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'Y' a protein unicorn might matter in glaucoma

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have identified a rare Y-shape in a protein associated with hereditary glaucoma, which may revolutionize its treatment. The discovery reveals how the Y ties together major components of the protein and could help understand myocilin's role in the eye.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gene therapy shows promise for reversing blindness

Researchers have shown that gene therapy can reprogram cells at the back of the eye to become light sensitive, potentially reversing blindness. In a study, mice blind from retinitis pigmentosa regained vision and recognized objects in their environment after receiving melanopsin gene therapy.

How vision shapes touch

A neuroimaging study reveals that blind individuals perform better on a touch discrimination task when their hands are crossed due to stronger frontal-parietal connectivity. In contrast, sighted individuals show greater activity in parietal and premotor areas with uncrossed hands.

Blindness study shows how gene causes middle-age sight loss

Scientists have identified a gene that causes blindness in middle age, shedding light on a devastating genetic condition. The study found changes in the RPGR gene damage eye cells and lead to X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, affecting night and peripheral vision before causing complete blindness.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Helping robots learn to see in 3-D

Researchers at Duke University have developed an algorithm that allows robots to recognize and understand 3-D objects, even when parts are hidden from view. The system can simultaneously guess what a new object is and how it's oriented without examining it from multiple angles first.

Exploring the potential of human echolocation

Researchers have identified that visually impaired people use the timbre, in addition to pitch and loudness, of echoes to navigate their surroundings. This skill is similar to animal echolocation but differs in how humans use sound to locate objects.

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.

Blind people have brain map for 'visual' observations too

Researchers at KU Leuven found that blind individuals, including those without eyeballs, use the ventral-temporal cortex to categorize visual observations. This region is divided into smaller areas, each recognizing a particular category, such as faces, body parts, and objects.

Humans rely more on 'inferred' visual objects than 'real' ones

Researchers found that humans prefer internal visual information generated by the brain to external images from the real world. This bias was observed in a study where participants chose between identical visual objects one generated internally and another externally displayed.

Smile and the world thinks you're older: Study

Researchers found that smiling makes a person appear to be two years older due to associated wrinkles. In contrast, surprised expressions are perceived as youthful, contradicting common perceptions of age and emotions.

Retraining the brain to see after stroke

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center developed a personalized visual training program to reroute visual information around damaged areas of the brain. Patients regained large swaths of rudimentary sight, with some able to recover vision enough to drive again.

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.

A bird's blind spot plays an important role in its vision

A new study found that birds with longer beaks have larger blind areas in front of their heads, resulting in narrower fields of binocular vision. This finding suggests that the size of the blind area plays an important role in birds' vision.

Brain 'rewires' itself to enhance other senses in blind people

A new study led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers found that the brains of blind individuals make new connections to compensate for visual information, enhancing abilities like hearing, smell, touch, memory, and language. The findings could lead to more effective rehabilitation efforts for blind individuals.

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.

Improving the view on the genetic causes of retinitis pigmentosa

Researchers discover mutations in the REEP6 gene as a significant contributor to retinitis pigmentosa, a leading inherited eye disorder. The study identifies seven new cases of patients with tunnel vision and vision loss, shedding light on the genetic basis of this devastating disease.

New gene-editing technology partially restores vision in blind animals

Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.

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.

Microbes in your gut influence major eye disease

Research by Dr. Przemyslaw Sapieha and colleagues suggests that a diet rich in fat can alter the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and increased risk of wet AMD, a blinding form of age-related macular degeneration. The study provides new insights into the role of gut microbes in disease prevention.

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.

After blindness, the adult brain can learn to see again

A new study published in PLOS Biology shows that the adult brain retains residual capacity to process restored or artificial visual inputs. Blind individuals who received a prosthetic implant were able to recognize unusual visual stimuli and improve their perception over time with extensive training.

LA BioMed study seeks to improve diabetic eye health

A new study from LA BioMed found that lower-income minority patients and healthcare providers have markedly divergent perceptions of the barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening. Patients reported financial burden and depression as major obstacles, while providers deemed other factors more significant.

Telemedicine could improve eye exam access for people with diabetes

Researchers found that patients are willing to participate in telemedicine for diabetic retinopathy screening if it is convenient and tailored to their needs. The study suggests that telemedicine could ease the burden on patients who face high costs, lack of access, or difficulty with transportation.

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.

Study finds vision loss due to diabetes is rising globally

A recent study published in Diabetes Care journal reveals a significant rise in diabetes-related vision loss worldwide. The 20-year period saw a 64% increase in people with moderate or severe vision impairment due to diabetes, primarily attributed to poor glucose control and limited access to eye health services.

University of Leicester discovery sheds light on how vertebrates see

A new study by the University of Leicester has identified details in fossil vertebrate eyes that shed light on how vertebrates evolved their complex eyes. The research shows that ancient species of hagfish could see, while living counterparts are blind, revealing a 'reverse evolution' process.

Risk of blindness from spine surgery down significantly

The risk of blindness caused by spinal fusion surgery has decreased nearly three-fold since the late 1990s, with an estimated 60% decline over two decades. The study attributes this reduction to advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques and changes in anesthesia practice, such as stricter blood pressure limits during surgery.

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.

Robots to provide a steadying hand at the right time

Researchers are designing cooperative robots to empower people with disabilities to safely travel and navigate unfamiliar environments. A gaze-controlled robotic system is also being developed to enable people with motor impairments to fetch objects by looking at them.

USC study finds blindness and visual impairment will double by 2050

A USC study predicts that the US prevalence of visual impairment and blindness will more than double over the next 35 years. The number of Americans with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts is expected to skyrocket, impacting individuals and society.

Visual impairment, blindness cases in US expected to double by 2050

The US is projected to see a doubling of visual impairment and blindness cases by 2050, with the greatest burden on non-Hispanic white women and African Americans. The National Eye Institute predicts that 2.15 million non-Hispanic white women will be visually impaired by then.

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.

What big eyes you have! Spider adaptation widened dietary net

Researchers discover large secondary eyes in a spider species enable it to catch larger, more nutritious prey, which may explain the evolution of these enlarged eyes. The findings suggest the spiders' nocturnal nature and reliance on vision to hunt for prey on the ground.

Portable device worn on eyeglasses offers hope for people with low vision

A miniature camera using optical character-recognition technology mounted on eyeglasses significantly improves the ability to read and perform daily living activities. The device, called OrCam, recognizes text, faces, and commercial products, offering a new hope for those with age-related macular degeneration or advanced-stage glaucoma.

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.

Gene therapy shows long-term benefit for treating rare blindness

A pioneering gene therapy has restored vision to patients with a rare form of genetic blindness for up to four years, providing sustained improvement and raising hopes for a cure. The treatment involves injecting a virus into the eye to deliver billions of healthy genes, replacing a key missing gene.

Seeing isn't required to gesture like a native speaker

A study comparing blind and sighted participants reveals that language learning shapes gesture patterns, with Turkish speakers producing more separated sentence units. The findings suggest that speech carries the imprint of the language, marking it as a source of cross-linguistic variation in gestures.

108 million people have correctable vision impairment, global study estimates

A global study estimates that 101.2 million people suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error (URE), while seven million are blind. The study, published in Optometry and Vision Science, suggests that providing access to affordable glasses could improve the burden of vision loss.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Half the world to be short-sighted by 2050

By 2050, nearly half the world's population will be short-sighted, with up to 1 billion at high risk of blindness. The rapid increase in myopia is attributed to environmental factors such as decreased time outdoors and increased near work activities.

Proteomics and precision medicine

A research team at the University of Iowa uses proteomics to create personalized molecular diagnoses, tailoring treatments to individual patients. By analyzing protein profiles, doctors can identify specific disease causes and develop targeted therapies.

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.

Edited stem cells offer hope of precision therapy for blindness

Researchers have successfully corrected a blindness-causing gene mutation in stem cells derived from a patient's skin cells, offering hope for personalized, precision medicine. The technology uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to repair the damaged gene, and the corrected tissue can be transplanted without harm.

Gene editing technique improves vision in rats with inherited blindness

A new gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 has been shown to improve vision in rats with inherited blindness. The researchers successfully removed a genetic mutation that causes the disease, allowing the rats to see better. Further development is needed, but this breakthrough offers hope for treating inherited diseases.

Robotics to help blind and visually impaired to recognize objects

Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno are developing a wearable robotic device that combines vision, tactile, force, temperature, and audio sensors to help blind and visually impaired individuals identify and grasp objects. The device aims to provide greater independence and ability to navigate daily tasks.

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.

Infants with blind parents pay less attention to eyes

Researchers found that infants of blind parents paid less attention to adults' eye gaze compared to those with sighted parents. However, these infants developed advanced visual attention and memory skills, suggesting active learning from their blind caregivers.

UA-led research: Prevention of macular degeneration possible

A University of Arizona-led study found that patients taking levodopa, a treatment for Parkinson's disease, are less likely to develop macular degeneration. The study suggests l-dopa may delay or prevent the disease, potentially leading to new treatments and improved eye health.

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.

New study: Leading cause of blindness could be prevented or delayed

Researchers have discovered a potential link between Parkinson's treatment and protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of blindness. The study suggests that patients taking L-DOPA as Parkinson's treatment may be less likely to develop AMD, with delayed or prevented disease progression.