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Walking in a 360° video with foot vibrations for seated observers

Researchers developed a virtual walking system that uses 360° videos and scene-congruent foot vibrations to improve sensations of walking and perception of ground materials. The system was found to enhance walking-related sensations and telepresence, particularly in indoor corridors and snowy ground scenes.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE Access·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021

Seeing shapes

Carlos Ponce is studying the parts of the visual system that analyze shapes, using macaque monkeys as a model. He combines computational models with electrophysiology experiments to understand how neurons process visual information.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Efficient coding: How the brain optimizes allocation of resources

A study published in eLife found that rats exhibit efficient coding processes for visual stimuli, similar to those observed in humans. This suggests a universal principle in vision, where the brain adapts to its environment by specializing in the recognition of informative signals, thereby conserving computational resources and energy.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2021

Brief period of ‘blindness’ is essential for vision

Tiny fixational eye movements, beyond human awareness, are critical for fine details and everyday tasks. Microsaccades cause transient visual suppression during gaze shifts, but vision recovers rapidly at the center of gaze, leading to enhanced overall visibility.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 2, 2021

Visual processing is slower in children with dyslexia

Research published in JNeurosci found that children with dyslexia take longer to gather visual evidence, indicating altered motion processing and decision-making. This slowdown corresponds to differences in brain activity, particularly in centro-parietal regions involved in decision making.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateNov 15, 2021
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 does the brain create our perception of reality?

Researchers uncover how sensory inputs and cognitive processes interact in the brain to create our perception of the world. The study explores the neural basis of perceptual phenomena, shedding light on disorders like ADHD, autism, and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateNov 3, 2021

Colorblind fish show experts how vision evolved

New research in zebrafish reveals the genetic mechanisms behind blue and green color vision loss in human ancestors. By studying gene editing tools and genome sequencing, experts understand how genes are regulated to detect different light wavelengths.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021
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.

Primordial ‘hyper-eye’ discovered

A team of researchers has found a 390-million-year-old hyper-facet eye system in trilobites that is unique to the animal kingdom. The discovery suggests that this ancient eye may have been an adaptation for life in low light conditions, and could provide insights into the evolution of visual systems.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2021

Our eyes and brain work together to create a ‘pipeline’ of meaning – new study

Researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered that humans process written words rapidly, using pre-processing judgments within 100ms, and that this activity is linked to the complexity of the word. This study has significant implications for diagnosing and training individuals with dyslexia where pre-processing is impaired.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 21, 2021

Batters move their heads to keep their eyes on the ball

Researchers found that batters keep their eye on the ball but move their head to direct their gaze. The study suggests that this movement may help reduce visual calculations needed for accurate bat placement. Further investigation is needed to determine if eye-gaze-based training can improve batting performance.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 12, 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

How the brain paints the beauty of a landscape

A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that brain activity associated with aesthetically appealing natural landscapes is not limited to the reward system, but also involves early visual areas. This suggests an early form of beauty perception that can be triggered by surprise and unexpected stimuli

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateJul 23, 2021
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.

Feedback activity in the visual cortex is necessary for the perception of objects

The study reveals that feedback to the primary visual cortex (V1) is necessary for segregating figures from the background, a crucial function of our vision. Disrupting this feedback renders objects invisible, highlighting its importance in figure-ground perception.

SourceNetherlands Institute for Neuroscience - KNAW·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateJun 30, 2021

Babies can see things that adults cannot

Infants younger than 7 months can perceive faces even when they are followed by a mask image, but this ability disappears in older infants. The study found that visual backward masking occurs due to interference with feedback processing, which develops in the second half of the first year of life.

SourceChuo University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2021

Forensic analysis of visual patterns

A Perspective counters the DOJ's claim that forensic analysis of visual patterns is not metrology by highlighting biological sensory systems' ability to quantify patterns. This clarifies processes underlying human sensation and perception, potentially improving forensic accuracy.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2021
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.

Study shows how our brains sync hearing with vision

Researchers at McGill University found that brain signals constantly adapt to synchronize visual and auditory inputs, using temporal recalibration to adjust our sense of time. This dynamic process enables us to perceive sounds and images as simultaneous, despite the different physical velocities and neural processing speeds.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 11, 2021

Smoking cannabis significantly impairs vision, study finds

A University of Granada study found that smoking cannabis significantly worsens visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and glare sensitivity. Notably, over 90% of users believe the drug has no effect on their vision, highlighting a need for awareness-raising campaigns to inform users about the risks.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 13, 2021

Monkeys experience the visual world the same way people do

Researchers found that monkeys exhibit same patterns as humans in learning from consciously experienced and subliminally presented visual cues. This suggests that monkeys possess two levels of processing, one of which is conscious.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2021
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.

Depression affects visual perception

Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that depression alters the way the brain processes visual information, with depressed individuals perceiving contrast as stronger. The study used two visual tests to compare brain function in patients with depression to those without.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 2021

Object transparency reduces human perception of three-dimensional shapes

Researchers discovered that transparent materials are perceived as flatter than actual thickness, contrary to metallic or glossy surfaces. The study used a computational model to predict image cues contributing to judgment errors and identified regional variations in local luminance contrast as the key factor.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·Journali-Perception·DateFeb 10, 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.

Augmented reality visor makes cake taste moister, more delicious

Researchers developed an augmented reality (AR) visor system that manipulates light distribution to alter food appearance. This technique altered perceptions of moistness, wateriness, and deliciousness in people consuming the food, with the most notable effects on cake and ketchup.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 15, 2020

Traveling brain waves help detect hard-to-see objects

Researchers at Salk Institute discover patterns of neural signals that facilitate perception of faint objects. The brain's ability to recognize targets is directly related to when and where traveling brain waves occur in the visual system.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateOct 7, 2020
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.

Screen time can change visual perception -- and that's not necessarily bad

Research from Binghamton University found that the human perceptual system rapidly adjusts to changes in visual experience, including playing video games. The study shows that people can adapt quickly to changes in their environment, with some arguing that this adaptation is helpful in a digital world.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPerception·DateSep 30, 2020

How the brain creates the experience of time

A new study from JNeurosci found that time-sensitive neurons in the supramarginal gyrus fatigue and distort our subjective experience of time. When repeatedly exposed to a fixed duration stimulus, these neurons wear out, leading to skewed perceptions of time.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateSep 14, 2020

Consumer-created social media visuals capture consumer brand perceptions

Consumer-created social media visuals are reflective of consumer brand perceptions, according to researchers who developed a new model called BrandImageNet. This model maps images to perceptual attributes of a brand, allowing firms to automatically monitor consumers' brand perceptions and evaluate their positioning strategies.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateJul 13, 2020

More than meets the eye

A new study finds that people with face blindness use different memory processes for face recognition, relying on familiarity rather than recollection. The research suggests that successful facial recognition requires more than a vague familiarity with a face.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCortex·DateJul 10, 2020
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.

Sniffing out smell

Researchers discovered that neural representations of smell in the cortex reflect chemical similarities between odors, allowing for categorization. The findings also suggest that sensory experiences can rewire these representations.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2020

Rethinking visual awareness

Research on brain-damaged patients with distorted perception reveals neural processing can occur despite lack of awareness. The study's findings have significant implications for theories of human visual awareness and suggest a reevaluation of the relationship between complex cognitive processing and awareness.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2020

The relationship between looking/listening and human emotions

A study from Toyohashi University of Technology reveals that visual perception elicits emotions across all attentional states, while auditory perception only elicits emotions when attention is paid to sounds. This suggests distinct relationships between attentional states and emotional responses to visual and auditory stimuli.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 19, 2020

Limits of human color perception

Researchers found that people are often unaware of color removal from their visual periphery in virtual reality, suggesting limitations to human color awareness. The studies used 178 participants and revealed that peripheral color detection is less accurate than previously believed.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2020

Vision loss influences perception of sound

Research from Anglia Ruskin University's Vision and Eye Research Institute found that people with severe vision loss can less accurately judge the distance of nearby sounds. This impairment may put them at risk of injury in real-life situations.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 3, 2020
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.

Why visual perception is a decision process

Researchers found that prediction errors can be accessed during final processing stages of perception, contradicting previous theories. This means the brain simultaneously keeps track of past, current, and future image contents, allowing for stability and flexibility in rapid image sequences.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 12, 2020

How mistakes help us recognize things

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that mistakes in short-term memory, such as misperceiving the motion direction of dots, contribute to our ability to recognize and integrate visual information over time. This 'blurring' of perception helps us perceive a stable environment despite constant changes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 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.

Always counterclockwise

A study by Kiel University researchers has identified a consistent counterclockwise deviation in the orientation of newly built Early Neolithic houses in Central and Eastern Europe. The finding is attributed to the phenomenon known as pseudo-neglect, where humans tend to prefer their left visual field.

SourceKiel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 10, 2020
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 brain rhythms organize our visual perception

A team of neuroscientists discovered that the brain combines visual features through high-frequency oscillations to achieve a unified percept. The researchers measured nerve cell activity in rhesus monkeys while performing a visual perception task, finding that faster responses occurred with stronger high-frequency oscillations.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2019

Motion perception of large objects gets worse during infant development

Research suggests that infants under 6 months can detect the motion of large objects more accurately than small ones, whereas adults struggle with this task. This phenomenon is attributed to surround suppression, which weakens in older children and adults, allowing them to see smaller motions better.

SourceChuo University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 6, 2019

Skeletal shapes key to rapid recognition of objects

Researchers at Emory University found that the medial axis of an object, or its skeletal geometry, is a crucial visual tool for object recognition. The study suggests that this inner mechanism may play a more important role than previously thought in recognizing objects quickly.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 20, 2019
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.

Shedding light on how the human eye perceives brightness

Researchers isolated melanopsin cell functions and demonstrated their importance in perceiving visual environment. The study showed that melanopsin plays a crucial role in detecting light intensity, contributing to a new understanding of the biology of the eye.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 17, 2019

Stimulating life-like perceptual experiences in brains of mice

Researchers developed a new optogenetic technique to control brain activity in mice, recreating natural perception and guiding behavior. The method revealed new insights into neuronal dynamics and the neurobiology of mammalian behavior.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 18, 2019

'You all look alike to me' is hard-wired in us, UCR research finds

A new study led by UC Riverside psychologist Brent Hughes found that the tendency to recognize differences in own-race faces is greater than in other-race faces, a phenomenon known as the 'other-race effect.' This bias occurs even at early stages of sensory perception and can affect downstream beliefs and behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2019
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.

Emotions from touch

Researchers created a database of 21 textures associated with different emotions, revealing soft surfaces tend to evoke pleasant feelings while rough ones elicit unpleasant sensations. The study also found people with high alexithymia levels experience more intense negative emotions when interacting with certain textures.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateJun 3, 2019

New AI sees like a human, filling in the blanks

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an AI agent that can gather visual information and reconstruct a full 360-degree image of its surroundings. The agent uses deep learning to choose the most informative shots, similar to how humans would take pictures in different directions based on prior experience.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Robotics·DateMay 15, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New study highlights 'alarmingly high' rate of visual problems in stroke survivors

A new University study highlights the high incidence and prevalence of visual problems in acute stroke survivors, with 48% of all stroke admissions and 60% of survivors experiencing new onset visual conditions. The study found that three quarters of patients had visual problems, including impaired central vision, eye movement abnormali...

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 11, 2019

Research shows for the first time how we use others' viewpoints to make decisions

A new study by the University of Plymouth found that people spontaneously form mental images of how the world looks to others, allowing them to virtually see through another person's eyes and make judgments. This ability helps us empathize with others, predict their behavior, and interact with them effectively in everyday activities.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2019

Fish and humans are alike in visual stimuli perception -- Ben-Gurion U.

Archae fish, trained in a computer experiment, exhibit same visual processing skills as humans when identifying target features such as color, size, orientation and motion. This shared approach is believed to be essential for survival and could provide insights into other species' brains.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Vision·DateFeb 4, 2019

Body cameras and judgment of intent

Researchers found that body-camera footage led to lower intentionality ratings compared to dashboard footage in both real and staged incidents. The study suggests that body-camera footage could impact judicial decisions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019
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.