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Study finds concerning variations in care between physicians of the same specialty and in the same city, delivering care in the same clinical scenarios

A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found significant variations in care delivery among physicians with the same specialty and city, despite delivering care in the same clinical scenarios. The researchers analyzed medical insurance records from 2016 to 2019 and found that top-performing physicians were five to 10 times more like...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2022

People are fast and accurate when making high-value decisions

A new study reveals that people are more accurate and faster when making high-value decisions than previously thought. Researchers found that participants could distinguish between high-value items quickly and accurately, even with the added complexity of knowing what type of decision they were about to make.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

New framework accounts for how moral character promotes ethical decision making

A new framework, known as the Character Lens perspective, has been developed to account for patterns in individuals' understanding of and approach to ethical choices. This framework acknowledges the significant role of moral character in influencing how people perceive the world and make decisions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateJan 25, 2022

New study finds staff assumptions about race play a role in the variability of care of nursing homes residents with advanced dementia

A new study found that staff assumptions about minoritized groups contribute to variability in nursing home care for residents with advanced dementia. Remedies include addressing staff biases, increasing funding, and standardizing advance-care planning.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 24, 2022

How GMO labels affect customer decision making with food purchases

A new study reveals that GMO labeling significantly affects consumer behavior, reducing demand for GM foods and influencing willingness to pay. The research finds that mandatory presence-focused labeling has a stronger impact than voluntary absence labeling, making consumers more sensitive to the GMO attribute and price information.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJan 20, 2022

New study examines end-of-life decision making in American prisons

A new study reveals significant variability in state- and nationwide policies on end-of-life decision making in US prisons. The researchers found that many policies restrict access to advance care planning documents, limit the roles of surrogate decision-makers, and fail to ensure compliance with community standards. The study emphasiz...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalInternational Journal of Prisoner Health·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Naturally healthy: How much do adolescents know about food?

A study found that adolescents' ratings of food products were influenced by naturalness, with simpler judgments on taste components. Experts also applied the same rule, but with more consistent knowledge about food ingredients. The results suggest that nutrition education for adolescents should target their knowledge about food ingredi...

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Development·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022
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.

GIST Researchers develop Terrain-Aware AI for predicting battle outcomes in StarCraft 2

A team of scientists from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a deep learning-based approach to predict SC2 battle outcomes by considering army composition and terrain type. The proposed model leveraged parameter sharing, enabling it to analyze complex factors accurately and make predictions.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022

The free-energy principle explains the brain

Researchers at RIKEN CBS demonstrate that neural networks minimize energy cost and solve mazes efficiently, pointing to a set of universal mathematical rules. The findings will aid in analyzing impaired brain function and generating optimized neural networks for artificial intelligences.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 14, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Viruses and game theory

Phages weigh all options and make an informed decision whether to exit the dormant state and attack their bacterial host. The study found that some phage families have developed a complex decision-making strategy, receiving information from neighboring bacteria and controlling communication via arbitrium.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 5, 2022

Predicting uncertain futures for tropical landscapes

A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateJan 3, 2022
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.

If you need help at work, ditch email, text and ask in person

A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that asking in person for help yields the highest response rate of a yes, surpassing video calls and emails. To achieve this optimal outcome, it's recommended to ditch email, text, and opt for video or phone calls instead.

SourceCornell University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateDec 20, 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.

Building a better dashboard for enhanced understanding of health

A new study published in BMJ Health & Care Informatics examines decades of dashboards designed to communicate health data, highlighting the need for user-centered design and effectiveness testing. The research aims to guide the development of dashboard enhancements and customizations that support informed decision-making.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalBMJ Health & Care Informatics·DateDec 9, 2021

More women on company boards will lead to lower risk-taking and better outcomes

Research by Åbo Akademi University found that companies with more women on their boards tend to make fewer high-risk corporate acquisitions and are more willing to write down goodwill for unsuccessful deals. This suggests that female representation can lead to a more conservative approach to risk-taking and improved financial governance.

SourceAbo Akademi University·JournalJournal of Management & Governance·DateDec 8, 2021

New publication shines light on how language impacts firearm injury discussions

A new publication sheds light on how words used in relation to firearm injuries and deaths can impact prevention efforts. The authors emphasize the need for shared, informed, non-judgmental language to create trust and sustainable collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and the public.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 8, 2021

Whether people inform themselves or remain ignorant is due to three factors

A new study by UCL researchers found that people's motivation to seek information falls into three categories: expected utility, emotional impact, and frequency of thought. Those who prioritize these factors tend to seek information more, with better mental health reported by those seeking info on frequently thought-about topics.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Coffee time: Caffeine improves reaction to moving targets

A study found that caffeine increases alertness and detection accuracy for moving targets, improving reaction times and visual processing. Researchers tested participants' dynamic visual acuity skills before and after caffeine ingestion, showing significant improvements in accuracy and speed.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateDec 1, 2021

Finding the perfect match

A new paper proposes a means of filtering for candidates who identify with organizational goals and are willing to go the extra mile. Researchers found that those who strongly identified with the organizational goal were willing to expend significantly more effort towards finding ways to reduce carbon emissions.

SourceElsevier·JournalManagement Accounting Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021

Neurobiologists reveal how value decisions are coded into our brains

Researchers discovered the retrosplenial cortex as the site of value decision-making in the brain. Persistency allows value signals to be effectively represented across different brain areas, especially the RSC. Artificial intelligence networks mimicking mouse decisions showed remarkably similar results.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2021
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.

Researchers investigate link between bilingualism and false memories

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that false information in both native and second languages equally contribute to the formation of false memories. The researchers used an online experiment with participants speaking Russian and English to assess the influence of misinformation and source misattribution on memory recall.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 23, 2021

Reboot and recall: new brain hub for memory restoration identified

Researchers have found that stimulating the anterior thalamus can increase memory-related brain activity and restore memory function in rats with MTT lesions. The study suggests that therapies targeting this region could help recover memory in patients with brain injury, challenging previous notions of memory recovery.

SourceElsevier·JournalCurrent Research in Neurobiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2021

Feast or forage: Study finds circuit that helps a brain decide

Researchers discovered a brain circuit that enables C. elegans worms to switch between foraging and feasting behaviors based on sensory information. The circuit involves a key neuron called AIA, which integrates food odor signals to influence the behavior.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021
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.

Visual processing is slower in children with dyslexia

Research published in JNeurosci found that children with dyslexia take longer to gather visual evidence, indicating altered motion processing and decision-making. This slowdown corresponds to differences in brain activity, particularly in centro-parietal regions involved in decision making.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateNov 15, 2021

Increasing organ donation by increasing consent to donate

A study in Ontario, Canada found that in-person requests with physician involvement and trained donation coordinators significantly increase organ donation consent rates. Factors such as age, religion, and neighbourhood income also impact consent decisions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 15, 2021

Deep learning for extremity radiographs confounded by labels

Convolutional neural networks trained to identify abnormalities on upper extremity radiographs are susceptible to a ubiquitous confounding image feature: radiograph labels. Covering these labels increases accuracy, while using them alone leads to decreased performance.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

Dreaming of being an investment shark? Better figure out if you’re an ‘owl’ or a ‘lark,’ study finds

Researchers found that individuals who evaluate investments at a time that conflicts with their natural internal clock tend to make poor choices, resulting in potential losses. The study suggests that matching one's circadian rhythm with investment timing can lead to more successful outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Business Venturing·TypeSurvey·DateNov 15, 2021
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.

Most research on corporate outsourcing fails on a holistic level, says a new study

A new study published in Global Strategy Journal finds that governance model and outsourcing location are linked, producing more accurate data points and saving time. By considering both factors together, companies can encourage a stronger return on investment and avoid biases that arise from separate analysis.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalGlobal Strategy Journal·TypeCase study·DateNov 15, 2021

Key concepts, mathematical models, and statistical techniques for testing rationality

A new article reviews key concepts, mathematical models, and statistical techniques for testing rationality in animal behavior. The authors tackle five significant obstacles to justify conclusions from empirical testing of transitivity, including aggregation artifacts and scientific parsimony.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 12, 2021
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.

Size matters for bee ‘superorganism’ colonies

Research suggests that larger bee colonies with comfortable food stores are less willing to take risks, while smaller colonies with limited resources are more likely to ignore warning signals. This study provides insights into the complex communication system of bees and its implications for understanding biological collectives.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Computational techniques in ICU: Neural synchrony predicts outcome after coma

Researchers used sound processing to examine neural synchrony in comatose patients. They found that higher neural synchrony was predictive of a favorable outcome, with indistinguishable levels from healthy controls. The study also revealed surprising neural complexity, with reduced complexity in survivors compared to non-survivors.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalNeuroImage·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 5, 2021

One and done: Researchers urge testing eyewitness memory only once

A team of psychological scientists and criminologists recommend testing eyewitness memory only once to prevent contaminated memories from convicting innocent people. The first identification is the most reliable test, which can avoid further contamination and ensure justice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateNov 3, 2021
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.

An artificial material that can sense, adapt to its environment

Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2021

Our brains may think two steps ahead when trying to sway others

Researchers at Mount Sinai found that people used forward thinking when trying to influence others, regardless of controllability. This neural activity was linked to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a decision-making center involved in strategic thinking.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

The goal in mind

Researchers found that future goals are represented by a pattern of neural activity resembling previous visits, and this activity can re-emerge upon decision to target a location. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in representing future goals during navigation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 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.

Patient decision aids in urology don't meet quality and readability standards

A study published in Urology Practice found that online patient decision aids for common urologic conditions are often of poor readability and quality, failing to meet recommended standards. The researchers recommend simplifying language and ensuring thoroughness to improve the effectiveness of these tools.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalUrology Practice·DateOct 18, 2021

New research finds algorithm meant to eliminate racial disparities in Airbnb revenue fails to enhance revenue equality

New research finds that Airbnb's smart-pricing tool has done little to solve the problem of racial disparities in revenue, with Black hosts being less likely to adopt the algorithm and facing suboptimal pricing. To address this issue, experts suggest incorporating host race into the pricing algorithm.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2021
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.

Making self-driving cars human-friendly

Researchers used neuroscientific theories to develop a decision-making model that predicts pedestrian road-crossing decisions. The model shows that pedestrians add up sensory data before crossing, helping autonomous vehicles communicate more effectively with pedestrians.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalComputational Brain & Behavior·DateOct 4, 2021

When to break from the herd to make a better decision

Researchers found that people are twice as likely to break from the group and make a different choice when they see others hesitating. This hesitation can reveal conflicting information within the group, leading to better outcomes. The study's findings have implications for various situations with herd behavior.

SourceOhio State University·JournalManagement Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Visible passion wins investors over more than pitch content

A study published in Academy of Management Discoveries found that visual information, including body language and facial expressions, plays a crucial role in investor decision-making. Researchers played silent videos of entrepreneurial pitches to expert investors and novices, who correctly identified the original winners. The study sug...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAcademy of Management Discoveries·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2021