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What people value in digital news

Researchers at the Missouri School of Journalism explored how people value digital news, finding that print newspapers moved to digital platforms without understanding the differences between mediums. The study identified eight affordances of digital news readers, including the importance of design elements like color and hyperlinks.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalDigital Journalism·DateNov 11, 2021
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.

To baby brains, language is language, whether signed or spoken

Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalChild Development·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

How do we keep on eating meat if we wish animals no harm?

Research reveals people's psychological strategies to cope with meat consumption and animal welfare, including triggers and restorative strategies. The study finds differences in meat consumption patterns across demographics and attitudes, with men more likely to disengage from animals.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateOct 26, 2021

Past suffering can affect future praise

A study by the University of Missouri found that people are more likely to praise someone for good deeds if they know the person has also faced suffering earlier in life. This discovery sheds light on how humans process and react to positive behaviors, such as giving praise.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

Mapping words to colors

A team of researchers developed an algorithm that infers the communicative needs of different linguistic communities regarding colors. The study found that warm hues like reds and yellows have a higher demand for language, while less prominent colors are underrepresented.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 23, 2021
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.

Why salespeople avoid big-whale sales opportunities

Research reveals that salespeople conduct rational benefit–cost analyses when deciding which opportunity to pursue. They also use a calibration decision-making strategy for solution selling, which can lead to serious under- or overestimation of conversion rates. The findings highlight the importance of managing salespeople's avoidance ...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 16, 2021

Does our mind’s eye match real life? New study shows differences in how we perceive images

A new study by the University of Plymouth and Essex found that many adults struggle to imagine their own visual perception as a flat image, resisting the idea of 'corrected' vision. When shown two lines with different lengths, participants often judged them as equal in length, despite being able to see one as longer when viewed on camera.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021

People look alike if we think they have similar personalities, new study finds

A new study by NYU researchers reveals that knowledge of an individual's personality can affect facial recognition, leading to biased perceptions. The study found that when participants believed two individuals had similar personalities, their faces were perceived as more similar, even if they lacked physical resemblance.

SourceNew York University·JournalCognition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Do you hate seeing people fidget? New UBC research says you’re not alone

Research finds approximately one-third of the population experience sensitivities when seeing others fidget, leading to emotional and social impacts. Individuals with misokinesia report difficulty in social situations, work environments, and learning spaces, with impacts increasing with age.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 31, 2021

Unease beyond the uncanny valley: How people react to the same faces

A team of researchers found that people rate cloned faces as eerier and more improbable than those with different faces, due to the violation of the one-to-one correspondence between face and identity. The 'clone devaluation effect' was stronger when the number of clone faces increased.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2021
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.

Psychological capital may be the antidote for working in a pandemic, WVU study suggests

A new WVU study found that psychological capital, including self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency, can help employees cope with the stress of working during a pandemic. Workers who used adaptive coping strategies fared better, but those relying on maladaptive behaviors experienced higher levels of stress.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalInternational Journal of Workplace Health Management·DateAug 24, 2021

The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to outbreaks of violent protest and antigovernment sentiment

Research suggests COVID-19 pandemic fuels antisystemic attitudes and motivations for political violence, with no correlation to peaceful activism. The study found that in the US, those experiencing higher psychological burden were more likely to engage in violence during Black Lives Matter protests.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2021
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.

More to pictures than meets the eye: New study

A new study by UBC researchers found that people perceived as being less real and having 'less mind' when appearing within a photo. This discovery has implications for digital communication, particularly in online trials, healthcare, and education, where the perception of a person's mind can influence moral judgement.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2021

Is night shift really helping you sleep better?

A Brigham Young University study found that mobile night shift functions do not improve sleep quality, contrary to manufacturer claims. Researchers tested 167 emerging adults and found no significant differences in sleep outcomes between those using phones with Night Shift enabled or disabled.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalSleep Health·DateApr 26, 2021

Study finds that masks make little difference to facial identification

The study found that face masks hinder recognition of familiar faces slightly more than sunglasses, but have a minimal impact on accuracy. Super recognisers, who have an exceptional ability for face recognition, performed better even when looking at concealed faces.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 31, 2021
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.

How anorexia nervosa alters body awareness

Research found that patients with anorexia nervosa unconsciously assess their proportions to be larger than they actually are, leading to a distorted body schema. Virtual reality and cognitive behavioral therapy may help correct this distortion by influencing the representation of the body.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateJan 12, 2021

An Amazonian tea stimulates the formation of new neurons

Research by Universidad Complutense de Madrid found that ayahuasca's DMT promotes neurogenesis, forming new neurons and other cells like astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This capacity suggests great therapeutic potential for various neurological diseases.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 6, 2020

New study highlights the role of risk communication in coping with COVID-19

A new study by psychologists at Zhengzhou Normal University found that effective risk communication mitigates emotional contagion and anxiety, while inconsistent findings suggest a reciprocal correlation between anxiety and risk communication. The study analyzed data from January to February 2020 and showed that prevention activities w...

SourceZhengzhou Normal University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateOct 16, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Experiments reveal why human-like robots elicit uncanny feelings

Researchers found that attributing a mind to an android and then 'dehumanizing' it leads to the uncanny valley phenomenon. The study suggests that at first sight humans anthropomorphize an android, but within milliseconds they detect deviations and dehumanize it.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPerception·DateSep 10, 2020

New study finds evidence for reduced brain connections in schizophrenia

Researchers detect lower levels of a protein found in brain connections in people with schizophrenia, which could underlie cognitive difficulties and provide targets for new treatments. The study's findings suggest that loss of synapses may be linked to the development of schizophrenia.

SourceUK Research and Innovation·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2020

Benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy for IBS continue 2 years after treatment

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tailored for IBS can provide effective, long-term relief despite patients having no further therapy. The research indicates that easily accessible treatment could be provided to a large number of patients with IBS.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateSep 4, 2019

When a 'she' becomes an 'it'

A study published in Scientific Reports found that the human brain perceives women less humanity and more like an object when they are dressed in a swimsuit or underwear. This perception might trigger treatments typically observed in interactions with objects, leading to gender violence.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 30, 2019
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.

Sloan Foundation awards early-career fellowships to 4 Brown scientists

Four Brown University assistant professors, Lorin Crawford, Kathryn Mann, Brenda Rubenstein, and Amitai Shenhav, have been awarded two-year $70,000 fellowships from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to further their research in biostatistics, mathematics, chemistry, and cognitive sciences. The fellowships support groundbreaking projects t...

SourceBrown University·DateFeb 19, 2019

Cognitive strategies to promote healthy eating

Researchers developed a brief training program, ROC-T, to improve healthy food choices by focusing on positive aspects of nutritious foods. The program significantly increased the number of healthy foods chosen and reduced calorie consumption in adults.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2018

Combining multiple CCTV images could help catch suspects

Researchers developed an image averaging method to enhance low-quality CCTV footage, significantly improving human and computer facial recognition accuracy. The technique allows for a standardized way to create digital snapshots from multiple camera angles, aiding law enforcement in suspect identification.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateSep 21, 2018
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.

Does neuroscience hold the key to understanding the criminal mind?

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that individuals with higher criminal tendencies prefer to gamble, even if they know it increases risk. The researchers used fMRI to show increased activation in brain areas involved in cognitive analysis and reasoning for those with higher criminal tendencies.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateSep 5, 2018

Children are highly vulnerable to health risks of a changing climate

Climate change poses significant health risks to children, including dehydration, heat stress, respiratory disease, and vector-borne diseases. Researchers propose strategies for addressing these needs, such as establishing medical protocols and best practice guidelines for climate-related event planning.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 6, 2018

Magnetic fields to alleviate anxiety

Researchers at University of Würzburg found that transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve anxiety treatment outcomes, particularly for fear of heights. The study used virtual reality to induce fear and showed that stimulated brain regions lead to accelerated therapy responses.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateSep 13, 2017
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.

Hey Siri, an ancient algorithm may help you grasp metaphors

Researchers at UC Berkeley have mapped over 1,100 years of metaphoric English language to identify patterns in how humans create and understand metaphorical meaning. This study paves the way for future advances in artificial intelligence and natural language processing systems like Siri.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCognitive Psychology·DateJun 27, 2017

Familiar faces look happier than unfamiliar ones

Researchers found that even when facial expressions are objectively identical, familiar faces are judged more positively. The study suggests that prior experience with a face can influence how happy it appears, highlighting the dynamic nature of emotion perception processes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 20, 2017

You need more than just a white hat to tell the hero from the villain

Researchers found that viewers make comparisons between characters to judge their morality, with heroes appearing after villains making them seem more heroic. The study suggests that perceived villainy comes with certain advantages, such as increased altruism, in fictional narratives.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCommunication Research·DateMay 5, 2017

Parkinson: Weight gain after deep brain stimulation

Researchers at SISSA discovered that weight gain after deep brain stimulation is associated with an increased desire for food and level of impulsiveness. The study also found a link between the duration of Parkinson's disease and reduced pharmacological treatment, highlighting potential preventative measures.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalCortex·DateMay 4, 2017
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.

Musical scales may have developed to accommodate vocal limitations

A new study suggests that musical scales may have evolved to accommodate the variability of the human voice, rather than the perfect tuning of instruments. This theory has implications for understanding the development of singing and speech production in tone languages.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Cognitive Psychology·DateMar 1, 2017

Why scientists should research emojis and emoticons :-P

Researchers explore how emojis and emoticons aid in cross-cultural communication and provide insights into user personalities. Studies suggest that emoji use can be related to personality traits, such as agreeableness, and may impact social inclusion.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateJan 17, 2017
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.

Scientists show that a 'Superman' disguise could actually work

Studies have found that people struggle to match unfamiliar faces with and without glasses, but the effect is more pronounced when only one face wears glasses. This research aims to inform future policies on photo identification for security purposes.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateAug 31, 2016

Scaling mental resilience more effectively

Researchers at the University of Zurich developed a revised Sense of Coherence Scale to improve mental resilience assessments. The new questionnaire yields more accurate and objective results, revealing that individuals with greater resilience suffer less from depression and bereavement pain.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalEuropean Journal of Psychological Assessment·DateMar 16, 2016

Turn-taking in communication may be more ancient than language

Turn-taking in human communication appears to have origins in primate gestural interactions, predating the development of language. This double-tasking of comprehension and production may motivate compact clause structures in all languages.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateDec 18, 2015

What blocks pro-vaccine beliefs?

Researchers identify cognitive barriers that hinder pro-vaccination views, including the need for trust in medicine and government. They argue that transparency and efficient science communication can increase public trust in vaccination.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateOct 29, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ravens cooperate -- but not with just anyone

A recent study by University of Vienna researchers found that ravens can cooperate to achieve common goals, such as sliding a platform with cheese into reach. However, they also exhibit a sophisticated way of keeping their partners honest, detecting and excluding cheaters from future cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 7, 2015

In analyzing a scene, we make the easiest judgments first

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that the brain's prioritization of scenic categories may not be as complex as previously thought. Researchers found that people tend to make the easiest distinctions first, rather than following a predetermined hierarchy.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 3, 2015

People walk slower, swerve when texting while distracted

A study found that adults who text while being cognitively distracted exhibit a more cautious gait, including increased obstacle clearance and decreased ability to walk in a straight line. The researchers suggest this adaptation may help prevent accidents when faced with cognitive challenges.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 29, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Return trips feel shorter in hindsight

A study published in PLOS ONE found that participants estimated the length of a round-trip walk as shorter than the outward trip, even when the times were equal. This phenomenon, known as the return trip effect, may be related to our perception of time and awareness of the destination.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 10, 2015

The Lancet Psychiatry: Around 60 percent of people who contemplate or attempt suicide do not receive treatment

The Lancet Psychiatry article highlights the underuse of mental health resources among individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. According to researchers, approximately 60% of people experiencing suicidal ideation or behavior do not receive treatment, underscoring the need for more effective psychological interventions and increas...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateMay 1, 2014
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.

Monogamous birds read partner's food desires

Researchers found that male Eurasian Jays can share food with their female partner according to her current desire, suggesting a 'state-attribution' ability. This behavior is crucial for species living in long-term relationships and may improve mate bonding.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2013

The housing market: Consumers struggle to get the price right

A new study found that consumers systematically underestimate the selling price of others' items and overestimate their own willingness to pay. This bias can lead to reduced satisfaction in transactions and economic losses for both buyers and sellers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 15, 2013

Reappraisal defuses strong emotional responses to Israel-Palestine conflict

A new study found that cognitive reappraisal can decrease negative intergroup emotions and increase support for conciliatory policies in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Reappraisal training reduced anger towards Palestinians, increased support for peaceful solutions, and decreased support for aggressive policies.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 18, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Therapy over the phone as effective as face-to-face

A new study found that phone therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. The research from the University of Cambridge also showed that providing talking therapies over the phone can save the NHS money, with a cost per session 36.2% lower.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 28, 2012