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Sprint then stop? Brain is wired for the math to make it happen

Researchers found that the brain's cortex uses principles of calculus to implement a 'stop' signal, allowing for quick and precise decision-making in goal-directed behaviors. The study reveals how the brain integrates learned rules with sensory information to guide actions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Making freshman calculus add up for more students

The new course will use real-life scenarios and technology to help students see how they can apply calculus to solve problems in the world. Students will be able to choose from a variety of homework sets and worksheets based on their interests, and an electronic textbook with free access will also be available.

Extracting information from ancient teeth

Researchers applied a new method to analyze ancient dental calculus, identifying dairy proteins and bacterial fragments that shed light on ancient diseases. The single-pot solid-phase-enhanced sample preparation (SP3) approach increased the number of unique protein fragments detected.

Ancient proteins help track early milk drinking in Africa

Researchers analyzed ancient dental calculus from 41 individuals and found milk proteins in 8 individuals, dating back to 4,000-3,200 years ago. The study suggests that early African pastoralists consumed dairy products without the genetic adaptation for lactase persistence, possibly through fermentation.

Archaeology: The aroma of distant worlds

A team of researchers has found evidence that people in the Levant were eating turmeric, bananas, and soy in the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, tracing back to South and East Asia. Long-distance trade in culinary goods connected distant societies since at least the Bronze Age.

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.

Teeth offer vital clues about diet during the Great Irish Famine

Research on dental calculus reveals a monotonous potato-based diet for the poor, supplemented by eggs and wheat when available. The study of 42 people's remains found evidence of corn, oats, and milk foodstuffs, shedding new light on the Great Famine's social disaster.

Food consumption during Great Irish Famine

A study of 42 skeletons from the Kilkenny Union Workhouse identified corn and milk as primary sources of starch and protein in the victims' diets. This research provides insight into historical diet patterns and offers new methods for analyzing skeletal remains to reconstruct past nutritional habits.

Illuminating women's role in the creation of medieval manuscripts

A 45-60 year old medieval woman found to have lapis lazuli pigment in her dental calculus, suggesting she was an accomplished painter of illuminated manuscripts. The analysis challenges long-held beliefs about women's role in manuscript production and uncovers a remarkable life history.

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.

Challenging the conventional wisdom on calculus

A Harvard University study of over 6,000 college freshmen found that students who mastered algebra, geometry, and trigonometry had twice the impact on college calculus success as those who took calculus in high school. Weaker math students who took calculus in high school actually benefited the most from the class.

University of Illinois Department of Mathematics wins AMS Award

The University of Illinois Department of Mathematics has received the American Mathematical Society Award for its successful programs, including an internship program and active learning initiatives. The department has also expanded its Actuarial Science Program and improved student representation.

Fractional calculus helps control systems hit their mark

Researchers developed a new setpoint-tracking strategy using fractional calculus to improve the response time and stability of automated systems. The approach outperformed classical integer-order filters in tracking complex paths, offering potential benefits for applications like robotics, self-driving cars, and medical devices.

Fractional order modeling may reduce electric car drivers' anxiety

Researchers developed a fractional order model to estimate Lithium-ion battery charge, reducing errors of up to 1% compared to traditional methods. The model replicated the battery's performance and provided accurate results, promising to reduce drivers' anxiety on the road.

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.

Calculus I factors women out of STEM degrees

A new study by Colorado State University researchers suggests that women's decision to leave a STEM path after Calculus I is largely driven by confidence in their math abilities, rather than ability itself. If the same percentage of women as men stuck with STEM after Calc I, the percentage of women entering the STEM workforce could be ...

How to price goods and service bundles

Researchers Meyer and Shankar develop an analytical model to calculate the optimal price for hybrid bundles, considering factors such as element quality, cost, and scalability. The study finds that retailers can increase profits by pricing services higher when they are less scalable than goods.

OU anthropologists reconstruct mitogenomes from prehistoric dental calculus

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Arizona State University demonstrate that dental calculus can be used to recover high-quality genetic information from ancient humans. The study uses advanced sequencing technologies to extract DNA from six individuals, providing new insights into Native American archaeology.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Dental plaque reveals key plant in prehistoric Easter Island diet

Researchers analyze ancient teeth to determine the plant-based food sources of Easter Islanders before European contact. The study finds that starch grains in dental calculus are consistent with modern sweet potato, contradicting previous findings on palm as a staple food.

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.

Tooth plaque provides insight into our prehistoric ancestors' diet

A new study reveals that prehistoric humans consumed purple nut sedge for at least 7,000 years, demonstrating their understanding of nutritional and medicinal properties. The analysis of dental calculus from ancient human teeth found evidence of cooking, plant processing, and the use of this plant as a food source.

Scientists unlock a 'microbial Pompeii'

Researchers discovered a 'microbial Pompeii' in ancient dental calculus, revealing opportunistic pathogens and periodontal disease-causing bacteria. The study also recovered dietary DNA, providing insights into ancient diets and the origins of antibiotic resistance.

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.

Geoscience Workforce Currents #77

The study analyzed over 400 geoscience student exit survey responses, identifying that 70% of participants took Calculus I and II, with a drop in further mathematics coursework after those classes. PhD candidates pursued multiple courses beyond Calculus II, while all three groups took at least one chemistry and physics course.

Study: Seasoned profs prepare students for advanced learning

A study by economists Scott Carrell and James West found that experienced professors better prepare students for future academic success. However, students' teaching evaluations often reflect short-term gains rather than long-term knowledge retention.

Math goes viral

Researchers at the University of Alberta designed materials that link mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios, such as disease transmission, to enhance learning. Students used these materials to calculate the West Nile virus's reproductive number, gaining a deeper understanding of math in science.

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.

Research findings contradict myth of high engineering dropout rate

Engineering programs retain students equally to other majors, and women are just as likely to stick around as their male counterparts. However, a narrow path exists for students to migrate into engineering from other majors, highlighting the need for institutions to adopt universal prerequisites.

Math prodigy wins $1,000 award

Michael Viscardi, an eighth-grade student, excelled in calculus and graduate-level mathematics courses at the University of California, San Diego. His exceptional performance has earned him a $1,000 award from the American Mathematical Society, and his research on function construction is set to be published.