A set of four integrated studies by Harvard researchers reveals that sadness plays a strong role in triggering addictive behavior relative to other negative emotions like disgust. The studies show that individuals experiencing sadness are more likely to be smokers and relapse into smoking after quitting.
SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2020
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that young adults who use both e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes have a nearly three times higher risk of stroke compared to non-smokers. The study also found that switching from combustible to e-cigarettes does not reduce stroke risk, highlighting the need for fu...
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 7, 2020
A new study by UCSF researchers found that JUUL delivers significantly higher levels of nicotine to the bloodstream compared to previous-generation e-cigarettes and cigarettes. The study also revealed that JUUL impairs blood vessel function similarly to cigarette smoke, which can have severe cardiovascular consequences.
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalTobacco Regulatory Science·DateJan 6, 2020
Research highlights occupational reproductive hazards for female surgeons in the operating room, affecting physical health and fertility. The study emphasizes the need to mitigate these risks through improved working conditions and safety measures.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
The study found nearly 9 million injuries and over 120,000 deaths worldwide in 2017 due to fire, heat, and hot substances. Heat-related injuries disproportionately kill the very young and very old, with the risk of death greatest in Seychelles and Laos.
SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·DateDec 18, 2019
The Suomi NPP satellite captured extensive fires burning in New South Wales, Australia, covering approximately 5.3 million acres of land. The resulting smog poses significant health risks to vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and managing wildfires.
Researchers conducted a literature review to summarize outcomes in patients with MS who smoke cigarettes and are exposed to smoke. The study found associations between cigarette smoking and increased risk of MS relapses, disability, and mortality.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers investigate how smoke plumes develop and travel from prescribed burns, aiming to create more accurate models for fire managers. They partner with experts in fire management and conduct field experiments to refine their understanding of the complex interactions between fire, topography, and vegetation.
A Hebrew University study found pregnant women who smoke are nearly 50% more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Women who cut down on their cigarette intake still face a 22% higher risk compared to non-smokers or those who quit before pregnancy.
SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateDec 9, 2019
Researchers created the first comprehensive North American Wildland Fuel Database to improve wildfire and smoke predictions. The tool incorporates best available measurements of vegetation, allowing fire managers to see where fuel information is missing, ultimately informing more realistic smoke predictions.
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 the University of Toronto have discovered the brain cells responsible for nicotine aversion in mice, paving the way for new treatments to help smokers quit. The study found that dopamine neurons signal reward and GABA neurons signal aversion in the ventral tegmental area.
SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019
NASA's Terra satellite captured a massive image of fires and smoke from Australia's bushfires, spanning the southern Pacific Ocean. Over 1.1 million hectares have burned since September, with more than 70 fires still raging in Queensland.
A record number of bushfires are raging on Australia's east coast, spanning across New South Wales and Queensland. The fires, fueled by hot and dry weather, have burned over 365,000 hectares, with temperatures expected to remain high for the next week.
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.
Studies found that urban emergency department patients who face unemployment and food insufficiency are more likely to smoke. Socioeconomic stressors also affect the likelihood of smoking among men and women, with certain groups showing different patterns.
SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalTobacco Use Insights·DateNov 4, 2019
A new study published in PLOS Genetics found that heavy smoking can have a causal effect on facial ageing, influencing appearance and wrinkling. Researchers used Mendelian randomization and gene-by-environment interaction tests to identify the effects of smoking heaviness.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 1, 2019
Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with differences in choroidal thickness among children, with non-exposed kids showing healthier eyes. The study examined over 1,400 young children in Hong Kong and found significant differences in eye health between those exposed and not exposed to secondhand smoke.
SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateOct 17, 2019
A team of researchers has identified a key regulator of root hair growth in plants, revealing a new mechanism for controlling this process. The discovery, made using 'smoke detectors' from fire-following seeds, shows promise for improving crop yields and drought resistance.
SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 17, 2019
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.
A new study has found that e-cigarette smoke caused lung cancer and bladder issues in mice exposed to nicotine. The study, published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, found that 22.5% of mice developed lung adenocarcinomas after exposure to e-cig smoke with nicotine for 54 weeks.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found a strong link between short-term exposure to air pollution and aggressive behavior, including aggravated assaults and other violent crimes across the continental United States. The results showed a 1.4% increase in violent crimes for every 10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase ...
SourceColorado State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateOct 3, 2019
A Rutgers University co-authored study finds that a nuclear war between India and Pakistan could result in over 100 million immediate deaths and global mass starvation. The conflict could also lead to a significant decline in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, causing regional cooling and reduced precipitation.
SourceRutgers University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 2, 2019
A new association between secondhand smoke exposure and heart rhythm disorder risk has been highlighted by a study. Children of parents who smoke had a significantly increased chance of developing atrial fibrillation later in life.
SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 23, 2019
Suomi NPP's OMPS detects aerosols and smoke from fires in South America and Canada's Yukon Territories. High aerosol concentrations impact breathing, reproduction, climate, and visibility.
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.
Researchers have discovered a feedback loop that reinforces atmospheric inversions, locking smoke in valleys and worsening air quality. Understanding this loop enables scientists to predict when fire inversions are likely to occur, aiding firefighters and residents.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that tarballs, tiny organic particles formed during wildfires, can significantly impact local and global climate. The team's analysis revealed that tarballs form through chemical and physical changes of organic aerosols within the first hours following smoke production.
SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2019
Researchers will examine biomarkers and chemicals in thirdhand smoke to understand its impact on cardiovascular health. The five-year study aims to design better therapies for thirdhand smoke-induced cardiovascular disease.
A new study suggests that individual cigarette warnings could be an effective way to discourage smoking among young people and non-smokers. The innovative approach would make health messages more visible and prolonged throughout the consumption experience.
SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalAddiction Research & Theory·DateAug 29, 2019
A UCI study found that hookah waterpipe use poses health risks due to toxic chemicals, ultrafine particles, and carbon monoxide. The researchers discovered that even nicotine-free herbal mixtures produce high levels of toxic gases in mainstream smoke.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalAerosol Science and Technology·DateAug 12, 2019
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.
Scientists studied a massive wildfire smoke plume that lasted for nearly nine months, providing an ideal opportunity to test climate models. The findings show that black carbon was key to the plume's rapid rise and persistence, challenging previous nuclear winter studies.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019
Researchers compared observations with model simulations, revealing gaps in smoke plume rise and duration modeling. The study found that solar heating warmed air within the plume, causing it to self-loft to nearly 23 kilometers, but observed smoke lifetime was 40% shorter than calculated models due to photochemical loss of organic carbon.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019
Scientists used a state-of-the-art climate model to study the lofting and movement of the colossal Canadian wildfire smoke cloud, which contained only about 0.3 million tons of soot. The modeling validated previous theories on nuclear war impacts and provided new insights into potential global climate effects.
SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·DateAug 8, 2019
Researchers found that cigarette smoke can change the DNA and characteristics of pathogenic microbes like MRSA, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This stress response sparks an emergency mutation, resulting in hardy variants that are better equipped to resist drugs.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 30, 2019
Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.
SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019
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.
Research from Duke Health suggests that new e-cigarette laws could have unintended consequences on existing users, leading them to smoke more traditional tobacco cigarettes. The study found that limiting flavors or customizability of e-cigarettes might cause some users to increase their use of traditional cigarettes.
SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·DateJul 15, 2019
A new study finds that patients with mental health conditions are less likely to be prescribed the most effective drug, varenicline, for quitting smoking. However, research suggests that varenicline is associated with better mental health outcomes and higher quit rates compared to nicotine replacement therapy.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 10, 2019
The NASA-NOAA satellite captured images of four naturally caused fires in Gila National Forest, New Mexico, sparking concern for air quality and fire management. Three fires - Black Fire, South Fire, and Woodrow Fire - generated smoke plumes visible from space.
The Whiting Knoll Fire in east central Arizona has generated enough smoke to be seen from space, with NASA-NOAA satellite images capturing its extent. The fire, which started on June 30, 2019, is burning approximately 1,546 acres and remains only 5% contained.
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that only 1 in 6 accredited US colleges and universities were completely smoke or tobacco-free by 2017. This leaves a significant number of students, faculty, and staff exposed to secondhand smoke.
A study led by University of California, Riverside scientists found that thirdhand smoke can damage epithelial cells in the respiratory system by stressing cells and causing them to fight for survival. The researchers identified 382 genes significantly over-expressed and found pathways affected by these genes.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 28, 2019
New Zealanders consider cigarette butts toxic to the environment, holding smokers primarily responsible. Researchers recommend increasing awareness of tobacco companies' role in creating tobacco product waste to foster political support for producer responsibility measures.
SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalTobacco Control·DateJun 13, 2019
A new study by Imperial Brands found that Blu vapor did not trigger significant toxicological responses in human lung cells, unlike cigarette smoke. The research used a 3D model of human lung tissue and found no decrease in cilia or ciliated cells after four weeks of exposure.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, successfully replicated superfog formation in a laboratory setting, revealing crucial factors such as low water content, small particle size, and high fuel moisture content. While they can now understand how superfog forms, predicting its occurrence remains uncertain due to comple...
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFire Safety Journal·DateMay 22, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Smokers of unfiltered cigarettes face a significantly higher risk of dying from lung cancer and all causes than those who smoke filtered cigarettes. Researchers found that light or ultralight cigarettes do not offer any lung cancer death reduction benefits, but smokers may be less likely to quit.
A Rutgers University study found that over 60% of e-cigarette users want to quit using e-cigarettes. The study also revealed that more than 25% have tried to quit in the past year and 16% plan to quit within a month.
SourceRutgers University·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateMay 21, 2019
A new University of Stirling study found that banning smoking in prisons significantly reduced secondhand smoke levels across Scotland. The study, which measured air quality before and after the ban's introduction, showed an average 81% decrease in fine particulate matter concentrations.
SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalTobacco Control·DateMay 6, 2019
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.
A large study of 131,739 never-smokers found that passive smoking is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure. The study suggests that avoiding secondhand smoke completely is necessary to protect against hypertension. Researchers recommend stricter smoking bans and help for smokers to quit.
A novel approach using pleasant odors could help smokers quit by reducing craving urges. Pleasant aromas significantly decreased urge scores in participants, with those smelling pleasant odors showing a greater reduction than tobacco or blank scents.
SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateApr 15, 2019
New research by Imperial Brands shows that vaping blu e-vapor produces a similar effect on human lung tissue as normal air. The study found that exposure to blu vapour had no cytotoxic impact on human airway tissue, unlike conventional cigarette smoke.
SourceImperial Brands·JournalRegulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology·DateApr 9, 2019
A recent study by the University of Kentucky has identified a potential cellular mechanism that connects smoking during pregnancy with an increased risk of offspring obesity later in life. The research found that expectant mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy induce distinct changes in chemerin gene expression in their offspring.
SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateMar 29, 2019
New study from Michigan State University finds that student social norms and peer approval are crucial in determining drinking behavior. Researchers suggest emphasizing social costs of risky behaviors and promoting messages from peers themselves, not authority figures.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateMar 14, 2019
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.
The novel vaping product produced greatly reduced mutagenicity and cytotoxicity compared to cigarette smoke. Further studies are required to substantiate its potential as a reduced-risk product.
A multi-country study found that nearly half of Airbnb listings allowing smoking lack smoke detectors, while nearly two-thirds of non-smoking venues have them. The study also reveals a significant gap in carbon monoxide detector prevalence across smoking and non-smoking venues.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateMar 11, 2019
Hookah smoking exposes users to high levels of particulate matter and other harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nicotine, and lead. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding tobacco use in any form due to the risks associated with hookah smoking.
SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateMar 8, 2019
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.
A new study has found a strong association between secondhand smoke exposure and the development of chronic kidney disease. Even brief periods of exposure, such as less than 3 days per week, were linked to a higher risk of CKD, with a 66% increased risk compared to those with no exposure.
SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 7, 2019
A San Diego State University study found that a combination of coaching, lights, and sound can reduce smoking in homes with children. The 'Project Fresh Air' intervention resulted in a near-20% reduction in smoking and related activity, as well as a decrease in air particle events triggered by secondhand smoke.
SourceSan Diego State University·JournalTobacco Control·DateMar 4, 2019
A study conducted by Imperial Brands found substantially reduced toxicant levels in the aerosol from their heated tobacco product (HTP) prototype compared to smoke from a standard reference cigarette. The HTP generated significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds.
Researchers found that joint use of tobacco and alcohol increased reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat brain, leading to lower levels of a growth factor essential for neuron survival. The study suggests that alcoholics who smoke may be at additional risk for neural damage.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·DateFeb 27, 2019
Researchers found significant changes in smokers' ability to discriminate contrast levels and colors compared to non-smokers. The study suggests that cigarette smoke's neurotoxic chemicals may cause overall color vision loss and visual processing impairments.
SourceRutgers University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateFeb 18, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with an increased preference for menthol cigarettes, specifically in African-American smokers. The MRGPRX4 gene variant is five to eight times more frequent among menthol cigarette users, suggesting a potential underlying factor for the higher use of these products among this population.
SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 15, 2019
Researchers at SDSU have developed wearable wristbands to track nicotine exposure in children, which were compared to traditional urine samples and found to be equivalent. The wristbands may become a useful tool for studying tobacco product exposure in both children and adults.
SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateFeb 14, 2019
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati found significant levels of nicotine on children's hands, even when caregivers did not smoke in their presence. The study suggests that indoor smoking bans may not fully protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke residue.
SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalTobacco Use Insights·DateFeb 7, 2019