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Collaboration leads to 2D polymer discovery

Army researchers developed a new class of 2D polymers with tremendous potential for military applications. The breakthrough was made possible through a collaborative program between the US Army Research Laboratory and Northeastern University.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalMacromolecules·DateFeb 25, 2021

Southern California COVID-19 strain rapidly expands global reach

A new strain of the coronavirus in Southern California, CAL.20C, is rapidly spreading across the country and around the world, accounting for nearly half of current COVID-19 cases in the region. The strain has been detected in 19 US states and six foreign countries, suggesting travelers are carrying it to these destinations.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 24, 2021
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.

Optical frequency combs found a new dimension

The generation of dissipative solitons and coherent frequency combs in a photonic dimer made of two microresonators enables real-time tuning of the soliton-based frequency comb. Soliton hopping, a phenomenon not present at the single-particle level, can be used for generating configurable combs in the radio-frequency domain.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 20, 2021
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.

Producing more sustainable hydrogen with composite polymer dots

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new method to produce sustainable hydrogen using composite polymer nanoparticles. The 'polymer dots' showed promising performance and stability in laboratory tests, with a 7% efficiency rate at 600 nanometres.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 12, 2021

Recognizing liars from the sound of their voice?

Scientists identify a unique voice prosody pattern associated with honest speech, recognized across languages and influencing memory recall. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals how brain automatically processes this characteristic sound to convey truth-value or certainty.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2021
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.

The quantum advantage: a novel demonstration

Scientists have successfully demonstrated a quantum advantage by performing a verification task in seconds using a quantum machine, whereas the same task would take centuries for a conventional computer. The experiment used a complex algorithm and simple experimental photonics system, showcasing the potential of quantum computing.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2021

New quantum receiver the first to detect entire radio frequency spectrum

The Rydberg sensor can analyze the full spectrum of radio frequency signals and detect AM and FM radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other communication signals. It offers unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy to detect a wide range of mission-critical signals, enabling new capabilities for soldier communications and electronic warfare.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateFeb 4, 2021

A new tool in the search for axions

Researchers have developed a new method to detect axions, which are thought to make up 26% of the universe's energy content. The BASE collaboration used ultra-sensitive detectors in Penning trap experiments to set new limits on axion-photon coupling.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 4, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Backreaction observed for first time in water tank black hole simulation

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have demonstrated that backreaction can be simulated in a laboratory experiment using a specially designed water tank. The study found that waves sent into an analogue black hole significantly changed its properties, with effects visible to the eye.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 2021

History of the Champagne vineyards revealed

Archaeological grape seeds from excavations in Troyes and Reims provide insights into the history of Champagne wine growing. Wild vines were cultivated throughout the period studied, with domestic varieties emerging as early as the 1st century AD.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2021

Kombucha tea sparks creative materials research solution

Engineers at MIT and Imperial College London created living materials by combining bacteria and yeast to produce cellulose embedded with enzymes that can perform various functions. These materials have potential applications in microbial fuel cells, sense and respond systems, and self-repairing materials for the US Army.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 26, 2021
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.

Getting romantic at home wearing an EEG cap

A team led by Dr. Julian Packheiser recorded brain activity of romantic couples while cuddling, kissing, or discussing happy memories at home. Positive emotions were mainly processed in the left half of the brain, confirming the valence model of emotional lateralisation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 13, 2021

Reston ebolavirus spreads efficiently in pigs

A study published in PNAS found that RESTV infects pigs and causes severe respiratory disease, shedding the virus from their upper respiratory tract. The researchers also identified RESTV sequences in pigs in China, highlighting the potential for widespread transmission.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateDec 21, 2020

TRIUMF's CANREB facility marks first beam

Triumphs in achieving first beam delivery for ARIEL's CANREB facility, enhancing TRIUMF's nuclear physics program and global leadership in isotope production. The milestone ushers in a new era of scientific advancements and real-world impact for Canadians and the world.

SourceTRIUMF·DateDec 21, 2020
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.

Invention may get Army quadcopters to move faster

Researchers have invented a hinge that allows large Army quadrotors to climb higher in seconds, improving agility and control authority. The innovation reduces thrust response time by 30%, enabling quadtors to reach the rooftop of a two-story building in as little as two seconds.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateDec 16, 2020

WVU, DHHR establish new COVID-19 testing laboratory in Morgantown

West Virginia University and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources have teamed up to create a new testing laboratory at the Health Sciences Center. The lab will provide faster results, reduce costs, and support the demands of the state and university community.

SourceWest Virginia University·DateDec 11, 2020

Army looks to improve quadrotor drone performance

Researchers created a trajectory planner that enables drones to quickly switch between hover and forward flight, reducing transition time by half. The system uses aerodynamic models to optimize flight movements, allowing for more agile maneuvers in dense or urban areas.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateDec 8, 2020
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.

Don't let them go quietly into the night

Kyoto University researchers highlight the need for targeted conservation efforts due to 90% extinction risk for Japanese bat species. The study reveals poor alignment between conservation needs and research resource allocation, with many threats understudied.

SourceKyoto University·JournalMammal Review·DateDec 7, 2020

Army computer models unveil secret to quieter small drones

Researchers have created a new method to reduce noise emissions from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) without compromising their flight range or endurance. The method uses high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics codes to obtain information about airfoil boundary layers, enabling the development of quieter air vehicles.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateDec 3, 2020

The wily octopus: king of flexibility

Researchers analyzed octopus arm movements, discovering all eight arms can perform diverse movements such as bending, twisting and elongating. This flexibility could inspire the creation of next-generation soft robots with greater agility and sensing capability.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·DateNov 30, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

JSA announces 10 new graduate fellows

Jefferson Science Associates has awarded ten graduate fellowships to doctoral students for the 2020-2021 academic year. The fellowships will support students' advanced studies and research at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateNov 25, 2020

What do slight arm movements reveal about our breathing and health?

Researchers at MLU discovered that special activity trackers can accurately measure respiratory rates while sleeping, offering a new diagnostic tool. The study showed that minimal arm movements can provide more precise conclusions about breathing than standard ECGs.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 23, 2020

Army, MIT explore materials for transforming robots made of robots

Scientists from the US Army and MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms created a new way to link materials with unique mechanical properties, enabling the design of modular materials with tailored properties. This could lead to dynamic structures that can reconfigure on their own, such as swarms of robots forming bridges.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 19, 2020
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.

Scientists age quantum dots in a test tube

Researchers at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have proposed a way to obtain arbitrarily sized quantum dots using chemical aging. The process involves introducing oleic acid and oleylamine into the solution, causing the sulfur and lead atoms to retreat back into the solution, gradually reducing dot size.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMaterials Today Chemistry·DateNov 19, 2020

TU Graz launches Christian Doppler laboratory for solid-state batteries

Researchers at TU Graz's new Christian Doppler Laboratory aim to develop solid-state batteries with reduced interface resistances, enabling safer electric vehicles and high-energy applications. The lab focuses on improving lithium transport properties, surface modifications, and material combinations to overcome current limitations.

SourceGraz University of Technology·DateNov 12, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Soldiers benefit from psychological health research

Researchers created a Hostile Bias Modification Training protocol to reduce anger and aggression in ambiguous social conflict situations. The study, published in Cognitive Therapy and Research, found that the training was effective in reducing hostile attribution bias, anger, and reactive aggression.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalCognitive Therapy and Research·DateNov 9, 2020

Canada should approve HIV self-testing

Integrating HIV self-testing into Canada's health system could lead to better HIV detection and management, especially for underdiagnosed populations. The authors propose four factors for successful introduction, including rapid approval of WHO-approved tests and cost-effectiveness studies.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 2, 2020
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.

Exploring the source of stars and planets in a laboratory

Researchers propose new method to verify star and planet formation theory by simulating the Princeton Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) Experiment. The study finds that instabilities can be seen before the upper limit of experimental rotation rate is reached, shedding light on the growth of celestial bodies.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review E·DateOct 23, 2020

Samara Polytech chemists designed portable analyzers

Researchers at Samara Polytech develop cost-effective, portable analyzers for quick analysis of objects under study. The devices require no sampling and use light to illuminate the object, detecting signals through a light-guide cable.

SourceSamara Polytech (Samara State Technical University)·JournalACS Sensors·DateOct 22, 2020

MDI Biological Laboratory awarded $3.14 million for kidney research

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a grant to develop artificial kidney tissue to replace human kidney tissue lost due to disease or injury. The project aims to create a three-dimensional mini-organ called an organoid that can be transplanted into a host and potentially scaled to create an artificial human kidney.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateOct 19, 2020
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.

Climate: Iodic acid influences cloud formation at the North Pole

Researchers found that iodic acid triggers new aerosol particle formation events, leading to cloud condensation nuclei and potentially altering clouds' radiative properties. The team's findings provide greater insight into biogeochemical processes for cloud formation over the Arctic pack ice.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2020
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.

First observation of nutation in magnetic materials

Physicists have directly observed nutation in magnetic spins, a phenomenon 1000 times faster than precession. This discovery has significant implications for data centers and digital storage, paving the way for more efficient technologies.

SourceUniversità Ca' Foscari Venezia·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 29, 2020

Penicillium camemberti: a history of domestication on cheese

Researchers found that domesticating Penicillium camemberti from a wild mould resulted in beneficial characteristics for cheese production, including whiteness and increased growth rates. The study may impact the selection of moulds for cheese production.

SourceCNRS·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 24, 2020

Researchers explore how the human brain is so resilient

The US Army Research Laboratory teamed up with Italian Institute of Technology, Harvard Medical School, and University of California, Irvine to study the complexities of the human brain. Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation and fMRI to track neural changes after inhibiting a specific part of the brain.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 24, 2020
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.

October issue SLAS Technology now available

The October issue of SLAS Technology features a cover article on the role of digital microfluidics in enabling access to laboratory automation and making biology programmable. The article discusses the challenges faced by scientists, including costs and late-stage risk, and explores how digital microfluidics can overcome these challenges.

SourceSLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening)·JournalSLAS TECHNOLOGY·DateSep 21, 2020

Light processing improves robotic sensing, study finds

Researchers discovered how the brain processes bright and contrasting light, enabling robots to team with humans. The study's findings reveal principles that can guide modeling toward correct mechanisms for reconstructing 3D shape in real-world luminance.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalJournal of Vision·DateSep 14, 2020

Single atom-thin platinum makes a great chemical sensor

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new material that can detect toxic gases with high sensitivity. The single-atom thin platinum layer interacts significantly with its chemical environment, making it suitable for ultra-sensitive detection.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateSep 14, 2020

NIH continues to boost national COVID-19 testing capacity

The NIH is awarding contracts to nine companies for technologies that include portable point-of-care tests and high-throughput laboratories. These tests aim to provide rapid results and expand national testing in regions of need.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·DateSep 2, 2020
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.

Researchers develop dustbuster for the moon

A team at the University of Colorado Boulder developed a possible fix for the problem of spring cleaning on the moon: using an electron beam to zap away dust. The technology has shown promise in removing fine dust particles from surfaces, with an average cleaning power of 75-85%.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalActa Astronautica·DateAug 31, 2020

Researchers develop a fast, accurate, low-cost COVID-19 test

Researchers have developed a rapid and accurate diagnostic test for COVID-19 that delivers results in under 40 minutes. The new test, called CRISPR-COVID, uses CRISPR-based technology to detect the virus, offering a cost-effective alternative to existing methods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 27, 2020

A topography of extremes

Scientists successfully combined high pressures, magnetic fields, and ultra-low temperatures to study cer-rhodium-indium-five metal's conducting properties. The resulting phase diagram reveals exciting insights into the mysterious superconductivity of this metal.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2020
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.

Understanding the inner workings of the human heart

A study published in Nature reveals the complex mesh of muscle fibers lining the heart impacts performance and heart failure. The research used AI to analyze 25,000 MRI scans, discovering six human DNA regions affecting fractal patterns in these fibers.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 19, 2020