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How stress disrupts the brain’s navigational system

Researchers found that cortisol significantly worsens orientation in individuals, particularly in environments without landmarks. The brain's internal GPS system, grid cells, lose function under stress, leading to impaired navigation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Self-powered patch monitors biomarkers without drawing blood

Researchers have developed a self-powered microneedle patch that can monitor biomarkers without drawing blood or relying on external devices. The patch uses dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) as a cleaner sample, which contains similar biomarkers to blood and doesn't require processing before testing.

Artificial biosensor can better measure the body’s main stress hormone

A new artificial biosensor developed by University of California, Santa Cruz's Andy Yeh can accurately measure cortisol levels across all relevant ranges for human health. The sensor uses a smartphone camera to detect light emissions, providing high sensitivity and dynamic range for detecting small molecule analytes.

A dental floss that can measure stress

Researchers at Tufts University have created a saliva-sensing dental floss that can accurately measure cortisol, a key indicator of stress. The device uses molecularly imprinted polymers and is comparable in accuracy to existing sensors, making it a promising tool for tracking stress and related conditions.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Generally, things really do seem better in morning, large study suggests

A large study published in BMJ Mental Health found clear time of day patterns in frame of mind, with people generally waking up feeling best in the morning and worst around midnight. The study also revealed seasonal influences on mental health and wellbeing, with better mood during summer months.

Innovative program helps seniors manage stress

A six-week stress management program, O'stress, has been shown to improve the emotional health of seniors by increasing problem-solving strategies and reducing anxiety. The program also addresses emotional contagion, a significant factor in psychological distress among seniors.

Waking up is not stressful, study finds

Researchers at the University of Bristol found no increase in cortisol release after waking, contrary to long-held assumptions. The study's findings suggest that daily cortisol rhythms may play a more significant role in regulating stress responses.

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.

Listening to music may speed up recovery from surgery

Research suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain levels, anxiety, and heart rate, with patients experiencing a lower need for opioid medication. Music's calming effect may also contribute to faster recovery by easing the transition from waking up after surgery.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Widespread practice among athletes harms both performance and health

A new study found that low energy availability among female athletes impairs performance by up to 18% in short-term tests and increases systemic stress, compromising immune function. Athletes who restrict their food intake experience muscle loss and decreased physical performance.

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.

New drug could help those with CAH reduce the use of corticosteroids

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that crinecerfont reduces adrenal androgen production by half in adults with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), allowing for lower doses of corticosteroids. This could lead to fewer long-term side effects associated with high-dose corticosteroid use.

How stress knocks out your cognitive reserve

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that stress weakens the association between cognitive reserve and improved cognition in memory clinic patients. Cognitive reserve is built through experiences like higher education and social interactions, but high or persistent stress levels can impair these benefits.

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.

Stress hormone during pregnancy linked to IQ in children

Higher cortisol levels in the womb may lower a boy's IQ score at age 7, while higher urine cortisone levels may improve a girl's IQ score. Research suggests that prenatal exposure to cortisol affects cognitive function in children independently of sex.

Your unsupportive partner is physically stressing you out

A new study from Binghamton University found that couples who receive more negative social support tend to experience higher levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress reactions. In contrast, those who receive positive support exhibit lower cortisol levels and feel more understood, validated, and cared for by their partner.

New insights into how tumors on adrenal glands develop

Researchers at Kyushu University identified a new type of tumor cell population, steroids-producing nodules (SPNs), which lead to cortisol-producing adenomas. The study provides clues into the formation and maintenance of the human adrenal cortex.

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.

Potential link between high maternal cortisol, unpredicted birth complications

A study by Washington State University researchers found a potential link between high maternal cortisol levels and unpredictable birth complications. Cortisol measurements in hair samples revealed elevated stress hormone levels among women who later experienced unexpected birth problems, such as early births or hemorrhaging.

Mini marsupial goes from sex fests to cannibal feasts

Researchers have documented cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus during its breeding period. The behavior is linked to stress-induced death and provides an opportunity for energy gain via eating dead males or females of other species.

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.

Why we don’t all develop posttraumatic stress disorder

A new study finds that individuals with PTSD symptoms exhibit a blunted responsiveness to cortisol, leading to impaired fear extinction and other biological alterations. Researchers used a genetically selected rat model to demonstrate the causal link between low glucocorticoid levels and PTSD vulnerability.

Sleep and stress give clues to understanding epileptic seizures - study

A recent study discovered two subgroups of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, one experiencing highest incidence during sleep and the other during daytime. The researchers found that either dynamics of cortisol or sleep stage transition explained most of the observed distributions of epileptiform discharges.

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.

Active children are more resilient

Research found that active children produce less cortisol in stressful situations and exhibit reduced physiological stress reactions. Regular exercise may also help prevent high cortisol levels during exams by creating a positive association with the hormone.

It’s not just humans: City life is stressful for coyotes, too

A study by Ohio State University found that urban coyote cortisol levels are higher than those in suburban or natural areas. Chronic stress is also linked to poor physical condition, such as mange infection, and the responsibility of running a pack, with alpha individuals experiencing high stress levels.

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.

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.

Weighted blanket increases melatonin

A new study from Uppsala University found that using a weighted blanket at bedtime increases melatonin production by about 30 percent. The researchers also discovered that the weight of the blanket (12% of participant's body weight) reduced stress system activity, but had no effect on oxytocin and cortisol levels.

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 finds control has role in health effects of hard-driving personality

A study of 74 healthy African-American men found that hard-driving personalities can be beneficial when accompanied by job control and a fair amount of advancement opportunities. In contrast, those with little control over their workload and futures experienced increased cortisol levels, a stress hormone linked to health risks.

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.

Low levels of salivary cortisol associated with aggressive behavior

A four-year study found that consistently low salivary cortisol levels in boys aged 7-12 are associated with early onset and persistence of aggressive behavior. Boys with low cortisol levels exhibited three times the number of aggressive symptoms and were more likely to be singled out by their classmates.

Recent research suggests new strategy for treating depression

Recent studies have found that high cortisol levels might be a cause of depression, potentially leading to new antidepressant drug strategies. Cortisol-lowering drugs have shown promise in reducing depressive symptoms, especially in patients with high cortisol levels.

High stress hormone levels impair memory

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that high doses of cortisol, produced in response to stress, can significantly impair memory performance after several days. Memory impairment was seen only in those who received a high dose of cortisol and only after four days of treatment.

Some CFS Patients Benefit From Low-Dose Steroid, But Side Effects Too Risky

A low-dose hydrocortisone study found slight improvement in some chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms for about half the participants, while two-thirds on hydrocortisone reported better well-being. However, the treatment also induced adrenal suppression in twelve patients, rendering it an unsuitable option for CFS patients.

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.