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Cognitive hearing aid filters out the noise

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a breakthrough in auditory attention decoding (AAD) methods, bringing cognitively controlled hearing aids closer to reality. The new system can automatically separate individual speakers from a mixture, determine which speaker the user is listening t...

Lutein may counter cognitive aging, study finds

Researchers found that middle-aged participants with higher levels of lutein had neural responses more similar to those of younger individuals. This suggests that lutein may have cognitive benefits for early life stages. The study aimed to understand how diet impacts cognition throughout the lifespan.

Elderly yoginis have greater cortical thickness

Scientists found greater cortical thickness in elderly female yoga practitioners' brains, associated with improved cognitive functions like attention and memory. Long-term yoga practice appears to shape the brain structure and could offset age-related cognitive decline.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Finding what's right with children who grow up in high-stress environments

A new research article proposes that stress-adapted children's traits, such as heightened vigilance and empathic accuracy, should be leveraged to enhance learning and intervention outcomes. These skills may allow at-risk children to perform better than peers from low-risk backgrounds when faced with uncertainty and stress.

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.

Aha! Study examines people as they are struck by sudden insight

The study found that about 42% of players experienced an epiphany, committing to playing zero after realizing it was the best choice. Participants who had epiphanies showed signs of learning, such as increased pupil dilation and attention to low numbers, before making the commit decision.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Has music streaming killed the instrumental intro?

Research found that instrumental intros in top-10 songs decreased from 20 seconds to 5 seconds between 1986 and 2015, while song titles became shorter and lyrics started earlier. The 'attention economy' of modern pop music is prioritizing quick hooks over lengthy introductions.

Penn State study shows aphasia may not solely be a language disorder

A recent Penn State study suggests that aphasia may be a broader cognitive disorder affecting not just language, but also hearing, vision, motor processing, attention, and executive functions. The findings imply that treating aphasia requires a more holistic approach, considering these interconnected brain networks.

Information avoidance

Research reveals that people deliberately avoid information that challenges their beliefs, leading to harm in individual wellbeing and societal polarization. By understanding the reasons behind information avoidance, governments and firms can develop effective strategies to reach their audiences.

Americans missed out on $5.4 billion by not refinancing, study says

A new study found that 20% of homeowners who could have benefited from refinancing didn't, resulting in thousands of dollars paid over the life of the loan. The researchers suggest that behaviors like inattention and procrastination are preventing people from taking advantage of long-term benefits.

UVA, Virginia Tech seek ways to assist drivers with autism

Researchers are studying novice drivers with autism to determine if specialized training can improve their driving skills and reduce collisions. They will use a high-tech driving simulator and on-road driving to compare the performance of drivers with and without autism.

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.

Exercise can significantly improve brain function after stroke

Researchers found that structured physical activity training can improve cognitive deficits in stroke survivors, regardless of rehabilitation program length. Combining aerobic and strength training programs yields the largest cognitive gains, with benefits observed even in patients with chronic stroke.

Kids should pay more attention to mistakes, study suggests

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that children with a growth mindset tend to focus more on their mistakes and improve their performance after errors. In contrast, children with a fixed mindset can also recover from mistakes if they pay close attention to the errors.

A brain wide chemical signal that enhances memory

Researchers discovered a brain-wide chemical signal released in response to attention-demanding situations, which is boosted by current Alzheimer's treatments. This signal could lead to new ways to enhance cognitive function and memory in healthy individuals.

Research unlocks clues to language-based learning in children

A new study from the University of Missouri found a link between working memory and how children learn, suggesting that teaching techniques can be tailored to individual needs. The study suggests that educators can help children with language learning disabilities by reducing information overload and focusing their attention on one task.

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.

Hope for people who struggle after suffering brain trauma

A combined pharmacological therapy and rehabilitation program shows promise in treating persistent cognitive difficulties after traumatic brain injuries, with modest yet significant improvements noted in verbal and nonverbal learning abilities, working memory, and divided attention.

Kids most likely to suffer sport-related eye injuries

Every year, approximately 30,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States result in ER visits, with most cases occurring among children under 18. Basketball and cycling are identified as the most common causes of these injuries. Protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of such injuries.

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.

Study shows infants pay more attention to native speakers

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.

Human hookworm infection exerts high health and economic burden

A new study estimates that human hookworm infection results in over 4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, with China facing up to $6.7 billion in productivity losses annually. The infection is estimated to cost between $7.5 billion and $138.9 billion in productivity losses worldwide.

Too much activity in certain areas of the brain is bad for memory and attention

Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that faulty inhibitory neurotransmission and excessive activity in the hippocampus impair memory and attention. The study highlights the importance of well-balanced neural activity within brain regions, suggesting that both too much and too little activity can cause impairments.

'Cultural learners' in the cradle

Researchers found that infants selectively paid attention to native speakers of their language, even when the information was not transmitted through verbal speech. This behavior was replicated with 5-month-old infants and suggests that children use native speakers as a way to efficiently learn relevant cultural knowledge.

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.

Developmental psychology: Little strategists

A study by Markus Paulus found that preschoolers (3-5 years) expect reciprocity in social interactions, even before it's explicitly taught. This strategic behavior is rooted in the understanding of relative amounts of social capital they build with others.

Attention problems in early childhood can have lasting impact

A new Duke University study examines how early childhood characteristics affect academic performance, finding that children with attention problems were 40% less likely to graduate from high school. Social acceptance by peers also predicted grades in fifth grade.

De-coding the character of a hacker

A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that individuals with a strong drive to understand and build systems, known as systemizing, tend to excel at hacking. This skillset is positively correlated with code-breaking performance, suggesting new opportunities for autistic individuals in security professions.

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.

Boosting productivity at work may be simple: Stand up

New research from Texas A&M University finds that standing desks can increase productivity in adults by 46%, with workers completing more successful calls per hour. Standing for shorter periods also reduces body discomfort and improves cognitive functioning.

Nonprofit exec turnover more turbulent than previously thought

A new study from North Carolina State University finds that nonprofit executive transitions are often plagued by problems and challenges. Most executives do not leave due to voluntary retirement, but rather for reasons such as dismissals for wrongdoing or new job opportunities. The study highlights the importance of a good fit between ...

Executive powers in the nursery

A new University of Toronto study examines the effect of infant vocalizations on adult cognitive conflict processing and attention. The research found that infant cries reduce attention to tasks and trigger greater cognitive conflict than infant laughs.

Listening to the radio could impair drivers' concentration

Research by Gillian Murphy found that drivers who listen to traffic reports while driving are more distracted and perform poorly on tasks like obeying road signs. The study's results suggest that auditory distractions can be just as problematic as visual ones in reducing driver attention.

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.

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.

Brain changes seen in veterans with PTSD after mindfulness training

A new study in veterans with PTSD finds that mindfulness training can enhance the ability to manage thoughts and emotions, leading to reduced symptoms. Brain scans reveal stronger connections between brain networks involved in attention and inner thoughts, suggesting a potential tool for emotional regulation and trauma processing.

Brain processes social information at high priority

Researchers found that the brain automatically pays attention to social context in everyday actions, suggesting a high level of sensitivity for absorbing social information. The study used hypnosis to switch off top-down attention processes and showed that mu-suppression was stronger in hypnotised participants.

Not all mind wandering is created equal

Researchers found intentional mind wandering is more common when tasks are boring and less common when tasks are challenging. This challenges the common view that all mind wandering is unintentional, highlighting the need to distinguish between two unique subtypes of mind wandering.

Study finds training with unpredictability improves memory recall

Researchers found that unpredictable components in memory training enhance episodic memory recall, particularly in older adults. The study suggests that training with unpredictability increases cognitive control, leading to better performance in recalling autobiographical events.

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.

What bats reveal about how humans focus attention

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.

How early is infants' attention affected by surrounding culture?

A new study found that 24-month-old infants from the US and China share similar attention patterns for objects and events, but also show culturally specific differences. Infants in China preferred looking at scenes featuring a new action, while those in the US focused on new objects.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Exercise and meditation -- together -- help beat depression

A combination of mental and physical training reduced depressive symptoms in students with major depressive disorder. The study found that individuals experienced fewer negative thoughts and improved focus after just eight weeks of MAP training. This innovative approach offers a low-cost solution for depression treatment.

Computerized rehab aids those suffering from brain injuries

Researchers found computerized cognitive rehabilitation significantly improves attention and executive functioning in TBI and stroke patients, with trends toward significance also observed. The treatment can reduce wait time and cost, improve quality of life and reduce caregiver burden.

Airlines aren't learning enough from near misses

Researchers found that airlines focus on near misses linked to past accidents, but overlook those that haven't yet caused an incident. Airlines can improve by expanding data collection and vigilance towards deviations from normal procedures.

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.

Attention neuron type identified

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have identified a cell type in the brain's frontal lobes that is integral to attention. Parvalbumin-expressing neurons were found to reflect animals' level of attention, with high activity associated with attentive states and low activity with inattentive states.

Images of pleasure and winning have unique distracting power

A new study by University College London finds that positive images are highly distracting, even when the task is difficult, while negative images can be ignored. The researchers suggest using positive images in marketing campaigns to capture attention, as people are more focused on pleasure seeking than potential harm.

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.

Premature birth appears to weaken brain connections

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that premature babies have weaker brain connections, particularly in networks linked to attention, communication, and emotions. Early intervention may improve outcomes for these children.