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Female color perception affects evolution of male plumage in birds

A new study from the University of Chicago found that female birds' color vision is essential for mate selection and sexual dimorphism. The research, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests that the expression of a specific opsin gene is linked to the evolution of colorful plumage in males.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·DateNov 25, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Probing the past

Astronomers have combined traditional method with reverse engineering to improve accuracy in measuring distant galaxies. They calculated a robust distance measurement using near-infrared and visible-light photos, estimating a redshift of 10 for the galaxy.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 16, 2014

Could suburban sprawl be good for segregation?

Researchers found that low-density neighborhoods are more likely to stay integrated, while high-density areas become segregated. The study uses a mathematical model to simulate the movement of families between neighborhoods and shows that cities can quickly become segregated once a certain density threshold is reached.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 23, 2014

How the brain finds what it's looking for

Researchers discovered a unique population of neurons in the lateral intraparietal area that shift their sensitivity to color and direction based on what's being attended. This study provides new insights into how the brain combines visual information for decision-making and higher-order processes.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNeuron·DateSep 4, 2014

Mysterious molecules in space

Researchers at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics propose that silicon-capped hydrocarbons like SiC3H, SiC4H and SiC5H may be responsible for the diffuse interstellar bands. The team analyzed laboratory spectra and theoretical calculations to support their hypothesis.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 29, 2014
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.

Do women perceive other women in red as more sexually receptive?

A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women perceive a woman in red as more sexually receptive. In experiments, participants rated the woman in red as more attractive for sex and showed increased derogation towards her fidelity but not financial resources compared to white or green.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 11, 2014

LED phosphors: Better red makes brighter white

Researchers at LMU Munich have developed a novel red phosphor material that significantly enhances the performance of white-emitting LEDs. The new material generates 14% more light than conventional white-light LEDs while maintaining an excellent color rendering index.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 23, 2014
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.

Getting hyperspectral image data down to a sprint

Researchers unveil SpectralFinder, a software that can record and analyze hyperspectral data in real-time on a mobile platform. The technology differentiates materials based on unique color spectra, enabling applications such as environmental monitoring and quality control.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateMar 11, 2014
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.

Research shows wallabies lose on the pokies

Researchers found wallabies have dichromatic colour vision like dogs, but lack a third colour-sensitive receptor. The 'Neutral Point' colour stimulates confusion in wallabies, unlike other marsupials.

SourceCurtin University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 2014

10 times more throughput on optic fibers

Researchers at EPFL have discovered a method to fit pulses together within optical fibers, increasing the capacity by up to ten times. This approach reduces the unused empty space for data in the fiber, enabling faster and more reliable data transmission.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2013

Himalayan flowers shed light on climate change

Researchers from Monash University and RMIT University found that Himalayan flowers evolved to attract bees as pollinators in response to bee colour vision. The study reveals the impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions in mountainous environments.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateDec 2, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A longitudinal study of grapheme-color synaesthesia in childhood

Researchers followed 80 child synesthetes over 4 years, observing development of strong associations for around 50% of graphemes by age 7. The study also found that some children's synesthesia disappears as they grow older, likely due to changes in brain organization.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateNov 12, 2013

Toward a truly white organic LED

Researchers at the University of Utah have created a polymer that emits light in multiple colors, including blue and red, and can be tuned to cover the entire visible spectrum. This breakthrough holds promise for more efficient and less expensive white organic LEDs, which could replace traditional light bulbs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2013

Lab-made complexes are 'sun sponges'

Researchers created ring-shaped complexes of protein and pigments that absorb more sunlight than natural ones. The designs use a combination of synthetic and natural pigments to capture a broader spectrum of light, allowing for efficient energy harvesting.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalChemical Science·DateAug 21, 2013
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 hypnotic suggestion can generate true and automatic hallucinations

Researchers found that hypnotic suggestion can modify the processing of a targeted stimulus before it reaches consciousness, leading to true and automatic hallucinations. The study used EEG measurements and two highly hypnotizable participants who consistently reported color changes in response to suggested shapes.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 13, 2013

3D IR Images Now3D IR images now in full color in Full Color

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and University of Wisconsin have developed a non-destructive 3D imaging technique that provides molecular-level chemical information. The technique, FTIR spectro-microtomography, combines Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy with computed tomography to create full-color 3D images with unprecedented detail.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 5, 2013

Cutlery: Do size, weight, shape and color matter?

Researchers found that cutlery can alter how we experience food, with weight and color affecting perceived density, saltiness, and sweetness. The study suggests that subtly changing eating implements and tableware can impact our enjoyment of food.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFlavour·DateJun 25, 2013
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.

Rice unveils method for tailoring optical processors

Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel approach to arrange metal nanoparticles in geometric patterns, enabling control of light with light. The breakthrough enables the creation of optical devices that can transform incoming light signals into output of a different color.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2013

Bach to the blues, our emotions match music to colors

A study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that humans share a common emotional palette when it comes to music and color. Participants consistently paired bright colors with upbeat music and dark colors with subdued music across different cultures.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2013
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.

Archerfish get an eye test

Architected to tackle aquatic prey, archerfish possess exceptional resolving power in the upper part of their retina, far surpassing other freshwater fish. This impressive ability enables them to locate, identify, and accurately spit at aerial insects with remarkable precision.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalVision Research·DateMar 21, 2013

White Delight: New peach varieties released for warmer climates

Four new white peach varieties, White Delight series, are being released for production in nurseries this year, catering to growers in warmer climates. The three clingstone and one semi-freestone varieties ripen consecutively from late-May through mid-July with high-taste scores.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateMar 8, 2013

For birds, red means 'go'

Certain Australian native flowers have shifted from using insects as pollinators and evolved flower colour to the red hues favoured by birds. The study found that bird-pollinated flowers have spectral signatures that are best discriminated by those birds.

SourceMonash University·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 4, 2013
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.

Don't trust liposomes in your beauty products

Researchers from University of Southern Denmark used RICS technique to investigate liposome movement on skin. They found that liposomes are destroyed before entering the skin and spilling their cargo of active ingredients. The study advises against trusting claims about liposomes carrying active ingredients into the skin.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateFeb 19, 2013

Study shows limits on brain's ability to perceive multifeatured objects

Research shows that when shapes are repeated in multiple locations with mixed color-shape associations, they are hard to perceive. This finding expands on previous work on feature integration in visual perception and provides new insights into how the brain encodes objects.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 14, 2013

Birds evolved ultraviolet vision several times

Researchers sequenced genes responsible for light-sensitive pigment in 40 bird species, revealing at least 14 shifts between violet and ultraviolet color vision. This evolution is driven by single nucleotide changes in DNA, resulting in unique visual adaptations among birds.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateFeb 10, 2013

Brown eyes appear more trustworthy than blue

A study published in PLOS ONE found that people judge men's trustworthiness based on face shape and eye color, with brown-eyed faces appearing more trustworthy than blue eyes. The researchers tested various combinations of eye color and face shape to determine which features contributed most to the perception of trustworthiness.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 9, 2013
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.

Cup color influences the taste of hot chocolate

Researchers from Polytechnic University of Valencia and University of Oxford found that hot chocolate tastes better in orange or cream coloured cups. The study suggests that the colour of the container can influence consumers' perception of taste and aroma.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Sensory Studies·DateJan 3, 2013

Le Rouge et le Noir: Where the black dahlia gets its color

Research reveals that black dahlia flowers accumulate more anthocyanins due to low flavone concentrations, leading to their distinctive dark color. This finding could be used to engineer plants with tailored flavone contents, as the suppression of flavone formation is an effective mechanism.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateNov 22, 2012

Don't be so fast to judge a cat by its color, new study warns

A University of California, Berkeley researcher found that people are more likely to assign positive personality traits to orange cats and less favorable ones to white and tortoiseshell cats. The results suggest that cat color stereotypes can have a negative impact on adoption rates at animal shelters.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAnthrozoös·DateOct 23, 2012

The eyes have it: Men do see things differently to women

Researchers found that men have a greater sensitivity to fine detail and rapidly moving stimuli, while women excel at distinguishing colors. This difference is attributed to the presence of more neurons in the visual cortex of males.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBiology of Sex Differences·DateSep 3, 2012

Early-life exposure to chemical in drinking water may affect vision, study finds

A new study found that prenatal and early childhood exposure to the chemical solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) may be associated with poorer color-discrimination abilities. People exposed to higher levels of PCE from gestation through age 5 exhibited greater visual impairments, suggesting irreversible effects.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 11, 2012
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.

Training improves recognition of quickly presented objects

Researchers at Brown University found that training can improve recognition of rapidly presented objects by making the second target object a distinct color. This allows people to switch their attention more quickly and perceive the second target as effectively as a fifth of a second later.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2012

NIST effort could improve high-tech medical scanners

A team at NIST has developed a method to calibrate and optimize color-based imaging techniques for medical applications. This enhancement enables surgeons to detect specific cell types with improved accuracy. The NIST effort is part of a larger initiative to evaluate and validate optical medical imaging devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJun 13, 2012

Colors burst into contemporary architecture

Researchers at Polytechnic University of Valencia analyze the use of color in modern architecture, identifying four concepts: transformation, fragmentation, movement, and innovation. Chromatic versatility transforms buildings through changing appearance and perception.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalColor Research & Application·DateMay 4, 2012

The butterfly effect in nanotech medical diagnostics

Researchers developed a nanoparticle microfluidic color device for rapid detection of acute sepsis and other biomarkers, offering improved accuracy and speed in medical diagnostics. The device boasts high sensitivity and can detect minute quantities of biomolecules, making it a promising solution for point-of-care diagnostics.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Design Engineering·DateFeb 6, 2012
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.

Building a better light bulb

Researchers created an organic LED light with a warm white color near point A and high color stability by adjusting layer heights. The final OLED has improved performance compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateFeb 1, 2012

Using contrasting colors to reduce serving sizes and lose weight

Researchers found that using high-contrast colors on plates reduced serving sizes by 21%, while changing tablecloth color had a smaller impact. The 'Delboeuf illusion' plays a role in this phenomenon, where people perceive larger portions when served on larger plates.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 17, 2012

Hull research proves color is not a black and white issue

Scientists at the University of Hull found that highly suggestible individuals can see colours in monochrome patterns and experience changes in brain activity under hypnosis. The study suggests that these abilities exist independently of hypnosis and may be useful for medical interventions, such as pain control.

SourceUniversity of Hull·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateNov 30, 2011

Why has synesthesia survived evolution?

Researchers find synesthesia is an authentic phenomenon with sensory basis, common among artists and novelists. The 'synesthesia gene' may have evolved to make highly creative individuals more prone to link unrelated ideas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2011
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New generation of superlattice cameras add more 'color' to night vision

The new superlattice cameras can detect multiple infrared wavelengths simultaneously, enabling real-time chemical spectroscopy and enhanced image processing. These advancements offer unique functionalities beyond color representation, making them an attractive technology for various applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 19, 2011

UC Riverside wins NSF grant to aid women faculty in STEM fields

The University of California, Riverside has received a three-year NSF grant to establish the FORWARD project, aiming to recruit, retain and develop leadership skills of women faculty in STEM disciplines. The program will also create a statewide network for professional and personal support.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateSep 16, 2011

NASA satellites 'eyes' changes in Hurricane Katia

NASA satellites have been monitoring Hurricane Katia's transition, capturing clear images of its cloud patterns and spiral shape characteristic of strong storms. The storm has undergone eyewall replacement, with a double-eyewall formation indicating it is likely to maintain major hurricane status.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 6, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Handsome annual reports cause investors to value company higher

A study from the University of Miami School of Business found that firms with more colorful annual reports are perceived to have higher annual revenues. This is because investors experience a sense of pride of ownership when presented with attractive reports, leading to increased valuation.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateAug 23, 2011

Drug shown to improve sight for patients with inherited blindness

A clinical trial led by Newcastle University found that the drug idebenone improved vision and perception of color in patients with LHON, a condition causing inherited blindness. In nine out of 36 patients taking idebenone, vision improved to the point where they could read at least one row of letters on a chart.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalBrain·DateJul 25, 2011

Faster 3-D nanoimaging a possibility with full color synchrotron light

Using full color synchrotron light has increased the clarity of biological samples and sped up imaging by a 60-fold increase, opening avenues for medical research, drug development, and advanced materials engineering. This breakthrough enables more precise nanoscale analysis.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 30, 2011

Birds' eye view is far more colorful than our own

Researchers at Yale and Cambridge found that birds' plumage colors only represent a fraction of the colors they're capable of seeing, thanks to additional UV-sensitive cones. The study suggests that structural colors produce most of the color diversity in bird feathers, with limitations preventing them from creating certain colors.

SourceYale University·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateJun 22, 2011
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.

Birds of a feather display only a fraction of possible colors

A new study reveals that bird plumage coloration falls short of filling the colour space, leaving vast regions unoccupied. Despite having an additional color cone sensitive to ultraviolet light, birds can only produce a subset of colors theoretically visible to other birds.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateJun 22, 2011