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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.

Neural nets model audience reactions to movies

A new technique called factorized variational autoencoders (FVAEs) uses neural networks to predict a viewer's facial expressions for the remainder of the movie after observing an audience member for just a few minutes. The approach demonstrated impressive accuracy in predicting reactions, outperforming conventional methods.

SourceDisney Research·DateJul 21, 2017

Social media: Simplifying surveillance

A new study by LMU assesses the benefits and risks of social media monitoring apps, highlighting their use in verification and tracking individuals across multiple networks. While some see these tools as useful for journalists, others express concerns over personal privacy and potential misuse.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalDigital Journalism·DateJul 21, 2017
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.

Why was MacronLeaks' influence limited in the French election?

USC researchers found that disinformation campaign on MacronLeaks was mostly consumed by foreigners on social media, with 18% of promoters being bots. The campaign's impact on French voters appeared to be limited despite being tweeted nearly 350,000 times.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFirst Monday·DateJul 20, 2017

Heat tweet: Users flock to Twitter when temperatures rise

A new study by Florida State University researchers found that temperature-related tweets increase on Twitter when temperatures rise. Government officials use the platform to disseminate information about cooling centers and energy assistance, with agencies in several states actively using Twitter for this purpose.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalInternational Journal of Biometeorology·DateJul 19, 2017

Gun violence prevention groups strike middle ground to meet goals

A study found that gun violence prevention groups promote a balance between individual rights and responsibilities, advocating for universal background checks, restrictive firearms policies, and cultural changes. These efforts have led to policy changes, company bans on open carrying, and increased public support.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Macromarketing·DateJul 17, 2017

Low oxygen in Chesapeake Bay

Low oxygen levels in Chesapeake Bay have significant effects on fish and ecosystem balance, driven by human-induced and natural factors. Forecasting efforts are being made to better understand and plan for the bay's future.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJul 12, 2017
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.

WikiLeaks gave Trump edge in campaign race, Twitter study finds

A study of viral tweets during the final two months of the 2016 election race found that Clinton was heavily criticised on social media compared to Trump. The study, which analysed almost 3,500 posts, revealed a wide disparity between traditional media and social media, where Clinton was worse off.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateJul 12, 2017

Are we still jealous? Infidelity in the age of social media

Men feel more distressed by sexual infidelity, while women are upset by emotional messages, with women generally more upset than men regardless of message content. The study supports evolutionarily derived theories that suggest differences in what triggers jealousy among men and women.

SourceSpringer·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateJul 6, 2017

Digitally remastered wire art to be showcased at SIGGRAPH 2017

A new image-based method reconstructs wiry objects in 3-D with higher resolution and accuracy, benefiting fields like animation, medicine, and topology extraction. The technique uses short connections to assemble wire configurations, exploiting unique characteristics of wiry objects.

SourceAssociation for Computing Machinery·DateJul 6, 2017
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.

What kind of Facebook user are you?

Researchers at Brigham Young University identify four categories of Facebook users: those who use the platform to build relationships, share information with others, self-promote, and simply observe social media activity. The study sheds light on why people engage with Facebook in different ways.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalInternational Journal of Virtual Communities and Social Networking·DateJul 5, 2017

Ensuring carpoolers are compatible is key to ridesharing success

Researchers matched would-be carpoolers with people driving to work based on social media data and found that compatibility increased satisfaction and reduced car use by 57% in Rome and 40% in San Francisco. This approach could lead to a dent in gridlock, reduce pollution and make commuting more enjoyable.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalTransportation Research Part C Emerging Technologies·DateJul 4, 2017
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.

Dartmouth study finds legal cannabis laws impact teen use

A Dartmouth study found that adolescents in medical marijuana states with many dispensaries are more likely to try new methods of cannabis use, such as edibles and vaping, at a younger age. The researchers used online surveys distributed through Facebook to collect geographically diverse data on cannabis-related questions.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJun 27, 2017

Population health resource to give US cities access to key data

The City Health Dashboard is a nationwide expansion of an innovative health data visualization tool, enabling hundreds of US cities to accurately identify their most pressing health needs. The dashboard provides 26 key measures of health and drivers of health status at the neighborhood level.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateJun 27, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Twitter-monitoring system detects riots far quicker than police reports

A study from Cardiff University found that Twitter monitoring systems can detect serious incidents during riots, such as shop break-ins and car fires, several minutes before official reports. The system can also identify potential hotspots and gathering areas for youths.

SourceCardiff University·JournalACM Transactions on Internet Technology·DateJun 26, 2017

Negative tweets can trash TV programs for other viewers

Researchers found that negative social media comments about a TV show tend to lower enjoyment for other viewers, while positive comments have little impact. The 'bandwagon effect' suggests that people adopt beliefs and ideas because they think others hold similar beliefs, making negative comments more influential.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media·DateJun 22, 2017

Selfies: We love how we look and we're here to show you

Researchers analyzed 2.5 million selfies on Instagram to understand how people present themselves online. The study found that appearance-related selfies account for nearly half of all posts, followed by social selfies with friends and pets.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateJun 21, 2017
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.

Study finds most people aren't as happy as their friends on social media

A recent study by Indiana University found that people with the most connections on social media are also happier, but this does not translate to their own happiness. The study revealed that a majority of social media users have fewer friends on average than their friends and are less happy as well.

SourceIndiana University·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateJun 20, 2017

Radiologists seek greater involvement in patient care

A survey of radiologists found that while they agree on the importance of patient-centered care, current practices are hindered by time and workload constraints. Social media and integrating reading rooms into clinics offer opportunities for better communication with patients.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateJun 20, 2017

Faster performance evaluation of 'super graphs'

Researchers have developed a new computer model that generates synthetic data for simulating real-world applications using giant graphs. The model, TrillionG, is faster and uses less resources than existing methods, making it ideal for testing giant graph algorithms and systems.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·DateJun 16, 2017
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.

Antibiotic overuse in children could be reduced with improved communication

Parents' understanding of antibiotic risks and watchful waiting approaches can significantly impact their adherence to delay antibiotic use for common childhood illnesses. By enhancing physician instruction, compliance rates with this approach could be increased, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic overuse.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Applied Communication Research·DateJun 5, 2017

Healthy arteries may be possible with aging

Researchers found that nearly 18% of participants aged 50 and older had healthy vascular aging, with the youngest group most likely to achieve this. Lifestyle measures such as staying lean, avoiding diabetes, and maintaining favorable cholesterol levels were also crucial in achieving healthy vascular function.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMay 30, 2017

The 'ideal' teacher? It's all in your mind

A Concordia study found that 'best' and 'worst' teachers are often praised for contrasting qualities, highlighting the importance of individual educational values. The research also discovered gender biases in teaching perceptions, suggesting a need for further investigation.

SourceConcordia University·JournalTeaching and Teacher Education·DateMay 25, 2017
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.

Chemical Safety Board faces uncertain future

The US Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board has investigated over 130 accidents since its creation in 1998. The board's work has positively influenced industrial safety in the US and globally, producing over 90 accident reports and 40 safety videos with a budget of $12 million per year.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 24, 2017

Pope's encyclical boosted his credibility on climate change, especially among liberals

A study published in Cognition found that Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on climate change increased perceptions of his credibility on the issue, particularly among liberals, but did not directly influence people's beliefs about its seriousness or effects on the poor. The study used a panel of 602 U.S. adults who completed surveys befo...

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalCognition·DateMay 23, 2017

The 'reality' of virtual reality pornography

Researchers found that VR pornography can create a sense of 'perfection' leading to addictive and extreme content. The team calls for greater responsibility in developing this technology, including alternative scenarios where participants assume different roles.

SourceNewcastle University·DateMay 18, 2017

Toy unboxing: It's a thing; it's lucrative but sensitive -- QUT research

New research examines the global phenomenon of toy unboxing on social media platforms, revealing both empowering and exploitative aspects. The study suggests that while some argue for strict regulation, others see it as an educational tool and business opportunity.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalMedia International Australia·DateMay 17, 2017
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.

Rise of aggressive reef predator may impede sea urchin recovery, study finds

A recent study suggests that an aggressive reef competitor, the Threespot Damselfish, may be impeding the recovery of Caribbean long-spined sea urchin populations after a mysterious disease outbreak. The research reveals a link between the decline of staghorn coral and the increase in damselfish populations.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEcography·DateMay 15, 2017

Stretchable hologram can switch between multiple images (video)

Researchers have developed a method to create stretchable holograms that can display multiple images, which can be switched depending on the stretching of the material. The technique uses metasurfaces and gold nanorods to generate holographic images with changing shapes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 10, 2017

Researchers use Twitter to track the flu in real time

A computational model developed by Northeastern researchers uses Twitter data to project the spread of seasonal flu in real time, accurately forecasting the disease's evolution up to six weeks in advance. The model incorporates key parameters such as incubation period, immunization rate and viral strains present.

SourceNortheastern University·DateMay 9, 2017

Rub each other up the right way

Research by Sayuri Naruse and Dr Mark Moss from Northumbria University found that couples' physical and mental wellbeing improved after a three-week massage course. The study involved 38 participants who reported significant benefits to their wellbeing, stress coping, and relationship satisfaction.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateMay 3, 2017
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.

Fake news and filters aren't fooling internet users

A recent survey of 14,000 internet users in seven nations found that concerns about fake news undermining democratic processes are unwarranted. In fact, internet users use search to check facts and validity of information, and encounter diverse information across multiple media sources.

SourceMichigan State University·DateMay 3, 2017

Facebook likes don't make you feel better

A study by Dr Martin Graff from University of South Wales found that receiving 'likes' on social media posts doesn't improve mood or self-esteem. Participants who prioritized getting more likes were more likely to have low self-esteem and be less trusting.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateMay 2, 2017
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.

People could be genetically predisposed to social media use

A recent study found that genetics play a significant role in determining social media use, accounting for one-third to two-thirds of the variance. The research used twin study survey data and provided an analytical blueprint for studying genetic influence on communication behaviors.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateMay 2, 2017

Is the blog to blame for Vladimir Putin's 2011-12 elections defeat?

A Florida Atlantic University study found that blogs from the opposition had a significant impact on shifting political perceptions and electoral outcomes in Russia. Exposure to dissident content on Western social media platforms played a crucial role in fueling skepticism about electoral fraud.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalDemocratization·DateMay 2, 2017

As scientists take to Twitter, study shows power of 'visual abstract' graphics

A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 'visual abstract' graphics on Twitter can nearly triple the number of people who click the link in a tweet to read a full research paper. The study showed that tweets with visual abstracts were retweeted more than eight times as often and seen by nearly eight times as many people.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateMay 1, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Twitter could have predicted the outcome of the Brexit vote

A study found that Leave campaigners outperformed Remain's Stronger In on Twitter, using effective messaging and agenda-setting strategies. The analysis also revealed the Remain camp's sporadic online approach and reliance on negative comments, which strengthened the Leave campaign's message.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalThe British Journal of Politics and International Relations·DateApr 27, 2017

A little support from their online friends calms test-anxious students

A new study suggests that reading supportive comments from online friends prior to taking a test can help college students with high levels of test-anxiety reduce their nervousness. Undergraduate students who received social support from their online friends reduced their anxiety levels by 21%, performing as well on a set of computer p...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateApr 27, 2017

Researcher says customized content on political websites hurts democracy

A University at Buffalo researcher warns that personalized content on political websites can lead to a 'filter bubble' effect, where users consume only information that aligns with their ideologies. This can result in increased polarization and reduced civil discourse, ultimately hurting democracy.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 26, 2017

Video captures bubble-blowing battery in action

Researchers have discovered how oxygen blows bubbles inside a lithium-air battery when it discharges, a crucial step towards improving the technology. The findings, published in Nature Nanotechnology, propose a new mechanism for bubble formation that could lead to smaller and more stable batteries.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 26, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Media portrayal of public shooters can perpetuate stereotypes

Researchers found that media portrayals of public shooters vary based on the race of the shooter, with black and Hispanic shooters more likely to be labeled as thugs. White shooters, on the other hand, are often attributed to mental illness, perpetuating negative stereotypes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAdvances in Journalism and Communication·DateApr 26, 2017

New study suggests overfishing in one of world's most productive fishing regions

A Scripps-led study finds that the Gulf of California's small-scale fisheries are operating at over capacity, threatening fish habitats and future economic sustainability. The research uses satellite images and flyovers to count small boats and estimates that 34% more boats are operating than sustainable levels.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 25, 2017

Movie research results: Multitasking overloads the brain

Researchers found that changing tasks frequently interferes with brain activity, leading to worse results than focusing on one task at a time. Brain areas like posterior temporal and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices work more efficiently when dealing with one task.

SourceAalto University·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateApr 25, 2017
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.

Disney projection system shines makeup on actors during live performances

The Disney Research team has developed a new system called Makeup Lamps that can track an actor's facial movements and apply light-based makeup in real-time. This technology enables the creation of stunning transformations without physical makeup, with potential applications in theater, film, and other creative fields.

SourceDisney Research·DateApr 24, 2017

Facebook plays vital role in reducing government corruption, researchers find

A Virginia Tech researcher found that social media, particularly Facebook, is negatively correlated with corruption across over 150 countries. The study shows how Facebook serves as a peer to the press, spreading unbiased information and facilitating multi-way communication that is harder for governments to control.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalInformation Economics and Policy·DateApr 21, 2017