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First detailed decoding of complex finger millet genome

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.

Soft and stretchy fabric-based sensors for wearable robots

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.

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.

Is it okay for children to count on their fingers?

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.

Waters introduces nanoEase M/Z columns

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.

Neurons can learn temporal patterns

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.

NIH researchers identify key regulator of fetal growth in mice

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.

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.

Operating smart devices from the space on and above the back of your hand

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.

What else can fingers tell us?

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mobile gold fingers

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.

One's ability to make money develops before birth

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.

New techniques allow greater control of smartwatches

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...

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.

Mimicking biological movements with soft robots

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.

Your left hand knows what your right hand is doing

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.

Finger swipe-powered phone? We're 1 step closer

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.

Molecular switches researched in detail

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.

Learning Morse code without trying

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.

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.

In a first, brain computer interface helps paralyzed man feel again

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.

Thanks to brain chip, paralyzed man regains realistic touch in the hand

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.

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.

IRCM researchers explain how evolution has equipped our hands with 5 fingers

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.

Amputees' brains remember missing hands even years later

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.

New techniques boost understanding of how fish fins became fingers

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.

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.

Mystery solved: The case of the slipping finger

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.

Help at hand for people watching their weight

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.

Research examines the social benefits of getting into someone else's head

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.

Using cellphone data to study the spread of cholera

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.

Finger-specific key presses could speed up computer interaction

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

SkinTrack technology turns arm into smartwatch touchpad

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.

Concerns raised with products marketed as 'first finger foods'

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.

A theory explains why gaming on touchscreens is clumsy

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.

Device allows paralyzed man to swipe credit card, perform other movements

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How the index finger can be fooled

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.

Scientists work their magic on 'shrunken finger illusion'

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.

A sensitive subject

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.

Smartwatches can now track your finger in mid-air using sonar

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.

Smartphone security: Why doodling trumps text passwords

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.

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.

Mind-controlled prosthetic arm moves individual 'fingers'

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.

Finger tracing can lift student performance in maths

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.

The artificial materials that came in from the cold

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.

How cells 'climb' to build fruit fly tracheas

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Dead men punching

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.

Internal fingerprint sensor peers inside fingertips for more surefire ID

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.

Bio-inspired robotic finger looks, feels and works like the real thing

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.

Invisibility cloak might enhance efficiency of solar cells

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.

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.

Confusion afoot

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.

How the mind sharpens the senses

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.

Titanium rings proving problematic for emergency care doctors

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.

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.

Stanford team's brain-controlled prosthesis nearly as good as one-finger typing

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.

Brain's reaction to certain words could replace passwords

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.

Device developed at WashU may allow sensations in prosthetic hands

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...

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.