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Testing improves memory

Researchers found that successful testing improves memory performance in all three types of memory: cue, target, and associative. The study suggests that repeated retrieval practice boosts memory, regardless of the type of memory being tested.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 15, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain state affects memory recall

New research from UC Davis found that high theta waves before recalling a memory are associated with better performance, contradicting the assumption that the brain waits for external stimuli. The study suggests that most of the brain is busy with internal activity unrelated to the outside world.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2011

Drug may help overwrite bad memories

Researchers found that metyrapone, a stress hormone-reducing drug, impaired memory recall for negative events in men, but not neutral ones. The study offers hope for future clinical treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder by allowing people to 'write-over' traumatic memories during therapy.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 27, 2011

Drug may help overwrite bad memories

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that metyrapone, a stress hormone-reducing drug, can impair memory recall of negative events by manipulating cortisol levels close to formation. This could lead to a better understanding of how to treat post-traumatic stress disorder

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 25, 2011
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.

Eggs, butter, milk -- memory is not just a shopping list

A cognitive psychologist urges memory researchers to consider the complexity of human memory, arguing that simple experimental tasks can oversimplify its nature. He highlights the importance of involuntary reminding, which creates a coherent record of our interactions with the environment.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateMay 23, 2011

Infantile amnesia: Gauging children's earliest memories

A longitudinal study of 140 children aged 4-13 found that younger children's earliest memories changed over time, while older children became more consistent in their recollections. Children who were between 4 and 7 years old showed little overlap between memories recalled at two different ages.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 11, 2011

Monkey recall memory mirrors that of humans

A study demonstrates that monkeys can recall and reproduce simple shapes from memory, mirroring the performance of humans using a standard recall test. This finding suggests that recollection might be an adaptive ability in primates long before humans evolved.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Monkeys, too, can recollect what they've seen

Rhesus monkeys demonstrated flexible recall of simple shapes from memory, similar to humans, and showed ability to transfer memory skill to novel shapes. This finding suggests that the ability to recollect may have been present in our common ancestor 30 million years ago.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011
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.

Psychologists ask how well -- or badly -- we remember together

Research reveals that collaboration can both hinder and help memory, with 'collaborative inhibition' affecting recall for various tasks. This phenomenon is attributed to 'retrieval disruption,' 'social contagion of errors,' and the benefits of collaborative learning, including error correction and cross-cuing.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateApr 27, 2011

When the pressure is on, product experts can get facts wrong: UBC study

A recent UBC study reveals that experts with specific product knowledge can make mistakes when relying on their memories to compare products. The researchers found that a feeling of accountability and pressure to give the best recommendations can lead to false recalls, especially in complex goods such as cameras, cars, and computers.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 12, 2011

Buying a new product: When is it better to ask a novice rather than an expert?

Experts have difficulty recalling product features, especially when explaining their logic, according to a study. Novices do not have prior knowledge that can confuse actual recall with other information stored in memory. As a result, novices may outperform experts in product comparisons.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 17, 2011
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.

New study proves the brain has 3 layers of working memory

Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Tech found evidence for three distinct layers of working memory, including a core focusing on one active item and surrounding areas holding multiple items. Predictability can improve multitasking by automizing certain tasks, allowing individuals to effectively switch between tasks.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Psychology·DateMar 9, 2011

Making the 'irrelevant' relevant to understand memory and aging

Researchers found that older adults rely on implicit memory, which influences behavior without awareness, while younger adults use explicit memory. This discovery has implications for age-specific marketing and learning strategies, as well as our understanding of cognitive decline with age.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 24, 2011
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.

Brain's 'reward' center also responds to bad experiences

Researchers have discovered that the brain's 'reward' center also responds to negative experiences, such as fear, which can lead to increased dopamine production. This finding could help explain thrill-seeking behavior and inappropriate habits like drug addiction.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2011

'False memory' investigator Dr. Elizabeth Loftus receives the 2010 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award

Dr. Loftus's research has had a profound impact on the administration of justice in the US and abroad, highlighting the fragility and malleability of human memories. Her work has led to the dismissal of murder charges based on repressed memories, contributing to her being recognized as a pioneer in the field.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 16, 2011

New study finds eyewitness memory susceptible to misinformation after testing

A new Iowa State University study found that subjects who witnessed a criminal event and were tested about it immediately afterward were more susceptible to having misinformation instilled in their later recall of the event. This effect, known as retrieval-enhanced suggestibility, may lead to false convictions in criminal cases.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateFeb 9, 2011
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.

Memory problems may be sign of stroke risk

A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with memory problems are at a higher risk for stroke. The research used two simple tests to evaluate brain function and found that those who scored in the bottom 20% were 3-9 times more likely to experience a stroke, depending on age.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 9, 2011

Little-known growth factor enhances memory, prevents forgetting in rats

A naturally occurring growth factor called IGF-II has been found to enhance retention and prevent forgetting of fear memories in rats. The study suggests that IGF-II could become a potential drug target for boosting memory, with the potential to address clinical problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2011

Research finds practicing retrieval is best tool for learning

A new study from Purdue University reveals that practicing retrieval, such as self-testing, is a more effective strategy than elaborate studying for improving long-term retention. The research found a 50% improvement in long-term retention scores for students who practiced retrieval compared to those who used elaborative studying.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2011
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.

New device may revolutionize computer memory

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new device that can perform both volatile and nonvolatile memory operations. This technology could allow computers to start more quickly and reduce power consumption in server farms.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateJan 20, 2011

Where unconscious memories form

A study published in Neuron found that the perirhinal cortex plays a crucial role in forming unconscious conceptual memories. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to map brain activity while participants performed memory tests, revealing that damage to this area impairs memory formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNeuron·DateDec 15, 2010

fMRI special section of Perspectives on Psychological Science

This special section of Perspectives on Psychological Science explores the promises and issues facing neuroimaging, including its potential to reveal the anatomy of mental functions. Researchers discuss the need for more emphasis on cognitive processes and the importance of clear communication with the public.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateDec 8, 2010

Forget your previous conceptions about memory

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that brain disruptions cause confusion between memories, leading to false remembering. This insight could lead to new treatments reducing memory confusion and improving daily functioning for patients.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateDec 2, 2010
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.

Clarity in short-term memory shows no link with IQ

Researchers at the University of Oregon found that a person's ability to store more items in their short-term memory is linked to higher fluid intelligence as measured by IQ tests. In contrast, the clarity or resolution of those memories shows no relationship with fluid intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateNov 29, 2010

NIMH's Dr. Mortimer Mishkin to be awarded National Medal of Science

Dr. Mortimer Mishkin, chief of NIMH's Section on Cognitive Neuroscience, is the first NIMH intramural scientist to receive the National Medal of Science for his pioneering work on brain processing and memory. His research has greatly advanced our understanding of how learning and memory are processed in the primate brain.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateNov 12, 2010

Sleep makes your memories stronger

New research shows sleep consolidates memories and reorganizes emotional details to aid in creative idea production. Studies have found that a person tends to retain the most emotional part of a memory, leading to improved recall.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateNov 12, 2010

Winners of 2010 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards

The 2010 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognized journalists who reported on environmental issues, memory, and science. Charles Duhigg won the large-newspaper award for his toxic waters series, while Hillary Rosner took home the small-newspaper award for her piece on the endangered razorback sucker.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateNov 10, 2010
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.

New research from Psychological Science

Studies reveal that our brains tend to remember birthdays closer to our own, while facial processing may prioritize change detection. Additionally, research finds that state borders can influence risk perception and lead people to categorize locations differently. These findings have important implications for policy and decision-making.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 2, 2010

UI study investigates variability in men's recall of sexual cues

A University of Iowa study reveals that young men vary in their ability to remember sexual cues, with good-looking women being more easily recalled. Men with a history of serious relationships perform better, while those with higher aggression scores do worse.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateOct 25, 2010

Psychologist finds 'shocking' impact on name recall

A recent study found that electric stimulation of the right anterior temporal lobe improved proper name recall by 11% in young adults. This technique, known as tDCS, may also lead to longer-lasting effects and hold promise for treating memory decline in older adults.

SourceTemple University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateOct 6, 2010
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.

False memories of self-performance result from watching others' actions

Researchers found that people who watched videos of someone else performing simple actions were more likely to falsely remember doing the same action themselves two weeks later. This phenomenon, known as observation inflation, may be due to internal simulation of what others are doing while observing them.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 14, 2010

Child's 'mental number line' affects memory for numbers

A new study published in Psychological Science found that children who have a more linear mental number line are better at remembering numbers. This was true for preschoolers and elementary school children alike, with the ability to estimate the sizes of numbers influencing exact recall.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 9, 2010

Older adults experience 'destination amnesia'

A new study by Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute found that older adults are more prone to destination memory failures, including falsely believing they've shared information. They remain highly confident in these false beliefs, leading to awkward social situations and miscommunication.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateAug 30, 2010
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.

Alcohol dependence damages both episodic memory and awareness of memory

A new study found that individuals with alcohol dependence not only experience impaired episodic memory but also a distorted perception of their own cognitive abilities. This distortion leads to an overestimation of memory capacities and a failure to recognize actual memory deficits.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateAug 24, 2010

Remembering to forget: The amnesic effect of daydreaming

Researchers discovered that daydreaming about distant memories can improve memory recall and reduce remembering of recent events. Participants who thought about a vacation within the U.S. remembered more words than those who thought about an overseas trip.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 26, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Memory links to 40 winks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that sleep strengthens weak associations in the brain, improving prospective memory and recall of future intentions. The study showed that a good night's sleep helps individuals carry out their plans more effectively by enhancing the link between context and intention.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 30, 2010

Can you make a snail forget?

Researchers found that predator scent enhanced the ability of pond snails to form memory following training, while overcrowding and reduced calcium had a blocking effect. The scientists believe that the ability to remember unfamiliar environments, new predators and food sources is vital to the survival of the pond snail in the wild.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJun 29, 2010

Snails on methamphetamine

Researchers discovered that methamphetamine enhances memory in pond snails, allowing them to recall learned behaviors despite being immersed in de-oxygenated water. This finding may provide insights into the mechanisms of human addiction and how memories are formed.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 27, 2010

Study: Patients with amnesia still feel emotions, despite memory loss

A new study by University of Iowa researchers found that individuals with amnesia retain emotional responses to happy and sad movie clips, even when they cannot recall the content. This challenges traditional views on memory loss and highlights the importance of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2010
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.

Neuroscientists show how brain stores memories of specific fears

Researchers found that the amygdala distinguishes between different fear memories and retrieves them selectively. The study suggests a more sophisticated storage and recall capacity than previously thought, with implications for addressing specific fear memories.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 2, 2010

To remember the good times, reach for the sky

A study found that motor actions can determine people's emotional memories, with participants remembering more positive life experiences when moving marbles upward and more negative experiences when moving them downward. This suggests that spatial metaphors for emotion are not just in language but also in mental processes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCognition·DateMar 31, 2010

Timing is (almost) everything

Researchers at the University of Washington found that memory for visual scenes is not determined by attention level or scene content, but rather by when the scene is presented. This suggests a brain mechanism that automatically encodes certain visual features into memory at behaviorally relevant points in time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 15, 2010
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.

Do recreational drugs make us fail to remember?

A new study suggests that recreational drugs like ecstasy and cocaine can affect users' memory functions, including prospective memory. The researchers found that ecstasy/polydrug users showed memory deficits in both lab-based and self-reported measurements of their prospective memory.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateFeb 23, 2010

Brain scans track hoop fans' happy memories

Researchers at Duke University used brain scans to study the emotional impact of sports on memory. The study found that fans remember successful shots by their own team better than misses or opposing team successes. Positive emotion improves memory and activates multiple brain areas, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

SourceDuke University·DateFeb 9, 2010

Relationship recall: Attachment style may affect memories of relationship events

Research from Psychological Science found that attachment styles can affect how individuals remember relationship events, with anxious and avoidant individuals recalling experiences based on their needs and goals. The study's results suggest that attachment styles influence how we interpret memories of interactions with our partners.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 27, 2010

MCG scientists decode memory-forming brain cell conversations

MCG scientists decoded memory-forming brain cell conversations using new technology and computational methods. The breakthrough enables researchers to identify the components of a memory and its retrieval at the network level, potentially pinpointing flawed memory formation stages.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 15, 2009
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.

Does scent enhance consumer product memories?

A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research reveals that scent significantly enhances recall of product information, with scented products remembered better than unscented ones. The researchers found that product scent is more effective at enhancing memory for product-related information than ambient scent.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 14, 2009

Noninvasive technique blocks a conditioned fear in humans

Researchers successfully blocked a conditioned fear memory in humans for at least a year using a noninvasive technique that exploits the reconsolidation window of emotional memories. The method, inspired by animal studies, shows promise for treating anxiety disorders like PTSD by altering emotional memories during their recall.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature·DateDec 9, 2009

Don't I know you? University of Toronto research sheds light on memorial retrieval

Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered that the hippocampus is only activated when context cues enable memory recall. This finding sheds light on the mysterious process of retrieving memories, particularly in individuals with damage to the hippocampus, such as those with Alzheimer's or Epilepsy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2009

Early scents really do get 'etched' in the brain

A brain imaging study found that first scents have a unique signature in the brain, regardless of whether they're pleasant or unpleasant. Early odor memories are more easily recalled, especially for bad smells, and can be predicted by brain activity.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2009
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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