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Using light to manipulate neuron excitability

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new optogenetics-based tool to manipulate neuron excitability using light. By altering the electrical capacitance of cell membranes, they can change how strongly neurons respond to electrical input, with potential applications in learning, aging, and brain disorders.

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.

Cognitive flexibility enhances mathematical reasoning

A study by the University of Geneva finds that adopting multiple perspectives on mathematical problems enhances proportional reasoning. Students who received lessons based on this approach outperformed those in traditional classes, regardless of socio-economic background.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

AI tool predicts when a bank should be bailed out

A new AI tool helps governments decide whether to bail out a bank by predicting if the intervention will save money for taxpayers. The algorithm assesses financial implications and suggests optimal bailout strategies.

Not every reader’s struggle is the same

A new MIT study found that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have distinct brain patterns linked to reading difficulties, differing from those of higher-SES students. The research suggests that tailored interventions may be necessary for different groups of children.

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.

Children learn more quickly than adults

A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.

Neuronal mechanism involved in the learning of maternal behavior discovered

A study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the anterior cingulate cortex is activated in female mice acquiring maternal behavior through repeated experience with pups. This discovery provides a potential basis for developing therapeutic options for postpartum depression and other conditions disrupting mother-child bonding.

Study investigates male and female travellers’ ‘transformations’

A University of Otago-led study examines male and female travellers’ subjective travel experiences and identifies nine types of tourist transformation. The research reveals significant differences in reflection and self-efficacy outcomes between men and women, while other transformations are experienced similarly.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study looks inside the brain during sleep to show how memory is stored

Researchers found that reactivating memories during sleep improves memory storage by triggering electrical activity in the brain. The study, led by Northwestern University, used implanted electrodes to record brain activity in five patients while they slept and presented sounds associated with learned objects.

WVU researchers exploring how West Virginians bounce back after disastrous flooding

A team of WVU researchers is studying how people bounce back after disastrous flooding, using lessons learned from the 2016 West Virginia flood. The project aims to create a more effective framework for flood response and community recovery in West Virginia, with a focus on identifying gaps in organizational capacity and improving floo...

Our brains use quantum computation – new research

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that quantum computation may be used by the human brain, correlating with short-term memory performance and conscious awareness. This finding could enhance our understanding of brain functions and potentially lead to innovative technologies.

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.

Forgetting is natural, but learning how to learn can slow it down

Researchers found that people who use combination of spacing and retrieval practice retain information for longer periods of time. These techniques involve recalling previously learned material through flashcards, practice tests or open-ended writing prompts to recognize what they do and don't know.

Literacy influences understanding of speech

Researchers found that literacy has no effect on auditory processing of speech, contradicting previous studies. However, literate individuals showed improved functional connectivity between brain areas responsible for handwriting and speech sound processing.

Watch brain cells in a dish learn to play Pong in real time

Researchers successfully taught human and mouse neurons to play the video game Pong in real-time, showcasing their ability to exhibit sentience and adapt to a changing environment. The study's findings have potential applications in disease modeling, drug discoveries, and expanding our understanding of brain function.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

On the fence: New research taps rancher expertise on living with carnivores

Researchers collaborated with livestock producers, natural resource managers, and university-based researchers to develop effective fencing designs that reduce wildlife conflicts and prioritize human safety. The study highlights the importance of integrating diverse knowledge and experience to inform fencing projects.

Unreliable neurons improve brain functionalities

Neuronal silencing periods enable efficient temporal sequence identification, allowing the brain to remember phone numbers and PINs. A new AI mechanism utilizing this mechanism also protects against stolen cards by recognizing personal handwriting style and timing.

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.

Machine learning helps scientists peer (a second) into the future

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new machine learning method called next-generation reservoir computing that can learn spatiotemporal chaotic systems in a fraction of the time. The algorithm is more accurate and uses less training data, making it easier to predict complex physical processes like Earth's weather.

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.

Long-term memories a matter of order—not just repetition

A study by neuroscientists at New York University reveals that the brain's machinery interacts in nuanced ways to form long-term memories. The researchers found that neurons can sense not only repetition but also the order of repeated experiences, allowing them to discriminate between different patterns and build memories.

Young kids avoid one learning trap that often snares adults

A new study found that children's attention wandered to all parts of a screen while completing a task, but this helped them notice important things when the task unexpectedly changed. Adults, on the other hand, quickly focused their attention on one feature and missed important clues.

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.

How the brain develops: a new way to shed light on cognition

A new neurocomputational model introduces a three-level information processing framework to understand brain development and cognition. The model focuses on Hebbian learning and reinforcement learning, highlighting two fundamental mechanisms for multilevel cognitive ability development in biological neural networks.

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.

Can ‘random noise’ unlock our learning potential?

A recent ECU study discovered that tRNS can enhance neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form new pathways and connections. This technology has shown promise as a tool to assist individuals with learning difficulties or neurological conditions.

Good face recognizers can learn faces from fragments

Research suggests that super recognizers divide new faces into parts, storing them in the brain as composite images. This allows them to recognize faces better than others even when only seeing smaller regions at a time.

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.

SUTD researchers develop new strategies to teach computers to learn like humans do

Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed a new Brain-Inspired Replay model that enables continual learning in edge computing systems without storing data. This approach achieves state-of-the-art accuracy and high energy efficiency, overcoming the stability-plasticity issue in traditional models.

How the sounds we hear help us predict how things feel

A new study from the University of East Anglia found that brain regions responding to touch also respond to specific sounds associated with touching objects. This connection may help process sensory information more efficiently and has implications for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, or anxiety.

Online teaching triggers a different response in the body

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that online teaching triggers a lower physiological response, including reduced cortisol levels, decreased sympathetic activity, and increased parasympathetic activity. In contrast, in-person classes led to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and enjoyment.

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.

Digital security dialogue

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo developed a system called DualCheck, which replaces traditional human verification tasks with educational content on online safety and ethics. Trials showed that users responded positively to the experience and felt they gained something from these microlearning sessions.

Pain, pain go away, help our children run and play

A new study from the University of South Australia identifies five key approaches for parents and caregivers to discuss everyday pain with young children. Teaching children that they can control their pain and empowering them to actively engage in pain management can promote lifelong helpful pain behaviors and encourage recovery. By he...

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.

Children compensate lack of concentration through creativity

A study by Max Planck Institute for Human Development found that children use spontaneous strategy changes and broader attentional focus to achieve better results, similar to adults. This broadens the understanding of learning behavior in children.

Study finds librarian-teacher co-teaching benefits students, teachers

A three-year study found that librarian-teacher co-teaching significantly facilitates learner-centered instruction, such as maker learning and inquiry learning, across all levels of schools. School librarians played a crucial role in making these individualized learning opportunities possible by using various instructional methods.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The octopus’ brain and the human brain share the same “jumping genes”

A recent study has identified an important molecular analogy between the octopus brain and the human brain, specifically with LINE transposons active in both species. This discovery sheds light on the secret of the intelligence of these fascinating organisms, suggesting a convergent evolution of cognitive abilities.

How the brain interprets motion while in motion

Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a novel neural mechanism involved in causal inference that helps the brain detect object motion during self-motion. This discovery may have applications in designing artificial intelligence devices and developing treatments for brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

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.

Communicating research through comics: Transportation and land development

A team at Portland State University is creating comics to share research findings on transportation and land development. The project aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the general public, addressing barriers such as complex language and storytelling, while showcasing the potential of visual rhetoric.

Just being exposed to new things makes people ‘ready to learn’

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people learn from incidental exposure to new objects, making them ready to learn. Participants who were exposed to unfamiliar creatures earlier on learned the differences between them more quickly during explicit learning than those who received no prior exposure.

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.