Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Self-collected saliva samples prove effective for diagnosing COVID-19

Researchers found that self-collected saliva samples can reliably detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material at a rate similar to nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. The study also showed that saliva samples remained stable for up to 24 hours, providing a cheaper and less invasive option for COVID-19 testing.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers discover how bean plants fend off famished foes

Researchers discovered that cowpea plants harbor receptors on their cells that can detect caterpillar saliva, triggering anti-herbivore defenses. The discovery sheds light on how plants activate their immune systems to defend against hungry insects.

Study: How saliva is made

A new paper in Cell Reports breaks down the details of how salivary glands collectively produce proteins found in saliva. The study identifies which proteins are produced by each type of gland and shows that individual cells within a single gland can secrete different proteins.

Study confirms spit testing may help doctors diagnose concussions

Researchers analyzed saliva samples from over 500 participants to identify microRNA levels that could indicate a concussion. The study found that measuring these molecules in saliva can aid diagnosis with high accuracy, potentially replacing current symptom scales and neurocognitive tests.

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.

Yearlong study of coronavirus in frontline workers underway

A yearlong study is being conducted to find the percentage of frontline workers positive for COVID-19, the duration of immunity, and whether antibodies produced protect against reinfection. The study aims to identify the most potent antibodies and develop effective vaccines using monoclonal antibodies.

Workplace interruptions lead to physical stress

A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers found that workplace interruptions lead to increased cortisol levels and physical stress. Participants who received chat messages from superiors during a task reported better emotional and cognitive responses to stress.

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.

How speech propels pathogens

Researchers discovered that speech generates conical airflow that can travel up to 2 meters in 30 seconds, emphasizing the importance of time and distance in transmission. Saliva filaments form on the lips during consonant sounds, breaking into microscopic droplets that spread pathogens.

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.

COVID-19: Saliva tests could detect silent carriers

Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a saliva test that detects asymptomatic COVID-19 cases with high sensitivity and specificity. The study found that saliva samples can accurately identify infected individuals without symptoms, reducing the risk of viral transmission to healthcare workers.

Detecting small amounts of virus in early infections

A membrane-based invention can concentrate virus content from urine or saliva samples, allowing for early detection of COVID-19. The technique is promising for pregnancy testing as well, with a sample analysis time of just five minutes.

Spit in a tube to diagnose heart attack

Researchers developed a saliva test to diagnose heart attacks, showing strong agreement with blood tests. The test provides results in 10 minutes, compared to at least one hour for standard blood tests, and has the potential to save lives.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Oral cancer diagnosis using saliva

A new method uses conductive polymer spray ionization mass spectrometry and machine learning to detect changes in metabolites in saliva samples from 373 volunteers. The diagnostic accuracy of the method is reported at 86.7%, suggesting a potential point-of-care test for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

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.

A non-invasive way of monitoring diabetes

A new non-invasive method of monitoring diabetes uses saliva as a more convenient and sustainable alternative to traditional blood glucose testing. The research, published in PLOS ONE, achieved an accuracy rate of 95.2% using infrared platform technology.

Biomarker in saliva predicts childhood obesity risk

A molecular marker in saliva is associated with childhood obesity emergence in preschool-aged Hispanic children. Salivary methylation of the NRF1 gene predicted childhood obesity three years later, even after controlling for maternal BMI and behavioral factors.

Saliva can be used to predict excess body fat in teenagers

Brazilian researchers found a correlation between salivary uric acid levels and body fat percentages in teenagers, suggesting a reliable biomarker for early detection of chronic diseases. The study identified the level of uric acid in saliva as a good predictor of body fat percentage.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Pacifier biosensor could help monitor newborn health

Researchers have developed a pacifier-based biosensor that tracks real-time glucose levels in saliva, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of newborns. The device could help diagnose and treat diabetes in infants, providing an alternative to continuous glucose monitoring currently only available in hospitals.

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.

New way to bump off ticks: Dry up their saliva (video)

Scientists discover two compounds that can dry up tick saliva, reducing feeding and potentially limiting pathogen transmission. The treatment effectively kills ticks within 12 hours, a significant timeframe for pathogen transmission.

This high-tech stick can predict your risk of heart problems

A hand-held device measures heart disease biomarkers from saliva to predict risk of heart disease, failure or heart attack. The technology has been validated in the lab with high accuracy and could help millions of potential victims take preventative steps.

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.

Designing a better low-fat potato chip

A new technique developed by researchers allows for the creation of tastier low-fat potato chips by analyzing physical characteristics. The method, called in vitro oral processing, measures chip properties from first bite to swallow, enabling food scientists to link physical measurements with sensory perceptions.

Potential novel biomarker for alcohol dependence

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine identified salivary microRNAs that differentiate people with alcohol dependence from healthy controls. The study uses machine learning to predict alcohol dependency with high accuracy, offering potential for early diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Why some red wines taste 'dry'

Researchers have found that the structure, concentration and interactions of tannins in wine influence dryness perception. Trained sensory panelists perceived Cabernet Sauvignon as dryer due to its higher tannin content, while added tannins didn't change dryness perception in Pinot Noir.

Brigham researchers develop smartphone-based ovulation test

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed an automated, low-cost tool to predict ovulation using AI-powered fern pattern detection. The device achieved over 99% accuracy in detecting ovulation and non-ovulation, offering a potential solution for family planning and fertility monitoring.

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.

Oral cancer prognostic signature identified

A study found a correlation between oral cancer progression and the abundance of specific proteins in tumor tissue and saliva. The discovery offers a new parameter for predicting disease progression and may help guide treatment choices.

Fine analysis of fur grooming in cats

A study reveals that cats' tongues use fine structures called papillae to aid grooming. The papillae wick saliva from the mouth and deposit it onto fur, regulating body temperature.

Breast milk & babies' saliva shape oral microbiome

New research reveals that breastmilk and saliva interact to regulate the oral microbiome of newborn babies, boosting innate immunity. The combination releases antibacterial compounds that inhibit the growth of both harmless and harmful microorganisms.

Tiger mosquitoes are capable of transmitting yellow fever

A recent study by scientists at the Institut Pasteur has demonstrated that tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) can transmit the yellow fever virus. The research found that the virus can adapt to this species, which is widely present in urban and forest areas, posing a major public health threat.

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.

Saliva could influence taste preferences

Salivary proteins could be part of a feedback loop that influences food taste and dietary choices. Researchers found that drinking bitter foods altered saliva protein composition, which corresponded to changes in sensory ratings.

Pungent-tasting substance in ginger reduces bad breath

A study found that ginger's 6-gingerol increases the enzyme sulfhydryl oxidase 1 in saliva, breaking down malodorous sulfur-containing compounds and reducing bad breath. Citric acid, on the other hand, makes people less sensitive to salt by increasing sodium ion content in saliva.

Saliva test could improve diabetes control and treatment

Researchers found that proteins in saliva reflect high blood sugar levels in young patients with type 1 diabetes, allowing for early prediction of complications. A potential new preventive treatment has been identified using gene database searching.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

High-strength MRI may release mercury from amalgam dental fillings

Researchers found that ultra-high-strength MRI releases high levels of mercury from amalgam fillings, but lower strength MRI does not cause significant leakage. The study suggests further research is needed to evaluate the relationship between high-field MRI and mercury release.

Spit and polish: The beauty of saliva for epigenetic studies

Researchers found epigenetic changes in saliva linked to childhood trauma and autism spectrum disorder, suggesting saliva as a potential biomarker. The study aimed to identify early markers of abuse-related deaths and ASD diagnosis, providing insights into the impact of early life experiences on health outcomes.

Blowfly uses saliva to keep cool

Researchers discovered that blowflies use a unique mechanism called 'bubbling' to cool down, moving a droplet of saliva in and out of their mouths to promote evaporation. This behavior helps lower the insect's body temperature by up to 8°C below ambient temperature, with a significant impact on its flight muscles and brain.

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.

Salivaomics: Saliva extracellular RNA (exRNA) and saliva proteome Wiki

The symposium presented new discoveries about oral exRNA biology, including its use as a biomarker for diagnosing disease and tracking its progression. The study of salivary proteome and its diagnostic applications was funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

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.

Could a saliva test be next for lupus?

Pioneering UH researcher Chandra Mohan proposes a simpler salivary test to diagnose lupus, potentially replacing invasive blood tests. Saliva samples from people with SLE harbor antibodies and proteins that could be used as biomarkers for the disease.

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.