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Sweet corn yield at the mercy of the environment, except for one key factor

A new study by the University of Illinois and USDA-Agricultural Research Service has identified the key factors influencing sweet corn yield. The analysis found that seed source is a significant variable, with processors having a choice over which hybrids to use, and high nighttime temperatures also impact yield.

AI helps robots manipulate objects with their whole bodies

Researchers at MIT developed a method to simplify the process of whole-body manipulation for robots, enabling them to reason efficiently about moving objects. The technique uses AI and smoothing to reduce the number of decisions required, making it possible for robots to adapt quickly in complex environments.

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.

New “bandit” algorithm uses light for better bets

Researchers developed a modified bandit Q-learning algorithm that aims to learn optimal Q values for every state-action pair, balancing exploitation and exploration. The scheme relies on photonic systems to enhance learning quality, accelerating parallel learning through conflict-free decision-making.

AI to predict critical care for patients with COVID-19

Researchers developed a deep-learning model to assess CXR images for probable COVID-19 severity. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.78 when predicting intensive care need within 24 hours.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Studying the theoretical limit of learned source coding

A team led by Dr. Zixiang Xiong at Texas A&M University aims to understand the fundamental limits of learned source coding, a machine learning-based data compression method. They hope to develop more powerful compression methods for efficient use of wireless communication and less energy consumption by mobile devices.

AI models are powerful, but are they biologically plausible?

Researchers propose a hypothesis that astrocytes, non-neuronal cells in the brain, can perform core computation as transformers, providing insights into human brain function and machine learning success. This discovery could spark future neuroscience research and help explain transformer performance across complex tasks.

Can AI help hospitals spot patients in need of extra non-medical assistance?

A new study shows that a rule-based natural language processing tool successfully identified patients with unstable access to transportation, food insecurity, social isolation, financial problems, and signs of abuse or exploitation. The tool performed better than deep learning algorithms in identifying these social determinants of health.

Artificial intelligence designs advanced materials

Scientists at Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung developed a machine learning model that enhances predictive accuracy in alloy design, uncovering new corrosion-resistant compositions. The model combines numerical and textual data, enabling the identification of optimal alloy formulas.

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.

How sure is sure? Incorporating human error into machine learning

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge developed a way to incorporate human error into machine learning systems, improving their performance in handling uncertain feedback. However, they found that even with uncertainty accounted for, hybrid systems still perform worse than standalone machine learning models.

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.

A new weapon in the war on robocall scams

The new tool, SnorCall, analyzes unsolicited calls to shed light on robocall trends and types of scams. It extracted information from over 232,000 robocalls, including phone numbers used in scams, helping regulators and law enforcement take action.

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 fungus gets comfortable

Researchers found that clinical strains of Aspergillus fumigatus differ significantly from environmental strains in amino acid synthesis. The fungus appears to shape the lung microbiome to its advantage, surviving on vital metabolites produced by other microorganisms.

AI model can help determine where a patient’s cancer arose

Researchers developed an AI model called OncoNPC that can analyze genetic data to predict cancer type and origin. The model accurately classified at least 40% of tumors with unknown origin, leading to a 2.2-fold increase in eligible patients for targeted treatments.

Using machine learning to make ventilator support safer for children

Critically ill children on ventilator support can experience patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA), which worsens outcomes. Researchers are using machine learning to develop a common set of definitions and measurements for PVA in pediatric patients, aiming to minimize risks and improve clinical outcomes.

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.

AI transformation of medicine: Why doctors are not prepared

AI-powered clinical decision support systems can enhance patient care, but doctors lack necessary skills to interpret and act on risk predictions. To address this gap, medical education and training need to incorporate explicit coverage of probabilistic reasoning tailored to CDS algorithms.

Humans unable to detect over a quarter of deepfake speech samples

Researchers at University College London found that humans can only reliably detect fake speech 73% of the time, and this ability improves only slightly with training. The study's findings raise concerns about the potential for deepfakes to be used by criminals and nation-states to cause harm.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

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.

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.

New algorithm may fuel vaccine development

Researchers have developed a computational tool to compare large datasets and predict immune responses to disease, potentially leading to better vaccines. The new algorithm, designed by La Jolla Institute for Immunology scientists, uses machine learning to identify underlying patterns in immune system data.

Understanding social media discussions about female genital mutilation

An analysis of English Twitter data reveals a 17-fold increase in daily FGM conversations on International Day of Zero Tolerance, suggesting opportunities for social media education. At least 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM, leading to short- and long-term health consequences.

Rice U.’s Kaiyu Hang wins NSF CAREER Award

Hang aims to develop general-purpose robots that can handle complex physical interactions without requiring perfect input from sensors or extensive instructions. His project seeks to improve robotic manipulation tasks by reducing assumptions about how the robot acts in real-world conditions.

New research shows AI can ask another AI for a second opinion on medical scans

Researchers at Monash University developed a co-training AI algorithm that can effectively mimic human oversight in medical imaging. The algorithm achieved an average improvement of 3% compared to state-of-the-art approaches using limited annotated data, enabling AI models to make more informed decisions and uncover accurate diagnoses.

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.

Harnessing machine learning for early cancer detection in primary care

A new editorial explores the potential of machine learning to enhance early cancer detection in primary care, leveraging extensive patient data and improving risk stratification accuracy. The authors emphasize the need for responsible implementation, collaboration, and validation across diverse populations.

Teaching robots to teach other robots

Researchers developed a tool called SKILL that enables AI agents to learn 102 distinct tasks by sharing knowledge in parallel, reducing the time needed to master new skills. The technology has potential applications in medicine, education, and other fields where vast knowledge is required.

AI-guided brain stimulation aids memory in traumatic brain injury

Researchers have developed a new study showing that targeted electrical stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%. The technology delivers the right stimulation at the right time, informed by the wiring of the individual's brain and that individual's successful memory retrieval.

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.

New geometric deep learning model for detecting stroke lesions

A new geometric deep learning model called GFCN has been developed to detect stroke lesions in brain imaging scans. The model leverages rich geometric information to segment brain tissue and achieves higher segmentation performance than other neural network architectures.

Natural hazard vulnerability shows disproportionate risk

Researchers at the University of Alabama created a detailed assessment of vulnerability to natural hazards across the continental US. The study found significant differences in vulnerability between neighboring blocks and identified top 10 states with high vulnerability rates, including Minnesota and Ohio.

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.

Eyes in the skies confirm the end of trash burning in the Maldives

A new AI approach has confirmed that the Maldivian government effectively enforced its ban on open trash burning and single-use plastics, eliminating toxic smoke plumes from satellite imagery. The tool, trained using transfer learning and image segmentation, achieved 88% accuracy in identifying plumes.

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.

Machine learning model identifies mild cognitive impairment from retinal scans

A machine learning model developed by Duke Health researchers can differentiate normal cognition from mild cognitive impairment using retinal images from the eye. The model achieved a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 83%, identifying specific features in OCT and OCTA images that signal cognitive impairment. This non-invasive metho...

Biomarkers may hold key to precision mental health diagnosis, care

A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.

Using AI to save species from extinction cascades

Researchers at Flinders University use machine learning to identify species interactions and predict which species are most likely to go extinct. By analyzing species traits and interactions, the algorithm can help plan interventions before extinctions occur.

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.

Machine learning enhances X-ray imaging of nanotextures

Researchers at Cornell University developed a new method that uses machine learning to visualize nanotextures in thin-film materials. This technique overcomes the challenge of preserving the sample, allowing for dynamic study of thin films and discovery of new morphologies.

Machine learning takes materials modeling into new era

A new machine learning-based simulation method called Materials Learning Algorithms (MALA) has been developed, enabling accurate electronic structure calculations at large scales. MALA achieves this by utilizing a hybrid approach that combines physics-based approaches with machine learning to predict the electronic structure of materials.

Growing bio-inspired polymer brains for artificial neural networks

Developing a technique to create conductive polymer wire connections between electrodes enables artificial neural networks that overcome the limits of traditional computer hardware. The approach allows researchers to control and train the network using small voltage pulses.

The Ising on the cake

A team of researchers from Kyoto University and international institutions has developed a mathematical solution to the temporal asymmetry of nonequilibrium disordered Ising networks. This breakthrough offers insights into the behavior of biological systems, machine learning, and AI tools.

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.