Add BrightSurf on Google Email

How the African clawed frog got an extra pair of genes

Scientists sequenced the entire genome of Xenopus laevis, revealing it inherited two sets of chromosomes from different diploid ancestors. The discovery provides insights into vertebrate evolution and tetraploidy, a phenomenon where an organism has four sets of chromosomes.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateOct 19, 2016
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.

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.

Pitt-UPMC neurosurgeon to lead BRAIN Initiative grant to study how we speak

A multidisciplinary team will study how motor and linguistic speech information is encoded in the brain to develop specific treatments for speech disorders. The researchers aim to understand which neuronal activity in the subthalamic nucleus is responsible for different aspects of speech.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateOct 13, 2016
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.

RNA, gravitational waves focus of two new grants

Four Penn State researchers have been awarded a total of $450,000 by the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation to study RNA and its processes, as well as real-time gravitational wave detection. The research aims to advance methods for determining RNA structure in living cells and improve prospects for multi-messenger astrophysics.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 7, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How gecko feet got sticky

A UC Riverside-led study found that a dwarf gecko's microscopic hairs allow it to cling to smooth surfaces, revealing the origins of gecko adhesion. The research suggests that small modifications can lead to complex adaptations, with implications for nanotechnology and biomimicry.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateOct 6, 2016
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.

Online software helps citizen scientists solve real-world problems

A new study demonstrates how citizen science can be used to improve environmental decision-making and secure funding for conservation projects. Online software and web-portal platforms enable community groups to design protocols, conduct experiments, and implement plans, making them an invaluable tool in addressing environmental issues.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateOct 5, 2016
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.

The effectiveness of activity trackers and rewards to encourage physical activity

A study from Duke-NUS Medical School found that activity trackers alone or with rewards did not increase physical activity levels. However, those who received cash rewards showed significant increases in activity. The benefits of tracking were short-lived, and participants returned to their previous activity levels after the incentives...

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateOct 4, 2016

Ben-Gurion U. study highlights gene that could lead to therapies for ALS

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev discovered a novel molecular mechanism that could lead to new therapies for ALS. They found that endogenous multifunctional protein macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) acts as a chaperone for misfolded SOD1 proteins, which accumulate and cause cell death in ALS patients.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2016
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.

Pitt team receives $2.5 million in DOD funds for first retrievable vascular stent

The Pitt team has received a $2.5 million contract from the US Department of Defense to further develop a retrievable stent for treating life-threatening hemorrhages in servicemen and civilian gunshot victims. The device can be rapidly placed by non-vascular physicians with minimal training, simplifying treatment in emergency situations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateOct 3, 2016

Startup earns commercialization grant for new technology

GuidaBot is developing a robotic system that enables doctors to perform biopsies while the patient remains within an MRI machine, allowing for faster and more precise procedures. The company has received a $225,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support ongoing research and testing of prototype systems.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateOct 2, 2016
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.

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.

New $9.7 million grant to advance research on theory of aging

A new $9.67 million grant will be used to investigate the connection between retrotransposable elements and aging, with the goal of developing therapeutic interventions. The researchers will work with human cells, mice, and fruit flies to study how these elements contribute to age-related diseases.

SourceBrown University·DateSep 6, 2016

Two MDC researchers win European Research Council grants

Systems biologist Jan Philipp Junker and molecular geneticist Gaetano Gargiulo have each received a €1.5 million ERC Starting Grant to study cellular processes in zebrafish and glioblastoma, respectively. Their research aims to understand the mechanisms behind variable phenomena in developmental biology.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·DateSep 2, 2016

Large investment into brain research at Umeå University

Anna Rieckmann at Umea University has received a 5-year ERC Starting Grant to study the neural basis of cognitive functions using a new imaging technique combining fMRI and PET. This project aims to understand biological processes underlying brain activity, with potential implications for aging-related cognitive decline.

SourceUmea University·DateSep 2, 2016
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.

Stanford seed grants push the boundaries of innovative energy research

The Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy has awarded $2.7 million to 15 faculty seed grant recipients for groundbreaking research on clean energy. Researchers will develop novel technologies, including battery management systems, perovskite solar cells, smart windows, and thermoelectric technologies.

SourceStanford University·DateAug 31, 2016
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.

Neuroene Therapeutics awarded $225,000 STTR research grant

Neuroene Therapeutics is using the Phase I STTR grant to help further develop a novel class of compounds for treating epilepsy. The company aims to provide a new generation of anti-seizure drugs that can effectively control seizures in patients with limited success from current treatments.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·DateAug 25, 2016
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.

Traumatic brain injury associated with long-term psychosocial outcomes

A longitudinal study found that children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience reduced longevity and significant psychosocial problems in adulthood. The study compared TBI cases to unaffected siblings, revealing strong associations between TBI severity, recurrence, and older age at first injury.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 23, 2016

Chimpanzees choose cooperation over competition

Researchers found that chimpanzees choose to cooperate five times more frequently than compete, using various strategies to overcome competition. The study suggests shared roots of human cooperation with other primates and provides insight into human evolution.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2016
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.

Antipsychotic medication poses little risk to developing fetus

Researchers studied a large population-based cohort and found no significant increased risk for congenital malformations or cardiac malformations among women who took antipsychotic medications during the first 90 days of pregnancy. However, risperidone showed a slightly increased risk, highlighting the need for further research.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateAug 17, 2016
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.

MDI Biological Laboratory receives funds for research on nerve damage

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a $456,500 NIH grant to study chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Sandra Rieger's research will focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and its potential applications for other sensory neuropathies.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateAug 17, 2016

Tulane professor receives grant to improve stem cell survival

Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit significant cell-to-cell variation in their capacity to survive upon implantation. The Tulane professor's three-year project aims to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying this variation, with the goal of improving survival rates and advancing regenerative therapies.

SourceTulane University·DateAug 17, 2016
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.

Marshall SOM receives nearly $2.4 million grant to study nutrition and disease

The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has received a $2.39 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the regulation of glutamine absorption in relation to inflammatory bowel disease. The project aims to develop better nutritional therapies for IBD, which is linked to an increased risk of colon c...

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·DateAug 15, 2016

Correcting metabolic deficiencies may improve depression symptoms

Researchers found that 64% of treatment-resistant depression patients had a deficiency in neurotransmitter metabolism, which improved symptoms with underlying deficiency treatment. The study suggests a new avenue for patients who have failed conventional treatments.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 12, 2016
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.

Dear future US president: A wish list from a physician-scientist

Scott Friedman calls on the next president to boost NIH funding, invest in physician-scientists, and promote disease prevention and access to medical care. He advocates for public-private partnerships, clinical trials with repurposed drugs, and democratizing access to clinical trials.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 10, 2016

Medicaid expansion under ACA linked with better health care for low-income adults

A new study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act led to increased primary and preventive care, reduced emergency department visits, and improved quality of care for low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas. The findings suggest that how states expand coverage may not be as important as expanding coverage itself.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2016
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.