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Smartphone surveys find a connection between daily spiritual experiences and well-being

Researchers found a connection between daily spiritual experiences and overall well-being, with both stable and fluctuating experiences contributing to mental well-being. Daily spiritual experiences, such as feeling God's presence or inner peace, were associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of flourishing.

SourceBaylor University·JournalInternational Journal for the Psychology of Religion·DateOct 2, 2020

Comparing effectiveness of smartphone apps for quitting smoking

A randomized clinical trial compared two smartphone apps for helping smokers quit, with one approach using gamification and the other leveraging cognitive behavioral therapy. The study found that both apps were effective in reducing cigarette use, but the gamified app had a higher quit rate at 6-month follow-up.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 21, 2020
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.

Smartphones can predict brain function associated with anxiety and depression

A study from Dartmouth College found that passive monitoring of phone usage can mirror activity in the brain linked to traits such as anxiety, with predictions matching fMRI scans at 80% accuracy. Phone data analysis also supported long-term emotional traits and helped eliminate subjectivity in other information-gathering techniques.

SourceDartmouth College·DateSep 14, 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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Contact tracing apps unlikely to contain COVID-19 spread

A new study by UCL researchers found that contract tracing apps are unlikely to be effective without large-scale uptake and adherence to quarantine advice. The review analyzed 15 relevant studies and suggests that automated contact tracing methods would still need to be used within an integrated public health response.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateAug 20, 2020

Smartphones can tell when you're drunk by analyzing your walk

A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that smartphones can detect changes in gait patterns associated with alcohol intoxication. The research suggests that real-time information about alcohol consumption could be used to reduce harm, prevent drinking and driving, or alert a sponsor for someone in tr...

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateAug 18, 2020

Smartphones are lowering student's grades, study finds

A Rutgers University study found that relying on the internet for homework is hurting students' long-term retention and resulting in lower grades. Students who use their smartphones to find answers tend to forget the information and perform worse on exams.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEducational Psychology·DateAug 18, 2020

Can community members deliver naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses?

Researchers at Drexel University developed a smartphone app, UnityPhilly, to empower community members in delivering naloxone during opioid overdoses. The study found that participants successfully reversed overdoses in 95.9% of cases and administered naloxone faster than EMS in over half the events.

SourceDrexel University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·DateAug 5, 2020

Smartphones prove to be time-saving analytical tools

Researchers have created a novel method using smartphones to measure soil density, which is crucial for nutrient and carbon stock management. The new approach involves taking high-resolution photos of soil samples with a smartphone camera and analyzing them using photogrammetry software.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateAug 5, 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.

Psychology: The most personal device

Researchers at LMU Munich used smartphone data to analyze users' personalities, finding strong correlations between behavior patterns and self-assessed traits. The study focused on the Big Five personality dimensions, revealing that certain types of digital behavior are more informative for specific self-assessments.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 17, 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.

Mini-LED, Micro-LED and OLED displays: Present status and future perspectives

Researchers analyzed display technologies, including Mini-LED, Micro-LED, and OLED. They found that mLED/μLED/OLED emissive displays outperform LCDs in dynamic range, motion picture response time, color gamut, and adaptability to flexible and transparent displays.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJul 12, 2020

Parents' smartphone use does not harm parent/child relationships

A recent study published in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that parental smartphone use is rarely associated with poor parenting. In fact, at low levels of displacing family time, more smartphone use was linked to better parenting.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 9, 2020

The effects of smartphone use on parenting

A new analysis found little evidence of negative impacts on parenting from smartphone use. At low levels of displacing family time, more smartphone use was associated with better parenting.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJul 8, 2020
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.

Wearable-tech glove translates sign language into speech in real time

A UCLA bioengineer designed a glove-like device that can translate American Sign Language into English speech in real-time using a smartphone app. The system uses thin sensors to pick up hand motions and finger placements, which are then translated into spoken words at the rate of about one word per second.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Electronics·DateJun 29, 2020

Surprisingly strong and deformable silicon

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has made a groundbreaking discovery that silicon can be stronger and more deformable than previously thought. They found that by using a specific lithography method, silicon pillars could withstand much greater widths without breaking, offering new possibilities for the fabrication of micro-?electro-...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 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.

Universal access to spectrometers one step closer

A team of physicists at the Universität Leipzig is developing an ultra-compact spectrometer with potential applications in industries such as food, medicine, and textiles. The new instrument could make quality control cheaper and more accessible, allowing for widespread adoption and democratizing access to spectral analysis.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·DateJun 4, 2020
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.

Inexpensive retinal diagnostics via smartphone

A study by the University of Bonn shows that smartphone-based fundus imaging can detect diabetic retinopathy with high accuracy, even in early stages. The method allows for efficient screening and diagnosis, enabling trained laypersons to examine patients, reducing hospital visits.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalOphthalmology·DateMay 25, 2020

New mobile health tool measures hemoglobin without drawing blood

Researchers developed a smartphone-based technique to assess hemoglobin levels using spectral super-resolution spectroscopy, eliminating the need for bulky optical components. The new approach uses images of the inner eyelid to detect blood disorders such as anemia and sickle cell anemia

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMay 21, 2020

Using a smartphone to diagnose COVID-19 at home

Researchers are developing a smartphone app to diagnose COVID-19 at home using acoustic sensing and AI techniques. The system measures changes in human airway mechanics, which are uniquely correlated to COVID-19 infection.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateMay 12, 2020
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.

Do you use your work phone outside working hours?

A study at the University of Jyväskylä reveals that flexible work arrangements can have positive effects on employees, including increased autonomy and reduced conflict. The research found that communication across boundaries can create a functional environment where employees feel supported and understood.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalJournal of Applied Communication Research·DateMay 4, 2020

Why smartphones are digital truth serum

A new study found that smartphones increase the willingness of people to disclose personal information online compared to desktop computers. The researchers suggest that smartphone users' comfort and familiarity with their devices lead to a 'safe zone' effect, making them more willing to open up about themselves.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateMay 3, 2020

Interference cancellation with high precision, high speed and low computational complexity

Researchers developed a self-interference cancellation filter that can accurately cancel distortion caused by radio and channel distortions, reducing computational complexity and increasing speed. The filter has the potential to enable in-band full-duplex communications in small radios such as smartphones.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications·DateMay 1, 2020
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.

Smartphone videos produce highly realistic 3D face reconstructions

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a method to build accurate 3D reconstructions of faces from smartphone videos, outperforming other camera-based processes with sub-millimeter accuracy. The digital face might be used in gaming, virtual or augmented reality, animation, biometric identification, and medical procedures.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateApr 1, 2020

Novel system allows untethered high-quality multi-player VR

Purdue University researchers have created a novel system that allows multiple players to interact with the same VR game on smartphones, reducing latency and improving user experience. The Coterie system enables 4K-resolution VR on commodity mobile devices and supports up to 10 players in the same application.

SourcePurdue University·DateMar 18, 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.

App detecting jaundice may prevent deaths in newborns

A smartphone app detecting jaundice in newborns may prevent deaths and disabilities due to its accuracy and low cost. The app uses images captured on a smartphone camera to quantify the yellowness of the eye, similar to expensive hand-held devices.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 2, 2020

Farmers to tackle locust swarms armed with new app

A new smartphone app, MAESTRO*, can recognize locusts and grasshopper pests through camera images and record GPS locations. The app aims to enable targeted pesticide delivery to prevent swarms from spreading and devastating crops. Researchers gathered over 3,500 locust images to train the system.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2020

Review of evidence finds excessive smartphone, social media use may be linked to youth mental health

A new review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests an association between excessive smartphone and social media use and mental distress among adolescents. The authors provide guidance for physicians, parents, and teachers on how to help teens achieve a healthy balance between device use and other aspects of their lives.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCMAJ Open·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Some smartphone apps not accurate enough to spot all skin cancers

A review of evidence published in The BMJ found that smartphone apps assessing mole risk cannot detect all skin cancers. While AI-powered apps offer potential for earlier detection and treatment, limitations and variable performance indicate insufficient promise to recommend their use.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 10, 2020

Skin cancer diagnosis apps are unreliable and poorly regulated, study shows

A study by University of Birmingham experts reveals that smartphone skin cancer detection apps are unreliable and poorly regulated, with only a small number of studies showing variable and unreliable test accuracy. The researchers call for stricter regulations and better evaluation processes to protect public safety.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 10, 2020

Smartphone texting linked to compromised pedestrian safety

A pooled analysis of 14 studies found that text messaging was associated with significantly lower rates of looking left and right before crossing, as well as moderately increased rates of collisions and close calls. Listening to music was not linked to any heightened risk of pedestrian behaviours.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateFeb 3, 2020

Smartphone cameras can speed up urinary tract infection diagnosis

A new smartphone camera-based test can identify urinary tract infections in just 25 minutes, potentially making accurate testing more widely available in developing nations. The test uses a smartphone camera and reagents to detect the presence of E. coli bacteria, which is present in 80% of bacterial UTIs.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateJan 8, 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.

Study finds 80% of medical students feel low sense of personal achievement

A new study finds that 80% of medical students experience a low sense of personal achievement, while 17% report high levels of depersonalization. The study's lead author attributes this to the unique stresses and pressures of each year of medical school.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateJan 6, 2020

Detecting mental and physical stress via smartphone

A study by Politecnico di Milano used smartphone accelerometers to detect heart rate and stress levels with high accuracy. The research involved placing the phone on the abdomen for short periods, allowing it to capture signals associated with mechanical cardiac activity.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalSensors·DateNov 21, 2019

Carnegie Mellon system locates shooters using smartphone video

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system called Video Event Reconstruction and Analysis (VERA) that can accurately locate a shooter based on video recordings from as few as three smartphones. VERA uses machine learning techniques to synchronize video feeds and calculate the position of each camera, with audio p...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateNov 20, 2019

UCLouvain strengthens connectivity of 1 in 8 of world's smartphones

UCLouvain's research developed Multipath TCP to support expanding global internet traffic, improving Wi-Fi and mobile network switching. The protocol is used by 800 million iPhones and has won international awards, enhancing connectivity in rural areas and offering a win-win for subscribers and telecom operators.

SourceUniversité catholique de Louvain·DateNov 18, 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.

Illinois researchers to develop smartphone diagnostics lit for infectious diseases

Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing a smartphone-based diagnostic system that can detect pathogens in less than 30 minutes using a single drop of blood. The system, which will be handheld and cost less than $10, has the potential to provide fast and affordable results for patients in developing countries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateNov 8, 2019

Smartphone data can help surgeons understand a patient's recovery

A new study uses smartphone accelerometer data to measure postoperative physical activity and its impact on recovery. The research team found that patients who experienced complications after surgery had significantly lower daily activity compared to those without complications.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 28, 2019

Smartphone app reminds heart patients to take their pills

A new smartphone app reminder significantly increased medication adherence among heart patients, with 65% correctly taking their pills at 90 days compared to 21% in the control group. The study's results suggest that mobile health technology can be a cost-effective strategy to improve adherence and reduce poor outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateOct 19, 2019
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.

Expanding the use of AI through the Internet of Things

Researchers at the University of Delaware are developing new memory devices that can support neural networks in low-power embedded systems. These advancements aim to improve the lifetime and reliability of IoT devices, which currently struggle with battery power and memory constraints.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateOct 11, 2019

Thin to win

University of Utah engineers create a new type of optical lens that is thinner and lighter than conventional lenses, working with night imaging and enabling longer-flying drones and military applications. The lens is made of plastic instead of glass, reducing manufacturing costs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2019

Keeping cool with quantum wells

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have introduced a new method for evaporation cooling using semiconductor quantum wells, reducing waste heat in portable electronics. Devices with this technology may be integrated into smart devices to prevent overheating issues.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 3, 2019
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.

Smartphone typing speeds catching up with keyboards

A study of over 37,000 users reveals that smartphone typing speeds are decreasing the gap between mobile devices and physical keyboards. Young people aged 10-19 years old can type around 10 words-per-minute faster than their parents' generation.

SourceAalto University·DateOct 2, 2019