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Intervention method reduces binge drinking

A new intervention method has been shown to significantly reduce binge drinking among college students. The MIF (motivational interviewing with feedback) intervention includes a personalized feedback profile and a 45-minute counseling session, resulting in a 5.26 drink reduction per week among participants. The study found that this ap...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateJan 30, 2009

AGU journal highlights -- Jan. 28, 2009

Researchers use MODIS data to detect natural oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico, finding a higher occurrence than previously thought. Meanwhile, studies suggest freak waves may be responsible for shipwrecks in Japan's notorious wave-prone region, with modeling revealing a cascade process governing weather dynamics.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 28, 2009

Practice as well as sleep may help birds learn new songs

Young zebra finches learn new songs when they practice singing and then sleep, with changes in brain activity during sleep reflecting the tutor song and auditory feedback. This discovery provides insight into the role of sleep in learning and suggests a general mechanism for learning new skills.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature·DateDec 14, 2008
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.

Water vapor confirmed as major player in climate change

Researchers used NASA satellite data to estimate the heat-trapping effect of water vapor, validating its critical component role in climate change. The study found that increasing water vapor leads to a spiraling cycle of warming and increased absorption, amplifying the warming effect of other greenhouse gases.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 17, 2008

Decisions, decisions: Feedback influences decision making

Researchers found that people choose differently when given feedback in experiential choices compared to descriptive choices. The study suggests that feedback may drive individuals towards rational decision-making by treating small probabilities more objectively.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 12, 2008

AGU journal highlights: Nov. 11, 2008

Studies reveal Greenland's ice sheet is thinning due to warming temperatures, while Arctic sea ice loss increases phytoplankton growth. Meanwhile, data from Mars Express spacecraft indicates a comet-like ion tail forms when solar wind sweeps ions into the Martian atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 12, 2008
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.

'Cross fire' from the brain makes patients tremble

Jülich scientists have discovered the mechanism behind Parkinsonian tremor and developed a new deep brain pacemaker to disrupt it. The device influences disturbed neurons in the core region of the brain, causing irregular rhythms that break down diseased modes.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJul 11, 2008

Will you be misdiagnosed? -- how diagnostic errors happen

A study explores the causes of diagnostic errors in medicine, revealing that overconfidence and complacency are major contributing factors. The research suggests developing systems to provide physicians with better feedback on their own errors can help reduce misdiagnoses.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·DateApr 28, 2008

Emissions irrelevant to future climate change?

A new study published in Carbon Balance and Management found that the link between carbon cycle and human-induced emissions may only be relevant for several centuries. The research suggests that even weak but continuing emissions can lead to eventual saturation of climate-carbon cycle feedback, regardless of when emissions peak.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateApr 27, 2008

High eBay shipping costs: When do surcharges affect the purchase price?

Research by Amar Cheema found that consumers scrutinize additional fees more closely when buying from low-reputation sellers, leading to decreased willingness to pay. Sellers with poor reputations benefit from offering consolidated prices to attract suspicious buyers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Magnetic levitation gives computer users sense of touch

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a magnetic levitation-based haptic interface that provides a highly realistic sense of touch. This device uses magnetic levitation and a single moving part to give users a realistic experience, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical components.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMar 4, 2008

Hand-held computers prod older adults to exercise more, Stanford study shows

A Stanford study found that specially programmed PDAs can prod middle-aged and older Americans into increasing their physical activity levels by approximately five hours each week. The devices provided reminders and feedback to help participants set goals and track progress, leading to a significant increase in exercise frequency.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateFeb 5, 2008

Songbirds offer clues to highly practiced motor skills in humans

Scientists have found that natural variation is a built-in mechanism to allow the nervous system to explore and maintain motor skills, even in highly practiced skills like those seen in top athletes and musicians. This discovery has implications for rehabilitating patients following strokes and other damage to the nervous system.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2007

Like it or not, uncertainty and climate change go hand-in-hand

Researchers at the University of Washington have devised a theory that links uncertainty in climate change with climate sensitivity. The theory, published in Science, provides a yardstick for testing climate models and shows that small uncertainties can be amplified into large ones.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateOct 25, 2007
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 grass isn't greener

New research shows that anticipating future choices can cause consumers to selectively focus on information suggesting alternative options, leading them to disregard their current choice's advantages. This phenomenon was replicated even when the chosen store was less expensive than others.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 7, 2007

My bad! Why we feel guilt in the first place

Researchers found that guilt initially drives withdrawal motivation but transforms into approach motivation when an opportunity for reparation presents itself. Participants who received negative feedback on racist responses showed increased guilt and approached anti-racist behaviors.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 24, 2007
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.

Increasing physical activity with a little boost

A study by Temple University found that personalized mail feedback programs were more effective in increasing physical activity levels compared to phone-based counseling. Participants who received print-based feedback showed significant improvements in physical activity, with an average of 160 minutes per week.

SourceTemple University·JournalHealth Psychology·DateJun 26, 2007

$2M award funds intelligent tutoring system aimed at improving math education

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have received a four-year, $2 million award to continue development of the ASSISTment intelligent tutoring system. The system will provide teachers and parents with immediate feedback on student performance, helping them offer individualized instruction and track student progress over time.

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·DateMay 23, 2007

Why we buy bad gifts for the ones we love most

A study by Davy Lerouge and Luk Warlop found that familiarity with someone makes predicting their tastes more difficult due to overconfidence and ignoring contradictory cues. This leads people to pay less attention to product-specific attitude feedback, resulting in unwanted gift purchases.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 5, 2006

Researcher gives robotic surgery tools a sense of touch

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing a system that adds haptic feedback to robotic surgery tools, allowing surgeons to feel the work of mechanical helpers. The team is experimenting with techniques such as force sensors and computer models to convey tactile sensations to operators.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateNov 28, 2006
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.

CSIRO reveals how continents can break apart

Researchers have found that continents are significantly weaker than previously suspected, with a narrow weak zone taking up most of the deformation. This discovery explains the origin of flat-lying zones of weakness known as detachment faults, which were not previously understood.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateAug 1, 2006

Computer interface design starts with respecting the real world

Computer interface design should prioritize physical interactions, taking into account the physical world's intuitions and fidelity of control. Prototyping is key to gathering user feedback for continuous improvement, ensuring interfaces augment rather than replace human experiences.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·DateFeb 18, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Men overcompensate when masculinity is threatened

A study by Cornell University researcher Robb Willer found that men who feel insecure about their masculinity tend to display homophobic attitudes, support the Iraq War, and purchase SUVs. The research suggests that masculine overcompensation is a driving force behind these behaviors.

SourceCornell University·DateAug 2, 2005

The UK government's patient-led NHS will not improve health

The UK government's patient-led NHS approach is unlikely to improve health as patients struggle to sift useful information from online sources. The Lancet comments that doctors and patients need to listen to each other more, rather than focusing on complaints culture, for effective care.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 28, 2005

OHSU researchers help develop portable device to assist those combating balance disorders

Researchers at OHSU developed a portable device that uses audio cues to assist individuals with balance disorders, such as those caused by vestibular loss or Parkinson's disease. The device has shown significant improvement in reducing sway area and increasing time spent within the safe zone during early testing.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateJul 13, 2005
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.

Go to the tape: Video replay improves radiology residents' performance

A six-week study found that video replay of teaching rounds significantly improved radiology residents' case-based knowledge and communication abilities. The study used videotaped feedback to help residents develop awareness of their strengths and nonverbal skills, reducing anxiety and improving board exam performance.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·DateMay 18, 2005

When the brain, not the ears, goes hard of hearing

As we age, our brain's ability to filter out background noise and sort information affects our hearing. Researchers have found a 'feedback' problem in the brain that diminishes our ability to hear, particularly in older adults who experience age-related hearing loss.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateFeb 22, 2005
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Using the internet's power and anonymity to reduce problem drinking

Computer-based brief interventions using elements like feedback, empathy, and personal responsibility can effectively reduce drinking. Programs such as Drinker's Check-up, e-CHUG, and MyStudentBody.com show promising results in reducing heavy drinking and negative consequences.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateFeb 14, 2005

Examining motivational interviewing in drug abuse therapy

Research suggests that motivational interviewing may not be effective in reducing drug use behaviors, as individuals often resist weaker language during assessment feedback. Therapists should modify their techniques to avoid undermining existing motivation for behavior change.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateMay 3, 2004

Rensselaer receives NIH grant to develop virtual surgery simulator

A virtual reality-based surgery simulator will allow surgeons to practice manipulating 3-D models of human organs using their sense of touch and vision, reducing operating room errors and improving patient outcomes. The simulator uses a novel computational technique to model human tissue and provide realistic touch feedback.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateApr 19, 2004
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.

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.

APT launches new I/O Weblog

The new I-O Weblog offers a platform for APT's experts to share their knowledge and experiences in industrial and organizational psychology. Monthly blog topics will explore key issues such as credibility, talent management, and emerging trends in the field.

SourceApplied Psychological Techniques, Inc.·DateNov 30, 1999