Researchers have successfully decoded the complex genome of finger millet, a staple food in India and Africa, revealing over 62,300 genes. The new data holds promise for improving crop resilience to drought and enhancing nutritional content, addressing food security concerns globally.
SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalDNA Research·DateSep 4, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study introduces a finger prick test for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions taking adalimumab, enabling easy monitoring of drug levels without full blood draws. This method simplifies therapeutic drug monitoring, potentially benefiting patient care.
SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateAug 9, 2017
A team of researchers created a highly sensitive soft capacitive sensor made of silicone and fabric that moves with the human body to detect movement. The sensor, which combines the qualities of both materials, improves sensitivity to movement by limiting deformation while stretching.
SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJul 12, 2017
A recent study published in Frontiers in Education found that using fingers to count and play number games improved math test scores significantly. This challenges traditional teaching methods that discouraged finger use, instead suggesting that finger training could be a valuable tool for teachers.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Education·DateJun 23, 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.
The Waters nanoEase M/Z columns offer streamlined installation using ZenFit Connection Technology, reducing chromatographic variability. These columns deliver superior performance in proteomics and biomarker research applications.
A study at Lund University reveals individual neurons can learn precise timed intervals, expanding the brain's learning capabilities and potential applications in AI research. This breakthrough may also shed light on autism, ADHD, and language disorders in children.
SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017
A study by NIH researchers reveals that ZFP568 regulates insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) in fetal growth, suggesting its role in balancing fetal and placental growth. The finding has implications for understanding developmental disorders such as Russell Silver syndrome and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalScience·DateMay 18, 2017
Scientists create an input system called WatchSense that tracks the movement of fingers on and above the back of the hand using a depth sensor. This allows for more expressive interactions with smartphones and smart TVs, and has been successfully tested in various scenarios, including virtual and augmented reality.
Researchers at HSE discovered that men with a higher 2D:4D ratio tend to be better educated. The study analyzed data from the Russian RLMS survey and found positive correlations between male respondents' finger length ratios and levels of education.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateApr 20, 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.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed elastic, touch-sensitive fibers that can detect strain, twisting, and touch. The fibers use liquid metal alloy to store electric charge, enabling different electronic signals based on touch location.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 4, 2017
Sophie Joerg aims to create a database of motions to reuse and combine them automatically. Her research could help professional animators make movies, games and learning simulations more realistic.
American researchers have characterized 'gold fingers' using ion mobility mass spectrometry and identified the exact gold binding sites. The study reveals that gold ions force zinc ions out of zinc fingers, changing their conformation. This finding could lead to new metal-based antiviral and antitumor drugs.
SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 27, 2017
Researchers developed a disposable glove with built-in electrochemical sensors to detect organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides. The sensor can be worn on the fingers, providing fast and accurate detection of deadly toxins.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateMar 22, 2017
A study published in Economics & Human Biology found a negative correlation between income and 2D:4D ratios for both men and women, with higher salaries linked to lower ratios. The research used Russian data and analyzed over 1,600 participants to explore the connection between perinatal testosterone and earnings.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalEconomics & Human Biology·DateFeb 2, 2017
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.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed new ways to interact with smartwatches, including scrolling through apps with finger gestures on the watch band and rejecting phone calls by blowing on the screen. These techniques use existing technology such as gyroscope and accelerometer sensors, making them more accessible an...
Researchers have developed a method to automatically design soft actuators for complex motions, enabling the creation of soft robots that can bend and twist like living tissues. This breakthrough streamlines the process of designing soft robots, allowing for the creation of robots with enhanced mobility and dexterity.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2016
A study published in Cell Reports found that training participants to use their non-dominant hand by tricking their brain through virtual reality showed significant improvements in motor skills. The researchers used fMRI scans to track brain activity, which was correlated with improved performance.
Michigan State University researchers have developed a low-cost nanogenerator that can harness energy from human motion, powering devices such as smartphones and headsets without batteries. The device, called FENG, is flexible, biocompatible, and scalable, with advantages including being lightweight and robust.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalNano Energy·DateDec 9, 2016
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.
The researchers used spectroscopy to visualize the arginine finger bonded to the GTP molecule at high precision, revealing how its snap affects geometry and charge distribution. This discovery has implications for understanding switch processes in the body and developing treatments for cancer and genetic diseases.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2016
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a system that teaches people Morse code in four hours using vibrations felt near the ear. Participants were 94% accurate keying a sentence and 98% accurate writing codes for every letter, even while playing games and feeling the taps without paying attention.
Researchers at Saarland University develop artificial cell-like spheres from natural proteins, forming stable bilayers in both aqueous and oily environments. These structures can be used for targeted drug delivery, allowing charged particles to pass through the bilayer in a manner identical to natural cells.
SourceSaarland University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 17, 2016
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new technology called ViBand that enables smartwatches to detect finger taps, flicks, and scratches. This allows for new applications using common gestures to control the smartwatch and other objects connected through the internet of things.
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.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have successfully developed a brain-computer interface that allows a paralyzed man to feel sensations in his arms and fingers. The technology, which uses microstimulation of sensory cortex, enables the individual to distinguish pressure intensity and even identify objects through touch.
SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 13, 2016
A brain implant has restored touch in a paralyzed man's hand, allowing him to sense sensations like warmth and pressure from his fingers. The study suggests that electrical brain stimulation can reestablish realistic touch in paralyzed patients, guiding the design of better neuroprosthetic limbs.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 13, 2016
A team of researchers led by Dr. Marie Kmita discovered that the transition from fin to limb was not accomplished overnight and identified a key difference in gene regulation between fish and mice. By reproducing the fish-type regulation, mice developed up to seven digits per paw, revealing the significance of this difference.
SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateOct 5, 2016
Research at Oxford University reveals that amputees' brains maintain an accurate picture of their missing hands decades after amputation. This finding has significant implications for the control of advanced prosthetics, as it suggests that the brain's representation of the hand remains intact despite the loss of sensory input.
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.
Scientists from the University of Chicago used gene-editing techniques to study the development of zebrafish fins and discovered that the same cells responsible for fin rays also form fingers and toes. The research challenges previous assumptions about the transformation from fins to limbs.
SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2016
Haptics researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that ultrasonic vibrations cause fingers to bounce on touchscreens, reducing friction. This phenomenon is caused by the air trapped between the finger and screen compressing and acting like a spring, allowing the finger to fall onto a cushion of air instead of the screen.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2016
Researchers from the University of Sydney have developed a portable and easy-to-use method to help people estimate portion size using only their hands. The 'finger width' method was found to be more accurate than household measures, with 80% of food sizes assessed within 25% of their true weight.
SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Nutritional Science·DateJul 12, 2016
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.
A new study published in Motivation and Emotion found that individuals high in mind-reading motivation exhibit better teamwork, have nuanced understandings of others, and are drawn to messages from identifiable sources. This construct, developed by Melanie Green and colleagues, has implications for advertising and relationships.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateJun 1, 2016
Researchers at EPFL used mobile phone records to reconstruct the spread of a cholera epidemic in Senegal in 2005, revealing critical roles of human mobility patterns and sanitation infrastructure. The study's findings highlight measures to improve sanitation at transmission hotspots as key to reducing future outbreak progression.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 23, 2016
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a system that allows users to trigger different keyboard shortcut commands by pressing the same key with different fingers, hands, or hand postures. The system uses a built-in computer vision algorithm to identify fingers and hands on the keyboard.
Carnegie Mellon researchers have developed SkinTrack technology that converts the entire lower arm into a touchpad, providing continuous touch tracking and discrete location detection. The system allows for functionality similar to buttons or slider controls, while maintaining high accuracy.
A study found that many products marketed as first finger foods for babies do not meet American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, posing a risk of choking. The study tested nine products and found only two to meet the criteria, raising concerns about four others.
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 at Aalto University propose a new theory explaining why touchscreens are less accurate for gaming due to finger movement and latency. By registering touch events at maximum contact area, performance can be improved significantly.
A device called NeuroLife has enabled a paralyzed man to perform complex movements such as swiping a credit card and playing a guitar video game with his fingers and hand. The technology, developed by Battelle and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, interprets brain signals and bypasses the spinal cord to stimulate muscles.
A new study by Bielefeld University's CITEC researchers reveals that the human brain can be fooled into perceiving a larger displacement of the index finger when it actually remains stationary, due to changes in contact area with the skin. This finding has implications for developing virtual sense of touch technologies.
SourceBielefeld University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 8, 2016
Researchers at KU Leuven found that the human brain completes missing parts of objects using visual cues, leading to the 'shrunken finger illusion'. This counterintuitive phenomenon suggests our brains rely on visual system, not imagination, to fill in gaps. The study's findings provide new insights into perception and cognition.
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.
Researchers at UCSB have cataloged patterns of vibration in the skin of the entire hand for the first time, enabling a greater understanding of how we sense the world through touch. These vibrations, which travel beyond the tips of the fingers, provide rich tactile information that helps us identify and navigate our surroundings.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalACM Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology·DateMar 28, 2016
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a sonar technology called FingerIO that allows users to interact with mobile devices by writing or gesturing on any nearby surface. The device uses sound waves to track fine-grained finger movements, achieving accuracy of up to 8mm.
A Rutgers study found that free-form gesture passwords are easier to use and remember than traditional text passwords, keeping devices more secure. Participants spent 22% less time logging in and 42% less time creating passwords with gesture passwords.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully controlled a prosthetic arm to move individual fingers using brain mapping technology. The study, published in the Journal of Neural Engineering, represents a potential advance in technologies to restore refined hand function to those who have lost arms to injury or disease.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateFeb 15, 2016
Research by University of Sydney researchers found that finger tracing enhances students' understanding and solving skills in geometry and algebra. Students who used finger tracing completed tasks more quickly and correctly than those without the technique.
SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalLearning and Instruction·DateJan 28, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a bidirectional freeze-casting technique to manufacture novel structural materials with high control over structure. The technique, inspired by natural materials like bones and shells, enables the creation of advanced porous materials with outstanding properties.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 11, 2015
Kyungsuk Yum, a UTA researcher, is developing an injectable nanoscale device that continuously monitors blood glucose levels and transmits readings to a scanner. This innovation has the potential to transform diabetes management, providing a more accurate and pain-free alternative to current methods.
Researchers discovered that Mipp1 protein helps fruit fly cells sprout 'fingers' to build the intricate network of the trachea. The protein's presence is crucial for cell migration and elongation, with too much or too little resulting in abnormal development.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 25, 2015
Researchers used cadaver arms in experiments supporting the idea that human hands evolved for both manual dexterity and fistfighting. They found humans can safely strike with 55% more force with a fully buttressed fist than with an unbuttressed fist.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 21, 2015
Scientists have developed a new fingerprint imaging system that takes pictures from inside fingers, reducing the risk of fake fingerprints and improving security. The device uses optical coherence tomography technology to image internal fingerprints and sweat pores, offering a more reliable identification method.
SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 20, 2015
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.
A new series of studies found that powerful individuals strongly rely on internal body cues from their motor system when making judgments about preferences, objects, movements, or letter sequences. This bias affects not only artistic preferences but also practical decision-making.
A bio-inspired robotic finger developed by Florida Atlantic University's Erik Engeberg has been shown to mimic human motions and offer advantages over traditional mechanisms. The finger uses shape memory alloy technology and a unique thermal training technique to recover its trained shape, demonstrating rapid flexing and extending motion.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateOct 8, 2015
Researchers at KIT have developed an invisibility cloak that guides sunlight around contact fingers on solar cells, reducing optical losses and increasing efficiency. By applying a special coating onto the solar cell, the cloaking effect can be achieved, potentially leading to up to 10% increase in efficiency.
SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalOptica·DateSep 30, 2015
Researchers have created a three-fingered soft robotic hand with embedded optical sensors, allowing it to detect forces of less than a tenth of a newton and determine where its fingertips are in contact. The new stretchable optical sensing material could be used in a soft robotic skin for even more feedback.
A University of Oxford study reveals people can't accurately identify their toes even when prodded, with errors in toe identification associated with brain damage and conditions like anorexia nervosa.
SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPerception·DateSep 22, 2015
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.
A new study reveals that the traditional papal blessing hand gesture was likely caused by an ulnar nerve injury to St. Peter, the first pope, rather than a median nerve injury as previously thought.
SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalClinical Anatomy·DateSep 17, 2015
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that mental focussing can improve tactile acuity by 17 percent after a four-day Zen-retreat. This improvement is comparable to those achieved through intense long-term training or physical stimulation, challenging the current understanding of neuroplasticity.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 27, 2015
Rings made of titanium are difficult to remove from swollen fingers due to their resistance to cutting methods. A new solution has been developed by plastic surgeons using bolt cutters, which work in under 30 seconds and can be performed solo without damaging the finger.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateAug 13, 2015
A team led by Stanford electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy has developed a technique to make brain-controlled prostheses more precise, enabling people with spinal cord injuries to tap out commands with greater accuracy. The new approach continuously corrects brain readings to give users a more natural way to interact with devices.
SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2015
Researchers at Iowa State University developed micro-tentacles that allow tiny robots to safely handle delicate objects. The spiraling tentacles can bend up to a two-turn coiling action, enabling the robots to grasp and manipulate small objects with precision.
SourceIowa State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 22, 2015
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.
Researchers at Binghamton University used brain signals to identify individuals with 94% accuracy, suggesting a new type of biometric security. Brainprints are cancellable and cannot be stolen, offering an alternative to traditional methods.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalNeurocomputing·DateJun 2, 2015
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a device that stimulates nerves in the upper arm and forearm to transmit sensory signals to the brain, enabling users to feel hot and cold and the sense of touch through their prosthetic hands. The team plans to test the device on nonhuman primates to determine its effect...