Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

ChemWiki takes on costly textbooks

ChemWiki, launched in 2008, has received major funding from the National Science Foundation to expand its wiki network and compare its content with standard textbooks. The project aims to provide free online resources for students and faculty, promoting a more accessible and affordable learning experience.

Look! Something shiny! How some textbook visuals can hurt learning

A recent study found that children as young as six years old struggle to read simple bar graphs when they contain pictures, instead focusing on the images rather than their heights. This can lead to incorrect answers and hinder learning. The researchers recommend keeping instructional materials simple to avoid such distractions.

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.

Osmosis is not driven by water dilution

A thermodynamic theory of osmosis was published in 1897, but its explanation has not been fully adopted by chemistry and biology. Key findings include the misconception that osmosis only applies to liquids, and the need for an attractive force to drive the process.

Treating tobacco addiction a 'duty,' argue text editors

A new textbook provides clinical guidelines for treating tobacco addiction, shifting attitudes among health professionals towards viewing smoking as an addiction. The book aims to increase the success rate of quitting smoking among Canadians.

Thermodynamics really from scratch -- in a new textbook

The new textbook on thermodynamics provides a clear structure and mathematical foundations, making it easier for students to understand the subject. It combines mathematical exactness with intuitive approaches, useful for chemists, biologists, and engineers.

Taking another look at the roots of social psychology

A new article published in Perspectives on Psychological Science reveals that Norman Triplett's 1889 experiment was incorrect, with children reeling a reel rather than reeling in a fishing line. The study also shows that Triplett was not the first psychologist to investigate social influence.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

ESHRE publishes English textbook for paramedics

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology has published a comprehensive English-language textbook for paramedics in reproductive medicine. The book provides an overview of key issues, including evidence-based protocols and research, to support the development of care in reproductive health.

Students' understanding of the equal sign not equal, professor says

A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that US middle-grade students exhibit misconceptions about the equal sign, leading to poor math performance. In contrast, international students from Korea and China show a much lower incidence of misunderstanding, with Turkish students exhibiting even less.

Iranian scholars share Avicenna's medieval medical wisdom

The Canon of Medicine, written by the Persian scholar Avicenna, contains detailed information on respiratory diseases remarkably similar to those used today. The article highlights Avicenna's work on respiratory diseases and conditions, including herbal and non-herbal treatments, which are still valid with modern science.

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.

High school teacher's algebra book aces California test

A North Carolina high school teacher's algebra II textbook has scored a 96 on California's state textbook standards, meeting 26 of the 27 standards tested. The book was created by Kenny Felder and is one of the first open-source texts submitted for California's K-12 initiative.

Free textbooks

The trend of open-source academic publishing is changing the way textbooks are created and distributed. As more authors self-publish their work, it raises essential questions about how to fairly compensate them for their time and effort.

Wage gap linked to customer bias

Researchers discovered that customers consistently prefer white male employees over equally performing women and minorities. This preference leads to higher salaries for white males and lower salaries for women and minorities, despite similar performance levels.

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.

Springer textbook receives prestigious award

The Springer textbook has been recognized for its comprehensiveness and uniqueness in covering stratosphere-troposphere interactions. It provides information on various physical processes involved in the coupling between the two layers of the atmosphere.

DIY anti-satellite system

Researchers warn of vulnerability to satellite attacks due to low technical barriers, threatening global positioning systems, weather satellites, and more. With a college-level team and intermediate-range missiles, amateurish yet effective attacks can be launched.

UD scientists discover new class of polymers

Researchers at UD University discovered a new class of polymers that can be transformed into ultra-thin films with potential applications in coatings, optics, and electronics. The discovery was made possible by a novel polymerization technique developed by the team, which eliminates the need for solvents.

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.

Tiny bones rewrite textbooks

Scientists have discovered a unique, mouse-sized land animal in New Zealand, which challenges the theory that birds evolved without competition from land mammals. The discovery also sheds new light on climate change in the region, indicating a massive shift from warm and wet to cool and dry conditions.

Rice's Connexions wins $1.7 million from Hewlett Foundation

Connexions, a revolutionary open-source publishing platform, has received a third-phase $1.7 million grant to become more self-sustaining through new revenue streams, including book sales and licensing its platform to companies for corporate training.

Print deal makes Connexions leading open-source publisher

Connexions has partnered with QOOP Inc. to produce high-quality textbooks through on-demand printing, making educational content more accessible and affordable. The partnership allows students to order customized course guides and textbooks in most cases for under $25.

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.

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.

Back to school: Heavy packs endanger kids' health, UCR study shows

A recent UCR study of middle school students in Riverside and San Bernardino counties found that the weight of backpacks is a significant predictor of pain. The researchers calculated that students carrying packs weighing up to 20% of their body weight were more likely to experience back pain.

Rewriting textbooks on DNA crossover

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about DNA crossover during meiosis, which is crucial for sexual reproduction. The new findings suggest that the decision to make a crossover or non-crossover recombination is made much earlier than previously thought, shedding light on the molecular basis of this process.

Making individual health insurance market work

The article argues that guaranteed renewability pools risk and protects consumers from price increases without resorting to heavy regulation of the market or reduced consumer choice. It also prevents adverse selection by preventing those who know they are likely to get sick from buying more generous coverage.

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.

Medical texts lack direct messages on alcohol’s threat to pregnancy

A recent study found that only 14 out of 81 clinical obstetric texts recommend abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy. Many texts instead offer vague or contradictory advice, leading to concerns about physician behavior and patient safety. The lack of clear guidance may stem from the absence of a safe level of drinking during pregnancy.

Chemists discover molecule considered too unstable to exist

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a chemical species that defies conventional theory on stability. The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl cation is stable in the solid state and solution, challenging traditional understanding of antiaromaticity. This finding has significant implications for the field of organic chemistry.

NC State professor finds fault with middle school science textbooks

A new study by NC State University professor Dr. John L. Hubisz found significant errors in widely used middle school physical science textbooks, including incorrect statements about Newton's first law of motion and the equator's location. The study also criticized textbook layout, exercises, and the lack of clear authors.

Other simplified books have made science texts harder to read

American students struggle with science texts due to oversimplification, despite being unprepared for complex language and concepts. A proposed experiment aims to improve student preparation by introducing more challenging books, potentially leading to better SAT scores.

New Theory Provides Better Understanding Of Transistors

Researchers developed a new mathematical expression that accurately models p-n junction performance, resolving past misconceptions. The theory reveals unexpected results, including the diffusion capacitance vanishing for long diodes.

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.