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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.

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.

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.

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-...

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

'I saw you were online': How online status indicators shape our behavior

A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that people often misunderstand online status indicators and adjust their behavior accordingly. Over half of participants reported being aware that someone had noticed their status, while over half logged in to check others' statuses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Object identification and interaction with a smartphone knock

The new technology uses machine learning to analyze sound and vibration responses from a smartphone's built-in sensors. It achieved high accuracy in identifying everyday objects in various environments, paving the way for innovative object interaction applications.

Virtual medical visits get wary welcome from older adults, poll finds

A new national poll suggests that older adults are hesitant to try virtual health visits due to concerns about technology and quality of care. Despite this, many (64%) would be interested in telehealth options if they became unexpectedly ill while traveling or needed follow-up on previous care.

Which comes first: Smartphone dependency or depression?

A new study from the University of Arizona has identified a link between smartphone dependency and symptoms of depression and loneliness. Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms and loneliness, rather than the other way around.

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.

Hunters of cosmic ray particles come together in CREDO

The CREDO project combines data from various detectors, including smartphone cameras, to study the impact of cosmic radiation on health and potential relationships between earthquakes and cosmic ray flux. Researchers aim to verify hypotheses about these phenomena.

Using a smartphone to detect norovirus

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a simple, portable, and inexpensive method for detecting extremely low levels of norovirus using a smartphone. The device uses microfluidic chips made of paper and counts fluorescent beads to identify the virus particles in water samples.

Smartphone apps may connect to vulnerable backend cloud servers

Researchers discovered over 1,600 vulnerabilities in the Google Play Store's backend systems, exposing personal information and potentially mobile devices. An automated system called SkyWalker has been created to vet these servers and software library systems, helping developers improve app security.

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.

Manipulating brain cells by smartphone

A team of researchers has developed a soft neural implant that can be wirelessly controlled using a smartphone, enabling chronic chemical and optical neuromodulation. The device uses replaceable drug cartridges and powerful low-energy Bluetooth for prolonged periods.

Smartphone virus scanner is not what you think

Researchers have developed a miniaturized system that uses low-cost components and smartphones to detect biological viruses. The device is portable, battery-powered and can detect real viruses, holding potential for aid in disease prevention.

Five or more hours of smartphone usage per day may increase obesity

A recent study found that university students who used their smartphones for five or more hours a day had a 43% increased risk of obesity. This prolonged cell phone use was associated with decreased physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle habits, including consuming sugary drinks and fast food.

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.

Newly discovered neural pathway processes acute light to affect sleep

A new Northwestern University study found that distinct areas of the brain process short pulses of light to affect sleep, challenging the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through one central pathway. The research suggests that acute exposure to light does not interfere with overall circadian rhythms.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How you lock your smartphone can reveal your age: UBC study

A new UBC study found that older smartphone users rely more on auto-lock features and prefer using PINs over fingerprints to unlock their phones. The study also revealed gender differences in authentication choices, with men relying more on auto locks as they age.

Magnetic field model with simpler means

Jürgen Matzka has proposed a simplified approach to improve the global magnetic field model, reducing costs and equipment needs. The winning idea aims to measure magnetic field strength from satellites and only require one directional component on ground stations.