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Coastal ocean chemistry now substantially shaped by humans

A global analysis of over 2,300 seawater samples reveals human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. Industrial chemicals, including plastics and consumer products, dominate the anthropogenic chemical signal, persisting even 20 kilometers offshore.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2026

Big data and human height: ISTA scientists develop algorithm to boost biobank data retrieval & analysis

Researchers from ISTA developed an algorithm that can extract and analyze information from the world’s most extensive biobank with unprecedented accuracy and speed. The method, dubbed gVAMP, enhances the framework's ability to extract complex information from the dataset at hand, providing a detailed overview of the effects on a trait ...

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell Genomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study: The brain may learn more from rare events than from repetition

A new theory asserts that associative learning depends less on repetition and more on time passing between rewards, explaining why students who cram don't perform well. The study's findings could shift the way we look at learning and addiction, potentially speeding up artificial intelligence by borrowing from this new approach.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 17, 2026

Validation technique could help scientists make more accurate forecasts

MIT researchers have developed a new approach to assess predictions with a spatial dimension, leading to more accurate forecasts in spatial prediction tasks. The new method provides better validations than classical methods, especially in cases where assumptions about data independence break down.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 11, 2025

Alarming rise in rates of advanced prostate cancer in California

A new study by UC San Francisco found a marked increase in advanced prostate cancer rates across California since doctors stopped routine screening, with death rates plateauing in most regions. The study emphasizes the need for screening that can identify fatal tumors without raising false alarms.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 3, 2025

Smartphones can alert us to wildfires and extreme weather conditions

A new study from Tel Aviv University uses smartphone data to predict wildfire risk, overcoming individual device errors by averaging large amounts of public data. The method provides valuable insights into wildfire evaluation, especially in remote areas lacking traditional weather stations.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateDec 5, 2024
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.

Method prevents an AI model from being overconfident about wrong answers

Researchers have introduced a new AI calibration method called Thermometer, which enables efficient calibration of large language models for various tasks. This technique leverages temperature scaling to adjust a model's confidence and can generalize to new tasks without requiring additional labeled data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 31, 2024

Movement sensors show promise in identifying horses at injury risk

Researchers used movement sensors to track thoroughbreds' stride patterns and identified miniscule changes associated with increased injury risk. The technology has been shown to prevent catastrophic injuries by alerting trainers and veterinarians to intervene before a major injury occurs, resulting in longer careers for affected horses.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateJul 11, 2024

New algorithm cuts through ‘noisy’ data to better predict tipping points

Researchers developed an algorithm that uses stochastic differential equations to identify key data points in noisy data, improving early warning signal accuracy. The approach can be applied to various domains, including ecology and mental health, and has been validated through simulations.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 26, 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.

Green spaces can save lives, according to urban big data

Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 5, 2023

How asylum seeker credibility is assessed by authorities

A University of Copenhagen study examines how data is used in asylum decisions, revealing inconsistencies and discrepancies that can lead to applicants being deemed untrustworthy. The research highlights the opaque nature of the decision-making process and the need for critical evaluation of new data types.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateFeb 22, 2023
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.

New study suggests that when forecasting trends, reading a bar chart versus a line graph biases our judgement.

A new study suggests that the format in which graphs are presented may be biasing people into being too optimistic or pessimistic about the trends the graphs display. Researchers found that participants made lower judgements when presented with bar charts instead of line graphs, even when the data was left unshaded.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalInternational Journal of Forecasting·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2023

Researchers develop equations to prevent the collapse of our globe’s most imperiled ecosystems

A team led by Jianxi Gao developed equations to measure and compare distances to tipping points across various mutualistic systems, allowing for the triage of declining ecosystems. This method enables the identification of areas that need intervention most urgently, providing a critical sense of urgency to mobilize resources.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 29, 2022

Future-proofing the Great Lakes region through climate research: Improved regional climate models will help the Great Lakes Region become more informed, ready and resilient

A new study uses high-resolution regional model experiments to explore how lake surface temperatures may affect the climate of the Great Lakes region. Small differences in lake surface temperatures can have a significant impact on summer climate and fuel extreme weather events.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·DateAug 3, 2022

Monitoring polar ice melting by combining data from different satellites

A recent study combined elevation data of the Antarctic ice sheet from two different satellites, CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3, to obtain a more accurate map of latest elevation changes. The results showed that the average elevation of the ice sheets had decreased at a rate of 4.3 cm/year during 2016-2019.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing·DateAug 3, 2022
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.

Making the most of crowdsourcing campaigns

Researchers developed a system to estimate the probability of a majority response being wrong, eliminating unnecessary task assignments and increasing efficiency in crowdsourcing projects. This method can be applied to various binary classification tasks, reducing labor and improving accuracy.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 19, 2022
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.

How social media posts could affect credit scores

Alternative credit scoring systems present challenges not covered by existing regulations, leaving many Americans unable to access the credit system. These systems can be opaque and ripe for abusive lending practices, making it difficult for consumers to contest erroneous information.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAmerican Business Law Journal·DateMay 17, 2022

Chemical data management: an open way forward

Researchers propose an open platform to integrate data collection, processing, and publication, ensuring FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data and enabling machine-learning algorithms to learn from failed experiments. The platform aims to bridge the gap between data and machine learning in chemistry.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 4, 2022

Fighting discrimination in mortgage lending

Researchers at MIT created a process called DualFair that can remove bias from data used to train machine-learning models. The method tackles both label bias and selection bias, significantly reducing discrimination in loan predictions while maintaining high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMachine Learning and Knowledge Extraction·DateMar 30, 2022

How accurate is smartwatch heart data? It depends on your skin tone

A study suggests that smartwatch heart rate measurement algorithms are less effective in people with darker skin tones due to increased melanin absorption. Researchers emphasize the need for diverse population inclusion and explore alternative light wavelengths for more accurate readings.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 23, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Missing the bar: how people misinterpret data in bar graphs

Researchers at Wellesley College found that people frequently misinterpret bar graphs, with one in five graph readers categorically misunderstanding averages. The 'bar-tip limit error' occurs when viewers interpret the tip of the bar as the outer limit of the data, despite the average being the balanced center point.

SourceWellesley College·JournalJournal of Vision·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2022

Feelings of fatigue predict death in older adults

A recent study has found that older adults who scored higher on a fatigue scale were more than twice as likely to die within 2.7 years compared to those with lower scores. Researchers say this can serve as an indicator for earlier mortality and encourage people to stick with exercise goals.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 24, 2022
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.

The paradox of big data spoils vaccination surveys

Researchers from Harvard University and others have found that large-scale COVID-19 vaccination surveys were off by up to 17 percentage points due to systematic biases in the data. The 'Big Data Paradox' highlights how big data sets can minimize one type of error while magnifying another, leading to misleading results.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2021

Early warning signals could help monitor disease outbreaks

Researchers developed a novel sequential analysis method to detect EWSs in daily COVID-19 case data across 24 countries, finding warnings were regularly detectable prior to exponential cases changes. The reliability of these signals depended on the time between successive waves and mathematical likelihood of critical transition.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBiology Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 7, 2021

How to better identify dangerous volcanoes

Researchers found that high water content in magma can reduce the risk of an explosive eruption. The study suggests combining different metrics to predict gas bubbles and crystallization, potentially leading to better forecasts for dangerous explosions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 12, 2021
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.

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

Stanford researchers develop a better way to track methane in the skies

A new model developed by Stanford researchers provides a more accurate baseline for tracking methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The model, which uses bottom-up approach with component-level data, closely approximates top-down inventories and highlights specific activities that should be targeted for remediation or regulation.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 11, 2021

Recent technology cost forecasts underestimate the pace of technological change

A systematic analysis of probabilistic cost forecasts from expert-based and model-based methods reveals that current forecasts underestimates the pace of technological change. Model-based approaches outperformed expert elicitations in capturing observed costs, but both underestimated technological progress in most energy technologies.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 1, 2021
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.

Machine learning aids earthquake risk prediction

Researchers at UT Austin developed a machine learning model that predicts the amount of lateral movement in soil during earthquakes, achieving 80% accuracy. The model uses over 7,000 data points from Christchurch, New Zealand, and was trained on the Frontera supercomputer.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalEarthquake Spectra·DateJun 23, 2021

Those breakfast foods are fortified for a reason

A new study suggests that skipping breakfast leads to a nutritional gap, with adults who skip morning meals likely missing out on calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. The research analyzed data from over 30,000 American adults and found that those who skipped breakfast had lower intakes of essential nutrients for the entire day.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of The Nutrition Society·DateJun 15, 2021

Depletion of Iran's aquifers

Groundwater extraction in Iran has declined by an average of 18% due to physical limits, while deep well extraction has increased, leading to further depletion. The study reveals widespread aquifer depletion and salinization across all 30 sub-basins, posing significant risks to the country's water resources.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 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.

New algorithm for modern quilting

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new prototype software to facilitate pattern-making in foundation paper piecing quilting. The algorithm is based on a graph structure called a hypergraph and allows users to design patterns without having to consider the geometry, ordering, and constraints of the technique.

SourceStanford University·DateJun 3, 2021

Let's talk about the elephant in the data

Computer scientists study the role of prior knowledge in machine learning tasks, considering philosophical frameworks that combine elements of rationalism and empiricism. This approach aims to improve the accuracy of complex systems by incorporating human-like reasoning and flexibility.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJun 3, 2021

How AI could alert firefighters of imminent danger

Researchers developed P-Flash, an AI-powered tool predicting flashover in burning buildings. It uses temperature data from heat detectors and shows promise in anticipating simulated flashovers, identifying unmodeled physical phenomena that can improve forecasting in real fires.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence·DateJun 1, 2021

Research reveals Medicaid expansion is still improving hospital finances

A new study published in Medical Care Research and Review found that Medicaid expansion provided a financial boost to hospitals, with uncompensated care costs declining by 28% in states that expanded Medicaid relative to 2013 levels. The study analyzed critical data at state and national levels using IRS and CMS data sources.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateMay 4, 2021
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.

KICT's solution for monitoring massive infrastructures

KICT has developed an effective structural monitoring technique to monitor massive infrastructures, such as long-span bridges. The method uses multi-fidelity data fusion to combine point and distributed strain sensors for accurate responses over whole infrastructures.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalMechanical Systems and Signal Processing·DateApr 29, 2021

3D holographic head-up display could improve road safety

Researchers developed a 3D holographic head-up display using LiDAR data to create ultra-high-definition holographic representations of road objects, alerting drivers to potential hazards without distraction. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to existing safety measures.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 25, 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.

Modelling ancient antarctic ice sheets helps us see future of global warming

Researchers at UMass Amherst used a novel approach to model ancient Antarctic ice sheets, revealing a thick but diminished ice sheet under mid-Miocene warmest conditions. The study suggests that greater precipitation led to a thickening of the ice sheet's interior regions, with potential implications for future sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateApr 15, 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.

McDermott creating art exhibit out of data from old cellular phones

Artist Michael McDermott creates an art exhibit using images, text, and audio from old cellular phones to raise awareness about digital data privacy. The project aims to educate viewers on the importance of safeguarding deleted information and best practices for disposing of old devices.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateMar 5, 2021

Tests reveal cybersecurity vulnerabilities of common seismological equipment

A new study reveals common seismological equipment is vulnerable to cyberattacks, posing risks to data collection and processing. Seismic networks may be exposed to security breaches if devices use non-encrypted data, insecure protocols, and poor user authentication mechanisms.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateFeb 10, 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.