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Acoustic tweezers manipulate cell-to-cell contact

Researchers develop acoustic tweezers that can precisely position groups of cells for study, eliminating the risk of cell damage. The device achieves a throughput of thousands of cells and enables precise control over cell-to-cell contact, paving the way for studies on cellular communication and information transfer.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

Kent State researchers find more smartphone play equals less fun during leisure

Researchers at Kent State University found that college students who spent more time on their smartphones during leisure activities experienced decreased enjoyment and increased stress. The study suggests that excessive phone use can diminish the experience of daily leisure, leading to feelings of uptightness and anxiety.

SourceKent State University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateDec 4, 2014

Lighter, cheaper radio wave device could transform telecommunications

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a radically smaller, more efficient radio wave circulator that could double useful bandwidth in wireless communications. The new circulator enables full-duplex functionality, allowing devices to transmit and receive signals on the same frequency band simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 10, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers prove accuracy of mobile phone population mapping

A study by an international team has shown that anonymous mobile phone call record data can be as accurate as traditional census-based maps. The findings have significant implications for infrastructure and emergency planners, particularly in low-income countries where recent population density information is often scarce.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2014
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.

Relationships benefit when parents and adult children use multiple communication channels

A study by Jennifer Schon found that adult children's relationship satisfaction with their parents is modestly influenced by the number of communication tools used, such as cell phones, email, and social networking sites. Adding another channel can lead to a modest increase in relationship quality and satisfaction, especially for paren...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEmerging Adulthood·DateOct 24, 2014

Teens still sending naked selfies

A new study from the University of Utah confirms that substantial numbers of teens are engaging in sexting, sending and receiving explicit sexual images via cellphone. The study found nearly 20% of students had sent a nude photo, while 38% had received such a picture, highlighting the potential risks and consequences of this behavior.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateOct 8, 2014

Talking to your car is often distracting

Two new studies found that using hands-free, voice-controlled automobile infotainment systems, such as Siri and MyLink, can divert attention from driving. The Toyota and Hyundai systems showed promise in being less distracting, while Apple's Siri was the most distracting, even when used as a hands-free device.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateOct 7, 2014

Brain scans reveal 'gray matter' differences in media multitaskers

A new study reveals that frequent media multitasking is associated with lower grey-matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region responsible for cognitive and emotional control. The research supports earlier findings on the link between multitasking and poor attention, depression, and anxiety.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 24, 2014
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.

Reducing traffic congestion with wireless system

A new system, RoadRunner, uses GPS-style turn-by-turn directions to route drivers around congested roadways, yielding an 8 percent increase in average car speed. The system assigns each region a maximum number of cars and uses wireless technology to efficiently manage traffic flow.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateSep 17, 2014

A system that facilitates malware identification in smartphones

A new system called DENDROID facilitates malware identification in smartphones by analyzing app structures and family relationships. This tool enables security analysts to classify unknown malware samples and track potential ancestors, enhancing their ability to detect and analyze complex threats.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·DateSep 9, 2014
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.

Ride-sharing could cut cabs' road time by 30 percent

Researchers at MIT developed an analytic framework that enables the analysis of GPS data on 150 million cab rides in New York City. They found that if passengers were willing to tolerate delays of five minutes or less, almost 95% of trips could have been shared.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 1, 2014

Cellphone addiction 'an increasingly realistic possibility,' Baylor study finds

Women college students spend an average of 10 hours a day on their cellphones, while men spend nearly eight. The study identifies 11 cellphone activities associated with addiction, including texting, emailing, and social media use. Excessive phone use poses risks for academic performance, relationships, and mental well-being.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Addictions·DateAug 28, 2014

Tilted acoustic tweezers separate cells gently

Researchers have developed a device that uses tilted-angle standing surface acoustic waves to separate cells with minimal energy. The method is gentler than traditional methods like centrifugation and can efficiently sort cells with high purity.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2014
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.

Solar energy that doesn't block the view

Researchers at Michigan State University developed a transparent luminescent solar concentrator that can be used on buildings, cell phones, and other devices. This technology absorbs specific nonvisible wavelengths of sunlight and converts it to electricity.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateAug 19, 2014

Parents part of problem in distracted teen driving, study finds

Distracted teen driving is a significant concern, with parents playing a direct role in the problem. According to a new study, more than half of teens talk on cellphones with their parents while driving, despite warnings about the hazards of distracted driving.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 8, 2014
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.

Negar Sani solved the mystery of the printed diode

Researchers at Linköping University solved the long-standing mystery of a printed diode by applying it in the GHz band, enabling power supply to printed electronics via mobile phones. The breakthrough was achieved through tunnel effects, a phenomenon in quantum physics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2014

QUT to lead roll-out of $6.5 million e-mental health initiative

The e-Mental Health in Practice (eMHPrac) initiative aims to train primary health practitioners in the use of e-mental health services, promoting access to e-health for people with mental health-related conditions. The program seeks to increase users of e-mental health services by at least 20% by 2016.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateJun 17, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Mobile phones negatively affect male fertility, new study suggests

A new study led by the University of Exeter found that exposure to mobile phone radiation can negatively affect sperm quality, with a significant decrease in motility and viability. The researchers suggest that this could be particularly concerning for men already on the borderline of infertility.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironment International·DateJun 9, 2014

Spruce up your selfie

Researchers developed an algorithm that can transfer distinctive visual styles from acclaimed photographers to cellphone photos, improving close-up portraits. The technique uses a local transfer approach and multiscale matching to enhance image characteristics while minimizing errors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 29, 2014

Education by animation: Videos reaching tens of thousands of Ethiopian farmers

A University of Illinois initiative, Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO), uses cellphones and local languages to educate farmers about efficient teff cultivation techniques. The project resulted in a massive reduction in teff seed waste, allowing for increased crop yields and food availability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateMay 12, 2014
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.

GaitTrack app makes cellphone a medical monitor for heart and lung patients

Researchers developed GaitTrack app that uses eight motion parameters to analyze a person's walking pattern, providing valuable insights into cardiopulmonary, muscular, and neurological health. The app has shown promising results in monitoring chronic lung disease patients, predicting lung function with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateMay 8, 2014

Parents just as likely to use cell phones while driving, putting child passengers at risk

A University of Michigan study found that 90% of parent drivers engaged in at least one distraction while their child was a passenger. The study highlights the need to consider multiple sources of driver distraction when kids are passengers and emphasizes the importance of reducing distractions to prevent crashes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAcademic Pediatrics·DateApr 30, 2014

NASA Goddard to bring satellite data to African agriculture

A new program combines NASA's LabNotes and FieldNotes technologies with the mFarms platform to provide relevant satellite data to African farmers and distributors. This collaboration aims to improve crop health, reduce food insecurity, and enhance agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 29, 2014
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.

New design for mobile phone masts could cut carbon emissions

A new amplifier design for mobile phone masts has been developed, achieving 50% efficiency compared to the current 30%. This could lead to a massive 200MW reduction in load on UK power stations and a corresponding decrease in CO2 emissions. The project aims to make a valuable contribution to meeting the UK's carbon reduction targets.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateApr 22, 2014

UC research illuminates 'touchy' subject

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have solved a century-long puzzle by proving that Merkel cells are the initial sites for sensing touch. Their study published in Cell journal shows that gentle touch triggers action potentials in Merkel cells, mediated by the Piezo2 receptor/ion channel.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2014
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.

New research on gigabit wireless communications

The study proposes enhanced technologies and algorithms to increase data capacity and densification in short-range wireless networks, achieving speeds of up to 7Gbps per link. Beamforming is also explored as a solution for multi-gigabit connections between base stations and users, with an adaptive algorithm reducing interference.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateApr 10, 2014

Personal touch signature makes mobile devices more secure

A new security system called LatentGesture continuously monitors how a user taps and swipes their mobile device, recognizing differences from the owner's tendencies. The system achieved nearly 98% accuracy on smartphones and 97% accuracy on tablets, making it an effective tool for enhancing mobile device security.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateApr 7, 2014
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.

Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created semi-transparent, colored photovoltaics that can generate electricity while maintaining their color. The cells are 10 times thinner than traditional solar cells and have a nearly 100% quantum efficiency, making them suitable for use indoors and in densely populated cities.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 3, 2014

Artificial cells and salad dressing

A team of researchers developed methods to screen thousands of synthetic molecular oscillators in small droplets, finding diverse behavior in terms of period, amplitude and phase. This diversity will play a crucial role in engineering complex behaviors in artificial cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 18, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Time to act on mobile phone use while driving, say experts

A quarter of crashes in the US are now attributed to mobile phone use, with texting being the riskiest activity. Experts recommend technological solutions to prevent distracted driving, such as software that prevents texting while driving or signal jamming keys.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 4, 2014

Telemedicine service may expand access to acute medical care, study finds

A study by RAND Corporation found that telemedicine programs can provide good quality care for acute medical problems, with little evidence of misdiagnosis or treatment failure. Patients who used the service were younger, had fewer chronic conditions, and were more likely to be women and live in affluent areas.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalHealth Affairs·DateFeb 3, 2014

UH researchers create new flexible, transparent conductor

University of Houston researchers have developed a new stretchable and transparent electrical conductor that could bring bendable cell phones and foldable flat-screen TVs closer to reality. The gold nanomesh electrodes demonstrate good electrical conductivity, transparency, and flexibility, with potential applications for biomedical de...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

App may signal cellphone dependency

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed an app that measures cellphone use, revealing shocking statistics. The app, dubbed Menthal, analyzes user behavior over six weeks, showing average users activate their smartphones every 12 minutes, and problematic use can lead to addiction-like symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMedical Hypotheses·DateJan 27, 2014

Texting changes the way we walk

A study published in PLOS ONE found that texting alters posture and balance while walking, causing individuals to swerve and slow down. This behavior may impact the safety of people who text and walk at the same time, highlighting the need for greater awareness about phone use while navigating.

SourcePLOS·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJan 22, 2014
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.

Cell phones as life savers

Researchers at TUM developed a system that uses cell phones as transponders to measure distance accuracy of a few centimeters within microseconds, enhancing safety and movement prediction. The technology can also identify vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists even behind obstacles.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateJan 20, 2014

Drivers engaged in other tasks about 10 percent of the time

A recent NIH study using video technology and in-vehicle sensors found that drivers engage in distracting activities about 10% of the time, with risks being greatest for newly licensed teen drivers who are eight times more likely to crash or have a near miss while texting.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 1, 2014
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.

NREL test helps make moisture barriers better

The NREL Electric Calcium Test (e-Ca) detects infinitesimally small amounts of moisture, making it 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than other commercial tests. The test can detect water vapor transmission rates as low as one ten-millionth of a gram per square meter per day.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateNov 26, 2013

SlipChip counts molecules with chemistry and a cell phone

Scientists at Caltech created a lab-on-a-chip device using SlipChip technology that can accurately measure the concentration of HIV RNA molecules in a sample. The digital approach uses amplification chemistry to produce a fluorescent signal, allowing for precise quantification despite changes in environmental conditions.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateNov 18, 2013
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.

NHS 111 increases ambulance and urgent and emergency care use

The NHS 111 service increased emergency ambulance calls, attendances at emergency care departments, and use of urgent care services during its first year of operation. Despite being designed to direct patients to the most appropriate level of care, NHS 111 did not reduce these pressures.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateNov 13, 2013

Study shows that parenting improves with coaching via cell phone

A study published in Pediatrics found that cell phone coaching improved parenting skills and reduced depression and stress in mothers. The intervention, which included daily texts and calls from coaches, helped mothers learn positive parenting strategies and their children adapted better to new situations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateNov 6, 2013

MTV, AP-NORC Center survey finds that online bullying has declined

A recent survey by MTV and the AP-NORC Center found that online bullying has declined across 26 of 27 forms of digital abuse, with a significant drop in sexting incidents. While progress is seen in responses to digital abuse, such as seeking help from parents or family, less progress is observed in digital dating abuse.

SourceNORC at the University of Chicago·DateOct 24, 2013
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.