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The how and why of the brain’s division across hemispheres

Research by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the brain separates its processing of spatial information to maintain cognitive advantage, yet seamlessly blends it with other features. The study also explores how the brain 'hands off' visual information between hemispheres.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNeuropsychologia·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 12, 2025

Low iron could cause brain fog during menopause transition, OU study suggests

Research from the University of Oklahoma suggests that women with adequate iron levels in their blood perform better on cognitive tasks during menopause. Having enough iron does not necessarily mean accumulating more iron in the brain, which is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNutrients·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2025

Boosting brain’s waste removal system improves memory in old mice

Researchers at WashU Medicine have found that rejuvenating the network of vessels outside the brain can improve memory in old mice. The study lays the groundwork for developing therapies to overcome the challenges faced by conventional medications, which struggle to reach the brain due to the blood-brain barrier.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2025
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.

How scientists uncovered memory’s hidden architecture

Researchers at Scripps Research uncovered structural hallmarks of long-term memory called an engram, which expands connectivity through specialized axonal terminals and alters synaptic architecture. This discovery could lead to new treatments for memory disorders.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2025

Twisting atomically thin materials could advance quantum computers

Scientists at the University of Rochester have discovered a way to create artificial atoms within twisted monolayers of molybdenum diselenide, retaining information when activated by light. This breakthrough could lead to new types of quantum devices, such as memory or nodes in a quantum network.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 17, 2025

The pupil as a window to the sleeping brain

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that pupil dynamics is related to specific patterns of brain activity and arousal levels, contradicting previous assumptions about low arousal during sleep. The study uses pupil measurements to monitor brain activity in humans for the first time.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 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.

Study: Mediterranean diet changes gut bacteria, boosting memory and cognition

A new Tulane University study suggests that the Mediterranean diet's brain-boosting benefits may work by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut. Researchers found that subjects following a Mediterranean diet developed distinctly different gut bacteria patterns compared to those eating a typical Western diet.

SourceTulane University·JournalGut Microbes Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2025

Rice researchers examine why people remember certain things and not others

Researchers Fernanda Morales-Calva and Stephanie Leal explored the three Ws of memory - what, where, and when - to understand why people remember certain things. They found that emotional content, personal significance, repetition, and attention can influence memory retention. The study highlights the importance of considering individu...

SourceRice University·JournalCognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 6, 2024
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.

How stress is fundamentally changing our memories

Researchers at SickKids have discovered that stress changes how our brain encodes and retrieves aversive memories, leading to generalized fearful responses. A promising intervention has been identified to limit this effect and potentially reduce the harm caused by PTSD.

SourceThe Hospital for Sick Children·JournalCell·DateNov 15, 2024

Cognitive decline and loneliness linked in older adults over short time periods

Researchers found that cognitive performance worsened for older adults on days they felt lonelier than usual and the following day. The study suggests a vicious cycle between loneliness and cognitive decline over the short term, highlighting the importance of early intervention to prevent chronic loneliness.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Gerontology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Can everyday physical activity improve cognitive health in middle age?

A new study found that middle-aged people who engage in everyday physical activity show improvements in cognitive processing speed, which can counteract the natural decline in cognitive abilities with age. The study, led by Penn State researcher Jonathan Hakun, used ecological momentary assessment to track participants' daily activitie...

SourcePenn State·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2024

Asthma and memory function in children

A cohort study found asthma to be associated with memory difficulties in children, which may impact executive function abilities. Earlier asthma onset is likely to exacerbate these effects.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 11, 2024

Can a positive outlook on aging lead to better cognitive performance?

A new study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that people with more positive expectations of aging tend to report less frequent cognitive problems and are less likely to perceive a decline in their cognitive performance over time. Researchers suggest that modifying older adults' aging expectations could support healt...

SourcePenn State·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateOct 29, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fearful memories of others seen in mouse brain

Researchers found that the hippocampal CA2 region helps mice distinguish between safe and threatening social interactions, with implications for understanding social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study suggests targeting this brain region could aid in diagnosing or treating disorders linked to a fear of others.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Autobiographical memory in the digital age: Our lives in the mirror of our data

Researchers explore the influence of digital resources on autobiographical memory, highlighting its potential benefits, such as supporting people with memory difficulties, and risks, like manipulation through deepfakes. The study aims to better understand the interplay between recorded data and memories stored in our minds.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPsychological Inquiry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 7, 2024

Yet another reason why you should sleep on it before making an important decision

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that people are strongly biased by first impressions, but 'sleeping on it' can lead to more rational choices. Participants who didn't make a decision immediately were less likely to fall into these traps and made more rational decisions.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateSep 23, 2024

Out with the old, in with the new: the science behind memory clutter and aging

Aging brains struggle to clear out outdated information, leading to slower processing and more frequent forgetfulness. Beta-band neural oscillations play a crucial role in regulating working memory, with older adults showing a stronger link between these oscillations and their ability to delete irrelevant information.

SourceBoston University·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024
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.

The brain creates three copies for a single memory

The brain stores multiple copies of a single memory in parallel among different groups of neurons emerging at different stages during embryonic development. These memory copies change with time, with early-born neurons storing long-term persistence and late-born neurons fading over time.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateAug 15, 2024

Memory problems in old age linked to a key enzyme, study in mice finds

A team of researchers from Penn State has identified HDAC3 as a key contributor to age-related impairments in memory updating. When blocked, older mice performed similarly to their younger counterparts, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for improving cognitive flexibility in old age.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2024
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.

Learning to act in the face of uncertainty

Researchers found that motor memories are influenced by cognitive processes, not just physical actions. The study used football penalty shootouts and robotic handle movements to demonstrate the brain's differentiation of actions based on decision uncertainty.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2024

Amnesia caused by sleep deprivation could be reversed with existing drugs

Researchers have found that social memories lost due to sleep deprivation can be restored in mice using a drug used to treat asthma, while spatial memories can be reversed with a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. These findings suggest potential for reversing human forgetfulness.

SourceFederation of European Neuroscience Societies·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2024
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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Many children with symptoms of brain injuries and concussions are missing out on vital checks, national US study finds

A national US study found that nearly a quarter of children with symptoms of brain injuries or concussions were not checked for the condition. Younger children were more likely to be overlooked. Routine checks can help ensure these children receive necessary care and support their mental and social well-being.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalBrain Injury·TypeSurvey·DateApr 26, 2024

Guessing game: Response may bias understanding of future scenarios

A study published in Scientific Reports found that people who respond to estimations are more likely to be influenced by their previous answers, a phenomenon known as serial dependence. This could aid research into how information presentation affects human understanding.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2024
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.

Study: Best way to memorize stuff? It depends...

Researchers found that spaced learning benefits item memory, but associative memory improves with stability. Variability in content across repetitions affects the timing of spacing effects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

Yoga provides unique cognitive benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

A UCLA Health study suggests Kundalini yoga can improve cognitive function, memory and brain health for postmenopausal women. The study found that yoga prevented brain matter decline, reversed aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers – improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 26, 2024

Playing video games may improve attention and memory, new research finds

A study published in British Journal of Psychology found that regular gamers performed better on tasks measuring cognitive functions such as attention and memory. They were able to complete number-letter tasks and maze activities faster than non-gamers, with no significant difference in cognitive fatigue experienced.

SourceLero·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2024
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.

A molecular anchor

A team of scientists identified VAP as a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses in dendrites, supporting memory formation and plasticity. The discovery links VAP to ALS-linked protein and suggests that mitochondrial stabilization is critical for neuronal function and health.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Memory, brain function, and behavior: exploring the intricate connection through fear memories

Researchers examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments, shedding light on physical manifestation of memory in the brain. The study reveals that fear memories are linked to pathological states like PTSD and generalized anxiety, with direct translational relevance for disorders involving dysregulated fear responses.

SourceBoston University·JournalJNeurosci·TypeObservational study·DateJan 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.

Study reveals the structure of brain waves associated with memory consolidation

Researchers have discovered the temporal structure of hippocampal ripples, a type of brain wave associated with memory consolidation. The study uses topological data analysis to classify these ripples and predict their generation by different regions of the hippocampus, offering new insights into episodic memory formation.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 9, 2023

Excess fluoride linked to cognitive impairment in children

A study of 74 children in rural Ethiopian villages found that higher exposure to fluoride was linked to more errors on drawing and memory tests. The results suggest a potential association between high fluoride levels and cognitive impairment, particularly during early brain development and childhood.

SourceTulane University·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateOct 26, 2023
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.

Reshaping financial content: Enhancing consumer appreciation in Australian professional practice

A recent study found that a reimagined financial content structure improved consumer appreciation, particularly with clarity, organization and formatting. The new structure incorporated language improvements, explanatory videos, and hyperlinks, leading to higher levels of consumer appreciation compared to the existing structure.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalThe Journal of Finance and Data Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2023

Jellyfish are smarter than you think

Caribbean box jellyfish have demonstrated complex learning capabilities, including associative learning and memory formation, despite having only one thousand nerve cells. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary success of jellyfish and raises questions about the universality of advanced learning mechanisms in animals.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 22, 2023

Intermittent fasting improves Alzheimer’s pathology

A new study by UC San Diego researchers shows that time-restricted feeding can improve memory and reduce amyloid protein accumulation in mice with Alzheimer's disease. This approach may provide a simple and accessible way to correct circadian disruptions, which are the leading cause of nursing home placement.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 21, 2023

Inoue receives funding for Mason CARES Plus

Megumi Inoue received funding for Mason CARES Plus to assess the impact of Stress Busting Program (SBP) and Music and Memory program on reducing care partner stress. The study aims to identify effective strategies for improving care partner engagement with M&M program.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateAug 14, 2023
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.

Circadian clock gene helps mice form memories better during the day

Researchers found that Period 1 gene becomes more active in memory-forming region of brain in daylight hours after learning, playing crucial role in consolidating memories. Mice exhibit improved daytime memory performance compared to nighttime.

SourcePenn State·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023