Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Cow manure digesters really cut methane — unless they leak

A new study finds that dairy manure digesters are highly effective in reducing methane emissions from cow manure, with most systems performing well. However, occasional leaks of large magnitude offset the climate benefits, highlighting the need for thorough monitoring and verification.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 31, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The best butter for a vegan shortbread

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde examined the properties of several vegan butter alternatives and found that those with higher fat content produced biscuits closest to traditional shortbread. The study recommends choosing a vegan butter with similar consistency to dairy butter for optimal results.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 25, 2025

Butter and plant-based oils intake and mortality

A cohort study found that consuming more butter was associated with higher mortality rates, whereas increasing consumption of plant-based oils was linked to lower mortality. Substituting butter with plant-based oils may provide substantial benefits in preventing premature deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 6, 2025

Why do(n’t) people support being nudged towards healthier diets?

A study by the Universities of Göttingen and Bonn found that reducing effort required to opt out of nudged options and increasing transparency of the nudge significantly improved public support for these interventions. The perception of upholding free choice and effectiveness were key drivers of acceptance.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 15, 2024
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.

Higher olive oil intake associated with lower risk of CVD mortality

A study found that consuming more than 7 grams of olive oil per day is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative, and respiratory disease mortality. Replacing margarine, butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat with olive oil was also linked to improved health outcomes.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Yuck! Art historian leans in to notion of discomfort food

Kessler explores the psychological impact of food on art, revealing how paintings like Vollon's 'Mound of Butter' and Manet's 'Fish (Still Life)' evoke anxiety and discomfort. Her research sheds new light on the cultural significance of food in 19th-century France.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·DateApr 5, 2021

Developing a quicker, safer method of cleaning peanut butter factories

A new grant will fund the research, which aims to develop an effective and efficient cleaning method for peanut butter processing facilities. The technology has the potential to reduce cleaning time by nearly a week and minimize the risk of Salmonella contamination in peanut butter production.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateAug 4, 2020

Two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' discovered in Philippines

Scientists have discovered two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' that specialize in eating earthworms, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the Philippines. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting mountainous forests, which provide unique habitats for these animals and other endemic species.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateJun 6, 2019

Two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' discovered in Philippines

Researchers found two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' in the Philippines, with distinctive features like long pointed noses and sturdy hind legs. The discovery highlights the country's incredible biodiversity and the importance of protecting mountainous forests where these unique species thrive.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateJun 6, 2019
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.

Mediterranean diet boosts beneficial bacteria

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that a Mediterranean-type diet enhances the good bacteria living in the gut, increasing diversity by up to 7% compared to a Western diet. The study used an animal model and analyzed fecal samples to confirm these findings.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateApr 25, 2018

Mislabeled moisturizers create problems for skin disorder sufferers

A Northwestern Medicine study reveals that many 'fragrance-free' and 'hypoallergenic' moisturizers contain allergens, making it difficult for patients to find affordable and safe options. The study found that only 12% of the top-selling moisturizers were free of common skin allergens.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateSep 6, 2017

Size matters when innovating dairy products

A research team led by Professor Bhesh Bhandari has discovered that small fat globules can impart stability to cream and give cold butter a softer texture. The breakthrough uses nanoemulsions to create innovative dairy ingredients with potential to increase the return on investment for dairy manufacturers.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalInnovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies·DateAug 27, 2017
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.

Study finds consumers willing to pay more for 'all-natural' labeled foods

A study published in the Journal of Food Science found that consumers expect higher quality and are willing to pay more for products labeled as 'all-natural'. The researchers used virtual reality technology to simulate a grocery store taste-test, where subjects preferred the all-natural product with a label.

SourceInstitute of Food Technologists·JournalJournal of Food Science·DateFeb 22, 2017

Creating a reduced-fat chocolate that melts in your mouth

Researchers found that adding limonene accelerates cocoa butter crystallization at lower temperatures but inhibits it at higher temperatures. The study suggests using carefully chosen limonene concentrations and processing temperatures to achieve a smoother, more luxurious reduced-fat chocolate.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 27, 2016

Production of butter from shea trees in West Africa pushed back 1,000 years

Anthropologists at the University of Oregon have discovered evidence of shea tree harvesting dating back to A.D. 100 in western Burkina Faso, challenging previous estimates of around A.D. 1100. The study reveals a long history of sustainable farming practices and the importance of wild foods in early agricultural diets.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of Ethnobiology·DateMar 21, 2016

Cooking up altered states

Researchers at OIST Graduate University discovered a way to predict emerging structures and bulk properties of new materials by analyzing attractive and repulsive forces between molecules. This discovery allows experimentalists to bypass complex calculations and predict material properties using minimal information.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalSoft Matter·DateJul 31, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Research with dolphins provides hope for prevention of diabetes in humans

A new study discovered that bottlenose dolphins can reverse prediabetes by switching between diabetic and non-diabetic states, with the key driver being a saturated fat called heptadecanoic acid. Dolphins fed fish high in this fatty acid showed significant improvements in metabolic syndrome indicators within six months.

SourceNational Marine Mammal Foundation·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 22, 2015

Nuts and peanuts may protect against major causes of death

Research found that consuming at least 10g of nuts or peanuts daily lowers mortality rates for various causes, including respiratory disease and neurodegenerative disorders. The effects are seen in both men and women, with equal reductions.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateJun 11, 2015

A step toward avoiding the dreaded chocolate 'bloom'

Researchers discovered that lipids in chocolate products move through pores and cracks, softening and dissolving solid cocoa butter into liquid form. By reducing pore number and liquid cocoa butter content, chocolatiers can minimize the formation of blooming coatings.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 6, 2015
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.

Volcanoes, including Mount Hood in the US, can quickly become active

Mount Hood's magma chamber has been stored for at least 20,000 years in near-solid conditions, with the potential to erupt in as little as a couple of months. Scientists have discovered that magma needs to be heated to over 750 degrees Celsius to become mobile and potentially erupt.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2014

Cows fed flaxseed produce more nutritious dairy products

A new study by Oregon State University found that cows fed flaxseed produced milk with lower saturated fat and higher omega-3 levels. The study also found improvements in butter and cheese, but suggested that the increased polyunsaturated fats did not compromise their nutritional value.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJan 25, 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.

Turbulences at a standstill

Theoretical physicist Dima Shepelyansky found that energy flows from large to small scales can be prevented under specific conditions, similar to the way electron currents are stopped in disordered solids. This discovery links chaos theory and turbulence, highlighting a phenomenon where energy threshold plays a crucial role.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 27, 2012

A new paradox on our plate?

A study published in the British Food Journal found that US consumers have a better understanding of dietary fats than French counterparts, which contradicts the notion that nutritional information encourages healthy eating habits. Researchers suggest that detailed nutritional knowledge may not be the key to healthy eating.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalBritish Food Journal·DateMar 28, 2012

Researchers butter up the old 'scratch test' to make it tough

Engineers at MIT validate the scratch test as a simple method to assess a material's fracture properties. By analyzing the force and dimensions of scratches, researchers can determine a material's toughness, making it a valuable tool for understanding how materials break.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 26, 2011
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.

Study identifies food combination associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease risk

Researchers found a dietary pattern involving high intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, fruits, and cruciferous and dark leafy vegetables to be significantly associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease risk. This pattern reflects multiple pathways in the development of Alzheimer's disease, including the impact of v...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateApr 12, 2010

Rodent study finds artificial butter chemical harmful to lungs

A new rodent study finds exposure to diacetyl, a chemical in artificial butter flavoring, can cause respiratory issues in mice. The research suggests workplace exposure to diacetyl may contribute to the development of obstructive bronchiolitis (OB) in humans.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalToxicological Sciences·DateMar 13, 2008

Eating soup will help cut calories at meals

A new study from Penn State shows that eating low-calorie soup before a meal can significantly reduce total calorie intake. The study tested different forms of soup and found that low-calorie, broth-based soups are filling regardless of their form.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 1, 2007
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Scholar: Amount of food eaten more critical than fat content

A new study by Brian Wansink found that diners who consumed more olive oil ate more bread due to its high calorie density. The researcher suggests focusing on total food intake rather than individual item fat content for better health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateJul 2, 2003

Just how old is the Tibetan Plateau?

A new study reveals the Tibetan Plateau is approximately 13.5 million years old and has reached its maximum average height of 5 kilometers. The plateau's formation is attributed to the collision between two tectonic plates, resulting in a flat-topped spreading plateau.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2001