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Pandemic-related shifts in alcohol sales explored across 16 US states

An analysis of data from 16 US states reveals a major increase in wine and spirit sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by changes in the relationship between alcohol sales and business visits. Sales of spirits and wine increased by as much as 20-40% in some states, while beer sales declined overall.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateDec 15, 2021

Gunfire or plastic bag popping? Trained computer can tell the difference

Researchers developed an algorithm to differentiate life-threatening gunshot events from non-life-threatening plastic bag explosion events. The study found that 75% of plastic bag pop sounds were misclassified as gunshot sounds, highlighting the need for a diverse dataset of similar sounds.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalSensors·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2021

Making childbirth safer in Indonesia

The Safe Childbirth Checklist, adapted for local needs, increased communication of danger signs, improved baby feeding practices, and reduced stillbirth rates in Indonesian health facilities. The study suggests that long-term adherence to the tool requires continued support for midwives.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateDec 9, 2021
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.

Burrowing snakes have far worse eyesight than their ancestors

Scientists found that seven genes associated with bright-light vision are absent in burrowing snakes, demonstrating extensive vision gene loss over millions of years. This challenges the hypothesis that all modern snakes evolved from extreme burrowers, suggesting a different evolutionary path for these subterranean snakes.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2021

A faster “code breaker” to analyze human DNA

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a free online resource that speeds up data analysis of human genomes three times faster than current methods. This enables scientists to see how an individual's genome makes them susceptible to different diseases in different ways, ultimately reducing associated costs and increas...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateDec 8, 2021

UConn study: Improved parenting reduced youth suicide risk by combating negative self-views in bereaved children

A UConn study found that supporting surviving parents can reduce youth suicide risk by combating negative self-views in bereaved children. The Family Bereavement Program improved parenting skills and needs, leading to reduced aversive self-views and increased child positive connectedness.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2021

Red Sea bioregions show changing blooms

Researchers analyzed satellite data over two decades to understand how climate change impacts Red Sea marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton blooms show unique annual cycles, with four specific bioregions in the region experiencing different seasonal patterns.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A piece of the bigger picture: evidence on HIV prevalence among key populations in Europe

A systematic literature review found HIV seroprevalence in five key populations: men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), prisoners, sex workers, and transgender people. The review identified significant gaps in data, particularly for transgender individuals.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 25, 2021
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.

Rodents could be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, study suggests

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that rodents have a greater diversity and accelerated rate of evolution in the ACE2 receptors used by SARS viruses. This suggests that some rodent species may be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, potentially leading to new pathogen transmission to humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2021

EU/EEA during COVID-19 pandemic: Largest annual decrease in antibiotic use in the community in two decades

The European Union and European Economic Area saw a significant decline in antibiotic consumption in 2020, with a 18% decrease compared to 2019. This decline was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced primary care consultations for mild infections.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2021

Big data privacy for machine learning just got 100 times cheaper

Rice University computer scientists have discovered an inexpensive way to implement rigorous personal data privacy in large databases for machine learning. Using locality sensitive hashing, their RACE method creates small summaries of enormous databases while scaling for high-dimensional data.

SourceRice University·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2021

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology makes breakthrough on new electronic material

Researchers at GIST have made a breakthrough in creating a perovskite material with easily tunable electrical properties. The study used ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction to investigate the effects of fabrication conditions on the material's surface.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2021
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.

A key brain region responds to faces similarly in infants and adults

Researchers identified areas of the infant visual cortex that already show strong preferences for faces, bodies, or scenes, similar to those in adults. This challenges the traditional view that these regions take years to develop, suggesting a more rapid emergence of specialized brain structures.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 15, 2021
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.

The gatekeepers of German business: How companies attain coveted key positions

A study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg reveals that mid-sized collaborations are crucial for companies to become gatekeepers in Germany's business network. These collaborations lead to improved innovation and profits. Large companies dominate the gatekeeper position, but smaller collaborations can also be beneficial.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalEuropean Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2021

Genetic study of heart defects and autism finds new causative genes

Researchers identified 23 genes contributing to congenital heart disease, including 12 previously unknown, using a new algorithm called M-DATA. This method combines genetic data from people with related conditions, increasing the power to identify risk factors and potentially leading to improved treatments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 4, 2021

Say hello to Algol’s new companion candidates

Astronomer Dr. Lauri Jetsu discovers multiple new companion star candidates for the eclipsing binary Algol AB, with orbital periods between 20 and 219 years. The companions are too faint to be detected by modern space telescopes, but their periodic signals can predict observed O-C changes.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2021
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.

Researchers quantify the role of the pandemic in the 2020 US Elections

A team of researchers led by Maurizio Porfiri found that counties with fewer COVID-19 cases voted more for Joe Biden than Donald Trump. The study used a spatial data modeling approach to analyze county-level data and determine the influence of epidemiological and economic processes on voting behavior.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalThe European Physical Journal Special Topics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2021

Poverty in unmarried-parent families: A fresh perspective from Pusan National University

Researchers at Pusan National University and Columbia University reanalyzed poverty estimates in unmarried parent families using the 'Supplemental Poverty Measure' (SPM), accounting for specific criteria. The analysis revealed significant drops in poverty rates over time, particularly for single-mother families.

SourcePusan National University·JournalPopulation Research and Policy Review·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2021

Men experience more emotional pain during breakups

A new study of online relationship support finds that men tend to experience emotional pain more than women when their relationship takes a turn for the worse. The study analyzed over 184,000 people who posted their relationship problems online and found that communication problems were the #1 most frequent issue, with nearly 1 in 5 pe...

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 1, 2021

A scientific competition assesses methods for anomalous diffusion

Researchers launched an open competition to benchmark existing and novel methods for quantifying anomalous diffusion. The analysis of results provided an objective assessment of method performance, contributing to the definition of standard tools for trajectory analysis.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021
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.

Using overpasses as shelter from tornado?

Researchers from the University of Rhode Island studied the interaction between tornado-strength winds and highway overpasses, finding no evidence of wind acceleration under an overpass. The study, published in Physics of Fluids, suggests that using an overpass as a shelter during a tornado may not be safer than other options.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Measuring financial and digital literacy in vulnerable populations

A new approach to measuring financial and digital literacy is proposed by a team of researchers led by Angela Lyons. The study finds that while promoting literacy is important, it may not be enough to ensure resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and those living in poverty.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEmerging Markets Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021
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.

Towards precision medicine for dialysis patients

A research team from the University of Zurich has identified a common genetic variant in the AQP1 gene that affects treatment efficacy and patient survival on peritoneal dialysis. Patients carrying this variant have a higher risk of death, but researchers found a way to circumvent the problem using colloid osmotic agents.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

What does it take to be a marine?

A study analyzing data from 3,438 trainees has identified key factors associated with success in Recon Marine training, including prior life experience, athletic experience, and physical performance metrics. The research aims to inform military recruitment and training strategies, advancing novel ways to recruit and retain for the U.S....

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateOct 19, 2021

New COVID-19-discovery could predict patient death or hospitalization

Researchers from University of Copenhagen discover a protein analysis that can predict COVID-19 patient death or hospitalization with high accuracy, predicting 78.7% of hospitalizations and 93.9% of non-serious infections. This discovery has the potential to save lives by identifying high-risk individuals.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateOct 18, 2021
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 the brain navigates cities

A new MIT study suggests that pedestrians choose routes that point most directly toward their destination, even if those routes are longer. This strategy, known as vector-based navigation, may have evolved to allow the brain to devote more power to other tasks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

Snakes diversified explosively after the dinosaurs were wiped out

A study found that snakes rapidly diversified their diets following the K-Pg mass extinction event, incorporating birds, fish, and small mammals into their diet. This diversification was triggered by ecological opportunities presented by the extinction, with some lineages experiencing further bursts of adaptive evolution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 14, 2021

Disease outbreak simulations reveal influence of “seeding” by multiple infected people

A new analysis suggests that the continuous arrival of infected individuals has a significant influence on the evolution and severity of local outbreaks. The researchers found an association between the number of seed arrivals and the speed of spread, final number of people infected, and peak incidence rate.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 14, 2021

No to the re-approval of glyphosate – Large aerial dispersal confirmed

A German study reveals that glyphosate and dozens of other pesticides are spreading through the air for miles into national parks and cities. The analysis was published in a peer-reviewed journal and shows that agricultural toxins like glyphosate are classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.

SourceBündnis für eine enkeltaugliche Landwirtschaft e. V.·JournalEnvironmental Sciences Europe·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2021
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.

Hurricane Michael damage wins 2021 DesignSafe Dataset Award

The StEER Network's post-event reconnaissance helped assess building damage from Hurricane Michael, revealing widespread wind- and surge-induced damage. The dataset has been used to develop data-driven fragilities, train machine learning applications, and inform policy and practice improvements for coastal communities.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateOct 13, 2021

The calculated costs of setting up labs to monitor antimicrobial resistance in resource-limited settings may be prohibitive without financial support

The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateOct 13, 2021

Fintech can promote financial inclusion in emerging economies

A new study from the University of Illinois evaluates fintech systems in 16 emerging markets, finding that digital technologies improve access to financial services. However, vulnerable populations face barriers to usage due to digital literacy, cost, and limited consumer protections.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEmerging Markets Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2021

Expanded lung screening rules provide more equitable care

A Kaiser Permanente study found that the 2021 USPSTF guidelines will likely increase lung cancer screening of women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. This is expected to lead to an estimated 30% increase in lung cancer diagnoses compared to the 2013 recommendations.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2021
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.

A novel neural network to understand symmetry, speed materials research

A novel machine learning approach has been developed to understand symmetry and trends in materials, enabling researchers to group similar classes of material together. The technique uses a large, unstructured dataset gleaned from 25,000 images to identify structural similarities and trends.

SourceLehigh University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 8, 2021
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.

Stressful day? Stress can predict decreases in social interaction

A Dartmouth study found that individuals who experienced higher levels of stress on a given day had lower social interaction the following day. The research used mobile phone sensing data from 99 undergraduate students and showed that stress predicted less social interaction, but not the other way around.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEmotion·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2021

WVU researchers hope to open an ocean of opportunities for the underserved

West Virginia University researchers aim to create better connections with underserved populations to the blue economy, which defines sustainable use of ocean resources. They will analyze data and explore ways to package it in a way that encourages these traditionally underserved groups to utilize the blue economy.

SourceWest Virginia University·DateOct 4, 2021

Study explores how women handle stigma of staying with imprisoned men

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 women who dated or were married to incarcerated partners, analyzing the impact of courtesy stigma and women's coping strategies. The study found that despite disapproval from loved ones, women chose to remain in their relationships, highlighting benefits such as deeper communicat...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalCriminal Justice Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Racial, ethnic differences in cannabis use following legalization

A recent survey-based study reveals racial and ethnic differences in cannabis use following the legalization of recreational cannabis. The study found that cannabis use increased disproportionately among Black and Hispanic populations compared to White individuals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 27, 2021

Unveiling galaxies at cosmic dawn that were hiding behind the dust

Researchers used ALMA to observe distant galaxies and discovered two new, dusty galaxies near original targets, challenging our understanding of early galaxy formation. The discovery suggests that a significant portion of early galaxies may be hidden from view due to cosmic dust.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2021

Skoltech scientists use supercomputer to probe limits of Google’s quantum processor

Researchers used a supercomputer to emulate Google's quantum processor and discovered a reachability deficit, a performance limitation induced by a problem's constraint-to-variable ratio. The study showed that future experiments will require significantly more quantum resources to overcome this limit.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalQuantum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

Understanding uncertainty with a new take on questionnaires

Researchers developed an interval-valued response method to address uncertainty in questionnaires, providing a more flexible approach to data collection. The new method uses ellipses to allow respondents to choose a range when answering a question, resulting in better quality data and potential improvements in data privacy.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBehavior Research Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2021

Expanding teleworking would reduce pollution by up to 10%

A study by ICTA-UAB finds that implementing teleworking two, three or four days a week would reduce nitrogen dioxide levels by 4%, 8% and 10%. This is achieved through a decrease in traffic-related emissions, with the greatest reduction expected when all employees in the service sector work from home.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·Journalnpj Urban Sustainability·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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