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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.

New insights into the molecular basis of ataxia

Researchers identified the α1D norepinephrine receptor as a key player in stress-induced motor incoordination associated with ataxias. The team showed that blocking this receptor restored normal activity of Purkinje cells, which could lead to new treatment approaches for patients with ataxia type 2.

How the brain supports social processing as people age

Older adults show increased locus coeruleus activity when processing hard-to-read facial expressions, which strengthens a neural pathway supporting mental well-being and resilience. This adaptive mechanism could help older individuals cope with cognitive decline or younger people with anxiety or depression.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Common sleep aid may leave behind a dirty brain

A study published in Cell describes the synchronized oscillations that occur during non-REM sleep, including norepinephrine, cerebral blood volume, and CSF flow. The research highlights the critical role of these oscillations in powering the glymphatic system, which removes protein waste associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

How deep sleep clears a mouse’s mind, literally

Researchers discovered that norepinephrine triggers blood vessel constriction to propel cerebrospinal fluid through the brain, clearing out waste. The findings suggest that sleep aids may disrupt this process, potentially affecting long-term cognitive health.

How the brain’s arousal center helps control visual attention too

Researchers have discovered that activating the locus coeruleus, a brain structure producing norepinephrine, improves visual sensitivity in non-human primates. The study used optogenetics to selectively boost LC activity, resulting in drastic enhancements in performance on a visual attention task.

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.

Landiolol and organ failure in patients with septic shock

A randomized clinical trial involving 126 patients found that landiolol did not prevent organ failure in those with established septic shock. The study concluded that this beta-blocker is not a suitable treatment option for managing tachycardia in these patients.

Female and male hearts respond differently to stress hormone in mouse study

Researchers discovered that female and male mouse hearts react uniformly at first to noradrenaline but exhibit differences in recovery time, affecting electrical activity. These findings may contribute to arrhythmia susceptibility between men and women, offering new insights into sex-based responses to stress hormones.

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.

How the brain responds to surprising events

A new MIT study finds that noradrenaline helps the brain learn from surprising outcomes by stimulating behavior that leads to a reward, particularly in uncertain situations. The researchers also discovered that noradrenaline promotes taking a chance on getting a reward, even when the outcome is unknown.

Farther or faster? Both improve distance running performance

A recent study found that block periodization with either increased low-intensity training volume or high-intensity interval training improved endurance performance in recreational athletes. Both methods resulted in average time improvements of 11-13 seconds on a 3000m run.

Alternative strategy for stalling Alzheimer’s neurodegeneration

A study published in the journal Brain found that boosting levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine with atomoxetine reduced markers of neuroinflammation and stabilized protein Tau, which forms neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The treatment showed promising results in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Visuals increase attention; now science explains why

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio discovered that norepinephrine release in the visual cortex is tied to processing of imagery and cells' activation. This local regulation enhances sensory-specific attention and may represent a mechanism to enhance focus.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Drinking blocks a chemical that promotes attention

Scientists at UT Health San Antonio found that acute exposure to alcohol inhibits norepinephrine release, a chemical that activates vigilance-dependent astrocyte calcium activation. This leads to impaired attention and motor coordination, contradicting the cerebellum's role in motor control.

Parasite infection discovery could assist mental health treatments

New research suggests that T. gondii infection alters human behavior by lowering norepinephrine levels, which control stress response and neuroinflammation. This finding may contribute to the development of antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.

Antihypotensive agent disrupts the immune system in sepsis

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center found that norepinephrine suppresses the function of white blood cells, impairing the body's ability to combat infections. The study suggests that alternative antihypotensive agents like vasopressin may be more effective in sepsis patients.

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.

Are eyes the window to our mistakes?

Scientists investigate how humans make mistakes and find that pupil dilation is linked to the brain's level of norepinephrine. Four sources of suboptimal decision-making are identified, including unequal weighing of evidence and noise in the brain.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Just 1 energy drink may boost heart disease risk in young adults

A study of 25 healthy young adults found that drinking one energy drink increased blood pressure and norepinephrine levels, which could predispose otherwise healthy individuals to cardiovascular risk. The findings suggest that commercially available energy drinks may be a contributing factor to heart disease in young adults.

Norepinephrine aids brain in sorting complex auditory signals

Researchers found that norepinephrine enhances the ability of neurons to code for complex sounds by decreasing background noise firing. This mechanism is separate from estradiol's effects and provides new insights into neuromodulator interactions and auditory processing.

Napping reverses health effects of poor sleep

A short nap can help relieve stress and bolster the immune systems of men who slept only two hours the previous night. Napping restores biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels after a night of poor sleep, suggesting a potential way to counter the damaging effects of sleep restriction.

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.

Keeping one's eyes on the goal -- despite stress

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that beta blockers can prevent the negative effects of stress on goal-directed behavior. Stress affects habit formation and routine behavior, but not when norepinephrine is blocked by beta blockers.

Safety data favor norepinephrine over dopamine for shock

An editorial in NEJM suggests that norepinephrine is a safer option than dopamine for stabilizing blood pressure in shock patients, citing a European clinical trial. The study found no overall difference in death rates between the two treatments, but higher mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with dopamine.

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.

Old antidepressant offers promise in treating heart failure

Researchers have found an antidepressant, clorgyline, can blunt and reverse muscle enlargement and weakened pumping function associated with heart failure. The drug blocks the action of enzyme monoamine oxidase-A and stops its breakdown of a key neurohormone, norepinephrine.

Researchers unravel mystery behind long-lasting memories

A new study reveals that strong memories, such as those of a first love or a traumatic event, are formed through the activation of Protein Kinase C (PKC) by norepinephrine in the brain. This process creates stronger connections between nerve cells, leading to long-lasting memories.

Gene test determines risk of heart surgery complications

Researchers discovered a genetic variant that can predict patients' risk of developing shock and kidney failure after heart surgery. Patients with the 'LL' gene variant are more likely to experience these complications and may not respond well to standard treatments, highlighting the potential benefits of personalized medicine.

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.

How emotionally charged events leave their mark on memory

Researchers have discovered a mechanism that strengthens memory connections in response to emotional stress, which may underlie why traumatic events can be more vividly remembered than everyday ones. The study found that the stress hormone norepinephrine enhances learning and memory by increasing GluR1 receptors.

What emotional memories are made of

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a hormone released during emotional arousal 'primes' nerve cells to remember events by increasing their chemical sensitivity. This process, known as the 'priming effect,' enhances the sculpting of memories into long-term storage.

Chemical in brain acts like a fuel gauge

Researchers at USC have found that norepinephrine transmits a 'low blood sugar' message from the hindbrain to the paraventricular hypothalamus, triggering the release of energy stores to replace missing sugars. This discovery provides new insights into glucose sensing mechanisms in the brain and may hold potential for treating diabetic...

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.

Mood elevating hormone may trigger depression and heart problems

African-American study participants with a genetic variant for the mood-elevating hormone norepinephrine are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and hypertension. Elevated norepinephrine levels, heart rate, and blood pressure were observed in those with the genetic variant.

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.

Anxiety good for memory recall, bad for solving complex problems

Researchers at Ohio State University found that anxiety enhances memory recall but impairs problem-solving skills, particularly those requiring flexible thinking. Stress levels before an exam boost working memory, while stress after the exam improves word and shape tests.

Adrenaline packs a powerful punch in the use of antidepressants

A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that most antidepressants, except citalopram, are ineffective on mice lacking norepinephrine. The researchers tested eight commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs and discovered a critical link between norepinephrine and desired behavioral effects.

Norepinephrine important in retrieving memories

Researchers found that norepinephrine is critical for retrieving intermediate-term contextual and spatial memories, but not for forming or long-term consolidating emotional memories. The study used mutant mice lacking norepinephrine and rats treated with beta blockers to test this hypothesis.

Study adds to knowledge of what it takes to stand up, walk

Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine developed a new measurement technique to assess norepinephrine release in tissues adjacent to blood vessels. This improvement allows for more accurate data on the hormone's role in vasoconstriction and maintains adequate blood pressure when standing up.

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.

Researchers link genetic defect to 'head-rush' disorder

A genetic defect in the norepinephrine transporter has been identified as a key player in orthostatic intolerance, a condition that causes racing hearts, nausea, and dizziness. The discovery may lead to new understanding of blood pressure control and treatment strategies for this common clinical problem.