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Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Towards a fully automated approach for assessing English proficiency

A new study by Doshisha University demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of fully automated speaking tests for English language learners, enabling more frequent evaluation and larger-scale studies. The approach uses AI-powered speech recognition and computational metrics to assess language proficiency.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalResearch Methods in Applied Linguistics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2025

New guidelines aim to improve cystic fibrosis screening

The updated guidelines call for uniform screening protocols in all states, recommending that IRT screening labs run twice a week and screen for all mutations known to cause cystic fibrosis. This can lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes for newborns with the disease.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Neonatal Screening·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 3, 2025

Challenging long-held beliefs about eye contact in autistic children

A groundbreaking study reveals that autistic children exhibit social attention patterns similar to their typically developing peers during play, with a primary focus on toys rather than faces. This challenges the longstanding assumption that reduced eye contact is a definitive marker of autism.

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2025
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.

Pediatric investigation study releases updated guidelines for pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

The Chinese Medical Association has released updated guidelines for pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, emphasizing a multi-faceted diagnostic approach and evidence-based treatment strategies. The guidelines highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and responsible antibiotic use to combat rising resistance.

SourcePediatric Investigation·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 19, 2025

A modified Delphi consensus of the Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery

Researchers from the University of Granada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identified the most important physical fitness tests for children and adolescents, with a degree of scientific agreement exceeding 85%. The top tests include the 20-meter shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, and body mass index.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSurvey·DateDec 17, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Race-blind college admissions harm diversity without improving quality

A new study by Cornell University researchers found that ignoring race in college admissions leads to a less diverse admitted class with similar academic credentials. The number of top-ranked applicants from underrepresented minorities dropped by 62% when considering race was removed, without a corresponding increase in test scores.

SourceCornell University·DateNov 21, 2024

Standardized autism screening during pediatric well visits identified more, younger children with high likelihood for autism diagnosis

A new study found that standardized autism screening during pediatric well-child visits identifies more children with high autism likelihood at a younger age. The study used the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F) and compared it to usual care.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 14, 2024

AI helps to detect antibiotic resistance

Researchers at University of Zurich used AI to analyze antibiotic resistance using GPT-4 model, creating EUCAST-GPT-expert system for accurate interpretation of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. The AI system performed well in detecting certain types of resistance but had limitations, while human experts were more accurate but slower.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024

Survivors of childhood brain cancer are more likely to be held back in school

Children who survived childhood brain cancer are more likely to struggle academically, with a greater chance of being held back and performing poorly on state testing. The study's findings highlight the need for better support and resources to help these students succeed.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 15, 2024
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.

Article tracks history of state history education standards, how teachers can use them as lessons

A new article from a University of Kansas scholar examines the history of state history education standards, highlighting their evolution and potential as a tool for teaching critical thinking and nuanced historical understanding. The author argues that standards can be a way for teachers to guide students in analyzing historical docum...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalThe American Historical Review·TypeContent analysis·DateJul 11, 2024

Rethinking English essay scores: The argument for argument over grammar

A Kobe University study finds that high-scoring essays prioritize complex meaning and diverse expressions, not grammatical complexity. The researcher advocates for a shift in test scoring rubrics to reflect this, suggesting 'contextually appropriate grammar' should be used instead of 'complex grammar'.

SourceKobe University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 18, 2024

Major hearing difficulties in people over 90

A study by Åsa Winzell Juhlin from the University of Gothenburg found that all participants over 90 had hearing loss, with 80% requiring hearing aids. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing hearing health in this age group for physical and mental well-being.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Audiology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2024
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.

Cognitive decline may be detected using network analysis, according to Concordia researchers

Concordia researchers use network analysis to study cognitive decline, identifying key variables that predict subtle changes in brain function. Executive function and processing speed are found to be strongly influential, with age affecting cognition differently for those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCortex·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 9, 2024

Social-emotional growth linked to higher math and English scores

A new study found that increases in growth mindset and self-management predict higher math and ELA scores, as well as improved attendance rates comparable to additional days in the classroom. The research evaluated over 49,000 middle school students across four California districts.

SourceNew York University·JournalAERA Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024
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.

AI and synthetic patients to improve diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

Researchers at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya used machine learning to simulate patient conditions based on questionnaire answers, predicting stress test performance and identifying symptoms. This approach provides a warning for early diagnosis and referral to specialized units.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 21, 2023
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.

Sharing best practice for radiative cooling

Researchers propose standardized criteria for radiative cooling performance evaluation to improve reliability and comparability. The technology uses the sky as a heat sink to achieve cooling below ambient temperatures.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Sustainability·DateAug 29, 2023

AI can help optimize CT scan X-ray radiation dose

Researchers developed AI models based on UNet and MobileNet architectures to analyze standardized abnormalities in CT images, accurately identifying object presence and confidence. These models achieved an absolute percentage error of less than 5 percent, comparable to human professionals.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateMar 8, 2023

ChatGPT can (almost) pass the US Medical Licensing Exam

A study published in PLOS Digital Health found that ChatGPT scored between 52.4% and 75.0% on the USMLE exams, exceeding the passing threshold of approximately 60%. The model demonstrated high concordance rates and produced significant insights for most responses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023
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.

Toward standardized tests for assessing lidars in autonomous vehicles

The three-year effort aims to establish a widely accepted protocol for comparing lidar performance. The first year's tests evaluated range, accuracy, and precision of eight automotive-grade lidars using a survey-grade reference. Results showed the distribution of measured values was not Gaussian, with significant errors in some cases.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalOptical Engineering·DateJan 6, 2023

BU study: removing GRE requirement does not undermine student success

A recent Boston University School of Public Health analysis reveals that eliminating the Graduate Record Examination as an admissions requirement increased applicant diversity, with notable increases in African American and Hispanic applicants. Student performance remained unchanged, with no declines in academic quality or graduate emp...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalPublic Health Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 5, 2022

Study shows program improves teaching skills, students' word problem solving

A new study from the University of Kansas found that a professional development intervention improved an educator's teaching skills and boosted students' abilities to solve word problems, especially for Hispanic English-learning students with math learning disabilities. The program helped develop a 'feedback loop' between educator and ...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Learning Disabilities·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022
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.

Study shows creativity assessments progressing slowly, including racialized, gendered approaches

A new study from the University of Kansas found that creativity assessments in education rely on standardized approaches, overlooking many students. The research highlights the need for a more diverse range of assessments to identify and encourage creative young people across different domains and populations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalReview of Research in Education·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 27, 2022

Sport improves concentration and quality of life

A study by TUM confirms that physically fit primary school pupils perform better in terms of concentration and health-related quality of life. The results show a positive correlation between physical fitness, concentration, and overall well-being.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Special testing of kidney tissue from deceased COVID-19 donor documents safe transplantation of the organ, Johns Hopkins researchers report

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully transplanted a kidney from a COVID-19 donor, demonstrating that healthy kidneys from such donors can be safely transplanted. The recipient has shown no signs or symptoms of the virus and has excellent kidney function since the transplant.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJan 31, 2022
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.

Alternative to using race in kidney function test found

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente identified a blood cystatin C test as an alternative to estimate kidney function, eliminating the need for racial considerations. The study showed that this approach produces similarly accurate results and may promote equity for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 23, 2021

COVID-19 testing in schools complex but doable, worth the effort -- RAND study

A RAND Corporation report found that COVID-19 testing in schools is complex but doable, requiring partnerships with local public health departments and strong technical assistance. Schools used strategies to encourage participation, including pilot periods and incentives like paid sick leave, to overcome barriers such as privacy concerns.

SourceRAND Corporation·DateMar 9, 2021
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.

Stress testing 'coral in a box'

Researchers have developed a rapid stress test to assess coral thermotolerance, allowing for the identification of resilient corals that can survive ocean warming. The 'Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System' (CBASS) enables on-site testing within 18 hours, compared to months in a laboratory.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 8, 2020
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.

UCF research laying groundwork for off-world colonies

Researchers at UCF have created standards for simulated extraterrestrial surface material, allowing for accurate comparisons of test results across studies. The standardized simulant has a high fidelity match with a real meteorite, making it valuable for companies doing asteroid mining and testing.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalIcarus·DateMar 4, 2019

Gauging language proficiency through eye movement

A study by MIT researchers found that patterns of eye movement correlate strongly with performance on standardized tests of English as a second language. The study tracked eye movement to determine comprehension, revealing potential for use as a testing tool.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 22, 2018
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.

MIT researchers refine yardstick for measuring schools

A new study by MIT economists refines the measurement of school quality using a novel approach to Value-Added Models. By leveraging random assignment of students to schools, they found that conventional VAMs underestimate improvement at some schools but provide a ballpark figure for others.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateJun 14, 2017

How do preemies perform in school?

A large-scale study found that premature babies born at 23-24 weeks were ready for kindergarten on time, while those born 25 weeks or later performed only slightly lower than full-term infants. Nearly 2% of extremely premature babies achieved gifted status in school.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJun 12, 2017

Researchers make 5 recommendations for standardized test designers

Standardized test designers should use tests as tools to promote learning, provide feedback, and encourage self-assessment to enhance student outcomes. The researchers recommend adapting tests to students' ability levels and ensuring they encourage critical thinking and application of knowledge.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind

A Duke University study found that assigning public schools failing grades leads to increased turnout among affluent voters, but has little impact on low-income families. The research suggests that providing citizens with information about school performance does not necessarily address imbalances in civic engagement.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateSep 24, 2015

Do Legos, standardized testing, and Googling hamper creativity?

A study by C. Page Moreau and Marit Gundersen Engeset found that adults' creativity suffers when given well-defined problems to solve, such as building with Legos. This can lead to a reliance on routine tasks and decreased performance on subsequent creative tasks.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateAug 12, 2015
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.

Liberal or conservative? Reactions to disgust are a dead giveaway

A study published in Current Biology found that the brain's response to disgusting images can reliably predict a person's political affiliation. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze brain activity while participants viewed neutral, pleasant, and disgusting images.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 29, 2014

European multicenter harmonization study shows anaplastic lymphoma kinase immunohistochemistry testing comparable to, if not better than, fluorescence in situ hybridization testing

A European multicenter harmonization study reveals that standardized semi-quantitative anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) IHC is reliable and comparable to FISH testing for detecting ALK protein expression. The study showed 100% concordance among institutions on 15 well-characterized NSCLC specimens, making IHC a potential stand-alone test.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 23, 2014

Low-income students in charter high schools less likely to engage in risky behavior

A new UCLA-led study reveals that high-performing public charter high schools in Los Angeles significantly reduced the likelihood of engaging in risky health behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol use, among low-income minority adolescents. These students also scored better on standardized tests and exhibited improved cognitive skills.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJul 21, 2014