Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Podcasts and compulsory attendance improved student learning

A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that using podcasts and compulsory attendance in small seminar groups increased student engagement and confidence. The changes led to a 36% increase in successful exam completion compared to the previous year.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNorsk sosiologisk tidsskrift·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study from ECNU Review of Education redevelops framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics

A study redevelops a framework for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics to preschool children, providing five big ideas that can be grasped by young kids. The framework aims to prepare children to understand and use AI tools effectively, promoting healthy and responsible learning in the rapidly developing digital society.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 8, 2024

Orbital-angular-momentum-encoded diffractive networks for object classification tasks

Researchers developed three diffractive deep neural networks using orbital angular momentum to recognize objects in images, achieving accuracy comparable to wavelength and polarization-based models. The technology has potential for real-time processing applications like image recognition and data-intensive tasks.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 27, 2023

Genes influence whether infants prefer to look at faces or non-social objects

A study at Uppsala University found that infant face preference is influenced by genes and linked to later language development. The researchers analyzed over 500 infant twins and found that individual infants' preferences for faces could be largely explained by their genetics.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023
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.

Babies as young as four months show signs of self-awareness - study

Researchers found that babies as young as four months old display enhanced somatosensory brain activity when a touch is preceded by an object moving towards them. This suggests that even in the first few months of life, babies can sense their surroundings and understand how their bodies interact with space.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2023

Researchers help unravel brain processes involved in vision

A team of researchers, including York University, used a mouse model to test how the brain learns new sensory input patterns. They found that the brain's response to image patterns that violate expectations evolves differently over time, suggesting a distinct role in sensory learning.

SourceYork University·JournalJNeurosci·DateNov 21, 2023

People watched other people shake boxes for science. Here’s why

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people can quickly identify another person's epistemic goals by watching their actions. This study reveals a key aspect of human cognition with implications for artificial intelligence. The team discovered that observers could accurately determine whether someone was trying to learn so...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2023
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.

Do extracurricular activities always give children a head start? Research says maybe not

A study by Dr Lixin Ren found that extracurricular activities have a limited impact on math skills in preschool children, with effects dependent on behavioral regulation and approaches to learning. For children with poor self-regulation skills, structured activities can improve early math skills.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of School Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2023

Smells like learning

A team of scientists discovered two types of neurons in fruit flies and mice that enable them to identify distinct smells. With experience, these animals can learn to differentiate between very similar odors, a process that could improve machine-learning models and AI systems.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 31, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How people perceive Multiracial faces isn’t always so Black and White

A study by Duke University psychologists finds that White people tend to see Multiracial faces as Black, while Black people see them as White. Multiracial participants show less bias when forced to choose one race, categorizing faces as White more often than Black.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2023

New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 28, 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.

Does this number make me look fat?

A new UCLA study reveals that subjects consistently perceive players in jerseys numbered from 10 to 19 as thinner than those in jerseys numbered from 80 to 89, even when body sizes are the same. This finding suggests that learned associations between numbers and sizes influence perception of body size.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 6, 2023

MU researcher combats bullying of students with disabilities

A University of Missouri researcher created an evidence-based, online professional development curriculum to help teachers recognize, respond to, and prevent bullying towards students with disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes building rapport, social skills, and communication skills to improve classroom climates and reduce bullying.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEducation and Urban Society·TypeCase study·DateAug 30, 2023

Challenge accepted: High-speed AI drone overtakes world-champion drone racers

A team of researchers from the University of Zurich and Intel has developed an AI system called Swift that can beat human champions in drone racing. The autonomous drone achieved the fastest lap, winning multiple races against three world-class champions, but human pilots proved more adaptable to changing conditions.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023
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.

Anti-obesity drug improves associative learning in people with obesity

Researchers found that liraglutide improves associative learning in people with obesity by restoring brain activity to normal-weight levels. The study showed that participants with obesity had reduced ability to associate sensory stimuli and decreased brain activity compared to those with normal weight.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Good smells, bad smells: It’s all in the insect brain

Researchers found that locusts have a clear preference for certain odors, such as grass and banana, while avoiding others like almond and citrus. They developed a model explaining how innate and learned preferences are generated in the locust's olfactory system.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2023

Mathematical theory predicts self-organized learning in real neurons

Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2023

People generalize expectations of pain to conceptually related tasks

Researchers found that people generalize expectations of pain to conceptually related tasks, leading to avoided activities and reduced mobility. Participants learned to associate certain routes with pain and extended this association to other tasks in the same category.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023
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.

Getting adults on board with messy nature play

Researchers found that while parents and educators recognize the benefits of nature play, they struggle with certain aspects, particularly risk. A key move will be to boost educators' knowledge about nature-based learning to promote enabling factors.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeCase study·DateJun 29, 2023

Hybrid AI-powered computer vision combines physics and big data

A new approach to enhance artificial intelligence-powered computer vision technologies has been developed by UCLA researchers, adding physics-based awareness to data-driven techniques. This hybrid methodology aims to improve how AI-based machinery sense, interact, and respond to their environment in real time.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 14, 2023

It takes a village: Study shows community is key to a sustained passion for science among adolescents

A yearlong science program with family members led to increased interest in STEM subjects and a lifelong engagement. Children who participated showed more enthusiasm for science and were more likely to envision themselves as scientists, while their families reported renewed interest in science at home.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalResearch in Science Education·DateJun 14, 2023
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.

Children’s language development doesn’t just happen through words

Research by Professor Mila Vulchanova reveals associations between language development and cognitive skills in children. Non-verbal tests show that severity of language difficulties can be predicted based on cognitive markers, supporting the importance of measuring both verbal and non-verbal skills.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Language & Communication Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

Preschoolers prefer to learn from a competent robot than an incompetent human, Concordia study shows

A new study published in the Journal of Cognition and Development found that preschoolers aged three and five prefer learning from a competent robot over an incompetent human. The research, conducted by Concordia University researchers, used humanoid robots to teach children about unfamiliar objects. Five-year-olds were more likely to ...

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Development·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Study finds neighborhood apps increase perceptions of crime rates

A new study by University of Houston psychologist Adam Fetterman found that neighborhood apps are associated with inaccurate perceptions of higher local crime rates. The frequent use of such services by a large portion of the population suggests important implications for perceptions and behaviors related to people's neighborhoods.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPsychology of Popular Media·DateMar 27, 2023

Brain cells inspire new computer components

Researchers developed memristors based on halogenated perovskite nanocrystals for more powerful and energy-efficient computing. Inspired by the human brain's synapses, these components combine data storage and processing, reducing energy consumption.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023
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.

COVID-19 can cause 'face blindness'

A Dartmouth study found that COVID-19 can cause 'prosopagnosia,' or face blindness, and impairments in navigational abilities. Researchers worked with a patient who experienced difficulty recognizing faces and navigating, leading to dissociation between face recognition and cognitive map representation.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalCortex·TypeCase study·DateMar 13, 2023

Rats trade initial rewards for long-term learning opportunities

Researchers found that rats adopt a non-greedy strategy to balance speed and accuracy, sacrificing immediate rewards for improved learning outcomes. The study suggests that slower reaction times lead to faster learning and higher rewards in both experimental and simulated environments.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateFeb 14, 2023

More variability helps learning

A study with human subjects found that varying training conditions led to better generalization of task performance, even in the presence of irrelevant stimuli. This suggests that more variability in training can lead to improved learning outcomes by enabling the brain to create invariant representations.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 31, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Can a computer teach babies to count?

A two-year study by Rutgers researcher Jinjing Jenny Wang found that babies between 14 and 19 months old benefit from watching counting videos, engaging them with real-life scenarios. The study's findings suggest these videos could reduce disparities in children who may not receive enough counting exposure from caregivers.

SourceRutgers University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJan 31, 2023

Chicory, surrogate and roasted coffee provide new insights into mechanisms of taste perception

Researchers investigated how the order of eating affects bitter taste perception using chicory and coffee substitutes. They found that consuming chicory or coffee substitute after roasted coffee reduces bitterness, while consuming roasted coffee before chicory has no effect.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Too much motivation affects our decision-making

A team from UNIGE and EPFL discovered that too much or too little motivation can blur sensory information and affect decision-making. In a state of hyper-motivation, rodents performed poorly, while moderate motivation led to optimal choice. These results open up new perspectives in learning methods.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuron·DateOct 14, 2022
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.

How can infants learn about sounds in their native language?

Researchers found that infants differentiate sounds based on neighboring sounds and vowel durations. Their study suggests that babies can learn the speech contrasts of their language through naturalistic speech data.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022

Can ‘random noise’ unlock our learning potential?

A recent ECU study discovered that tRNS can enhance neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form new pathways and connections. This technology has shown promise as a tool to assist individuals with learning difficulties or neurological conditions.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalNeuroscience·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 4, 2022

New project to create accessible library makerspaces

The project seeks to create accessible maker programs for blind and visually impaired learners, developing training materials for librarians and maker professionals. The initiative aims to enhance BVI learners' computational thinking skills and STEM interests, while helping librarians become more confident in working with BVI populations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois School of Information Sciences·DateAug 9, 2022

Spot the difference: Brain changes that enable fine visual discrimination learning

A new study has discovered the neuronal changes that occur during learning to improve discrimination of closely related visual images. Researchers found that experience-driven changes in neural activity enhance discriminations relevant to task performance at the expense of other related discriminations.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 8, 2022
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.

Humans in the loop help robots find their way

A novel algorithm, BLIND, enables robots to navigate through environments with obstacles by incorporating human feedback. Humans provide labels to refine the robot's trajectory, avoiding obstacles efficiently.

SourceRice University·DateJun 27, 2022

Immersive VR: Empowering kids to survive in fire, flood, and war

A new virtual reality (VR) experience is educating children aged 10-12 about bushfires, helping them learn how to be safer in emergencies. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of immersive VR experiences in delivering positive learning outcomes for primary children.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Educational Computing Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2022

Brain circuit strength predicts a child’s ability to understand numbers

Research finds that brain circuit strength is linked to a child's ability to understand numbers. A four-week number sense training program targeting the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and hippocampus improved learning outcomes for elementary school-aged children across abilities.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Developing student learning in the ever-changing landscape of higher education

The special issue of the ECNU Review of Education examines how digital shift, international student mobility, and assessment methods impact student learning in higher education. Research reveals that offline interaction generates more desirable academic outcomes, while online education fosters student autonomy and thesis completion.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 30, 2022

The early pandemic’s effect on engineering students’ learning

The study found that while some students felt a sense of loss due to limited access, others saw the challenge as an opportunity to problem-solve and build flexibility. The researchers emphasize the importance of interpersonal relationships and instructors' resources in enhancing educational experiences.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Engineering Education·DateMar 16, 2022

Can we unlearn pain? Helping make sense of chronic pain

A mixed-methods survey found that pain science education helped people recover from chronic pain by understanding it was not tissue damage and that stress and emotion could heighten perceptions. The study also identified seven learning objectives to help teenagers better understand pain, including reframing perceptions of pain as an 'o...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalPain·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 23, 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.

Handwriting beats typing and watching videos for learning to read

A new study found that handwriting helps people learn certain skills faster and significantly better than learning through typing or watching videos. The writing group outperformed the other groups in recognizing letters, spelling, and reading unfamiliar words.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 8, 2021

Specialized inhibitory cluster gates plasticity in fear learning

Scientists have identified a unique subset of inhibitory cells in the amygdala known as apITC, which modulates plasticity in fear learning. The apITC connects to various regions, including thalamic processing centers and sensory areas, to regulate fear-related responses.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 24, 2021

Researchers identify subject-specific component to perceptual learning ability

A new study by YANG Jia and colleagues identified both task-specific and subject-invariant components of perceptual learning ability, revealing multifaceted nature of learning and strong evidence for consistent pattern of individual differences across multiple training tasks.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2020

How expectations influence learning

Neuroscientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have found that the thalamus plays a key role in decision-making during learning, while the insular cortex is active when participants make correct or incorrect decisions. This suggests that expectations influence brain activity and sensory perception.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateApr 15, 2020
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.

Sensory information underpins abstract knowledge

Researchers found that brain regions involved in taste also activate when thinking about food origin. The study used functional MRI to monitor brain activity while participants answered questions about words from different categories.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMar 9, 2020

Learning is optimized when we fail 15% of the time

Researchers found that optimal learning occurs when failure rates are 15%, resulting in 85% accuracy. This '85% Rule' is based on machine-learning experiments and may apply to human perceptual learning as well.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2019

Lessons in learning

A new Harvard study shows that students in 'active learning' classrooms learn more than they think, contradicting long-held beliefs about the effectiveness of traditional lectures. The study found that students felt like they learned more from lectures but actually scored higher on tests following active learning sessions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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