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An immersive tactile book for blind children

A team from UNIGE created a book with tactile illustrations that associate sounds with objects, enabling visually impaired children to identify them more easily. The combination of gestures, shapes, and sounds helps bridge the gap between visual and tactile experiences.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBritish Journal of Visual Impairment·TypeNews article·DateJun 5, 2023

Influence of visual hindsight bias in mammogram reading

A study found that expert mammogram radiologists exhibit visual hindsight bias, leading to improved performance on blurry images after prior clear images were viewed. This bias can impact the detection of lesions and has implications for negligence lawsuits and patient outcomes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateMay 19, 2023

Human eyes really do play ‘tricks’ on the mind, say experts

A new study reveals that human vision can exploit defocus blur to infer perceptual scale but does so crudely, affecting our ability to accurately estimate object sizes. Researchers used blurred images of full-scale railway scenes and small-scale models to test participants' perceptions.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 9, 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.

New research sheds light on how human vision perceives scale

Researchers from Aston University and the University of York discovered new insights into how the human brain makes perceptual judgments of the external world. They found that humans can exploit 'defocus blur' to infer perceptual scale, but this process is crude and more heuristic than metrical analysis.

SourceAston University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 9, 2023

Researchers detect and classify multiple objects without images

A new technique called image-free single-pixel object detection (SPOD) can detect the location, size, and category of multiple objects without acquiring images. SPOD uses a small optimized structured light pattern to quickly scan the scene and extract features, achieving an accuracy of over 80%.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 3, 2023

Do people and monkeys see colors the same way?

Researchers discovered that a certain short-wave or blue sensitive cone circuit is absent in marmosets and differs from the macaque monkey's circuit. This finding suggests that humans have unique neural wiring for color vision that may be linked to recent evolutionary adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New Study Suggests Cold Imagery Creates Perception of Newness in Advertisements

Researchers from Japan found that cold imagery can positively influence consumer behavior and perception about a product, increasing perceived ambiguity and newness. This study suggests using background images related to coldness in advertisements may be an effective way for marketers to communicate product newness without altering the...

SourceSophia University·JournalJournal of Business Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2023

In bilingual readers, the visual cortex processes Latin and Chinese characters differently

A study found that bilingual readers process Latin and Chinese characters in different ways due to the formation of specialized cortical areas within the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA). In English-Chinese bilinguals, areas were only stimulated by recognition of Chinese logograms, while English-French bilinguals showed equal activation fo...

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 5, 2023

Reading and visual health

Research by State University of New York College of Optometry suggests that reading lacks diversity in visual inputs, potentially leading to myopia development. The study proposes a mechanism where sustained reading reduces activation of ON pathways, causing eye growth beyond its focus plane and blurring vision at far distances.

SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalJournal of Vision·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

How vision begins

The study found that a microscopic change in a protein in the retina occurs within a fraction of a trillionth of a second, triggering the perception of light. This process involves the transformation of a molecule called retinal from its 11-cis form to its all-trans form, which takes just one picosecond.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 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.

Visually navigating on foot uses unique brain region

A small study funded by the National Eye Institute found that a unique brain region called the occipital place area (OPA) supports visually guided navigation when walking, but fails to activate during crawling. This finding may help explain how children learn to navigate their surroundings and develop motor skills.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalCerebral Cortex·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Hands-free tech adds realistic sense of touch in extended reality

A new 'multisensory pseudo-haptic' technology delivers believable tactile experiences in virtual environments by combining visual feedback from a VR headset with tactile sensations from a mechanical wristbracelet. This innovation keeps hands free, enabling long-term wear and more realistic user experiences.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2023

Digital content could be altering your visual perception, new research shows

New research explores the impact of digital media on visual perception, finding that online environments can shift what the brain pays attention to. Studies suggest that excessive digital use can lead to a reduced sensitivity to oblique angles, but this effect may not be permanent once exposure to nature increases.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPerception·DateFeb 21, 2023

Sparse, small, but diverse neural connections help make perception reliable, efficient

Researchers mapped every thalamic synapse on 15 neurons in layer 2/3 of the visual cortex in mice and found that despite being weak and sparse, they are reliable and efficient representatives of information. The diversity of thalamic inputs underlies these advantages, allowing a small population of neurons to assemble the overall picture.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 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.

Product images could boost food pantry use

A recent study from Cornell University found that visual depictions of food pantry offerings, including brand names, have an ameliorative effect on negative product perceptions. The research also revealed that participants' pantry use history plays a role in their assessment of the quality of the food pantry products.

SourceCornell University·JournalAgricultural Economics·DateJan 19, 2023

Think before you design your brand's logo: How marketers can capitalize on the power of perception to influence beliefs about brand performance

A new study found that structured visual design properties, such as symmetry and balance, reinforce claims about a brand's utilitarian benefits. In contrast, unstructured designs are associated with hedonic benefits. The research suggests marketers can use perception to influence beliefs about brand performance and consumer choice.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJan 4, 2023

Some claim culture affects our basic visual perception. A UCLA study takes a fresh look

A UCLA study conducted by Zili Liu and Chéla R Willey found that white, Asian American, and recent Asian immigrant college students performed similarly on a well-known visual perception test, known as the rod-and-frame task. The results suggest that basic visual functions are largely independent of cultural variation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 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.

Hearing is believing: sounds can alter our visual perception

Research found that sounds can influence how we perceive objects visually, making related sounds prioritize certain features. This effect was observed in three experiments, showing that audio input influences object-morph selection speed and accuracy when played during visual discrimination phase.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Brain cells use a telephone trick to report what they see

A new study from Duke University finds that single neurons in the visual cortex rapidly switch between reporting on two separate objects by alternating signals. When objects overlap, brain cells treat them as a single entity, suggesting a more complex encoding process for everyday perception.

SourceDuke University·JournaleLife·DateNov 29, 2022

A novel multi-modal image retrieval system by researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

A novel multi-modal image retrieval system, DenseBert4Ret, has been developed by researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) using deep learning algorithms. The system outperforms state-of-the-art models in retrieving images based on both image and text features.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalInformation Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2022

Most detailed map of brain’s memory hub finds connectivity puzzle

Researchers created a detailed map of the hippocampus's connections to the rest of the brain, finding fewer links with frontal lobes but more with visual networks. This discovery may change how we think about human memory and cognition, potentially shedding light on why some primates excel at certain memory tasks.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournaleLife·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 8, 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.

Inverted dancers have more acute visuomotor perception

A study published in Scientific Reports shows that individuals with extensive experience performing inverted movements, such as vertical dancing, can overcome the inversion effect in perceiving biological motion. This ability is crucial for survival and social interaction, but is impaired when movements are performed upside-down.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2022
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.

How to improve landscape visual aesthetic effects of street pedestrian spaces in China’s mountainous cities

A study assesses and optimizes the landscape visual aesthetic quality of street pedestrian spaces in Jinan, China's historic downtown, using panoramic images and deep learning methods. The research finds that urban streets with high aesthetic quality serve as corridors among mountains and natural landscapes, improving city image.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLandscape Architecture Frontiers·TypeCase study·DateOct 3, 2022

York University study: Even smartest AI models don’t match human visual processing

A York University study found that deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) fail to capture the configural nature of human shape perception, which could be dangerous in traffic video safety systems. The researchers discovered that while humans use configural shape perception, DCNNs take 'shortcuts' and are insensitive to this aspect.

SourceYork University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2022

Machine learning gives glimpse of how a dog's brain represents what it sees

Researchers at Emory University used machine learning and fMRI to analyze a dog's brain activity while watching videos. The results show that dogs are more attuned to actions in their environment than to who or what is performing the action. This study offers proof of concept for decoding canine visual perception.

SourceEmory University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 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
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.

What you know changes how you see things

Researchers at George Washington University found that people perceive objects differently based on their prior knowledge and experience, with manipulable objects perceived faster but with less detail, while non-manipulable objects are perceived slower but with higher detail.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 31, 2022

When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers

A new study found that Alzheimer's disease damages a circuit that connects the vision processing centers of each brain hemisphere, leading to disrupted visual memory. The researchers discovered neurons that extend axons across the corpus callosum, which connect the hemispheres, and showed that these cells play a crucial role in synchro...

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

What guides our attention to faces in videos changes with age

Researchers discovered that face centering, not saliency, plays a key role in guiding attention to faces in videos as people age. The findings have implications for children's television programming and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInfancy·TypeObservational study·DateAug 15, 2022
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.

Perception depends on whether you are looking up or down

A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that the human visual system flexibly modulates observers' perception according to their posture. The research used the Necker cube as a visual stimulus and found a significant difference in probability of perception depending on the viewing posture, with a bias towards looking up.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 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
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.

Photonic synapses with low power consumption and high sensitivity are expected to integrate sensing-memory-preprocessing capabilities

Researchers have developed photonic synapses using large-area, uniform multilayer MoS2 films that integrate sensing-memory-preprocessing capabilities. These devices exhibit ultralow power consumption of about 40 aJ and can simulate short-term synaptic plasticity, long-term synaptic plasticity, and other synaptic properties.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateJun 30, 2022

Neuroscientists find new factors behind better vision

Researchers found that individual variation in primary visual cortex size and brain tissue can predict contrast sensitivity, with larger V1 areas and more cortical tissue leading to better vision at specific locations. The study reveals a new link between brain structure and behavior.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

This illusion, new to science, is strong enough to trick our reflexes

A new study reveals an 'expanding hole' illusion that deceives the brain, prompting a dilation reflex in the pupils and making us perceive more light. The illusion is perceived by approximately 86% of people and affects how our visual system anticipates and makes sense of the visual world.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

The limits of vision: Seeing shadows in the dark

Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a dedicated neural pathway in the retina that can detect even the dimmest shadows possible. This breakthrough could lead to unprecedented resolution in probing visual diseases.

SourceAalto University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 23, 2022
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.

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

Infants preferentially perceive faces in the upper visual field

A study found that infants aged 5-8 months preferentially perceive faces in the upper visual field. The bias emerges around 7 months and is specific to faces, with no observed bias for non-face images. This suggests an important role of experience with faces in daily life in shaping this perceptual bias.

SourceChuo University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateApr 24, 2022
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.

Attention to objects in peripheral vision is not driven by tiny eye movements

Researchers found that attention-related signals occur independently of eye movement signals, and microsaccades are not required for shifting attention. This breakthrough resolves controversy about brain systems for attention and has implications for understanding attention disorders and behavior.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Warning: Objects in driverless car sensors may be closer than they appear

Researchers at Duke University have demonstrated a new attack strategy that can deceive industry-standard autonomous vehicle sensors into believing nearby objects are closer or further than they appear. This vulnerability highlights the need for additional redundancy and data sharing between vehicles to protect against such attacks.

SourceDuke University·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022
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.

Researchers from the GIST use artificial intelligence to identify potential unsafe locations in cities

GIST researchers propose a new strategy for crime prevention using artificial intelligence, trained on a large-scale dataset of deviant incident reports and corresponding images. The model, called DevianceNet, can accurately classify and detect deviant places, making it a useful tool in urban safety development.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2022

It's the rhythm that counts

Research reveals that the brain's electrical rhythms fluctuate between high precision and low precision states several times per second, affecting how relevant information is transmitted. Cross-frequency coupling enables selective attention by modulating the strength of different frequencies, while distinguishing between different type...

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateFeb 22, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study shows visual stimulation influences cell formation

Neuroscientists discover visual experience necessary to specify types of cells that form in brain. Researchers found that exposure to light altered the expression of genes and led to changes in cell connectivity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2022

How robots learn to hike

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new control technology that enables ANYmal, a quadrupedal robot, to combine visual perception of its environment with proprioception-based sensing. This allows the robot to tackle rough terrain faster and more efficiently.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2022
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.

Like our social media feeds, our brains take a little while to update

Researchers found that our brains consolidate visual input every 15 seconds into one impression, helping us handle everyday life. However, this delay can also lead to negative consequences, such as missing critical information in high-stakes situations.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022

Sleeping mice show busy brains

A new study reveals that the superior colliculus, a lesser-studied region responsible for saccades and facial recognition, dynamically changes its clustering of neurons depending on the mouse's conscious state. This finding suggests that the brain optimizes visual information processing based on its awake or anesthetized state.

SourceKyoto University·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 27, 2021