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Genetic risk for depression impacts neural responses to rewards and setbacks

Young adults with higher genetic risk for depression show reduced brain activity in response to rewards and punishments, while sex-dependent neural responses were also observed. This study highlights potential early indicators for depression before symptoms fully manifest.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 1, 2025

As Medicare turns 60, research suggests more need for annual enrollment help

Two studies from University of Michigan researchers suggest many older adults and people with disabilities need more impartial help picking the best Medicare plan. Only about 13% of enrollees switch plans annually, and even fewer use the internet to research options.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 29, 2025
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.

UTEP researchers reveal alcohol impacts decision-making in males more than females

A UTEP study reveals that acute alcohol consumption profoundly affects male rats' decision-making, leading them to choose higher concentrations of alcohol. In contrast, female rats hold true to their original decisions made soberly. The findings suggest a gender-specific vulnerability to alcohol's effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalAlcohol and Alcoholism·DateJul 2, 2025

New IQ research shows why smarter people make better decisions

A new study from the University of Bath found that individuals with a higher IQ make more realistic predictions, leading to improved life outcomes. Smarter people are significantly better at forecasting, making fewer errors and showing more consistent judgement compared to those with a lower IQ.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 26, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Credit scores of corporate executives may reveal their decisions

Researchers at Ohio State University found that executives with subprime credit scores tend to follow the advice of advisers, even when it's inaccurate, while those with prime credit scores critically evaluate data and make objective decisions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal of Production Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025

To encourage scientific thinking, it is better to instruct than to reward

Researchers found that instructing individuals on how to think scientifically reduces the causal illusion, a common error in detecting cause-and-effect relationships. Providing adequate information and advice can help overcome this error, suggesting that rewarding people for correct answers may not be the most effective approach

SourceUniversity of Deusto·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2025

Patients are opting in for 10 years of breast cancer treatment

A new study of 591 women with early-stage breast cancer found that nearly two-thirds opted for continued endocrine therapy beyond the initial five years. Patients with higher-risk stage 2 disease were more likely to continue treatment, highlighting potential benefits in extending hormone-based therapy for these patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeSurvey·DateJun 9, 2025
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.

Many possible futures: How dopamine in the brain might inform AI that adapts quickly to change

Researchers found that brain's dopamine neurons encode a map of possible future rewards across time and magnitude, guiding adaptive behavior in uncertain environments. This biological insight aligns with recent advances in AI, particularly distributional RL algorithms, which learn from reward distributions rather than averages.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2025

With evolutionary AI, scientists find hidden keys for better land use

The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Data Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 19, 2025

Long working hours may alter brain structure, preliminary findings suggest

Preliminary research suggests that long working hours can induce neuroadaptive changes in the brain, particularly in areas associated with emotional regulation and executive function. The study found increased brain volumes in regions such as the middle frontal gyrus, which is involved in attention and problem-solving.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 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.

Exploring how people face moral dilemmas

Researchers at Korea University found a link between internal bodily awareness and making decisions aligned with group consensus. This connection was mediated by brain activity states associated with self-referential processing and internal attention.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMay 5, 2025

University of Utah Researchers Develop Explainable AI Toolkit to Predict Disease Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed RiskPath, an Explainable AI toolkit that predicts disease progression years before symptoms manifest. The technology analyzes health data to identify high-risk individuals with unprecedented accuracy, offering new insights into risk factor interactions and disease development.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPatterns·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 1, 2025

Large, highly likely rewards can increase motivation in individuals who have recovered from depression

Previous depression survivors exhibit reduced motivation for everyday tasks but become equally motivated with large and certain rewards. This research sheds light on subtle motivational deficits persisting in recovered depression, guiding targeted treatment for sustained recovery.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 1, 2025

Study finds engagement journalism training reduced 'horse race' political coverage, boosted more substantive content

A study found that journalism engagement training reduced the prevalence of 'horse race' stories and boosted more substantive, community-oriented content. The training program, Democracy SOS, worked with journalists and news outlets across the country to promote solutions-focused coverage and increase transparency.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 29, 2025
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.

A common CEO pay strategy is stalling innovation, a new study reveals why

A new study by Virginia Tech researchers Jin Xu and Pengfei Ye finds that value-based stock grants can weaken executive motivation and limit corporate growth. The study analyzed thousands of U.S. firms from 2006-22, revealing that companies tying CEO compensation to a fixed dollar amount can unintentionally discourage executives from m...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

Facial expressions of avatars promote risky decision-making

Researchers found that participants took more risks when interacting with avatars displaying facial expressions compared to real human faces. The study suggests that the amygdala plays a key role in driving increased risk-taking behavior in avatar-mediated communication.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

How thoughts influence what the eyes see

Researchers found that the brain's visual system adapts in real-time to make sense of information, depending on current tasks. This challenges traditional views and opens new approaches for designing AI systems with adaptive capabilities.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2025
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.

Q&A: What makes an ‘accidental dictator’ in the workplace?

A leadership trap known as the 'accidental dictator' can be avoided by embracing circumscribed empowerment, shared vision, and long-term perspective. Leaders must empower their team members within defined boundaries, engage them in the process of creating a shared vision, and prioritize a long-term perspective to build effective teams.

SourcePenn State·JournalOrganizational Dynamics·DateApr 18, 2025

Brain research: Study shows how brain stimulation can influence decisions

A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that brain stimulation can influence decisions, making choices faster with anodal stimulation and slower with cathodal stimulation. The research used transcranial direct current stimulation to activate or inhibit specific brain regions.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2025
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.

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.

A research team from the UJI tests how the brain uses context boundaries to guide decision-making in both spatial and abstract environaments

The DAM-Decision and Memory group at Universitat Jaume I studied the cognitive and neural computations that guide decision-making and long-term memory. They found that the hippocampal and medial prefrontal cortex regions use context boundaries to make decisions in both spatial and abstract contexts.

SourceUniversitat Jaume I·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2025

New technique overcomes spurious correlations problem in AI

Researchers have developed a novel technique to overcome the spurious correlations problem in AI by eliminating a small portion of the training data that contains hard-to-understand features. This approach improves performance even when conventional techniques are ineffective.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 10, 2025

Emotive marketing for sustainable consumption?

Researchers found that emotional social media posts increase short-term willingness to pay for sustainable chocolate, but this effect diminishes within two weeks. The study suggests that emotional content can be an effective way to promote sustainable consumption in the short term.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalQ Open·TypeSurvey·DateMar 10, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Investigating how decision-making and behavioral control develop

A longitudinal study found that neural changes in teenagers' brain networks for reward processing and executive functioning improve with age. The researchers discovered changes in the strength of communication between brain regions as people aged, associated with improved reward-related decision-making and executive function.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 10, 2025

Should I stay or should I go? Brain switchboard found

Researchers have identified three cell types in the median raphe nucleus that control decisions on perseverance, exploration, and disengagement. These findings may help understand neuropsychiatric conditions such as OCD, autism, and major depressive disorder.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

New University of Minnesota research shows impact of anxiety and apathy on decision-making

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that anxiety and apathy lead to different patterns in how people process uncertainty and make decisions. Participants made choices between exploring new options or sticking with familiar ones, revealing distinct computational mechanisms underlying these behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2025
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.

Long-term cocaine use may increase impulsivity

A study found that long-term cocaine use increases impulsivity in healthy rats, contradicting the belief that high impulsivity predicts cocaine use. This contradicts research on impulsive choice and delay-discounting tasks.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMar 3, 2025
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.

Could ‘cognitive drills’ when warming up give athletes a head-start?

A new study found that combining physical warmups with short bursts of cognitive tasks enhances athletic performance. Researchers discovered a 'Goldilocks effect,' where the right balance between cognitive and physical activities is key to optimal performance.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBrain Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

A new strategy to promote healthy food choices

A new study explores whether pairing food labels with odors affects how people perceive foods and promotes healthy shopping. The researchers found that odor-paired beverages were perceived more positively, suggesting that odors can improve label perception and potentially promote healthy food choices.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateFeb 24, 2025

Robot faster than physicians at spotting side effects

A new study at the University of Gothenburg found that a software robot can detect side effects faster than physicians during amiodarone treatment for cardiac arrhythmia. The robot also recommends appropriate intervals between lab tests, aligning with standard practices and reducing unnecessary testing.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 18, 2025

‘Hey Siri, choose my medical expert.’

A new study from the University of South Australia found that most people trust AI in situations where the stakes are low, such as music suggestions. However, those with poor statistical literacy or little familiarity with AI were just as likely to trust algorithms for trivial choices as they were for critical decisions. The study also...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeCase study·DateFeb 17, 2025
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.

Princeton neuroscientists crack the code of how we make decisions

A new mathematical model sheds light on how the brain processes different cues during decision making, potentially improving treatment for neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. The latent circuit model proposes a 'low-dimensional' mechanism that explains decision-making in large neural networks.

SourcePrinceton University, Princeton Neuroscience Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Updated drug information handout outdoes FDA’s version

Researchers developed a one-page medication handout that quantifies a drug's risk and benefits, improving patient understanding and decision-making. The study compared this handout with the FDA's version and found it to be more effective in conveying complex information.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 6, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Keeper or corner?

Neuroscientists investigated how the brain implements flexibility in decision-making, revealing that it either reuses known neural pathways or develops new patterns. The findings help understand why some adaptations are more difficult than others, especially in social interactions and motor tasks.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

How prenatal alcohol exposure affects behavior into adulthood

A rodent study identified a disrupted brain circuit that contributes to poor decision-making in adulthood after prenatal alcohol exposure. The study also developed an algorithm to predict whether rats were exposed to alcohol based on their behavior alone.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateFeb 3, 2025

A hearing aid for … your nose?

A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers explains how the brain updates associations between smells and sounds based on context. The findings suggest that a feedback loop between the olfactory cortex and olfactory bulb enables fast adaptation, allowing animals to fine-tune their motor responses accordingly.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2025
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.

Study sheds light on how to encourage condom use among teens

A new meta-analysis of over 249 studies and 251,713 US teens finds that knowledge about safer sex is not enough to promote condom use. The study highlights the importance of confidence, planning, and effective communication with partners in encouraging condom use among teens.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 29, 2025

Picking the right doctor? AI could help

A machine learning algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin can assess experts' decision-making quality, including doctors. This innovation has the potential to improve patient outcomes and lower costs by selecting doctors based on their accurate diagnosis rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalManagement Science·DateJan 13, 2025

Optical imaging technique offers more precise diagnosis of sleep apnea

A recent study has explored a new imaging approach that uses swept-source optical coherence tomography to visualize the upper airway with high precision. By integrating computational fluid dynamics, researchers were able to identify areas of turbulence and pinpoint obstruction sites, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatment pla...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·DateJan 7, 2025
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.

Emergency department physicians vary widely in their likelihood of hospitalizing a patient, even within the same facility

A new study found that emergency department physicians differ in their likelihood of hospitalizing patients, with those who admit more patients being discharged sooner but not less likely to die. The study suggests that differences in physician decision-making drive these variations, rather than patient health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 23, 2024

Choosing between human and algorithmic decision-makers

A study of 9,000 US-based participants reveals that they prioritize efficiency over fairness when choosing between human and algorithmic decision-makers. Notably, Republicans prefer humans more than Democrats, yet most claim fairness is a top priority.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 10, 2024

The best AI strategy to recognize multiple objects in one image

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University discover that classifying objects together through Multi-Label Classification can yield better results than detecting individual objects. This new method allows networks to learn correlations between object combinations, making them more recognizable in real-life applications such as autonomous vehi...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPhysica A Statistical Mechanics and its Applications·DateDec 10, 2024
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.

Using race and ethnicity to estimate disease risk improves prediction accuracy but may yield limited clinical net benefit

A cross-sectional study found that including race in disease risk models improves prediction accuracy, but the clinical net benefit is smaller than expected. The researchers provide a widely adaptable framework for deciding whether to include or exclude race from disease risk predictions.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateDec 2, 2024
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.

Sports betting and financial market data show how people misinterpret new information in predictable ways

Researchers found a pattern in how people interpret new information, overreacting to weak signals and underreacting to strong ones. This bias holds true across various settings, including financial markets, according to a study analyzing millions of betting transactions and prices on options contracts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 26, 2024

Dopamine and serotonin work in opposition to shape learning

A recent study from Stanford University reveals that dopamine and serotonin work together, but also in opposition, to shape behavior. Researchers found that dopamine signals increase with reward prediction while serotonin signals decrease, but only when both systems are active can animals learn to link cues with rewards.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateNov 25, 2024

Is 'bypassing' a better way to battle misinformation?

Researchers found that bypassing misinformation, by providing accurate information with positive implications, can be superior to correction in situations where people form beliefs rather than attitudes. This approach has potential for informing strategies to combat misinformation and change behavior. The study suggests a more nuanced ...

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology General·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2024