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Learning the smell of fear: Mothers teach babies their own fears via odor, research finds

Researchers discovered that mother rats can transmit fears to their babies through odor, which could explain how traumatic experiences affect children long after birth. The study pinpointed the brain area responsible for learning these fears and suggests potential interventions to prevent irrational fear responses.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2014

Link between ritual circumcision procedure and herpes infection in infants examined

A literature review found that metzitzah b'peh, a Jewish circumcision procedure involving oral suction, is likely a source of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) transmissions in infants. The practice has been linked to severe morbidity and potentially death in newborns, highlighting the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society·DateJul 24, 2014

Dr. Surendra Sharma honored by professional association

Dr. Surendra Sharma, a research scientist and professor at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, has received the Distinguished Service Award for advancing reproductive immunology research. His laboratory focuses on understanding premature birth and pregnancy complications.

SourceCare New England·DateJul 21, 2014

Measuring nurture: Study shows how 'good mothering' hardwires infant brain

Researchers found that maternal presence and social interactions directly mold infant brain activity and growth. The study showed that the mother's presence regulated and controlled electrical signaling in the infant pup's brain, leading to healthy brain development.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 17, 2014
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.

Babies born to healthy mums worldwide are strikingly similar in size

A landmark study by Oxford University researchers found that babies' bone growth in the womb and their length and head circumference at birth are strikingly similar globally when born to educated, healthy, and well-nourished mothers. The study involved almost 60,000 pregnancies across eight urban areas worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJul 6, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Telemedicine catches blinding disease in premature babies

A NIH-funded study found that telemedicine screening for ROP in premature infants can correctly identify cases with 90% accuracy. The approach, which involves sending photos of baby eyes to a distant image reading center, could help ease strain on hospitals and improve care for underserved areas.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJun 26, 2014

Trained evaluators can successfully screen for premie eye disease from miles away

A new multicenter study validated a telemedicine approach to screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of treatable blindness in preterm babies. Trained non-physician evaluators accurately identified high-risk eyes, suggesting this method could help prevent thousands of kids from going blind.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJun 24, 2014

Nearly 1 in 25 US babies are born too soon

A large US study finds that nearly one in 25 babies are born too soon through elective cesarean sections and induced labor without medical indication. This increases the risk of respiratory distress, ventilation, and longer hospital stays for newborns.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalMedical Care·DateJun 23, 2014

By any stretch

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new stereoscopic measurement system using computer vision to accurately measure infant length. The technique allows infants to be measured while lying naturally on their backs, eliminating the need for physical restriction and reducing discomfort.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateJun 23, 2014
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.

The Lancet: Midwifery matters 'more than ever'

A major new Series in The Lancet emphasizes the critical role of midwifery in saving millions of women and children worldwide. Effective midwifery can prevent up to three-quarters of stillbirths and maternal deaths, and even modest improvements in coverage could halve current rates by 2030.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 22, 2014

Heart rate variability may predict risk of disease in premature infants

Researchers found that heart rate variability can predict the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. The study showed that decreased high-frequency energy distribution was associated with increased risk, while higher values were linked to a lower risk. This discovery offers new hope for early detection and intervention.

SourcePenn State·JournalNeurogastroenterology & Motility·DateJun 12, 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.

What's the best way for toddlers to acquire verb meaning?

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that toddlers can successfully learn novel verbs after hearing them only twice, as long as the verb is 'packaged' in a complete sentence. The study showed that presenting verbs in sentences with familiar nouns supports toddlers' abilities to apply the new words in novel contexts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalLanguage Learning and Development·DateJun 11, 2014

Infant immune systems learn fast, but have short memories

A new Cornell University study reveals that infants' immune systems respond quickly to infection but struggle to create long-lasting immunity, leaving them vulnerable to illnesses. Researchers hope to design more effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions using this knowledge.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJun 11, 2014

MRI shows brain abnormalities in late preterm infants

A new study published in Radiology found that moderate and late preterm birth is associated with smaller brain size and less developed myelination, suggesting a disruption in the expected trajectory of brain growth. The research provides insight into brain-behavior relationships in this group of children.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateJun 10, 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.

Clinical review published in JAMA

A clinical review published in JAMA explores the diagnosis and management of mixed urinary incontinence in women, a condition affecting 20-36% of women. High-quality evidence supports treating stress and urge urinary incontinences with surgery and medications respectively.

SourceCare New England·JournalJAMA·DateJun 6, 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.

Increased risk of birth asphyxia in babies born to overweight and obese women

Research by Swedish and US researchers reveals that mothers who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with low Apgar scores, indicating an oxygen deficit at birth. The study suggests that preventing women from becoming overweight or obese during reproductive age could improve perinatal health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 20, 2014

UT Dallas study sheds light on how infants understand speech

A new UT Dallas study explores how infants process degraded speech with cochlear implants, revealing they need more complete speech information to maximize communication outcomes. Infants can distinguish between familiar and new sounds, but require less distortion and more frequency information than older children and adults.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateMay 19, 2014
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Low rate of adverse events associated with male circumcision

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that male circumcision is associated with a low rate of adverse events. The study suggests that male circumcision carries minimal risk and can be performed safely without compromising the child's long-term health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 12, 2014

Community doulas can be a big help for mother-baby relationships

Research at the University of Chicago found that community doulas significantly improved breastfeeding rates and infant development in young mothers from low-income African American families. The study showed that doulas who were similar to the mothers they supported had a more positive impact on their relationships with their babies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 7, 2014

Perceived barriers limit WIC CVV use in Arizona

A recent study found that low-income communities and WIC participants in Arizona face significant barriers when using cash value vouchers for purchasing nutrient-dense foods. These barriers include negative interactions with cashiers and lack of training, which can lead to frustration and decreased access to healthy food options.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMay 6, 2014

Mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may set stage for childhood obesity

A study found that pregnant women who watched TV during meals were five times more likely to expose their infants to TV during feeding. Younger mothers and those not exclusively breastfeeding also faced this increased risk. The study suggests that reducing mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateMay 6, 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.

Many heavily breastfed infants not getting needed dietary diversity

A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that nearly three-quarters of heavily breastfed infants in the US do not receive adequate dietary diversity until age 2. The researchers suggest that better education on introducing multiple food groups may be necessary to address this issue.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·DateMay 3, 2014

Many infants still not placed on their backs to sleep

A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateMay 3, 2014
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.

Steroids after surgery do not help infants with rare liver disease

A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that steroids after surgery do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. The study also revealed that survival rates were nearly the same for both groups, but infants on steroids experienced more serious adverse events.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 2014

Medication does not lower risk of fungal infection, death among ELBW infants

A recent study published in JAMA found that the antifungal medication fluconazole did not significantly reduce the risk of death or invasive candidiasis in extremely low birth-weight infants. The study included 361 infants from 32 NICUs and randomly assigned them to receive either fluconazole or placebo for six weeks.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 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.

Many parents don't follow safe infant sleep practices

A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateMay 3, 2014

Steroids after surgery do not help infants with rare liver disease

A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroids do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia six months after surgery. Infants who received steroids experienced more surgical complications and infections than those receiving a placebo.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 2014

Study examines effect of receiving Tdap vaccine during pregnancy

The study found no significant increase in adverse events for mothers or infants who received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had higher concentrations of pertussis antibodies, a key finding that could help prevent infant pertussis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 2014

Babies recognize real-life objects from pictures as early as 9 months

Researchers found that babies can learn about a toy from a photograph well before their first birthday. The study used high-quality images and showed that infants formed a mental idea of the object after a brief exposure to the picture, even when it was out of sight.

SourceRoyal Holloway, University of London·JournalChild Development·DateApr 30, 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.

Oxytocin promotes social behavior in infant rhesus monkeys

Oxytocin increases facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys, promoting communication and social interest. The hormone also lowers cortisol levels, indicating a possible role in diminishing anxiety.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2014

Oxytocin promotes social behavior in infant rhesus monkeys

Researchers found that oxytocin increased two facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys. The hormone promoted more communicative behavior, including lip smacking and standing close to caregivers, in strong imitators, suggesting its potential as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 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.

Fish consumption advisories fail to cover all types of contaminants

A recent modeling study reveals that fish consumption advisories are ineffective in reducing infant exposure to long-lived pollutants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), with estimates suggesting only a 10-15% reduction in child exposure even for mothers who stop eating fish before pregnancy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 17, 2014

Study provides new insight into how toddlers learn verbs

A study from the University of Liverpool found that showing toddlers similar but distinct actions helped them understand what a verb refers to. This new insight sheds light on how children progress throughout preschool and school years.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalBritish Journal of Developmental Psychology·DateApr 16, 2014

The Lancet: Changing where a baby is held immediately after birth could lead to improved uptake of procedure that reduces infant iron deficiency

Researchers found that holding babies on their mother's abdomen or chest immediately after birth does not compromise delayed cord clamping. This could lead to improved uptake and reduced risk of infant iron deficiency. The study suggests a more comfortable and bonding-friendly approach for hospitals.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 16, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Hair from infants gives clues about their life in the womb

A study using infant hair from rhesus monkeys found higher levels of cortisone and estrone in babies born to young mothers, suggesting a link between prenatal hormones and development. The findings raise questions about the impact on gender differences and chronic disease risk.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPediatric Research·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.