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Controlling memory by triggering specific brain waves during sleep

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science used optogenetics to manipulate thalamic spindles in mice, affecting their ability to recall memories. The study found that artificial spindles administered at specific timing enhanced memory consolidation, while reduced spindles impaired recall.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNeuron·DateJul 6, 2017

Taking photos of experiences boosts visual memory, impairs auditory memory

New research finds that taking photos of experiences enhances visual memory, but hinders auditory memory. Participants who took photos recalled more visual details than those who didn't have a camera, while their auditory recall suffered compared to their non-photographing peers.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 26, 2017
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.

Forgetting can make you smarter

Researchers propose that forgetting is crucial for efficient memory, allowing us to adapt to new situations and generalize past events. By controlling what information we retain and forget, our brains optimize decision-making and prioritize core knowledge.

SourceCIFAR·JournalNeuron·DateJun 21, 2017

Mapping how words leap from brain to tongue

Researchers led by SDSU neuroscientist Stephanie Ries discovered that wide swaths of the brain work in parallel to retrieve correct words from memory, challenging previous assumptions about localized language processing. The study's findings could help speech-language pathologists develop strategies for treating disorders like anomia.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 19, 2017

Mizzou researchers receive grant to study learning and memory

Researchers Troy Zars and Elizabeth King will use advanced genomic technologies and behavioral techniques to identify genes influencing learning and memory performance in fruit flies. The study aims to uncover the genetic basis of complex traits and shed light on brain function.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateJun 5, 2017
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.

NIH scientists try to crack the brain's memory codes

Scientists at the NIH discovered that each memory is encoded by a unique firing pattern of individual neurons in the brain. The studies also found that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·DateJun 2, 2017

Metabolic enzyme fuels molecular machinery of memory

A Penn study found that acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) regulates gene expression in neurons to form and store spatial memories. Blocking ACSS2 impairs long-term memory, suggesting a potential target for neurological disorders like anxiety and depression.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateMay 31, 2017

Think you know how to improve your memory? Think again

Research reveals that novelty detection triggers brain states that enhance new memory formation, suggesting a shift in how we make memories. The study's findings have implications for developing novel early warning tests and management strategies for memory impairments like Alzheimer's disease.

SourceCanadian Association for Neuroscience·DateMay 31, 2017
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.

Do flies over-generalize memories like PTSD sufferers?

A study by Christian König and Ayse Yarali found that fruit flies generalize their memories of an electric shock to a range of similar scents, mirroring the behavior of PTSD sufferers. This ability can be beneficial but also detrimental if overgeneralized.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 3, 2017

Study: Better memory makes people tire of experiences more quickly

A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that individuals with larger working memory capacities tend to feel like they've had an experience more often, leading to faster satiation. This could have implications for marketers and consumers seeking to manage cravings for unhealthy foods.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 1, 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.

Weight expectations: Context and distraction skew what we predict and remember

A recent study by Kevin Trewartha at Michigan Technological University explores how context and distraction influence our memories of weight expectations. The research found that the brain maintains multiple representations of size-weight relationships, with limited crosstalk between unconscious and conscious memories.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalCognition·DateApr 21, 2017

Neuroscientists identify brain circuit necessary for memory formation

Researchers discovered that memories are formed simultaneously in the hippocampus and long-term storage location in the cortex. Traces of memories remain in the hippocampus for two weeks before becoming mature, challenging standard models of memory consolidation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 6, 2017

Ingredients for lasting memories

Researchers found evidence of long-lasting engram cells in the frontal part of the brain, which mature as new memories become permanent. These cells were activated naturally only after weeks of conditioning, suggesting a maturation process that requires input from hippocampal engram cells.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateApr 6, 2017

Research into why we remember some aviation disasters and forget others

A study analyzing Wikipedia articles about airline crashes between 2008 and 2016 found that recent events trigger past memories, with a short-term attention span for recent crashes. Aviation disasters with large numbers of deaths are more memorable than reported events with fewer fatalities.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 5, 2017

Wikipedia articles on plane crashes show what we remember -- or forget

A study of nearly 1,500 Wikipedia articles on airplane crashes found that recent incidents trigger collective memory of past events, forming an interconnected network. The number of deaths and date of the crash significantly impact view flow, while prior viewership of target articles also play a role.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 5, 2017
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.

Super-sized memory is trainable and long lasting

After 40 days of daily training using a strategic memory improvement technique, individuals with typical memory skills more than doubled their memory capacity. Brain scans showed altered brain functions and similar connectivity patterns as those of world champion memory athletes. Four months later, recall performance remained high.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 8, 2017

A backup copy in the central brain: How fruit flies form orientation memory

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have identified two gaseous messenger substances, nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, as crucial for the formation of Drosophila's spatial orientation memory. This memory is retained in a small group of ring-shaped neurons in the ellipsoid body of the central brain.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 7, 2017

Happy notes, happy memories

Researchers found that musical cues with high arousal and positive emotion triggered the recall of clear, vivid memories, while those with negative emotions led to less specific recollections. The study's findings suggest that emotional content of musical cues influences the type of memories accessed.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateFeb 28, 2017

Research reveals how the brain remembers fearful experiences

Scientists discovered specific brain signals associated with fearful experiences in rat brains, allowing them to predict location-based avoidance. The study suggests a potential mechanism for understanding memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 20, 2017
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.

Smokers’ memories could help them quit

A Michigan State University study found that smokers who viewed a nostalgic public service announcement showed greater emotional engagement and stronger negative attitudes towards smoking. The researchers argue that nostalgia-themed messages could be an effective way to promote healthy behaviors.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCommunication Research Reports·DateFeb 16, 2017

Ants find their way even while traveling backward

Researchers found that ants can decouple their direction of travel from their body orientation, maintaining a northerly direction by going forward or backward. This challenges the notion of simple stimulus-response behaviors in insects.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 19, 2017
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.

Macaques, like humans, know how well they can recall memories

Researchers identified a specific region in the prefrontal brain essential for metamemory decision making in macaques. Inactivation of this region impaired metamemory but not memory itself, offering insights into the neuronal underpinnings of metacognition.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2017

New system for forming memories

A study published in Science found that the entorhinal cortex replays memories of movement independently of the hippocampus, challenging the long-held view of the hippocampus as the primary memory region. The medial entorhinal cortex acts like a navigational system, providing cues for location and movement to the hippocampus.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2017
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.

Detecting misinformation can improve memory later on

Research published in Psychological Science found that people who notice inconsistent misinformation have better memory for the event compared to those who don't see it. This suggests that detecting and remembering misinformation can actually enhance memory recognition.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 3, 2017

Half of people believe fake facts

A study by the University of Warwick found that around 50% of participants believed they had experienced fictitious events, such as taking a childhood hot air balloon ride. The findings have significant implications for fields like forensic investigations, therapy treatments, and courtrooms, where memories are used to inform decisions.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMemory·DateDec 7, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rhythm of breathing affects memory and fear

Scientists found that breathing rhythm affects memory and fear by synchronizing activity in the human brain. Inhaling through the nose heightens memory and response to fearful stimuli, while mouth breathing eliminates these effects.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateDec 6, 2016

Past misdeeds haunt relationships when they feel recent, study finds

A new study finds that recalling past misdeeds during conflicts can be detrimental to relationships, even if no one mentions them. Those with high attachment anxiety are especially prone to thinking about past transgressions in the present, leading to more destructive reactions and poor relationship outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateDec 5, 2016

Scientists bring 'forgotten' memories back to mind

Researchers discovered that neural activity supporting short-term memories only arises when recall is consciously attempted. This study finds that information in working memory is maintained through mechanisms other than sustained neural activity and can be revived using transcranial magnetic stimulation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 2016

Missed connections

Researchers found that brain connections change with age, but compensate for this by using new strategies to remember things. The study used fMRI data to analyze brain activity in individuals, revealing distinct patterns of connectivity among older people.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 28, 2016
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.

Practice testing protects memory against stress

A new study from Tufts University found that learning through practice testing can protect memory against the negative effects of stress. Participants who used retrieval practice showed no impairment in memory after experiencing acute stress, while those who used traditional study practice remembered fewer items overall.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2016

Building stress-resistant memories

Researchers found stressed individuals who used 'retrieval practice' technique outperformed non-stressed individuals, regardless of whether they restedudied or not. The study suggests that effective learning strategies can build stress-resistant memories, contradicting the common notion that stress impairs memory retrieval.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 24, 2016

Your dog remembers what you did

Researchers found that dogs can recall a person's complex actions, even when they don't expect to be tested. The study used the 'Do as I Do' training method to demonstrate this ability.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 23, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Going for a run could improve cramming for exams

A new study published in Cognitive Systems Research found that moderate exercise like running improves memory retention for students who have just learned new information. The researchers suggest that physical stress activates the brain's 'memory storage mode', retaining the information.

SourceElsevier·JournalCognitive Systems Research·DateOct 19, 2016

Study reveals how new experiences boost memory formation

A study by the University of Edinburgh has found that attention-grabbing experiences activate a specific area of the brain, releasing memory-boosting chemicals. Researchers discovered that mice who had new experiences just before or after learning a new location remembered it better the next day.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateSep 8, 2016
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.

Sharing stories synchronizes group memories

Researchers found that synchronizing collective memories through conversation leads to similar recall and forgetting patterns within groups. This phenomenon, known as mnemonic convergence, is influenced by both individual recall and group interactions.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2016

Researchers identify method of creating long-lasting memories

A new study in mice finds that dopamine release from the brain's locus coeruleus region can enhance memory retention. The researchers used optogenetics to activate dopamine-carrying neurons and found a direct, long-lasting synaptic strengthening that improved learning and memory.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature·DateSep 7, 2016

Making memories stronger and more precise during aging

Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that selectively overexpressing a transcription factor, Klf9, in older neurons increased the survival of new neurons and improved pattern separation. This led to more precise and stronger memories in mice with increased neurogenesis, particularly in middle age and aging.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNeuron·DateSep 1, 2016
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.

How easy is it to spot a lie?

A study reviewed 20 research papers on deception in groups, revealing that collective interviews are used in only a third of investigations. This highlights the need for new methods to detect deception, as individualized interviews can be manipulated by suspects with prepared scripts.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 25, 2016

Getting digital line-ups wrong can put innocents behind bars

New research highlights how police line-ups can lead to wrongful identifications if distinguishing features are not properly disguised. A study by the University of Warwick found that fair line-ups, which hide or manipulate distinctive marks, outperform unfair ones in distinguishing between innocent and guilty suspects.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

Methylene blue shows promise for improving short-term memory

A new study found that methylene blue increased response in brain areas controlling short-term memory and attention, leading to improved reaction times and memory retrieval. The results suggest that methylene blue can regulate certain brain networks related to sustained attention and short-term memory after a single oral low dose.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateJun 28, 2016

Running releases protein associated with improved memory in mice

A new study reveals that treadmill training releases a protein called cathepsin B, which improves memory recall in mice. The findings support the benefits of regular exercise on cognitive function and suggest that this protein may play a key role in maintaining brain health.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 23, 2016
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.

How a woman with amnesia defies conventional wisdom about memory

A woman with amnesia, Lonni Sue Johnson, surprisingly retains detailed knowledge of skills she once performed well in, such as art and flying, despite losing memories of facts about her life. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University find that skill-related memory can be spared even with severe losses in other kinds of knowledge.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCognitive Neuropsychology·DateJun 22, 2016

Taking notes boosts memory of jurors, new study finds

A new study from the University of Liverpool found that taking notes during trials enhances jurors' memory of trial evidence. Jurors who were allowed to review their notes had superior memory recall compared to those who didn't.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateJun 21, 2016

Need to remember something? Exercise 4 hours later!

A new study suggests that physical exercise after learning improves memory consolidation, particularly when done in a specific time window. The researchers found that exercising four hours after learning retained the information better two days later than those who exercised immediately or not at all.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 16, 2016

Study: Training helps those with mild cognitive impairment

A study by the Center for BrainHealth found that strategy-based reasoning training can improve executive function and memory span in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The training focused on higher-level brain functions such as strategic attention, integrated reasoning, and innovation.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateJun 13, 2016
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.