Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Wildfires projected to worsen with climate change

A Harvard University study projects that wildfires in the western United States will be three weeks longer, up to twice as smoky, and burn a wider area by 2050. Climate change is expected to exacerbate fire season due to warmer temperatures.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateAug 28, 2013
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.

Winter depression not as common as many think, OSU research shows

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that depressive symptoms are not as influenced by time of year or weather conditions as previously thought. Researchers analyzed data from over 800 participants and concluded that people may be exaggerating the impact of seasonal changes on their mood.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateAug 27, 2013
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.

NASA 'fire towers' in space watch for wildfires on the rise

Scientists from NASA and other agencies use satellite observation and computer modeling to predict wildfire activity in the American West. The data helps guide firefighting resources and prevention efforts, with over 2.5 million acres burned this year.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 9, 2013

Head hits can be reduced in youth football

Researchers found that limiting contact in practice reduced the number and force of head hits in young football players. The study, which measured head impacts over an entire season, showed that teams with restricted practices had significantly fewer head hits, on average, than teams without such restrictions.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 29, 2013

Playing college football linked with high blood pressure risk

A small study found that college football players, especially linemen, may develop high blood pressure over the course of their first season. Researchers noted a significant increase in blood pressure levels among players after the season, with 47% considered pre-hypertensive and 14% having stage 1 hypertension.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJul 29, 2013

Scientists develop new way to measure cumulative effect of head hits in football

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new metric called Risk Weighted Cumulative Exposure (RWE) to capture players' exposure to the risk of concussion over a football season. The study found that impact frequency was greater during games than practices, but overall exposure was greater during practices.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 18, 2013

Bodychecking rules don't reduce concussions in elite hockey

Research published in PLOS ONE found that bodychecking rules didn't decrease concussions in elite hockey. Concussions were caused by body-checking 64% of the time, while illegal incidents accounted for only 28%. The authors suggest stricter enforcement or additional rule changes may be needed to reduce injury risk.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 17, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA sees Tropical Storm Chantal develop quickly in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to bring significant rainfall to the Leeward and Windward islands with isolated totals reaching up to 6 inches. The storm developed from an unseasonally strong easterly wave that moved off the African coast on July 3.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 8, 2013

NASA satellite sees Dalila become a hurricane in Eastern Pacific

Dalila strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane after moving away from the Mexican coast, bringing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. A new tropical low is developing to the southeast, while another storm system, System 97E, has a medium chance of forming over the next two days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 3, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Smoke engulfs Singapore

In June 2013, NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites captured images of smoke billowing from Sumatran wildfires. The resulting haze descended on Singapore, pushing air quality indices to hazardous levels. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that the haze could last for several weeks.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 20, 2013

Ups-and-downs of Indian monsoon rainfall likely to increase under warming

Computer simulations suggest that Indian monsoon daily variability will likely increase under future global warming, leading to severe impacts on agriculture and communities. The study's findings highlight the need for adaptation measures to account for this increased variability, such as intelligent insurance schemes.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 20, 2013

Why are there so many youth baseball-throwing injuries?

A national study led by Dr. Joseph Guettler found that youth baseball pitchers experience serious injuries 16 times more often than 30 years ago. Parents' behavior is to blame, with most leagues and coaches adhering to guidelines, yet pitchers still engaging in excessive throwing behaviors.

SourceBeaumont Health System·DateJun 14, 2013

Amazon forest fire risk to increase in 2013

Researchers predict a higher severity of Amazon fires in 2013, with increased fire activity in states such as Mato Grosso and Pará. The forecast is based on historical fire data from NASA's Terra satellite and sea surface temperature data from NOAA, indicating a risk of widespread fire activity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 7, 2013
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.

Climate conditions determine Amazon fire risk

Understory fires in Amazon rainforest cause significant damage, with climate conditions playing a crucial role in determining fire risk. The study reveals that these hidden fires burn at a much slower rate and can destroy up to 50% of the affected area's trees.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 7, 2013

Studies link fatigue and sleep to MLB performance and career longevity

Two studies found that fatigue affects strike-zone judgment in MLB players and can predict their career longevity. A significant relationship was also discovered between a player's sleepiness score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and their likelihood of remaining in the league three seasons later.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateMay 30, 2013

A statistical model predicts the number of goals for each footballer

Researchers created a mathematical model to estimate goal-scoring potential based on individual qualities, extrinsic factors and intrinsic abilities. The study revealed Messi ranks sixth in overall performance among top strikers.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·DateMay 29, 2013

NASA's HS3 mission aircraft to double team 2013 hurricane season

The HS3 mission will investigate hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin using two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft. The aircraft will be equipped with advanced instruments to measure eyewall and rainband winds, precipitation, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 29, 2013
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.

Satellite sees Tropical Storm Alvin's life end quickly

Tropical Storm Alvin quickly weakened into a remnant low pressure area, embedded within the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone, after being named on May 15. The National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory on May 17, predicting winds would gradually diminish and not regenerate.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 17, 2013

NASA sees a strengthening Tropical Cyclone Mahasen

Tropical Cyclone Mahasen is projected to track north through the Bay of Bengal and make landfall later this week. The storm's maximum sustained winds are expected to increase over the next couple of days, reaching hurricane force by May 15.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 13, 2013

Loss of eastern hemlock will affect forest water use

A new study by US Forest Service scientists finds that eastern hemlock decline due to invasive insect infestation will impact forest transpiration and alter seasonal stream flow patterns. The replacement of hemlock with species like rhododendron or sweet birch may lead to reduced winter stream discharge and increased summer stream flow.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·JournalEcological Applications·DateMay 9, 2013
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.

Agricultural fires dot Mexico

Hundreds of deliberate fires were detected in Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco regions. The fires are managed by farmers to clear land and enhance crops, but also produce smoke degrading air quality.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 3, 2013

Telling time on Saturn

A University of Iowa undergraduate student has discovered that Saturn's magnetosphere changes with the seasons, helping to clarify the planet's day length. The findings may alter our understanding of the Earth's magnetosphere and Van Allen radiation belts.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateMay 3, 2013

Fires in Western Australia

NASA's MODIS satellite detected dozens of fires in Western Australia and the Northern Territory on April 28, 2013. The worst time for fire is late in the dry season, when vegetation has dried to tinder and blazes tend to be uncontrollable.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 30, 2013

Sea turtles benefiting from protected areas

A USGS study found that green sea turtles are using protected areas in Dry Tortugas National Park and the surrounding Florida Keys Marine National Sanctuary. The turtles primarily used shallow seagrass beds and degraded coral reefs for feeding.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalBiological Conservation·DateApr 29, 2013

Researchers develop new metric to measure destructive potential of hurricanes

A new metric called Track Integrated Kinetic Energy (TIKE) measures the destructive potential of hurricanes by considering storm size, duration, and intensity. TIKE provides a more accurate picture of hurricane activity than existing metrics, which could help emergency managers and businesses prepare for storms.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateApr 26, 2013
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.

Roe deer more likely to be run over at nightfall on a Sunday in April

A study by Spanish researchers found that roe deer accidents peak between April and July, particularly at nightfall, while wild boar accidents occur between October and January. The risk is also higher on Sundays due to increased night-time traffic.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Wildlife Research·DateApr 23, 2013

NASA's HyspIRI: Seeing the forest and the trees and more!

The HyspIRI airborne campaign collects data on California's diverse regions, revealing the unique spectral signature of each pixel. Scientists aim to understand ecosystem diversity and function using this technology, which will also be used for detecting land types and processes like fire and drought.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 22, 2013

Best and worst times to start a fire

Early season prescribed burns, such as those conducted by the NASA-backed Ecofire program, are more effective at containing fires and reducing long-term damage. By mimicking traditional Aboriginal fire practices, these early-season burns can help reestablish vegetation and prevent the formation of extensive burn scars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 18, 2013

Study reveals seasonal patterns of tropical rainfall changes from global warming

Researchers found that two global warming mechanisms complement each other to shape seasonal rainfall in the tropics. The wet-gets-wetter mechanism predicts increased rainfall in already wet regions, while the warmer-gets-wetter mechanism suggests increased rainfall in regions with rising sea surface temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii ‑ SOEST·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 15, 2013
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.

Fires in Central America

Widespread fires were observed in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras in a NASA satellite image taken on April 11, 2013. The fires may be caused by the region's dry season or deliberate actions by farmers to clear old crops.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 12, 2013

Fires in Southeast Asia

Fires in Southeast Asia are ongoing, with crop burning identified as a primary cause. NASA images capture the extent of these fires, which can have devastating environmental impacts.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 11, 2013

Ice cloud heralds fall at Titan's south pole

A new ice cloud has appeared over Titan's south pole, marking the onset of a global air circulation reversal. The cloud is composed of an unknown ice type and appears to be building rapidly, while its northern counterpart is slowly fading.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 11, 2013
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.

Fires in the Yucatan Peninsula

Dozens of fires have been detected in the Yucatan Peninsula, with many believed to be deliberately set for agriculture purposes. The region is experiencing its dry season, which often leads to an increase in fires.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 11, 2013

Maya Long Count calendar and European calendar linked using carbon-14 dating

Researchers have empirically calibrated the Maya Long Count calendar to the modern European calendar using carbon-14 dating, offering a more accurate understanding of Maya dates relative to historic events. The study's findings suggest that climate change played an important role in the development and demise of the complex civilization.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 11, 2013
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.

Climate change likely to worsen threat of diarrheal disease in Botswana, arid African countries

A study by Kathleen Alexander found that climate drives a large part of diarrheal disease and increases the threat of climate change for vulnerable communities in Botswana. Climate change is projected to increase dry season diarrheal disease incidence, while wet season incidence is expected to decline.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 26, 2013

Understanding the continuous corn yield penalty

A six-year University of Illinois study found that continuous corn systems experience a yield reduction compared to corn rotated with soybean, known as the continuous corn yield penalty. The study identified N availability, corn stover accumulation, and unfavorable weather as primary causes of the penalty.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMar 21, 2013

Amplified greenhouse effect shaping North into South

A recent study published in Natural Climate Change reveals a significant reduction in temperature and vegetation seasonality over northern latitudes. As snow and ice cover diminished, temperatures increased at different rates during the four seasons, causing this region to resemble areas farther south in terms of vegetation patterns.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 10, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

White Delight: New peach varieties released for warmer climates

Four new white peach varieties, White Delight series, are being released for production in nurseries this year, catering to growers in warmer climates. The three clingstone and one semi-freestone varieties ripen consecutively from late-May through mid-July with high-taste scores.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateMar 8, 2013

Cholesterol levels rise, fall with changing seasons

Researchers found that LDL cholesterol increases by an average of 7mg/dL in winter compared to summer, resulting in a 8% overall increase in high cholesterol prevalence. Seasonal variations in metabolism and behavior may contribute to these changes.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 7, 2013

NIH study sheds light on role of climate in influenza transmission

A recent NIH study found a strong association between cold-dry and humid-rainy climates and seasonal influenza epidemics worldwide. The research used a climate-based model to map influenza activity globally, accounting for diverse seasonal patterns in temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions.

SourceNIH/Fogarty International Center·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 7, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

NASA satellite sees Tropical Depression 02W soak the Philippines

Tropical Depression 02W formed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and is currently soaking provinces in Mindanao and Palawan. The storm's low-level circulation center appears disorganized, but forecasters predict it will become more organized once it moves into the South China Sea.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 19, 2013

Refocusing important on and off the court, says recent study.

A recent study, published in Human Performance, draws on NBA player statistics to explore on-the-job adaptability. Researchers found that about 10% of players shift their focus over time, leading to improved retention rates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalHuman Performance·DateFeb 11, 2013
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.

DNA reveals mating patterns of critically endangered sea turtle

Researchers have discovered that female hawksbill turtles mate at the beginning of the season and store sperm for up to 75 days, laying multiple nests on beaches. The study also found that these turtles are mainly monogamous, with females pairing up with a single male throughout the breeding season.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateFeb 3, 2013

Female deer take control during the mating season

A new study reveals that female fallow deer actively select their mates, choosing up to 12% to mate with multiple males each year. The research suggests that polyandry may ensure successful pregnancy by favoring older or more experienced males.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJan 30, 2013

Study shows climate change could affect onset and severity of flu seasons

A recent study suggests that climate change could result in earlier onset and increased severity of flu seasons. The research team analyzed waves of influenza and climate patterns in the US from 1997-1998 to present, indicating a pattern where warm winters are followed by heavy flu seasons.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS Currents·DateJan 28, 2013
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.

Concussion and its association with contact sports

New research reveals higher concussion incidence rates in female hockey players compared to males, emphasizing the need for reevaluation of concussion definition. Advanced imaging techniques and neuropsychological assessments were used to track changes in brain function over an entire season.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalNeurosurgical FOCUS·DateNov 30, 2012
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Galapagos tortoises are a migrating species

Researchers found that Galapagos giant tortoises have a partial migration system, where only adult animals wander and move up to 10 kilometers into the highlands during the dry season. The younger tortoises remain in the lower-elevated areas all year round.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateNov 27, 2012

The most popular TV series among youngsters in Spain recreates violence

A Spanish study found that Telecinco's Sin tetas no hay paraíso is the most violent of five studied TV series, with a significant impact on aggressive behavior in youngsters. The show's portrayal of violence and aggression contributes to its detrimental effects, including learning and imitating negative behaviors.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalComunicación·DateNov 21, 2012
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.