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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.

Fighting forgery with paper fingerprints

Researchers from Newcastle University have found an inexpensive and easy way to validate the authenticity of ANY paper document by taking a picture with a standard camera. The unique 'texture' fingerprint for every sheet of paper can be identified and verified with 100% accuracy, making it highly reliable even under rough handling.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalACM Transactions on Information and System Security·DateMay 24, 2017

Cultural backgrounds of media organizations affect international news coverage

A new study by University of Missouri researchers reveals that cultural values of photojournalists' home countries influence the framing of international events. The study analyzed over 400 photographs from Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Cuba, finding differences in camera angles and news priorities between media outlets from the US, UK,...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournalism Studies·DateMay 22, 2017

Medical gamma-ray camera is now palm-sized

Researchers at Waseda University developed the world's first compact Compton camera for medical imaging, capturing high-resolution 3D molecular images of a live mouse in just 2 hours. The device weighs only 580g and can image energy from hundreds to mega-electron volts.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 22, 2017
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.

Camera-equipped drones preserve framing when shooting video

A team of MIT researchers created a system that allows directors to specify a shot's framing and generate control signals for a camera-equipped autonomous drone, preserving the framing as actors move. The system guarantees safe collision avoidance with obstacles.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 18, 2017

City model created from images alone

VarCity technology uses machine learning to analyze images and videos, creating precise 3D models of cities. The platform can recognize buildings, streets, and traffic patterns in real-time, making it useful for urban planning and management.

SourceETH Zurich·DateMay 17, 2017

Ebola survivors have a 'unique' retinal scar

Researchers found that around 15% of Ebola survivors have distinctive retinal scars, which appear specific to the disease but spare vision. The study also suggests that aqueous fluid analysis can help diagnose Ebola eye disease and enable access to cataract surgery for affected survivors

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateMay 15, 2017

Hubble catches a galaxy duo by the 'hare'

The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged two galaxies in close proximity, each traveling at approximately 2 million kilometers per hour. Their interaction will cause distortions and changes to the structures of both galaxies due to gravitational forces.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 12, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Consumers warned about accuracy of heart rate apps

A study found substantial differences in accuracy between commercially available heart rate apps, with some apps performing up to 20 beats per minute off from the clinical gold standard. Non-contact apps performed less well than contact apps, particularly at higher heart rates and lower body temperatures.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMay 3, 2017

Operating smart devices from the space on and above the back of your hand

Scientists create an input system called WatchSense that tracks the movement of fingers on and above the back of the hand using a depth sensor. This allows for more expressive interactions with smartphones and smart TVs, and has been successfully tested in various scenarios, including virtual and augmented reality.

SourceSaarland University·DateMay 3, 2017
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.

SAVI camera ditches long lens for distant images

The SAVI camera uses laser light to capture high-resolution images of distant objects, eliminating the need for a long lens. The technology has potential applications in visible light imaging, with researchers envisioning real-time, high-resolution capture using this synthetic aperture approach.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 14, 2017

Are your sensors spying on you?

Researchers at Newcastle University found that malicious websites and installed apps can crack four-digit PINs with a 70% accuracy using smartphone sensor data. The study revealed that people are unaware of the risks, and despite industry awareness, no solution has been found yet.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Information Security·DateApr 10, 2017

The inner lives of molecules

Researchers have developed a new experimental technique to take 3D images of molecules in action, combining two technologies to probe the structure and behavior of molecules. This tool enables experiments with larger molecules that were previously impossible, allowing for better understanding of quantum mechanics in complex systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateApr 4, 2017

A faster single-pixel camera

Researchers at MIT Media Lab describe a new technique that makes image acquisition using compressed sensing 50 times as efficient. The technique enables the development of novel imaging systems without lenses, opening new prospects for design and applications in harsh environments or non-visible spectrum wavelengths.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging·DateMar 29, 2017
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.

OSIRIS-REx asteroid search tests instruments, science team

The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully tested its asteroid search instruments, detecting multiple Main Belt asteroids two magnitudes fainter than expected. The spacecraft's MapCam imager performed flawlessly, demonstrating improved imaging capabilities that will aid in avoiding natural satellites around target asteroid Bennu.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 24, 2017

A pocket-sized retina camera, no dilating required

Researchers have created a pocket-sized retina camera that can take quality pictures without pupil dilation, enabling convenient and efficient retinal examinations. The camera is made from simple parts available online and costs around $185.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Ophthalmology·DateMar 20, 2017

Animal behaviorist looks through the eyes of peafowl

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Jessica Yorzinski, has conducted a study on peacock behavior to understand how males assess their rivals during the breeding season. The study found that males focus on the lower regions of rival displays, particularly the eyespot areas and body, when evaluating competition.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMar 16, 2017

New design for longer lasting night-vision cameras

Researchers from Northwestern University developed a new approach to improve night-vision cameras using strained-layer indium arsenide/indium arsenide antimonide type-II superlattices. The new design enables infrared cameras to perform imaging at higher temperatures, reducing the need for cryogenic cooling power.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAPL Materials·DateFeb 21, 2017
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.

3-D printed 'eagle eye' camera mimics sharp vision of predators

A new miniaturized camera inspired by eagles' sharp vision uses multi-aperture design to capture high-resolution images with improved center sharpness. The 'foveated imaging' system has potential in areas like endoscopy, optical sensors, and surveillance drones.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 15, 2017

The solution from the skies to save endangered species

A new project from Liverpool John Moores University is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to help identify endangered species, such as rhinos and orang-utans. The technique involves analyzing thermal heat profiles to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each animal, allowing for more efficient conservation efforts.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateFeb 6, 2017

An application of astronomy to save endangered species

A multidisciplinary team combines drones with infrared cameras to monitor animal populations, reducing costs and increasing access. The new technique uses thermal imaging to identify species, potentially aiding conservation efforts against poaching and habitat destruction.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateFeb 6, 2017
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 quantify in high speed a viper's strike in nature for the first time

UC Riverside-led research quantifies rattlesnake strikes for the first time using portable high-speed cameras, capturing three-dimensional video of a snake preying on a kangaroo rat. The study reveals that snakes can greatly exceed lab observations and that kangaroo rats may use elastic energy storage to evade strikes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 13, 2017

Astrophotography as a gateway to science

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

Moth's eye inspires critical component on SOFIA's newest instrument

A NASA-developed camera, equipped with a moth's eye-inspired absorber technology, is now operational on the SOFIA aircraft. This innovation allows for greater sensitivity in far-infrared astronomy, enabling scientists to study early stages of star and planet formation, as well as map magnetic fields around supermassive black holes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 20, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

A skillful rescue robot with remote-control function

Researchers at Osaka University developed a remote-control rescue robot with improved operability and mobility for disaster situations. The robot features advanced technologies, including force control, vibration feedback, and long-range imaging, to enhance the operator's experience.

SourceOsaka University·DateDec 13, 2016

Molecular imaging hack makes cameras 'faster'

Rice chemist Christy Landes and her team have created a new microscopy technique called super temporal resolution microscopy (STReM), which captures images of molecules at a frame rate 20 times faster than typical lab cameras. This enhancement allows researchers to study fast processes without needing more expensive cameras, extracting...

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 17, 2016

Nanobionic spinach plants can detect explosives

MIT engineers have transformed spinach plants into sensors that can detect explosives and wirelessly relay information to a handheld device. The carbon-nanotube-enhanced plants send an alert when sensing dangerous chemicals, making them ideal for environmental monitoring.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 31, 2016

Gamma ray camera offers new view on ultra-high energy electrons in plasma

Researchers at General Atomics have developed a gamma ray camera to image energetic electrons in ultra-hot fusion plasma, providing unprecedented insights into their behavior. The device reveals that radiation forces can sap high-energy electrons, while collisions with other electrons are more effective at lower energies.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 27, 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.

UMass Amherst leads international astronomical camera project

A team of astronomers led by Grant Wilson at UMass Amherst is building a state-of-the-art imaging system called TolTEC to study the heavens. The new camera will be part of the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) and offer improved sensitivity and speed, enabling groundbreaking surveys in star formation and galaxy evolution.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateOct 19, 2016

A team of physicists dispels Rayleigh's curse

A team of physicists has broken Rayleigh's limit, achieving resolutions up to 17 times lower than previously thought. This discovery opens doors to significant improvement in imaging systems and challenges traditional Optics textbooks.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalOptica·DateOct 14, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Researchers prototype system for reading closed books

A new computational imaging method identifies letters printed on the first 9 pages of a stack of paper, demonstrating the feasibility of reading closed books. The MIT system exploits the unique properties of terahertz radiation to penetrate surfaces and analyze materials in thin layers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 2016

More to rainbows than meets the eye

Researchers are exploring the practical uses of rainbows in weather forecasting and combustion engine efficiency. A comprehensive review highlights the importance of simulating rainbows using mathematical modeling. The study also provides tips for capturing rainbows on camera, making them a rare and special phenomenon.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEuropean Journal of Physics·DateAug 25, 2016

Gaming camera could aid MS treatment

Researchers have developed a cost-effective method using the Microsoft Kinect to evaluate gait abnormalities in multiple sclerosis patients. The device detects movement and computer algorithms quantify walking patterns, reducing human error. The technology shows promise for diagnosing gait pathology and tracking treatment effects.

SourceMcGill University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateAug 15, 2016
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Nature, not nurture, defines cricket social networks

Researchers found that cricket populations have innate social rules, resulting in stable networks that form year after year. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, suggests that these networks are conserved over evolutionary time, influenced more by population size than environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 8, 2016

Selfie righteous: New tool corrects angles and distances in portraits

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method to transform individual selfies by adjusting angles and distances, creating more realistic portraits. The tool can also alter poses and generate 3-D head shots, with potential applications including 'live' photos that seem to move uncannily.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 29, 2016

Plumbing the possibilities of a camera that 'sees around corners'

A team of researchers led by Andreas Velten is working on a camera technology that uses scattered-light photons to capture scenes outside human line of sight. The project aims to push the limitations of this technique over four years, with potential applications in medical imaging, disaster relief, and space exploration.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·DateJul 28, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Selfie righteous: New tool corrects angles and distances in portraits

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method to transform individual selfies by adjusting angles and distances, creating more realistic images. The tool can also be used to generate 3-D head shots and potentially even create 'live' photos that seem to move.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 27, 2016

Single camera can capture high quality facial performance

A single camera can capture high-quality facial performance using a new method developed by Disney Research, which takes into account the underlying facial anatomy and skin thickness. This approach allows for robust and accurate tracking of facial expressions without requiring multiple cameras or extensive pre-computed facial motions.

SourceDisney Research·DateJul 20, 2016

Printable prosthetics

Researchers at FAU and Fachhochschule Lübeck developed custom-fit prosthetics using 3D scanning and printing, suitable for local production with recycled materials. The first prototypes have been printed and are being tested for longevity and stress resistance.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·DateJul 15, 2016
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Knuckleball machine delivers soccer science

Scientists in France create a knuckleball machine to explore the zigzag secrets of one of football's most unpredictable shots, providing clues to much older scientific puzzles. The researchers discovered that unsteady lift forces and a specific velocity window contribute to the ball's erratic trajectory.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 12, 2016

NASA camera catches moon 'photobombing' Earth

A NASA camera aboard the DSCOVR satellite captured a view of the moon as it moved in front of the sunlit side of Earth for the second time in a year. The images were taken using NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and show the moon crossing over the Indian and Pacific oceans.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 11, 2016

Video privacy software lets you select what others can see

Computer scientists at Duke University have developed software that allows users to specify what others can see on camera, preventing inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information. The researchers presented a system that enables users to select the part of a scene they want to share, either by hand or with a few clicks.

SourceDuke University·DateJun 28, 2016

Rush hour on Palmyra Atoll

Marine biologists have discovered that shark traffic in and out of Palmyra Atoll's lagoon peaks between 7-8 pm. The study used dual-frequency identification sonar to monitor shark movement, revealing a rush hour for these marine predators.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateJun 15, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Take a picture, you'll enjoy it more

Researchers found that people who take photos of their experiences enjoy them more than those who don't. Photo-taking increases engagement, making the experience more pleasurable. However, the effect is limited to active participation and not when taking pictures interferes with the experience.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 9, 2016

US Army camera captures explosives in fine detail

Researchers capture pressure, temperature and chemical species maps for each explosion, reducing the need for multiple shots. The technique uses pyrometry and high-speed cameras to achieve spatial resolution of 1 mm for a 1 kg explosive charge.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMay 31, 2016

High-speed camera captures amazing lightning flash

Scientists capture lightning flash using high-speed camera at 7,000 frames per second as part of research on thunderstorm dynamics. The camera will be used to study upward electrical discharges from starters, jets and gigantic jets.

SourceFlorida Institute of Technology·DateMay 24, 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.

What big eyes you have! Spider adaptation widened dietary net

Researchers discover large secondary eyes in a spider species enable it to catch larger, more nutritious prey, which may explain the evolution of these enlarged eyes. The findings suggest the spiders' nocturnal nature and reliance on vision to hunt for prey on the ground.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalBiology Letters·DateMay 18, 2016

Body-worn cameras associated with increased assaults against police, and increase in use-of-force if officers choose when to activate cameras

New research reveals that body-worn cameras associated with an increase in assault against police officers when they choose to turn them on and off during their shift. This finding contrasts with current thinking that cameras should reduce the rate of use-of-force, but rather found it increased when officer discretion was used.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEuropean Journal of Criminology·DateMay 16, 2016

Robot's in-hand eye maps surroundings, determines hand's location

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a method that incorporates the robot's arm as a sensor to improve the accuracy of environmental mapping. This approach enables robots to precisely locate their hands, which is crucial for tasks like inspection and manipulation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 16, 2016