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Do we subconsciously judge face-likeness?

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have discovered that face-likeness is judged by early visual processing, occurring within 100ms of viewing an object. This finding suggests that face-likeness recognition is a fundamental cognitive process, separate from traditional notions of pareidolia.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMay 11, 2018
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.

When there's an audience, people's performance improves

A new study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that having an audience improves performance at skilled tasks. When people know they are being observed, their brain activity increases in areas associated with social awareness and reward, leading to better motor skills.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateApr 20, 2018

The brain combats dementia by shifting resources

Researchers discovered that patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia use different brain regions to process language, compensating for damaged areas. This finding holds hope for targeted treatments and earlier disease assessments.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·DateApr 11, 2018

Scientists record brain activity of free-flying bats

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a way to study the brain of a bat as it flies, recording brain activity for the first time in naturally behaving animals. The team observed bursts of activity in midbrain cells as the bat shifted attention, providing insights into how brains process information in real-world situations.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateApr 10, 2018
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 sheds new light on how bilinguals process language

A study led by UC Riverside psychologist Megan Zirnstein found that bilinguals can actively predict word meanings and adapt quickly, just like monolingual peers. The research highlights the need to acknowledge variability in bilingual communities and suggests that control ability can help readers overcome prediction errors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCognition·DateApr 9, 2018

Why does sleep become disrupted in old age?

Research suggests that age-related disruptions in sleep are not due to changes in individual neurons' activity. The study found similar effects of sleep deprivation on local sleep oscillations across different age groups.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMar 26, 2018

How the brain might compensate stress during learning

A study found that stressed individuals performed equally well as relaxed individuals in a categorization task, but their brains showed increased activity and used additional brain regions. The researchers believe this compensation mechanism allows for good performance despite stress.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateMar 8, 2018
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.

Towards an unconscious neural reinforcement intervention for common fears

Researchers have created an innovative method to alleviate common fears by reading out unconscious brain activity and associating feared objects with positive feelings. By using a mental exercise game and leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms, participants can become desensitized to phobic stimuli without encountering the feare...

SourceATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2018

Networks of brain activity predict vulnerability to depression

A new study by Duke University neuroscientists used electrical brain activity to predict depression vulnerability in mice, finding different networks of brain activity were linked to depression-like symptoms. The results may lead to a predictive test for mental illnesses like depression and could inform treatment strategies.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell·DateMar 1, 2018

Penn researchers prove that precisely timed brain stimulation improves memory

A team of University of Pennsylvania neuroscientists developed a system to monitor brain activity and trigger stimulation responsively, improving learning and memory performance. The study found that precisely timed electrical stimulation can reliably enhance memory function in patients with memory loss.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2018
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.

This is your brain -- this is your brain outdoors

Researchers recorded laboratory-quality brain activity measurements outdoors using portable equipment, revealing differences in brain processing stimuli compared to indoor conditions. The findings suggest the brain may be compensating for environmental distractions, which could inform the creation of safer public spaces.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalBrain Research·DateJan 30, 2018

Physicists negate century-old assumption regarding neurons and brain activity

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University demonstrate that each neuron functions as a collection of excitable elements, where inputs from different directions are processed differently. This new understanding could impact research into the origin of degenerative diseases and challenges traditional spike sorting techniques.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 21, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Insight into how infants learn to walk

Researchers at Lancaster University found that 10-week-old babies who practiced 'reflex walking' showed a stronger brain response when watching humans walk compared to those who didn't. The study suggests that experience can refine the perception of biological motion in early infancy.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateDec 14, 2017

Effects of early life stress

Research on early life stress found that high childhood stress was associated with reduced brain activity and poorer risk-taking decisions in a decision-making task. The findings suggest that childhood stress exposure may influence adult decision-making patterns.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 4, 2017
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.

Researchers map brain activity to improve prosthetic design

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new way to understand how the brain controls walking in complex environments. Using brain-body imaging and motion capture technology, they identified specific areas of the brain involved in locomotion, including the posterior parietal lobe and sensorimotor cortex.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 30, 2017

Eye contact with your baby helps synchronize your brainwaves

Infants' brainwaves synchronize with adults when they make direct eye contact, allowing for more effective communication and potentially enhancing learning. This synchronization also enables infants to communicate more effectively, making vocalizations when the adult makes direct eye contact.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2017

Mini-microscopes reveal brain circuitry behind social behavior

Researchers used tiny microscopes on mice's heads to visualize brain activity in living mice, showing how and where instincts are shaped by learning. The results found that social experiences can influence brain responses to other mice and even lead to long-lasting changes in the brain's activity patterns.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateOct 31, 2017

Johns Hopkins finds training exercise that boosts brain power

A study published by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that a specific brain-training method, dual n-back, significantly improved working memory and attention in young adults. This exercise resulted in more substantial changes in brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex region responsible for higher learning.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Enhancement·DateOct 17, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A portable bedside brain scanner for babies

A new, portable brain scanner has been developed to image infant brain activity in a clinical setting. The device weighs just 40 grams and can distinguish between quiet and active sleep states, as well as detect seizures with high resolution.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 11, 2017

Young binge drinkers show altered brain activity

Researchers found distinctive changes in brain activity of young binge-drinking college students, which may indicate early signs of brain damage. The study suggests that bingeing has tangible effects on the young brain, comparable with those seen in chronic alcoholics.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateSep 14, 2017

How people discern changes in pitch to extract meaning from language

A study by Claire Tang and colleagues reveals that a subset of neurons can detect relative pitch changes, enabling humans to extract meaning from words. The research found distinct neural responses for males and females, with areas tuned to high relative pitch and low pitch respectively.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 24, 2017
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.

Talking to yourself in the third person can help you control emotions

Researchers found that third-person self-talk can lead people to think about themselves more similarly to how they think about others, gaining psychological distance from their experiences. This can be useful for regulating emotions, with the brain activity showing decreased emotional reactivity when using the third person.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 26, 2017

Our brains synchronise during a conversation

Researchers found that brainwaves between conversational partners match each other in a study published in Scientific Reports. This interbrain synchrony may be key to understanding language and social interactions.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 2017

The wiser brain: Insights from healthy elders

Researchers analyzed brain activity of 100 healthy Portuguese adults and found that those with better cognitive abilities had more stable and structured brain network states. This study provides new evidence linking brain network dynamics to cognitive performance in later life.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 12, 2017
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.

Making art activates brain's reward pathway -- Drexel study

A Drexel University study found that art-making activities like doodling activate the brain's reward pathways, regardless of skill level or experience. The study used fNIRS technology to measure blood flow in the brain during various art activities, revealing increased activity in the prefrontal cortex and positive emotional responses.

SourceDrexel University·JournalThe Arts in Psychotherapy·DateJun 13, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain imaging reveals neural roots of caring

A study using brain scans found that feelings of empathy involve distinct brain activity patterns, with empathic care overlapping with value and reward systems and empathic distress linked to mirroring systems. The researchers discovered consistent patterns across individuals, predicting emotions based on brain activity.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2017

Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination

A team of Kyoto University researchers has successfully used neural network-based artificial intelligence to decode and predict visual content in the human brain. The technology, known as Deep Neural Network (DNN), shows promise for improving brain-machine interfaces and potentially even understanding consciousness.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 31, 2017
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.

When students pay attention in class, their brains are in sync

Brain-to-brain synchrony was more pronounced in students who were more engaged during class, reflecting their liking for the teacher and peers. This phenomenon may support synchronized behavior in human interactions, such as conversations or group activities.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 27, 2017

Movie research results: Multitasking overloads the brain

Researchers found that changing tasks frequently interferes with brain activity, leading to worse results than focusing on one task at a time. Brain areas like posterior temporal and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices work more efficiently when dealing with one task.

SourceAalto University·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateApr 25, 2017

Why green spaces are good for grey matter

A study of older people found that walking between busy urban areas and green spaces triggers changes in brain activity, reducing frustration and increasing excitement. The research has important implications for architects, planners, and health professionals as the global population ages and becomes more urbanized.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 10, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Less fear: How LSD affects the brain

Researchers found that LSD decreases activity in the amygdala, a region related to processing negative emotions like fear. This 'de-frightening' effect may contribute to positive therapeutic outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateApr 4, 2017

Graphene-based neural probes probe brain activity in high resolution

Researchers created graphene-based neural probes to record brain activity in high resolution while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. The devices successfully detected small electrical signals associated with brain activities, such as sleep and visual light stimulation, without inducing inflammation or toxicity.

SourceGraphene Flagship·Journal2D Materials·DateMar 27, 2017
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.

The way the brain processes speech could serve as a predictor of early dementia

Researchers have discovered a new potential predictor of early dementia through abnormal brain activity in older adults with no noticeable communication problems. Brain regions that process speech were found to be more resilient to Alzheimer's disease, but showed changes that predicted mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·DateMar 15, 2017

Why do we develop high blood pressure?

A study on rat models found changes in brain activity and blood flow early in life, potentially linked to hypertension. The researchers suggest that these changes could be a cause of high blood pressure, paving the way for potential prevention strategies.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateMar 9, 2017

How your brain makes articles go viral

Studies reveal that brain activity in self-related and mentalizing regions combine unconsciously to produce a signal about an article's value, predicting its likelihood of going viral. Brain scans from a small group of people can accurately predict the virality of health articles among real New York Times readers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2017
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.

Teach yourself everyday happiness with imagery training

Researchers found that self-guided emotional imagery training can improve emotional wellbeing in healthy individuals by reducing depressive symptoms and increasing satisfaction with life. The technique was also associated with changes in brain activity, including increased connectivity between image processing networks.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateFeb 24, 2017

CU Boulder researchers develop brain model to quantify pain beyond sensory input

Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a functional MRI-based model that identifies brain activity patterns involved in varied pain experiences. The model, called SIIPS1, maps positively correlated and negatively correlated brain sub-regions, including regions not traditionally considered important for pain assessment.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2017

Advanced EEG analysis reveals the complex beauty of the sleeping brain

A new approach to analyze brainwaves during sleep using multitaper spectral analysis provides objective and high-resolution depictions of brainwave activity. This technique offers a paradigm shift allowing clinicians to move away from subjective sleep staging and harness the wealth of objective information contained within EEG data.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPhysiology·DateFeb 7, 2017
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.

Wired for sound: Enraging noises caused by brain connection overdrive

Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered abnormal changes in the brain's frontal lobe and emotional control mechanism in individuals with misophonia. The study found that trigger sounds evoked increased heart rate and sweating, and that patients had strikingly similar clinical features despite being undiagnosed by current me...

SourceNewcastle University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 3, 2017

Genes and the environment equally affect language-related brain activity

Researchers found that genetic and environmental influences affect language-related brain activities in the left frontal area of the brain. The study used magnetoencephalography to measure brain activity in monozygotic and dizygotic elderly Japanese twins, revealing that verbal memory is associated with lower-power ERDs.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNeuroImage·DateDec 29, 2016

Brain activity may predict risk of falls in older adults

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that brain activity while walking and talking can predict the risk of falling. The study, published in Neurology, involved 166 healthy older adults who were asked to perform tasks such as walking and reciting letters. The researchers found that elevated brain activity during thes...

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateDec 7, 2016
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.

Brain activity may predict risk of falls in older people

A study published in Neurology found that higher levels of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex were associated with a higher risk of falls in healthy older adults. The association remained even after accounting for other factors, such as slow walking speed and frailty.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 7, 2016

Study: Autism brain response theory a dead end

Researchers challenged a popular autism hypothesis by studying brain responses to repeated visual and tactile stimuli. The findings showed that brain responses were as stable as those of healthy controls, contradicting the idea that unreliable brain activity causes autism symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateDec 6, 2016

Magnetic brain stimulation can bring back stowed memories

Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to revive stowed memories, suggesting a separate state of memory apart from active working memory and deep storage. This breakthrough may help individuals control their attention and manage mental health disorders like schizophrenia and depression.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 2016