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When farm to table means crossing international borders

A new study finds that US consumers prefer to buy meat labeled as originating from the US due to perceptions of safety and taste. However, retailer-provided information about equivalent standards in other countries can increase acceptance of international products.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateAug 3, 2015
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.

Why Alfred Hitchcock grabs your attention

Researchers found that during high suspense moments, the brain narrows visual attention to focus on the story, while less suspenseful moments broaden attention to surroundings. The study discovered an ebb and flow of brain activity in the calcarine sulcus, increasing processing of critical information.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNeuroscience·DateJul 27, 2015

Hard to understand, harder to remember

Researchers found that native English speakers had difficulty recalling words spoken in a Korean accent, suggesting that understanding foreign accents may reduce information processing capacity. The study's results have implications for communication strategies in settings like schools and hospitals.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 18, 2015
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.

The next step in DNA computing: GPS mapping?

Researchers build programmable DNA-based processor that calculates shortest routes on a map of six locations, offering cost- and time-savings over other DNA-based computers. The system may also help scientists understand the brain's internal GPS mechanism.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·DateMay 6, 2015

Touch-sensing neurons are multitaskers

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that touch-sensing neurons integrate position and touch information as soon as it reaches the brain, challenging long-held views on how this is done. This integration enables complex sensory processing and informs efforts to improve prosthetic limbs.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateApr 9, 2015

Physicists observe motion of skyrmions

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz successfully investigated the dynamics of small magnetic whirls called skyrmions, which can store energy even after external excitation is stopped. This discovery has significant implications for future magnetic data storage and information processing.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 3, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Less-numerate investors swayed by corporate report presentation effects

New research finds that less-numerate investors are more susceptible to style and presentation effects of social responsibility reports, potentially leading to unintended judgments. Companies can design CSR reports with a uniform approach to project strategy, aligning text and graphics to convey information effectively.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Accounting Review·DateOct 21, 2014
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.

Zooming in for a safe flight

A new study reveals that bats process complex spatial information by dynamically adapting their brain maps to external factors. By enhancing neuronal signals for objects in close proximity, bats can magnify the appearance of nearby obstacles, enabling them to navigate safely.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 1, 2014
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.

The sweetest calculator in the world

Researchers at Jena University developed a molecular computer based on sugar molecules, enabling the processing of complex information through chemical reactions. The 'sugar computer' uses fluorescent dye and quencher to process signals, with a demonstrated ability to solve simple calculations within 40 minutes.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 19, 2014

Distracted minds still see blurred lines

A new study by Concordia University researchers shows that even with mental overload, the brain can automatically detect changes in blur across the visual environment. This finding challenges previous theories on the detection of blurred sight and has implications for daily tasks like driving.

SourceConcordia University·JournalVisual Cognition·DateJun 17, 2014

Shopping online: Why do too many photos confuse consumers?

A new study finds that too many product photos can lead to visual homogenization, reducing the ability to discern one product from another. Taking a mental break and returning to the shopping cart for a final decision may be an effective way to overcome this effect.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 21, 2014

Take notes by hand for better long-term comprehension

A study published in Psychological Science found that taking notes by hand is more effective for remembering conceptual information over the long term than using laptops. Longhand note takers tend to engage in more processing and select more important information, leading to better study outcomes. In contrast, laptop note takers often ...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 24, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Brain asymmetry improves processing of sensory information

Research in zebrafish reveals that loss of brain asymmetry can significantly impact sensory processing. The study found that reversed brain asymmetry resulted in functional changes to habenular neurons, while double-sided brains lacked responsiveness to certain stimuli.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 6, 2014

Brain connections may explain why girls mature faster

Researchers found that girls' brains undergo a selective process called preferential detachment, preserving long-distance connections that integrate information. This process may explain why brain function improves during maturation in females.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateDec 19, 2013

Understanding hearing

Researchers at TUM developed a computer model of acoustic coding in the inner ear and neuronal information processing by the brain stem, allowing for improved coding strategies and faster testing of new devices. This advancement has the potential to significantly reduce development cycles and provide better hearing outcomes for patients.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateDec 2, 2013

See a Honda, buy a Mountain Dew? What happens when consumers fast-forward through commercials?

A study by researchers from Duke University found that exposure to multiple brands with different personalities can make a focal brand seem more distinctive. Consumers are more likely to buy Mountain Dew when it's paired with a dissimilar brand like Honda, especially at faster-than-normal commercial speeds.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 19, 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.

Researchers gain new insights into brain neuronal networks

A paper proposes a novel understanding of brain architecture using a network representation of connections within the primate cortex. The researchers describe the cortex as a network of connections with a bow tie structure, characterized by a dense core connecting to feed-forward and feedback pathways. This arrangement is found in self...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScience·DateNov 4, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UNC neuroscientists discover new 'mini-neural computer' in the brain

Researchers found that brain dendrites actively process information, multiplying the brain's computing power. Dendritic spikes are selectively generated depending on visual stimuli, indicating local processing within dendrites. This discovery has exciting implications for understanding neurological disorders and brain circuitry.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·DateOct 27, 2013

Counting on neodymium

An interdisciplinary team from Jülich and Aachen produced robust magnetic molecules with neodymium, enabling direct electrical readout. These molecules could replace conventional electronic components, reducing energy consumption and increasing data processing capabilities.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2013

Heartbeats link mind and body together

Researchers at EPFL found that visualizing heartbeat on a virtual body can alter how people experience their own body and self. The study suggests that internal organs shape body ownership and can be used to change self-consciousness.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 15, 2013
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.

Birds and humans have similar brain wiring

A team of researchers from Imperial College London has developed a map of a typical bird brain, showing how different regions are connected to process information. They discovered that areas important for high-level cognition, such as long-term memory and problem-solving, have similar wiring patterns to those in human brains.

SourceImperial College London·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateJul 17, 2013

Problem-solving governs how we process sensory stimuli

Researchers at the University of Zurich found that brain areas communicate differently based on the task to be solved, with specific neurons activated for distinct tasks, and this can help develop therapies for impaired cognitive abilities in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Autism, and Schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 25, 2013

Do consumers evaluate cell phones differently if the warranty is expressed in years or days?

A recent study found that consumers tend to favor warranties expressed in standard units, such as years. When presented with alternative units, like days, consumers' evaluations of cell phone warranties were negatively impacted. This shift in perception occurred mainly when individual products were shown in isolation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 13, 2012

Targeting confident consumers? Focus on high-level product features

Researchers found that confident consumers pay more attention to high-level product features and abstract benefits, while less confident consumers focus on concrete details. This shift in attention is attributed to psychological confidence affecting consumers' perception of information relevance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 14, 2012
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.

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.

Too much information: When does adding mildly favorable details dilute the big message?

A new study found that people tend to perceive bundles with both highly and mildly favorable components as less valuable than individual items. This 'presenter's paradox' affects product domains such as music and hotel advertisements, leading consumers to overvalue the bundle only when it has a high value component

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 16, 2012

East views the world differently to West

A recent study finds that Easterners process visual information holistically, taking context and situation into account, whereas Westerners focus on key features. This difference affects face recognition, leading to varying levels of eye contact, and has implications for smooth cross-cultural interactions.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateFeb 6, 2012

Brain capacity limits exponential online data growth

A study found that the human brain's ability to process information is the dominant limiting factor for exponentially growing internet data. The distribution of internet files shows a Weber-Fechner law, where the total amount of information grows slower than our ability to handle it.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 1, 2012
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.

Sweeten up your profits with the right hybrid

A study by U of I associate professor Marty Williams found that increasing plant populations can affect crop growth and development, with varying effects among different hybrids. The average optimal plant population for maximizing yield differed by over 9,000 plants per acre among the six tested hybrids.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalField Crops Research·DateJan 23, 2012

Do consumers prefer to pay $29 for 70 items or get 70 items for $29?

A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that presenting item quantity before price can make a package appear more appealing, while presenting price first can have the opposite effect. This is especially true when packages are large and unit prices are difficult to calculate.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 17, 2012

Planned actions improve the way we process information

A study by Plymouth University found that preparing to act can improve the way people process visual information, which could help children with severe learning difficulties communicate more effectively. The research used a change blindness game to test participants' ability to detect changes in pictures of different sizes.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJan 16, 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.

Salk scientists map the frontiers of vision

Researchers at the Salk Institute have produced neuron-by-neuron maps of the mouse brain's visual processing system, laying the groundwork for decoding brain circuitry using genetic research techniques. The study revealed specialized roles for different areas in processing visual information, including direction and fine detail.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJan 6, 2012

How do we split our attention?

A new study published in Neuron found that the brain can split attention into multiple 'spotlights' when focusing on two or more objects. This challenges traditional views on multitasking and suggests a more efficient way of processing information.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateDec 21, 2011

Online brand comments: How do they affect consumer decisions?

A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that online brand comments impact consumer attitudes differently depending on the tone and number of comments. Promotion-focused individuals react to gain-related information, while prevention-focused ones respond to loss-related information.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 13, 2011

New research distinguishes roles of conscious and subconscious awareness

A study by Hebrew University researchers found that integration of input parts occurs even without conscious awareness, but awareness is needed when results are incompatible with expectations or prior knowledge. Conscious awareness plays a crucial role in dealing with novel situations.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 30, 2011
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.

Brain imaging reveals why we remain optimistic in the face of reality

Research shows that optimistic individuals tend to filter out negative information, updating their estimates only when the new data is better than expected. This faulty frontal lobe function can lead to unrealistic predictions and a lack of caution, with potential downsides for mental health and decision-making.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 9, 2011

Equilibrium in the brain

The brain maintains its balance between excitation and inhibition through synaptic changes. Following a retinal lesion, nerve cells reduce their inhibitory synapses by 30% to compensate for lost information.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNeuron·DateSep 7, 2011

When the brain remembers but the patient doesn't

A study published in Cortex demonstrates that the unconscious brain continues to process information even when the conscious brain is incapacitated. The researchers found that a patient with prosopagnosia, or face blindness, showed brain activity responding to familiar faces despite not being able to recognize them.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateJul 14, 2011

Is a little negativity the best marketing policy?

A study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals that presenting positive information first, followed by a minor negative detail, can boost consumer appeal. This approach, known as the 'blemishing effect,' can be used in marketing to improve product perception and drive sales.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 11, 2011
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.

Exeter study brings brain-like computing a step closer to reality

Researchers at the University of Exeter have demonstrated a novel technique using phase-change materials for simultaneous information processing and storage. This breakthrough could revolutionize computing by making computers faster, more energy-efficient, and brain-like in their architecture.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 23, 2011

How do creative ads shake up the way we think?

Innovative ads can induce consumers to think more creatively, altering the way they process unrelated ads. Researchers found that creative stimuli reverse typical persuasion patterns, with abstract thinkers responding better to concrete claims.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 9, 2011

Spring-cleaning the mind?

A Concordia University study reveals that a cluttered brain can hinder memory, with older individuals struggling to recall and process information. The research suggests that reducing mental clutter and engaging in mentally stimulating activities may help improve memory and cognitive function.

SourceConcordia University·JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology·DateApr 19, 2011

New model of whiskers provides insight into sense of touch

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a model that simulates how rats use their whiskers to sense objects around them. The model enables further research on the human sense of touch and may provide insights into new technologies that could utilize the whisker system.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 7, 2011