Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Obesity increases workers' compensation costs

Workers with obesity filed twice the number of workers' compensation claims, had seven times higher medical costs, and lost 13 times more days of work compared to non-obese workers. Obesity was also linked to higher risk jobs and more severe injuries.

Obesity may be associated with disability in workers, elderly

Studies show obese workers are more likely to file workers' compensation claims for injuries on the job. Older Americans with a BMI of 25-30 have a higher risk of disability but lower risk of death compared to those within the recommended weight range.

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.

Study reports changing to a low-fat diet can induce stress

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that mice withdrawn from high-fat diets became anxious and showed increased stress levels. Researchers also observed risk-taking behavior in the mice as they sought out their preferred diet.

Major genetic study identifies clearest link yet to obesity risk

Scientists have identified a strong association between an increase in BMI and a variation of the FTO gene, which carries a 70% higher risk of obesity. The study found that people with two copies of the FTO allele are on average 3kg heavier than those with no copies.

Dieting does not work, UCLA researchers report

A study of 31 long-term diet studies found that only a small minority of participants achieved sustained weight loss, while the majority regained weight. Exercise was found to be a key factor in maintaining weight loss, and dieting may even lead to negative health effects.

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.

U of M study identifies factors associated with successful weight loss in teens

Researchers found that overweight teens who lost weight engaged in significantly more moderate to vigorous physical activity (7.6 hours/week for females, 11.7 hours/week for males) and spent less time watching TV compared to those who gained or maintained weight. This study provides valuable insights into behaviors associated with succ...

Biopsy may underestimate prostate cancer in obese and overweight men

A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that obese and overweight men are more likely to have aggressive prostate cancer than biopsy results indicate. This discrepancy may lead to inadequate or inappropriate treatment, emphasizing the need for more accurate biopsies.

Studies explore lifestyle choices and heart risks

Researchers investigate lifestyle choices and their impact on heart risks, exploring the effects of dark chocolate and nicotine patches on cardiovascular health. Studies find that flavonoids in dark chocolate can improve endothelial function in adults with BMI between 25-35 kg/m2.

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.

Phthalates now linked to fat, related health risks

A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center has found a link between phthalate exposure and increased belly fat and insulin resistance in men. The research suggests that low-dose exposures to phthalates may contribute to rising obesity rates and related disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.

Obese patients run higher risk of post-operative complications

A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that obese patients have a higher risk of post-operative complications, including heart attack, wound infection, nerve injury, and urinary tract infection. The study found that morbidly obese patients had a death rate nearly twice as high as non-obese patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Patients should be alert for obesity surgery complication

Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition, is increasingly reported after obesity surgery due to vitamin deficiency and vomiting. Patients should be alert for symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes.

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.

BMI not accurate indicator of body fat

A study by Michigan State University found that BMI does not accurately reflect body fat percentage in most cases, particularly among athletes and younger individuals. Researchers suggest reevaluating BMI cutoff points for different age groups and fitness levels to improve its accuracy as a fat indicator.

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.

A unique twin study on the increased cardiometabolic risk in obesity

A Finnish twin study reveals that acquired obesity is associated with deleterious alterations in lipid metabolism, including increased lysophosphatidylcholines and decreased ether phospholipids. The study also found a link between the obese twins' serum lipidomic profile and whole body insulin resistance.

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.

Older adults face double whammy when it comes to body fat

New research found that older adults gain fat and lose lean mass each year until age 80, contributing to disability. The study also revealed that those born later experienced higher body fat percentages, highlighting the impact of the obesity epidemic on aging

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Exercise has no effect on risk of knee osteoarthritis

A recent study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that exercise neither protects against nor increases the risk of knee OA in middle-aged and older adults. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,200 subjects, suggests that physical activity can be done safely without concerns about developing OA.

Major link in brain-obesity puzzle found

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a single protein, SH2B1, that plays a crucial role in controlling body weight, responding to insulin and leptin signals, and energy balance. The study found that restoring SH2B1 in brain cells corrects metabolic disorders and improves the brain's ability to regulate eating.

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.

Natural gut hormone offers hope for new obesity drug

Researchers have identified pancreatic polypeptide as a potential solution to appetite suppression, which may lead to a new obesity treatment. The hormone is naturally released in the gut and acts as a neurotransmitter to indicate fullness to the brain.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Genetics and lifestyle interact to increase risk for age-related blindness

A recent study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that genetic predisposition and exposure to modifiable risk factors significantly multiply the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Individuals with two mutated alleles of genes CFH and LOC387715 were 50 times more likely to develop AMD.

Estrogen curbs appetite in same way as the hormone leptin

Research at Yale University reveals estrogen regulates brain energy metabolism similarly to leptin, leading to a promising avenue for addressing obesity in those resistant to leptin. The study's findings suggest that estrogen may suppress appetite using independent pathways from leptin, making it a potential target for weight management.

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.

Getting people to move -- challenges in promoting physical activity

Researchers highlight the challenges of promoting physical activity in a sedentary society, citing political and systemic barriers. The authors emphasize the need for a public health infrastructure to support physical activity promotion, given its substantial protection against obesity and chronic disease.

Do low-fat foods make us fat?

Recent studies found that people eat up to 28-45% more calories when consuming low-fat snacks, as they mistakenly perceive them as lower-calorie alternatives. This misperception can lead to overindulgence and a poor diet.

Blacks less likely to recognize overweight and obesity, study shows

A recent study found that black Americans are less likely to recognize their own overweight or obese status compared to white Americans, despite having higher rates of excess weight. The research suggests that this misperception can have significant health consequences, including increased risk of diabetes and premature death.

Treating obesity vital for public health, physicians say

The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a state characterized by cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure, is a growing concern. Physicians emphasize the need for aggressive treatment and lifestyle modifications to prevent serious health problems.

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.

Weight cycling associated with increased risk for gallstones among men

Men who experience weight fluctuations may be at higher risk for developing gallstones, according to a recent study. Weight cycling, or repeatedly losing and regaining weight, was found to increase the risk of gallstone disease by 21-76% compared to those who maintained a stable weight.

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.

Dragonfly's metabolic disease provides clues about human obesity

Research on parasitic-infected dragonflies reveals metabolic disorders similar to human obesity and type-2 diabetes, with parasites triggering an inflammatory response and changes in metabolism. The study suggests that microbial communities found in human intestines may also contribute to these diseases.

Teen girls make better health choices with intervention program

A 3-year study shows significant improvements in self-esteem, nutrition, physical activity, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels among teen girls participating in the Teen Esteem program. The program aims to address obesity and other health issues in high-risk teen girls.

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.

Salt intake is strongly associated with obesity

A study published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases found a strong association between salt intake and obesity. Reducing salt intake was associated with a significant decrease in stroke and coronary heart disease mortality, as well as an increase in life expectancy.

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.