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For robust robots, let them be babies first

Researchers created simulated and actual robots that evolve their body forms while learning to walk, resulting in faster adaptation and improved resilience. The evolving robots developed a more robust gait than fixed-body robots, enabling them to better deal with disruptions.

A second language gives toddlers an edge

Bilingual toddlers as young as 24 months exhibit comparable vocabulary in both languages and show cognitive advantages over unilingual peers. This early bilingual advantage is likely due to infants' experience with two languages, providing a competitive edge in executive functioning.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Enhanced early childhood education pays long-term dividends in better health

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that intensive early education programs for low-income children can bring improved health and healthier behaviors in early adulthood. The randomized control trial, which enrolled 111 infants from the 1970s to age 21, showed significant benefits in health measure...

Scientists sequence gut microbes of premature infant

Researchers sequenced and reconstructed most microbes in premature newborn's gut, documenting changes over time. They aim to understand the causes of necrotizing enterocolitis by studying the colonization process under normal circumstances.

Reducing HIV risk of breastfeeding with 3-drug prophylaxis

A randomized controlled trial found that a triple-drug regimen during pregnancy and breastfeeding significantly reduces HIV transmission to infants. The study's findings support the use of long-term treatment for women with low CD4 cell counts and ARV prophylaxis for all breastfeeding mothers.

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.

Babies process language in a grown-up way

Researchers at UC San Diego found that babies over a year old process words with adult-like brain structures and meanings, challenging previous theories on infant language development. The study used MEG and MRI to map brain activity in infants and confirmed the same left frontotemporal areas activated in adults for word meaning.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Being good moms couldn't save the woolly mammoth

Woolly mammoths living north of the Arctic Circle began weaning infants up to three years later than modern African elephants, potentially contributing to their eventual extinction. This adaptation to harsher environment and prolonged nursing may have made them more vulnerable to climate change and human hunting.

Mothers' diets have biggest influence on children eating healthy

A Michigan State University study found that mothers' own eating habits and perceptions of their child as a 'picky eater' significantly impact whether their toddler consumes enough fruits and vegetables. Health professionals must consider these factors when developing strategies to promote healthy eating in children.

Neonatal intensive care in Mexico is cost effective

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that neonatal intensive care provides substantial population health benefits in Mexico relative to its costs, even for very premature babies. The study suggests that including neonatal intensive care in Mexico's Seguro Popular program is highly efficient in terms of overall benefits provided com...

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.

Fighting flu in newborns begins in pregnancy

Researchers found that vaccinating pregnant women against influenza prevents hospitalization in infants by 91.5%. This effective strategy protects young infants without a vaccine, and is cost-effective as it protects two individuals.

New UCLA study raises questions about genetic testing of newborns

A new UCLA study warns that mandatory genetic screening of newborns for rare diseases is creating unexpected upheaval for families whose infants test positive but show no immediate signs of the diseases. The study found that parents are often left in limbo, waiting months for conclusive evidence and facing trauma as a result.

New UCLA study raises questions about genetic testing of newborns

A new UCLA study reveals that mandatory genetic screening of newborns for rare diseases is creating unexpected upheaval for families whose infants test positive but show no immediate signs of the diseases. The study found that these families are often left in a state of uncertainty, with parents experiencing anxiety and trauma as they ...

New public health goals tackle obstacles to breastfeeding success

The US Department of Health and Human Services has set ambitious targets to improve breastfeeding rates in the country. The Healthy People 2020 goals aim to increase the percentage of Baby Friendly Hospitals and workplaces that accommodate working mothers, as well as reduce formula supplementation during maternity hospital stays.

Preterm infants may need a boost

A new study suggests preterm infants are at risk of invasive pneumococcal disease despite receiving the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Early effective immunization is crucial, as they have lower levels of maternally derived antibody than full-term infants.

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.

MU researcher studies how infants compare quantities

Infants demonstrate ability to compare quantities, such as liquids, with research finding they choose larger amount in food-related tasks. This contradicts previous studies suggesting infants are unable to quantify non-cohesive substances.

New research from Psychological Science

Studies examine how people perceive gaze direction, detect kinship, and identify objects in space. Researchers find that subordinates' perceptions are generally more accurate than those of their bosses, while firstborns may struggle with detecting kinship among strangers.

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.

Nighttime sleep found beneficial to infants' skills

A longitudinal study found that infants who get most of their sleep at night perform better in skill areas such as executive functioning, which includes controlling impulses, remembering things, and showing mental flexibility. The research suggests that good nighttime sleep in infancy sets the stage for later executive skills.

New heart pump to provide temporary assist for infants, adults

Researchers have developed a new type of heart pump to improve the survival rate for infants undergoing surgeries to correct univentricular circulation. The innovative 'viscous impeller pump' can be inserted through a catheter and expands to form two cones, spinning at 10,000 rpm to efficiently pump blood.

Infants' hemodynamic responses to happy and angry facial expressions

Researchers used NIRS to investigate infants' hemodynamic responses to happy and angry faces, finding that positive expressions elicited continuous neural activation, while negative expressions triggered more rapid decreased activity. The study suggests hemispheric lateralization of facial expression processing develops by 6 months.

WRHR scholar to study contraception availability for female veterans

Dr. Vinita Goyal, a Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholar at Care New England, is conducting research into the accessibility of contraception services for female military veterans within the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Her study aims to identify gaps in women's healthcare services and inform policy improvements.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Exposure of humans to cosmetic UV filters is widespread

Research reveals widespread internal exposure of humans to cosmetic UV filters, found in 85% of human milk samples, comparable to PCBs. The presence of UV filters is correlated with the use of cosmetic products containing these filters.

UMass Medical School study points to genetic link in apnea of prematurity

A UMass Medical School study found a genetic link in apnea of prematurity (AOP), with identical twins showing an 87% correlation. The research suggests heredity may play a strong role in determining an infant's susceptibility to AOP, leading to the development of more effective treatments and screening methods.

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.

Substantial consumption of fluoride increases chance of mild fluorosis

Research suggests that substantial amounts of fluoride through infant formula and toothpaste may cause mild fluorosis in young children. However, the American Dental Association recommends continued use of fluoridated water and toothpaste due to their proven effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.

Breast center receives RI Pink Heals donation

The Program in Women's Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital will receive a $5,000 donation from Pink Heals Rhode Island to support the Patient Advocate Program. The program helps eliminate obstacles and stresses for women battling breast cancer by arranging transportation, financial assistance, and other services.

Center to study effects of plastics chemicals on children's health

A new research center will study the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates on infant and adolescent development, cognition, and behavior. The center aims to determine if exposure to these chemicals alters hormone signaling and affects sex differences in brain development and behavior.

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.

MFM researcher earns $3.7M NIH grant to study preterm birth

Dr. Edward Chien's $3.7M NIH grant will recruit up to 700 pregnant women to develop more accurate algorithms for tracking fetal development and predicting healthy small fetuses. The study aims to identify pathologic versus normal growth patterns in both singletons and twins.

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.

Children as young as 12 months can reach a countertop

Children aged 12-23 months can reach the top of a standard kitchen countertop, surpassing expected milestones and increasing scald-related burn risks. Parents are urged to place hot objects closer to the back of the counter to minimize hazards.

Feeding prior to eye exams reduces stress in premature infants

A recent study in the Journal of AAPOS found that feeding premature infants one hour before their retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examination unexpectedly reduced stress levels. The researchers also discovered that this practice did not increase vomiting or gastric aspirates, contrary to current practice.

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.

A better way to treat HIV-infected children?

A new study found that children treated with protease inhibitors and then switched to Nevirapine were more likely to maintain low virus levels. The switch regime is easier for parents to adhere to, saving money, but requires adequate monitoring of virus levels.

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.

Visual pattern preference may be indicator of autism in toddlers

A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that toddlers with autism spend more time examining dynamic geometric patterns than social images. This preference was observed as early as 14 months in infants at-risk for autism, and was associated with a higher risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder.

Infant's gaze may be an early, but subtle, marker for autism risk

A new study found that high-risk infants, those with a sibling with autism, showed infrequent gazing at caregivers when unprompted. Despite this, they demonstrated typical cause and effect learning skills. The study suggests that early exposure to simple cause and effect opportunities can aid in development.

Neonatal intensive care units critical to infant survival

Very low birthweight and preterm infants are more likely to die without access to specialized NICU care. A regionalized system of NICUs has improved infant mortality rates since its inception in the 1970s, but progress has been hindered by a decline in Level III hospital births.

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.

Salmon baby food? Babies need omega-3s and a taste for fish, scientist says

A University of Illinois professor has developed a nutritious salmon baby food for toddlers, citing the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for brain development and preventing coronary artery disease. The product's taste was found to be mild and appealing to parents, with an encouraging sensory panel response.

For infant sleep, receptiveness more important than routine

Research suggests that responding to infants' cues is key to better sleep outcomes, contradicting past findings on physical contact. Parents who show disinterest or gentle interactions help children fall asleep faster, while those using stern directives hinder sleep.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.