings from Marcellus Shale wells. The study suggests that at low pH, uranium isotopes can leach into the environment from landfills.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateDec 21, 2016
Research reveals that individuals with dyslexia have a fundamental brain difference in sensory perception, leading to difficulties in processing speech and written words. Brain activity remains high in both cases, suggesting that they do not adapt as much, while those with better reading skills show greater adaptation levels.
A recent study by Brown University researchers has found that the RNA pathway operates in a non-reproductive body tissue, called the fat body, in flies and helps sustain life. The study also shows that blocking components of the pathway leads to increased DNA damage, shorter lifespan and poor health.
SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a blood test that can detect Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The test uses a protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay to identify prions, which are infectious proteins responsible for the disease.
SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 21, 2016
Chemical engineers develop prototype reactor shaped like a leaf to capture sunlight and generate chemical reactions for drug production. The LSC material enhances the reaction process, increasing productivity by 40% even on cloudy days.
SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers have made significant strides in treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) with ocrelizumab, a medication that targets immune cells contributing to the disease. The study, led by UTHealth's Jerry Wolinsky, shows substantial improvement in slowing disability progression and reducing new lesion formation.
SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 21, 2016
The American College of Cardiology's survey reveals that cardiologists are highly satisfied with their careers, but women face disparities in advancement opportunities and family responsibilities. The workforce is also aging, with a greater percentage of practicing physicians over 60, and private practice settings have decreased.
SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 21, 2016
A new study identifies malondialdehyde as a key player in hepatic inflammation and finds it can be neutralized by specific natural antibodies. The research provides a promising approach towards a potential therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalHepatology·DateDec 21, 2016
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
The California Academy of Sciences has added 133 new plant and animal species to the world's family tree, including a deep-sea fish, sharks, ants, beetles, birds, and coral. These discoveries were made by over a dozen scientists and collaborators across five continents and three oceans.
SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalZootaxa·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences successfully simulated a plasma blob's movement with unprecedented accuracy, calculating 1 billion particles. This breakthrough allows for finely detailed analyses of the plasma's internal structure and temperature distribution, greatly improving prediction accuracy.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery of how key sugars in cells bind to form strong, indigestible materials. Cellulose induces xylan to untwist itself and straighten out, allowing it to attach itself to the cellulose molecule, forming a 'glue' that makes very strong structures.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers found that providing free sanitary pads and puberty education to girls in Uganda improves their school attendance levels by 17%, compared to schools without such interventions. This simple yet effective approach can have major long-term economic implications for women's education and empowerment.
A team of biomedical scientists at UC Riverside has identified a specific receptor, TNFR2, that induces M cells, which promote inflammation and worsen IBD. Targeting only this receptor may lead to more effective therapies for IBD patients.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
The Human Pancreas Analysis Program (HPAP) aims to study diabetes and pancreatic islets with unparalleled resolution. The program will procure and phenotype pancreatic tissues from individuals with or at risk for Type 1 diabetes.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateDec 21, 2016
Kosik's research suggests that dendrites use a relatively small number of RNAs to leverage increased dynamic range, allowing for sparse coding and plasticity. This enables the brain to process incoming information more efficiently and adapt to new experiences.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNeuron·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers have discovered how cancer cells convert into blood vessel-supporting cells that drive tumor growth. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) sustains blood vessels and fuels tumor expansion.
SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2016
Bacteria have been found to use a code language consisting of cryptic palindromes to determine whether to enter a dormant state or be interrupted by antibiotics. This discovery may help develop new antibiotics by understanding the code language used by pathogenic bacteria.
SourceAarhus University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateDec 21, 2016
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Researchers found that the largest-brained species of electric fish have the highest demand for oxygen, while the smallest-brained species have the lowest. This suggests that large brains can only evolve if constraints on energy intake are lifted or alternative solutions are found to accommodate the increased energy demands.
A widely publicized initiative has placed over 95% of individuals with substance-use disorders into detoxification or treatment programs. The Gloucester Police Department's Angel Program has filled a needed gap in accessing substance-use treatment services, with 376 people seeking help in the first year.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 21, 2016
Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
New research from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute finds that state tort reforms are associated with a decrease in physician ordering of radiographs. The study examined the impact of liability pressure on overall imaging use and found that indirect tort reforms have a stronger effect on radiography orders than direct reforms.
SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateDec 21, 2016
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
A team of scientists led by Mark Herr found that cottonmouths with high baseline levels of corticosterone were more likely to strike during encounters. The study suggests that protecting snake habitats may reduce the incidence of snakebites and that a snake's striking behavior is related to its baseline level of stress.
SourcePenn State·JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology·DateDec 21, 2016
A study found that reindeer grazing in the Arctic tundra can increase surface albedo, leading to a decrease in net radiation and a potential cooling effect on climate. The researchers used land surface computer modeling and field measurements to estimate the impact of reindeer activity on vegetation characteristics.
SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 21, 2016
Experts have discovered a new genetic disease that causes neurodegeneration and accelerates brain cell death. The disease, ataxia oculomotor apraxia type XRCC1, is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts DNA repair mechanisms.
Princeton researchers have discovered a method to expand enzyme reactivity through light activation, allowing access to high selectivities. They successfully catalyzed non-natural reactions, including dehalogenation reactions, by irradiating enzymes with light.
A study finds that lower median income within a neighborhood, lower BMI, and smoking in the household correspond to higher levels of flame retardants in children's blood. The researchers speculate that socioeconomic disparities will increase over time as wealthier families replace older products with flame retardant-free ones.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 21, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that HIV patients have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, even when the virus is undetectable in their blood. The risk is estimated to be about 50% higher than predicted by current calculators.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers discovered the DNA sequence responsible for determining leaf shapes in upland cotton, leading to potential improvements in crop yields and farmer costs. The study found that plants with leaves having five deep lobes, like okra, are less susceptible to boll rot and offer better dispersal for pesticides.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered neurons in the subiculum area of the brain that encode an animal's current axis of travel. These 'axis-tuned' cells fire when the animal travels in either direction along a single line, allowing it to mentally group different locations and navigate complex routes.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 21, 2016
A new study found that nearly half of early-stage breast cancer patients considered having a double mastectomy, despite knowing it offers little benefit. Patients were unaware of the surgery's risks and benefits, with many choosing it for peace of mind.
SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateDec 21, 2016
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel technique to identify carbohydrates, which play a vital role in life processes. The new method, called 'sequencing by recognition,' uses electricity to release current spikes that can be measured and analyzed to identify specific carbohydrate molecules with high accuracy.
SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016
Two studies examine NIH funding to US dental institutions between 2005-2014, revealing a 70% investment by NIDCR, with funding for oral cavity cancer research decreasing after 2009. A perspective piece highlights the need for increased focus on rectifying the gap in oral health research funding.
SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateDec 21, 2016
Researchers at TSRI reveal precisely how popular flu treatment Arbidol works, stopping the virus from entering host cells. The study's findings could guide the development of future broad-spectrum therapeutics against influenza virus.
SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2016
Scientists have developed a temporary tattoo ink that marks the spot for future treatment in skin cancer patients. The new ink glows under specific light conditions and can disappear after a period of time, eliminating the need for laser or surgical removal.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 21, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.