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Open-source designs for turbidity and depth sensors are becoming increasingly capable and available, but the knowledge required to construct them limits their use compared to expensive, commercial sensors. Here, we present an open-source optical backscatter and water pressure sensor that can be ordered almost fully assembled, requires no coding to deploy, and costs approximately $50 USD. We share three examples of these sensors’ ability to facilitate new research. First, we observed complex changes in spatial and temporal patterns of suspended sediment transport in the Arctic Sagavanirktok River using a network of sensors. Second, we measured turbidity during the freeze-up period in the Tanana River, a period of high risk to sensors. Last, we built and deployed sensors with middle-school students to monitor turbidity under full ice cover on the Tanana River. The success of open-source sensors in these examples shows a marked increase in scale and accessibility of river science.

Congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) are common skin lesions. They harbour a risk of malignant transformation, and various lesions have been described as developing within them. A basal cell cancer occurring within a CMN has never previously been described. A case is described of a woman aged 52 years presenting with a slow-growing, symptomatic 3 cm lesion in the centre of a 10×5 cm CMN on her right upper back. Diagnostic core biopsy revealed an ulcerated, infiltrative basal cell carcinoma which was then further excised. The scar has healed with no evidence of local recurrence at 1-year follow-up.