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Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

High rate of nearsightedness among children in China

Researchers found a significant rise in myopia rates among Chinese schoolchildren, with some studies suggesting an annual incidence rate of up to 30%. This could be attributed to increased screen time and sedentary lifestyles, prompting recommendations for outdoor playtime and other interventions.

161 genetic factors for myopia identified

A large-scale genetic study has identified 161 genetic factors contributing to the development of myopia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The findings suggest that insufficient sunlight triggers myopia by altering the shape of the eye.

Education linked to higher risk of short-sightedness

A study published in The BMJ found that spending more years in full-time education is associated with a greater risk of developing myopia. Every additional year of education was linked to more myopia, with university graduates being at least 1 dioptre more myopic than those who left school earlier.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Halting nearsightedness epidemic goal of UH vision scientist

Earl Smith's research seeks to determine how visual experience affects refractive development and explore new pharmaceutical approaches to eliminate myopia. The goal is to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, addressing a growing global epidemic that affects over two billion people.

Myopia cell discovered in retina

Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a retinal cell that may cause myopia when it dysfunctions, and this dysfunction may be triggered by excessive indoor time. The discovery could lead to a new therapeutic target to control myopia.

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.

Nearly 10 million adults found to be severely nearsighted in the United States

A new study estimates that nearly 9.6 million adults in the United States are highly myopic, or severely nearsighted, with over 41,000 suffering from a complication called myopic choroidal neovascularization that could cause long-term vision loss. Women appear to be at greater risk for this condition, making up half of those affected.

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 genetic risk factors for myopia discovered

Researchers have identified nine new genetic risk factors contributing to myopia, with education levels playing a crucial role. The study suggests that environmental and hereditary factors interact to produce the condition, offering insights into its development and potential treatments.

Outdoor light has role in reducing short-sightedness in kids

Research by Queensland University of Technology found that children who spend more time outdoors have slower eye growth and reduced myopia progression. The study recommends at least two hours of outdoor light exposure per day to help prevent myopia from developing and progressing.

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.

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.

Nearsightedness progression in children slowed down by medicated eye drops

Researchers found that low-dose atropine eye drops significantly slowed myopia progression in children, with a 50% reduction compared to untreated children. The medication is safe for use in children age 6-12 for up to five years and may be an effective treatment in the fight against global nearsightedness.

Up to 1 billion people at risk of blindness by 2050

Researchers warn that up to 1 billion people could be blind by 2050 if current interventions are not developed and implemented. Myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, with 80-90% of school leavers in East Asia affected.

Big eyes!

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine have discovered a mechanism that restricts human eye growth and prevents myopia. The study found that LRP2 acts as a clearance receptor for the growth factor Sonic Hedgehog, preventing overgrowth of the mammalian eye.

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.

Gene leads to nearsightedness when kids read

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a gene variant, APLP2, that increases the risk of myopia in children who spend more time reading. Spending time outdoors is found to reduce this risk.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

One test can predict which kids will become nearsighted

A study of 4,500 US children over 20 years identifies a single test that can predict which kids will become nearsighted by the eighth grade: a measure of their current refractive error. The research counters the notion that near work causes myopia and confirms that eight risk factors increase the likelihood of developing myopia.

Lower-income students in China found to have better vision than middle-class peers

A recent study of 20,000 Chinese children found that lower-income students had nearly twice the prevalence of nearsightedness as their middle-class counterparts. Using blackboards in classrooms may have played a protective role against myopia in poorer areas, but this was not statistically significant when adjusted for other factors.

Nearsightedness increases with level of education and longer schooling

A study by Mainz University Medical Center found that higher levels of education and prolonged school years are associated with a greater prevalence and severity of nearsightedness. This challenges the long-held assumption that genetic factors play a more significant role in the development of myopia.

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.

Alarming increasing incidence of myopia

A recent study published in Optometry and Vision Science highlights the alarming increase in myopia incidence, primarily influenced by environmental factors. Multifocal contact lenses have shown promise in reducing myopia progression in children, with results persisting through at least two years.

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.

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.

New genes for short-sightedness identified

An international team of scientists has discovered 24 new genes associated with refractive errors and myopia, a major cause of blindness worldwide. The findings could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for this condition.

Study offers hope for more effective treatment of nearsightedness

A study published by the University of Houston found that wearing progressive addition lenses slowed myopia progression in children. The research suggests that understanding why different types of lenses affect myopia progression can lead to the development of more effective treatments.

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.

Women have bigger pupils than men

A recent study has found that healthy emmetropic women have wider pupil diameters than men. The research analyzed anatomical indexes in a large sample of 379 emmetropic subjects, revealing differences between gender.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Earl Smith receives Prentice Medal from American Academy of Optometry

Smith's breakthrough discovery involves new technologies to control myopia progression through peripheral optics manipulation, which can slow disease progression and mitigate vision loss. His work aims to provide practical implications for clinical management of myopia and offers a fundamental shift in optical interventions.

Gene discovery could yield treatments for nearsightedness

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified a gene associated with myopia in Caucasian people, providing new hope for gene therapies. The RASGRF1 gene plays a crucial role in retinal function and visual memory consolidation, making it a promising target for treatment.

Body weight and glaucoma risk; new 'map' for severe myopia

A new study found that higher body weight is significantly linked to reduced risk of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in postmenopausal women, but not in men. Severe myopia may be predicted by a specific map that identifies patients at risk of vision loss.

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.

A safer alternative to laser eye surgery?

A new Cochrane Systematic Review suggests phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) may be a safer alternative to excimer laser surgery for moderate to high levels of short-sightedness. Patients who underwent IOL treatment reported better spectacle-corrected vision and contrast sensitivity, as well as higher patient satisfaction.

Myopia appears to have become more common

Researchers found a statistically significant increase in myopia prevalence among US participants from 1971 to 2004, with higher rates observed in younger individuals. The study suggests that modifiable risk factors for myopia development could lead to the creation of cost-effective intervention strategies.

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.

Medication slows progression of myopia in children

A study published in the Journal of AAPOS found that pirenzepine gel can slow the rate of progressive myopia in children, with an average increase of 0.58 diopters over two years compared to 0.99 diopters in the placebo group. The treatment was generally safe and effective, with only mild side effects reported.

Highlights from the August 2008 issue of Ophthalmology

A new study published in Ophthalmology reveals that Asian men are at a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to smoking. In contrast, high levels of outdoor activity in childhood may prevent or control myopia in children, according to researchers. These findings suggest that environmental factors play a s...