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Combating the sinister side of crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing platforms have helped solve complex problems, but also enable malicious activities like crowdturfing. Researchers at Utah State University are creating new tools to analyze and stop these manipulative tactics.

SourceUtah State University·DateFeb 16, 2016

Social media face threats affect relationships; communication helps

Researchers found that people who try to remove or justify embarrassing content on social media experience a decline in their relationship with the offender. In contrast, frequent communication with the offender makes it less likely for the victim to experience reduction in closeness.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateFeb 16, 2016
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.

Predicting who will develop multiple sclerosis

Researchers identify subset of first-degree relatives at higher MS risk; study to map events leading from health to disease. The Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis (GEMS) project aims to develop interventions to block MS onset.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateFeb 8, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A uniter and a divider

A new study combining computer science, moral psychology, and sociology found that concerns about purity are the best predictor of social distance between people. The research team analyzed over 731,000 tweets and behavioral experiments to determine how five basic moral values affect social connections.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateFeb 1, 2016

Media narratives counter prejudice attitudes

Research from several personality and social psychologists show that positive entertainment media can contribute to positive relationships between different ethnic groups and genders. Sohad Murrar's studies found reduced prejudice when participants watched a sitcom with relatable Arab/Muslim characters, while Yeshim Iqbal's work demons...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 29, 2016
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.

Recent studies show value of technology and in-person communications

Recent studies suggest that technology can have positive effects on social connections and mental well-being, but these benefits often fall short of those provided by in-person interactions. Research has shown that face-to-face communication is more effective at creating a positive mood and reducing stress than text messaging.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 29, 2016

Embracing negative comments can help corporations increase consumer trust

A recent study found that corporations can enhance their trustworthiness by embracing both positive and negative comments on social media. By addressing both self-serving and public-serving motives, companies can reduce perceived negativity and increase perceived altruism.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalJournal of Communication·DateJan 26, 2016

Social media use in young adults linked to sleep disturbance

A recent study published by the University of Pittsburgh found a significant link between social media use and sleep disturbances in young adults. Participants who checked their accounts frequently or spent more time on social media had three times and twice the likelihood of sleep difficulties, respectively.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

On Twitter, e-cigarette ads spread like secondhand smoke

A recent study by Drexel University and USC suggests that e-cigarette marketing on social media is as containable as second-hand smoke. The study tracked the growth of e-cigarette advertising on Twitter and found that it can reach an exponential number of users, including those who may not be directly affected by the product. This rais...

SourceDrexel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2016

How much does African-American race play a role in stroke risk?

According to a new study published by the American Academy of Neurology, African-American participants are 2.7 times more likely to experience a first stroke than their white counterparts at age 45. However, there is no significant difference in second stroke risk between African-American and white participants across all ages.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 20, 2016

Mining social media can help improve disaster response efforts

Researchers used social media data from Twitter and Flickr to identify hotspots in need of aid during the 2013 Colorado floods. The team's innovative approach combined remote sensing imagery with machine-learning algorithms to quickly analyze images and pinpoint areas affected by flooding.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateJan 20, 2016

Toward consistently good pinot noir

Scientists have identified 49 main odor compounds in young and ripe Pinot Noir grapes, finding four consistently present in mature grapes. This breakthrough could help growers determine the optimal harvest time for improved wine quality.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 20, 2016

UTSA study explores how to increase productivity by stopping cyberloafing

A new study by UTSA professor Matthew McCarter found that allowing employees to vote on whether to turn off the internet results in significant reductions of cyberloafing. This approach increased productivity among former cyberloafers by 38%, demonstrating the effectiveness of giving workers control over their work environment.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalGames·DateJan 19, 2016
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.

How face-to-face still beats Facebook

A University of Oxford study published in Royal Society Open Science found that online social media groups are constrained to around 150-200 people, similar to offline networks. Regular Facebook users averaged 155 and 183 friends, respectively, with women having more connections than men.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJan 19, 2016

Can 3 pigeons be in 2 pigeonholes with no 2 pigeons in the same hole?

A new quantum phenomenon, the 'quantum pigeonhole principle,' violates a fundamental principle of nature by demonstrating how to put an arbitrarily large number of particles in two boxes without any two particles ending up in the same box. This discovery has major implications for understanding non-locality and the future of technology.

SourceChapman University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2016

Preventing youth gun violence: What we know and still need to know

A comprehensive review of youth gun violence highlights the need for a multifaceted approach, including strengthening families, reducing violent media effects, and improving school climates. The study also explores the potential use of online data mining to predict potential youth violence.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·DateJan 14, 2016
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.

New app 'hides' user location from third parties

A research team developed an app that hides user location from third parties, providing security for individuals who share personal info online. The app, yet to be released, uses privacy-preserving technology to protect users' location information from being accessed by services like Facebook and Twitter.

SourceBinghamton University·DateJan 13, 2016

How you manage your emails may be bad for your health

Research suggests that habits such as checking emails early and late, using push notifications, and constantly being available can lead to higher levels of stress and pressure. Experts offer tips to help manage email and reduce its negative impact on productivity and wellbeing.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateJan 6, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Male workers in typically female jobs are not motivated by money

Research suggests that men working in traditionally female occupations prioritize building relationships with colleagues and having flexible work arrangements over career advancement or salary. This study challenges the notion that male employees are solely motivated by promotional opportunities.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateJan 6, 2016

Are you Facebook dependent?

A new study by University of Akron researchers found that people who use Facebook to meet new friends are most dependent on the platform. The study also discovered personality traits common among specific types of Facebook users, such as extroverts and those with high self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Akron·DateDec 22, 2015
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.

Social media news consumers at higher risk of 'information bubbles,' IU study says

A recent IU study analyzing over 100 million Web clicks and 1.3 billion public posts reveals that social media news consumers access a narrower range of sources, contributing to the rise of collective social bubbles. This trend is attributed to people filtering their access to information through social media platforms.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPeerJ Computer Science·DateDec 14, 2015
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.

Effective, selective tweets can advance research from lab to policymakers

Researchers found that nearly all health policymakers have Twitter accounts and may be receptive to useful findings. Effective tweets should target Congress members on committees with jurisdiction over health issues, educate policymakers rather than persuade them, and include links to research articles.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·DateDec 10, 2015

In social movements, 'slactivists' matter

A new study in PLOS One analyzes tens of millions of tweets surrounding specific social protests and finds that a critical periphery of 'slacktivists' greatly amplify a movement's message, doubling its reach. The researchers argue that these peripheral players are essential to give protests resonance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 7, 2015
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.

Study links Facebook connections, alcohol use in college-aged females

A study by the University of Georgia found a correlation between certain patterns of connections on Facebook and drug and alcohol use among female students. Students with a history of childhood physical abuse were more likely to be part of densely interconnected groups, associated with higher risk for alcohol use. In contrast, those wi...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateDec 7, 2015

Twitter data can make roads safer during inclement weather

A University at Buffalo study uses Twitter data to enhance computer models guiding traffic during snowstorms and adverse weather. By analyzing over 360,000 tweets, researchers found that including such data improves the accuracy of models, particularly during peak tweeting hours and in densely populated areas.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateDec 2, 2015
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.

ORNL process could be white lightning to electronics industry

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a virtually perfect single layer of 'white graphene,' featuring high mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and transparency. This breakthrough material could enable faster data transfers and improve the performance of electronic devices.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateDec 1, 2015

Unfriending on Facebook more likely from politically active users

A study published in Journal of Communication found that 16% of Jewish Israeli Facebook users unfriended friends during the Israel-Gaza conflict due to political comments. Users who unfriended were more likely to be ideologically extreme and less supportive of free speech.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalJournal of Communication·DateDec 1, 2015
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.

Envy key motivator behind many Facebook posts, but site hurts mental well-being

A study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals that envy plays a significant role in driving Facebook posts and negatively impacting users' mental well-being. Envy-induced behavior, fueled by unrealistic social media portrayals, can create a cycle of jealousy and self-importance.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateNov 26, 2015

Brazilian Artur Avila wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

Artur Avila, a renowned Brazilian mathematician, has won the TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize for his groundbreaking work on dynamical systems and chaos theory. His research has helped resolve major mathematical quandaries and brought global awareness of Brazilian mathematics.

SourceTWAS·DateNov 18, 2015
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.

Partners of heart defibrillator patients concerned about resuming sex

Research at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2015 found that intimate partners of people with heart defibrillators are concerned about resuming sexual activity. After discussing their concerns, partners reported a significant decrease in fears related to cardiac arrest and ICD discharge during sex.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 9, 2015
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.

Positive emotions more contagious than negative ones on Twitter

A new study by Emilio Ferrara and Zeyao Yang found that positive emotions spread virally through Twitter feeds, with about 20% of users deemed highly susceptible to 'emotional contagion'. These users were four times more likely to produce positive tweets than negative ones.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 6, 2015

New ORNL device combines power of mass spectrometry, microscopy

A new hybrid optical microscope/mass spectrometry-based imaging system developed at ORNL provides sub-micron resolution for chemical analysis and differentiates between polymers and cells. The technology enhances understanding of material interactions, drug transport, disease progression, and response to treatment.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2015

Kids with asthma can avoid the ER by avoiding the ER

A new study found that kids with asthma who make 5 acute care visits have a 87% probability of future emergency department visits. Early treatment and controlled asthma management significantly reduce asthma attacks and ED visits.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 5, 2015
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.

Global study in November Health Affairs

A global study in Health Affairs found no significant differences in the health, nutrition, and educational outcomes of left-behind children and rural children living with their parents. The research suggests that programs specifically targeting left-behind children may be misdirected and should focus on all rural children instead.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 2, 2015