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Scientists shed new light on speed of infant learning

Researchers found that infants as young as four months old learn object concepts through visual observation, not manual exploration. The study used eye-tracking experiments to show that babies quickly grasp fundamental concepts by watching objects in motion.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 25, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dengue infection more serious for elderly persons

A recent CDC study reveals that elderly individuals are at a higher risk of severe complications from dengue infection, including hospitalization and hemorrhagic fever. Clinicians must conduct thorough clinical examinations to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to further complications.

SourcePan American Health Organization·DateJul 30, 2003
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.

Clear limits to a baby's view of the world

Researchers investigated how babies up to six months old perceive moving objects behind screens, finding that they initially don't see continuity until four months old. This suggests that babies develop their perceptual abilities with age rather than being born with them.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 27, 2003

Response to new faces varies by temperament, tied to brain activity

Researchers found that inhibited temperaments show a greater brain response to unfamiliar faces, while uninhibited individuals exhibit less. The study's findings support the theory that temperamental differences relate to amygdala function and persist into adulthood.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience·DateJun 19, 2003

Prematurity, infections most likely causes of brain damage among infants

A study of 213 premature babies found that brain damage was most likely caused by prematurity and infections. The research revealed that even with advances in medical care, such as electronic fetal heart rate monitoring, the incidence of cerebral palsy and other problems has remained unchanged.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 6, 2003
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.

Fiber-boosted formula for piglets shows promise in battle against infant diarrhea

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that piglets fed with a fiber-rich formula showed reduced incidence of diarrhea when infected with Salmonella typhimurium. The study suggests that fermentable fibers can help prevent intestinal damage and promote resistance against pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJun 2, 2003

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Not for young children

Research found that young children prefer and pay more attention to sounds than visual images when presented simultaneously. The study suggests that processing visual information is not difficult for children, but they have an auditory preference that helps them acquire language.

SourceOhio State University·JournalChild Development·DateMay 28, 2003

Rapid infant weight gain linked to obesity in African American young adults

A recent study establishes that rapid infant weight gain is associated with obesity in young adulthood, particularly among African Americans. The study found that subjects with rapid early infancy weight gain were more than twice as likely to be obese at age 20 compared to those without rapid weight gain.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 23, 2003

Study discovers key to baby-like skin

A new study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center shows that leaving vernix on newborn skin can improve hydration, reduce scaly texture, and promote a faster decrease in pH. The researchers hope to develop a synthetic equivalent for use in various applications, including wound dressings and medication delivery systems.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·DateMay 6, 2003

Hyperglycemia may increase risk of eye disorder in premature infants

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine has found a link between hyperglycemia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants. Infants with ROP had higher daily blood sugar levels compared to healthy peers, with increased risk almost doubling for each 10 mg/dl increase in average monthly glucose.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Perinatology·DateMay 5, 2003
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.

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.

Prenatal exposure to nicotine increases risk of apnea in brains of newborn rats

A study found that prenatal exposure to nicotine increases the function and density of GABAa receptors in brain regions controlling breathing, leading to more frequent and prolonged episodes of apnea in newborn rats. This suggests a possible link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndro...

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateApr 12, 2003
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.

Home visits could benefit teenage mothers and their children

A postnatal home-visiting service for teenage mothers aged under 18 years was shown to reduce adverse health outcomes of their children, including infant deaths and foster care placements. Home visits also increased mothers' contraceptive use, but not breastfeeding or vaccination knowledge.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 13, 2003

Higher SIDS risk found in infants placed in unaccustomed sleeping position

A study conducted in California found that infants sleeping on their sides are at an increased risk of SIDS, with a significant increase in risk when they turn onto their stomachs during sleep. The researchers recommend placing babies on their backs every time they go to sleep for consistent safety.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 28, 2003

Brief exposure to Mandarin can help American infants learn Chinese

Researchers found that 9-month-old American infants exposed to Mandarin Chinese were able to distinguish phonetic units of the language, even when exposed for less than five hours. This suggests that social interaction plays an important role in language learning and that brief exposure can have long-lasting effects.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateFeb 17, 2003

Infants may offer clues to language development

Researchers found that infants as young as 6.5 months can recognize word boundaries by identifying sound patterns in speech. As they mature, they rely on stressed syllables to determine word ends and begin. The study provides insight into how humans acquire language.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateFeb 17, 2003
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.

Infants learn to fill in perceptual gaps by 4 months

At 2-6 months old, infants learn to connect visible bits and pieces of the world to form mental representations. By 4 months, they can accurately perceive occlusions in object trajectories, laying the foundation for lifelong visual perception.

SourceCornell University·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 12, 2003

News for every parent: Ways to protect your infant from sudden death

African-American infants are disproportionately affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to sleeping on non-crib surfaces or sharing a bed with adults. The study highlights the need for public awareness campaigns to address this racial disparity and promotes the use of cribs as the only safe places for sleeping babies.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 3, 2003
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.

Oxygen deprivation at or immediately after birth may place premature babies at risk for problems

A study found that premature babies with mild to moderate oxygen deprivation during or immediately after birth had significantly lower cognitive and language skills compared to those with no such risk. The researchers suggest that even minor risk of hypoxia may be associated with damage to the brain's periventricular white matter.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalNeuropsychology·DateJan 26, 2003

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for January (first issue)

Researchers found alterations in airway structure due to cigarette smoke exposure in utero may cause symptoms and abnormal lung function in exposed infants. A potential therapy for premature babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia has been identified as low molecular weight catalytic antioxidant.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 31, 2002
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.

Preemies’ temperaments shift in first year of life

Preterm infants exhibit intense moods, withdrawal to new stimuli, and irregular bodily functions at 6 weeks, but these challenges resolve by six months and 12 months as they adapt to full-term infant-like behavior, according to a study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateDec 18, 2002

Massage helps infants, mothers get good night’s sleep together

A study by Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa found that massage therapy helps infants develop a more aligned circadian system with their mothers' night-day cycle. After 14 days of bedtime massage therapy, infants in the treatment group showed improved sleep coordination, with peak activity during early morning hours.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateDec 13, 2002

Toy choice among boys, girls a matter of monkey business

A study by Gerianne Alexander found that male and female monkeys showed similar preferences for 'boy' and 'girl' toys as human children, suggesting innate preferences. The findings suggest that perceptual cues attract males to active play objects like cars and balls, while females prefer toys with nurturing functions.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateDec 10, 2002
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.

Infants go to school early on grammar

A Purdue University psychology professor's research reveals infants can comprehend words and grammar from a young age, defying the common notion of gradual learning. By analyzing infant responses to language experiments, Hollich's study shows that babies as young as 5 months old demonstrate surprising linguistic savvy.

SourcePurdue University·DateDec 2, 2002

Infants build knowledge of their visual world on statistics

Researchers tested infants' ability to recognize relationships among shapes, finding they paid more attention to pairs of shapes that occurred most often together. This innate ability helps babies build a concept of the world by recognizing patterns in images and is essential for learning and understanding.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2002

Discovery may dramatically reduce liver transplants in children

A groundbreaking study by Dr. Jorge Bezerra at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has identified a genetic underpinning to biliary atresia, the most common reason for liver transplant in children. The discovery points to a potential role of cytokines in driving an inflammatory response against the body's own tissues.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 21, 2002
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.

Ag economist calculates value of knowing that food's safe

A study by Purdue economist William Masters found that African mothers are willing to pay a premium of 30% for infant food with guaranteed quality and safety information. This could lead to reduced child malnutrition rates if generic options were made available, saving up to 6 million lives annually.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateNov 20, 2002

Heart gone haywire blamed in some sudden infant deaths

A study by the American Heart Association suggests that long Q-T syndrome, a heart condition, may be responsible for some sudden infant deaths. Researchers analyzed DNA from frozen heart tissue of unexplained infant deaths and found genetic anomalies in 32% of cases.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 19, 2002
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.

Pre-term infants slower than full-terms at processing information

Pre-terms exhibit significantly slower processing speed at recognizing new faces, a skill linked to intelligence and academic achievement. The study suggests pre-terms' slower processing speed is rooted in infancy and may be related to medical risks such as respiratory distress syndrome.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateNov 10, 2002

The eyes have it: Study shows infants more tuned into wider world than previously believed

A study by University of Washington psychologists reveals infants' ability to gaze follow is crucial for learning language and understanding emotions, with open eyes leading to longer attention and more vocalization. By 14 months, infants become sensitive to potential obstacles and can initiate pointing and babbling towards objects.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateNov 4, 2002
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.

American Thoracic Society Journal news tips for October (second issue)

A recent study reveals that asthma affects over 42,000 US households, with moderate to severe persistent disease prevalent among individuals. Additionally, the research highlights the significant impact of asthma on daily activities, affecting two-thirds of respondents.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 17, 2002

Most definitive study of its kind shows that sleeping on the stomach increases infant SIDS risk

A large study found that African American infants who slept on their stomachs were at more than twice the risk for SIDS compared to those sleeping in other positions. The research also highlighted disparities in healthcare recommendations and access to information about safe sleep practices among different racial groups.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateOct 7, 2002
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.

'Sticky mittens' give babies a head start

Duke University psychologists found that infants who used 'sticky mittens' had more sophisticated abilities to explore objects and showed increased cross-sensory exploration. The study suggests that providing rich opportunities for infant learning is crucial for development.

SourceDuke University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateSep 18, 2002

Home-based preschool helps disadvantaged kids later

A home-based preschool program in South Carolina has shown significant improvement in disadvantaged children's school readiness and academic performance. The program, which provided twice-weekly visits to families from low-income backgrounds, resulted in higher test scores compared to the general population.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology·DateSep 12, 2002

Essential fatty acids in mother’s diet affect infant’s sleep patterns

A study of pregnant women found that those consuming high levels of DHA during pregnancy had infants with more mature sleep patterns, characterized by lower active to quiet sleep ratios and less sleep-wake transition time. Breastfed infants also showed improved neurological development compared to formula-fed infants.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 22, 2002

Researchers pinpoint pain responses in newborns

Newborn infants exhibit increased pain response after repeated painful procedures, learning to anticipate pain. The study supports efforts to decrease pain in infants undergoing medical procedures.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJAMA·DateAug 20, 2002

Brain damage in infants not always tied to delivery

A study of nearly 22,000 infants found that only one case of seizures was linked to a low Apgar score and high umbilical cord acid levels. Seizures were common in babies born weighing less than 3.3 pounds, affecting 6% of those cases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·DateAug 20, 2002
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.

Pediatric autopsies

A new study analyzing over 7,000 pediatric autopsies found that nearly 60 specimens suggested diagnoses of metabolic disorders as the underlying cause of infant and child deaths. The most commonly detected disorders were medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and glutaric acidemia type I and II deficiencies.

SourceAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry·JournalClinical Chemistry·DateAug 19, 2002

Prenatal zinc supplementation could impair childhood mental development

A recent study found that prenatal zinc supplementation had no significant effect on the mental development of children. However, infants whose mothers received zinc supplements during pregnancy showed poorer nutritional status, which was strongly related to their development. The researchers emphasize the serious nature of undernutrit...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 25, 2002

Researchers discover shift in organisms causing early-onset sepsis in low-birth-weight infants

A recent study found a significant change in the types of bacteria involved in early-onset sepsis in low-birth-weight infants, with an increase in E. coli cases and antibiotic-resistant strains. The shift raises concerns about the impact of increasing antibiotic use during labor on these vulnerable infants.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 24, 2002

Good practice guidelines for mothers after stillbirth 'unjustified'

A study of 65 women who experienced stillbirth found that those who saw their dead baby were more likely to develop depression and anxiety. Women who did not see their stillborn child had lower rates of mental health issues, suggesting that forcing mothers to confront their loss may be counterproductive.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 11, 2002
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.

American Thoracic Society news tips for June (first issue)

Asthma airway remodeling begins in childhood and continues into adulthood, affecting lung function and increasing the risk of respiratory complications. A new study found that 7.4% of children with asthma developed structural abnormalities in their airways at age 18, a rate similar to adults with asthma.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 6, 2002