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Decoding the brain’s timekeeping machinery

Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2026

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

Virtual reality as a reliable shooting performance-tracking tool

A new study from Ohio State University found that virtual reality technology can accurately record shooting performance and track individuals' progress over time. The research team used the VirTra V-100 simulator to measure 21 relevant variables, including accuracy, decision-making, and reaction time.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·DateJun 11, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pupil contraction indicates hidden cognitive fatigue in prolonged esports play across various skill levels

Researchers found that subjective fatigue did not increase until 2 hours of play, while pupillary constriction occurred at 2 and 3 hours, indicating cognitive fatigue despite varying levels of expertise. This suggests that monitoring pupil constriction could help detect cognitive resource depletion in mentally demanding environments.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 8, 2024

Foot-eye coordination: how our vision changes in rhythm with our walking

Researchers found that our brain processes vision in a rhythmic manner, increasing sensitivity during steps and decreasing it. This discovery has implications for understanding human behavior, decision-making, and potential applications in sports science and diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2024

Study detects cognitive changes in older drivers using in-vehicle sensors

A study published in BMC Geriatrics uses in-vehicle sensors to detect anomalous driving behavior indicative of cognitive impairment in older adults. The system analyzes driving patterns, facial expressions, and eye movement to identify early signs of dementia.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalBMC Geriatrics·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 29, 2024

New study: Immersive engagement in mixed reality can be measured with reaction time

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a system to measure presence in mixed reality using reaction time. The findings suggest that slow reaction times indicate low presence and high reaction times indicate high presence with 80% predictive accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 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.

Brain games reveal clues on how the mind works

Researchers developed a new framework for modeling task-switching, mimicking human behavior. The framework revealed two regions of the model's 'brain' doing each task, explaining the switch cost and potential benefits of splitting tasks.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 19, 2023

How bilingual brains work: Cross-language interplay and an integrated lexicon

Researchers found that bilinguals process linguistic information in their second language automatically and simultaneously, using left temporo-parietal neural regions. The study uses EEG data to show that Russian primes increase reaction times for English targets, indicating cross-language activation.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalCortex·DateJul 6, 2022

Fast and facile synthesis of antibacterial amino acid Schiff base copper complexes

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a fast and facile synthesis method for antibacterial amino acid Schiff base copper complexes using microwave irradiation. The new technique produces high-purity products with promising antimicrobial activity, overcoming the challenge of long synthesis times.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalApplied Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2022
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.

CAS(ME)3: Next-generation Micro-expression database with depth information and high ecological validity

Researchers have developed CAS(ME)3, a large-scale micro-expression database with depth information and high ecological validity. The database contains 1,109 manually labeled micro-expressions and 3,490 macro-expressions, allowing for more accurate emotional analysis and recognition.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalIEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

CityU scientists reveal new neurocircuitry essential for animals to sense environmental cues of imminent danger

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a new neural mechanism that enables animals to perceive and integrate environmental cues, such as air puffs and sounds, to initiate defensive behavior. This finding has implications for understanding schizophrenia patients' auditory hallucinations.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2022

Researchers teach algorithm to predict success in effortful tasks

A machine learning model has been developed to predict cognitive performance based on reaction time, eye movement, and difficulty level. The model achieved an accuracy of 82.8% in predicting participant success in visual attention tasks.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalDecision Support Systems·DateMar 2, 2022
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.

Study challenges advice to perform different tasks at specific times

Researchers from Washington State University found that the optimal time of day for different cognitive tasks does not differ based on task type. Participants who felt sleepy should consider postponing important tasks until a later time to avoid performance impairment.

SourceWashington State University·JournalClocks & Sleep·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Coffee time: Caffeine improves reaction to moving targets

A study found that caffeine increases alertness and detection accuracy for moving targets, improving reaction times and visual processing. Researchers tested participants' dynamic visual acuity skills before and after caffeine ingestion, showing significant improvements in accuracy and speed.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateDec 1, 2021
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.

How the brain accounts for uncertainties in motor planning

Researchers discover brain forms a single motor plan to optimize task performance despite uncertainty, upending decades-old theory of motor averaging. The study used experiments and computational modeling to demonstrate the brain's ability to generate an optimal action choice under uncertain conditions.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournaleLife·DateSep 14, 2021

Not-so-blind mice can make strategic and acute visual choices

Researchers found that mice can make fine visual discriminations between slightly different lines, suggesting a more complex decision-making process than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-perceptual biases in understanding animal behavior and decision-making strategies.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2021
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 perception metric balances reaction time, accuracy

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new metric for evaluating how well self-driving cars respond to changing road conditions and traffic. The new metric, called streaming perception accuracy, balances reaction time and accuracy, allowing systems to optimize performance and reduce latency.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateSep 9, 2020

Should you really be behind the wheel after concussion?

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that drivers who have had a concussion take longer to regain complex reaction times, crucial for driving situations. The research suggests that traditional reaction time tests may not be the best measure of driving responsiveness and readiness.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 29, 2020
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.

Sleep deprivation and neurobehavioral performance

Researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation, even without extended wakefulness, was associated with increased reaction time performance and daytime arousal. The study highlights the complex relationship between sleep and alertness in humans.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2018

Cognitive training helps regain a younger-working brain

Researchers found that cognitive training improved neural activity in older adults, making their brains more energy-efficient. The study suggests that this non-pharmacological intervention could help counteract age-related cognitive decline and enhance brain health.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJan 23, 2018
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.

Tech increases microfluidic research data output 100-fold

North Carolina State University researchers have developed a novel microfluidic platform called NanoRobo, which can collect up to 30,000 spectrographic information points per day. This technology enables the rapid discovery and screening of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, such as perovskite quantum dots, used in LEDs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateNov 7, 2017

Intraindividual reaction time variability independently predicts mortality

Greater intraindividual reaction time variability was found to predict shorter survival times in older adults, independent of cognitive decline. The study used computerized reaction time tests to measure participants' responses and found that increased variability was associated with a higher risk of mortality.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 9, 2017
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.

Gaze direction affects sensitivity to sounds

A new UCL study found that looking away from the sound source while focusing on another one can lead to slower reactions and increased listening effort. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity in participants, revealing an increase in oscillatory neural activity when gaze was misaligned with auditory attention.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 5, 2017

The brain's fight and flight responses to social threat

Researchers found that avoiding social threats leads to decreased mentalizing network activity and increased amygdala activity, indicating heightened threat detection. The study used a Lord of the Rings-themed experiment to investigate neural correlates of social threat perception.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 26, 2017
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.

Sign language users have better reaction times and peripheral vision

Researchers found that sign language users, particularly BSL interpreters, exhibit quicker reaction times and enhanced peripheral vision. Deaf adults also display exceptional visual abilities, including significantly faster reaction times than hearing adults.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 6, 2017

Post-concussion, peripheral vision reaction times substantially impaired

Researchers found that concussion patients exhibit significantly slowed central and peripheral vision reaction times, with PVRT being disproportionately prolonged. This study suggests a useful diagnostic method to objectively assess concussion symptoms, providing potential benefits for patient recovery and athlete safety.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalClinical Journal of Sport Medicine·DateJan 23, 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.

Play an instrument? You probably react faster, too

A new study published in Brain and Cognition found that musicians have faster reaction times to sensory stimuli than non-musicians. The research suggests that long-term musical training can reduce simple non-musical auditory, tactile, and multisensory reaction times.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBrain and Cognition·DateJan 10, 2017

For geriatric falls, 'brain speed' may matter more than lower limb strength

Researchers found that complex reaction time accuracy, or 'brain speed,' is a key factor in determining an older person's ability to recover from a trip or stumble. This measure was shown to be more predictive of fall-related injuries than lower limb strength and perception of motion.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·DateDec 20, 2016

HSE researchers uncover why morning people should not work at night

Researchers found that morning people are faster at solving attention-related tasks, but make more mistakes. In contrast, evening people are slower but more accurate in completing similar tasks, suggesting a trade-off between speed and accuracy with sleep deprivation.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalExperimental Brain Research·DateDec 16, 2016
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.

Commenters exposed to prejudiced comments more likely to display prejudice themselves

A study found that participants who were exposed to prejudiced comments posted by others showed an increase in their own levels of prejudice toward Asians. They also tended to post more prejudiced comments about Asians themselves. The researchers suggest that anti-prejudiced comments can have a beneficial impact in reducing racial bias.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateJun 25, 2015
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.

Pain words stand out more for those experiencing it: York U study

A study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that individuals with chronic pain pay more frequent and longer attention to pain-related words than those without. This discovery uses state-of-the-art eye-tracking technology to better understand how people attend to pain stimuli.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Pain Research·DateOct 3, 2014

Slow reaction time linked with early death

Researchers found that people with slower reaction times were 25% more likely to die within 15 years compared to those with average reaction times. The study, published in PLOS ONE, controlled for age, sex, and lifestyle factors.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 29, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Jealousy can drive us to view ourselves more like our rivals

New research suggests that jealousy can prompt people to change how they view themselves relative to competitors for their partners' attention. In studies, participants rated themselves as having personal attributes more like the perceived romantic rival than before.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 10, 2013

Are billboards driving us to distraction?

Researchers found that emotionally charged words on billboards can provoke an emotional response, distracting drivers and decreasing traveling speed. Positive connotations sped up drivers' responses, while negative words led to drifting and veering from the lane.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateFeb 14, 2013

Deception can be perfected

Lying can be trained to be more automatic, reducing task demands and making it harder to detect. Researchers found that instruction alone significantly reduced reaction times associated with deceptive responses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateDec 6, 2012

Older drivers can be trained to avoid car crashes

New research suggests that older drivers' problems at intersections are largely due to acquired bad habits, which can be unlearned through training. A training program significantly improved driving skills in older drivers, who were able to match younger drivers' performance on a driving simulator.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateFeb 8, 2012

Why the middle finger has such a slow connection

A study published in PNAS found that the middle finger reacts slower than the thumb and little finger due to inhibitory influences from both sides. Targeted learning protocols can compensate for this delay by reducing inhibition and improving neural plasticity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2012
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.