Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Exposure to violence hinders short-term memory, cognitive control

A study published in PNAS found that exposure to violent episodes hinders short-term memory and cognitive control, with significant impacts on school performance, job prospects, and overall life success. Researchers examined civilians in Colombia, finding long-lasting effects of violence on cognition and memory recall.

Memory takes time, researchers conclude

Researchers at NYU conclude that memory is fundamentally structured in the time domain, with a 'temporal hierarchy' of time windows altering brain state. This theory explains how short-term memories can transform into long-term ones.

Mitochondrial flash signals long-term memory at neuronal synapse

Researchers discovered that dendritic mitochondrial flash, also known as 'mitoflash,' is essential for converting short-term memories into long-term ones. The study revealed that mitoflash facilitates the transition from short-term to long-term synaptic potentiation through a bi-directional interaction between mitochondria and synapses.

Long-term memories made with meaningful information

Researchers at Baycrest Health Sciences found that focusing on the meaning of words rather than repeating them creates better short-term memories. The study used brain scans to identify brain activity related to memorizing through sound and meaning.

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.

Think you can handle your alcohol? Study may urge some drinkers to think again

Researchers found that heavy drinkers developed behavioral tolerance to alcohol on simpler fine motor tasks, such as the Grooved Pegboard Test, but not on more complex tasks like the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Despite faster metabolism, heavy drinkers showed similar levels of impairment on these tasks compared to light drinkers.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Got to remember them all, Pokémon

A new study by UCR psychology professor Weiwei Zhang found that familiarity with a subject can boost memory capacity. Participants were shown Pokémon characters and asked to remember them in working memory; those who were more familiar with the characters remembered more.

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.

Maze Runners

A Harvard Medical School study has found that mice navigate mazes by weighing all available cues before making a decision, suggesting a more complex process than previously thought. The researchers used virtual-reality maze experiments and injected mice with a virus to visualize neuronal activity in real-time.

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.

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.

Scientists to bypass brain damage by re-encoding memories

Researchers at USC and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a brain prosthesis that mimics how memories are translated from short-term to long-term storage. The device has shown high accuracy in predicting neural signals with about 90% accuracy in hundreds of trials conducted with nine patients.

Taking statins? Don't worry about memory loss, Rutgers, Penn study finds

A large study of nearly one million patients found that statin drugs do not likely cause short-term memory loss. Statins have been reported to cause memory lapses by some users, leading to their cessation, but the study suggests this is due to detection bias rather than a true effect of the drug.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stress hormone linked to short-term memory loss as we age

Research at the University of Iowa found a link between high cortisol levels and gradual loss of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, leading to short-term memory lapses. Elevated cortisol can cause synapse shrinkage and disappearance, particularly in older adults, potentially slowed by treatments targeting cortisol reduction.

New study suggests a better way to deal with bad memories

Researchers found that thinking about non-emotional contextual details of a memory can alleviate the negative effects of these memories. This strategy, known as focusing on context, is a promising alternative to other emotion-regulation strategies.

Schizophrenia linked to abnormal brain waves

Researchers at MIT have discovered a link between abnormal brain waves and schizophrenia symptoms in mice. The study found that mice lacking the brain protein calcineurin exhibit hyperactive brain-wave oscillations during rest and impaired mental replay, mirroring some schizophrenia symptoms.

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.

Poor sleep in old age prevents the brain from storing memories

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a link between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration in older adults. Boosting 'slow wave' sleep may help restore memory, suggesting a potentially new treatment avenue for age-related memory loss.

Western University-led research debunks the IQ myth

A Western University-led study found that intelligence quotient cannot be measured by a single test, with three distinct cognitive components: short-term memory, reasoning and verbal ability. The research also showed that brain function is influenced by factors such as age, gender and computer gaming habits.

4 is the 'magic' number

A new study suggests that the human mind can cope with a maximum of four chunks of information before confusion sets in. Professor Gordon Parker from the University of New South Wales re-analyzed experiments and found that this number is more accurate than previously thought.

In-sync brain waves hold memory of objects just seen

Researchers found that synchronized electrical signals between two key hubs in the brain's working memory circuit carry information about short-term visual memories. The study uses synchronized oscillations to distinguish between object identity and location, potentially overturning prevailing theory on how visual information is encoded.

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.

Case Western Reserve researchers create short-term memories in-vitro

Researchers have discovered a way to store diverse forms of artificial short-term memories in isolated brain tissue. They demonstrated that neural circuits in the hippocampus can maintain memories for more than 10 seconds and recognize specific contexts, such as sequences of stimuli. This breakthrough has significant implications for u...

The debate over ecstasy continues

A new study published in Addiction journal reveals that even occasional ecstasy use can lead to memory impairments, particularly with damage to the hippocampus. The research found that participants who took ten or more pills over their first year showed decreased function of immediate and short-term memory.

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.

New target for Alzheimer's drugs

Researchers have identified beta-arrestin, a protein that supports connections between neurons, as a crucial link to short-term memory. By regulating synaptic plasticity, beta-arrestin plays a key role in the formation and disassembly of neural connections, which can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Short-term memory is based on synchronized brain oscillations

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that synchronized brain oscillations between the frontal and visual areas of the brain are crucial for remembering visual information over a short period. The more synchronized the activity was, the better animals could remember images.

Researchers watch a next-gen memory bit switch in real time

Engineering researchers have successfully watched a ferroelectric memory bit switch between 0 and 1 states in real time. The breakthrough discovery offers greater storage capacity, faster write speed, and longer lifetimes than current memory designs.

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.

Motor memory: The long and short of it

Researchers found that short-term and long-term motor memory compete against each other, with switching between tasks improving retention. USC scientists' discovery could lead to optimized computer programs for stroke patient rehabilitation.

Star-shaped brain cells feed long-term memory

Astrocytes are essential for making long-term memories, and their dysfunction can lead to amnesia. Long-term memory formation depends on the delivery of lactate from astrocytes into neurons.

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.

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.

Preserving memory with age

Researchers found that longevity treatments have different impacts on learning and memory in C. elegans, a nematode species. Dietary restriction improved early adult memory but declined with age, while reduced Insulin/IGF-1 signaling enhanced memory performance but failed to preserve it with age.

First ever large-scale study of ketamine users published

A large-scale study of ketamine users found that heavy users experienced impaired verbal memory, forgetfulness, and difficulty recalling conversations. The study also revealed that occasional ketamine use does not lead to prolonged harms to cognitive function, but frequent use can have negative effects.

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.

Do high-fat diets make us stupid and lazy?

Rats fed high-fat diets for four days showed decreased muscle oxygen use, increased heart size, and impaired maze completion. After nine days, they made more mistakes and took longer to complete tasks compared to those on a low-fat diet.

Fetal short-term memory found in 30-week-old fetuses

Researchers found fetal short-term memory at 30 weeks through habituation tests, where fetuses adapt to stimuli. The study also showed that 34- and 36-week-old fetuses can store information and retrieve it weeks later, providing insights into normal fetal development.

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.

Some short-term memories die suddenly, no fading

A new study published in Psychological Science found that short-term visual memories of colors and shapes can last for at least four seconds without gradually fading away. After this period, the memories disappear completely, providing a clearer understanding of how memory formation and retention work.

Decoding short-term memory with fMRI

Researchers at the University of Oregon and UC-San Diego used fMRI to identify specific information people store in short-term memory. They found that brain activity patterns can predict what someone is remembering based on visual details.

Study indicates how we maintain visual details in short-term memory

A study by John T. Serences and colleagues found that the visual cortex actively 'thinks' about specific features of an object during short-term memory, allowing for the maintenance of relevant details. This suggests that observers have top-down control over which features are stored in their online mental workspace.

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.

Short-term stress can affect learning and memory

Researchers found that acute stress activates corticotropin-releasing hormones, disrupting memory formation by disintegrating dendritic spines. Blocking CRH molecules' interaction can eliminate stress damage to these structures.

How the brain and an iPhone differ

A team of UO researchers found that human memory has a four-item limit, varying from person to person, with high IQ individuals able to think about more things at once. The study contradicts the assumption that those who can remember more items have clearer memories.

New research shows why too much memory may be a bad thing

A new study from Columbia University Medical Center suggests that too much memory can be detrimental to cognitive function. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that suppressing neurogenesis in the hippocampus improves working memory. This implies that a balance between memory growth and...

Why we 'never forget a face'

Researchers found that people can store more faces in their visual short-term memory than other objects, thanks to the efficient way faces are encoded. This advantage was only observed when participants studied upright faces, which are more familiar to us.

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.

Learning during sleep?

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have found that the cerebral cortex actively controls memory transfer during sleep. The researchers developed a new technique to investigate this largely under-researched field, discovering a link between interneurones and the cerebral cortex.

Amnesiac study offers insights into how working memory works

A new study offers insights into the role of the hippocampus in forming and recalling memories, particularly for working memory. The researchers found that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in connecting related pieces of information, but not necessarily in long-term memory.

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.

Brain circuit may permit scientists to eavesdrop on memory formation

Researchers found that the temporoammonic (TA) projection is crucial for the dialog between the hippocampus and cortex after learning, suggesting a window of vulnerability for memory consolidation. The study opens up new avenues for exploring the role of sleep in memory formation.

New research suggests two brain areas critical for short-term memory

New research suggests two distinct brain areas, the hippocampus and subiculum, work together to process and store information for short-term memory. This finding broadens understanding of how memory works and could lead to more sensitive tests and treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Storage limits on our visual hard drive

Researchers René Marois and J. Jay Todd found that the human brain's visual short-term memory has a limited storage capacity of about four objects. This is attributed to the posterior parietal cortex, which plays a key role in holding information from visual scenes.

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.

Ecstasy affects memory, new international study shows

Researchers found that regular ecstasy users experienced mainly long-term memory difficulties and were 23% more likely to report problems than non-users. Those who also used cannabis reported up to 20% more memory problems due to the 'double whammy' effect.