A team from the Institute for X-ray Physics at the University of Göttingen has developed a new method for X-ray microscopy that uses imperfect lenses to achieve higher image quality and sharpness. The researchers used a lens consisting of finely structured layers deposited on a thin wire and adjusted it between the object to be imaged ...
Researchers developed efficient metal-free polymeric scintillators for high-resolution X-ray imaging, outperforming conventional anthracene-based scintillators. The polymers exhibit multicolor radioluminescence and high photostability, enabling applications in radiation detection, medical diagnosis, and security inspection.
Researchers have developed a vertical matrix X-ray detector that can distinguish between substances of different densities, enhancing imaging contrast and identifying soft substances. The device uses a novel design to restore the X-ray spectrum in detail, enabling effective multi-energy discrimination under a single exposure.
A research team has observed an explosion on a white dwarf star for the first time, producing X-ray radiation. The explosion was detected by the eROSITA X-ray telescope and is believed to have occurred in a fireball of X-rays with a temperature of around 327,000 degrees.
Researchers are studying visual regions of the mouse brain as animals see and respond to different pictures or movies, with projects led by Vanderbilt University, UC Berkeley, and York University. The study aims to uncover how neurons react to optical illusions and how the brain interprets sensory information.
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission enables new measurements of cosmic X-ray sources, such as pulsars, black holes, and neutron stars. With its state-of-the-art telescopes and detectors, IXPE will provide high-quality polarization data of various sources, including supernova remnants, active galaxies, and blazars.
Researchers used Chandra X-Ray Observatory to detect X-ray signatures of black holes in nuclear star clusters across 108 galaxies. The study found that above a certain mass and density threshold, these clusters emit x-ray signatures indicative of a black hole at twice the rate below the threshold.
A new experimental setup provides precise calibration references for soft X-ray transition energies in neon, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride gases. This improves the accuracy of astrophysical plasma analysis, enabling scientists to access techniques currently not available.
A team of PSI scientists has developed an achromatic X-ray lens for the first time, allowing researchers to study nanostructures with high resolution. The innovative lens, which combines two optical principles, enables compact X-ray microscopes that can be operated on industry premises.
A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.
Researchers detected dimethyl ether, the largest molecule identified in a planet-forming disc, using ALMA in Chile. The discovery suggests that complex molecules like dimethyl ether are available to feed forming planets, shedding light on the origin of life.
Researchers have developed a new approach to micro-computed tomography using phase contrast and high-brilliance x-ray radiation, enabling detailed analysis of microstructures and broad applications in medicine, biology, and material sciences.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique using X-ray lasers to capture high-resolution images of complex single molecules. The technique, known as Coulomb explosion imaging, uses ultra-bright X-ray flashes to explode the molecule and reconstruct its image.
A recent analysis of the 2017 GW170817 merger suggests that a rapid spin delay may have prolonged the merger, producing excess X-ray emissions. The radiation is thought to be produced by shocked material in the circumbinary medium, hinting at a bounce from the delayed collapse.
For the first time, astronomers believe they've spotted an afterglow from a kilonova, a phenomenon resulting from the merger of two neutron stars. The discovery was made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and has sparked debate over whether it's a kilonova or black hole-related X-rays.
Researchers at TUM integrated dark-field X-ray imaging into a clinical CT scanner, providing additional information on fine tissue structures. The new prototype can capture both conventional and dark-field X-ray images in a single scan, potentially improving lung disease diagnosis and kidney stone differentiation.
Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...
A new method combines computational ghost imaging and x-ray fluorescence to create high-resolution chemical element maps. This approach eliminates lenses, reducing scanning time and improving spatial resolution, making it useful for biomedicine, materials science, art analysis, and industrial inspection.
Researchers found a powerful black hole in a nearby galaxy that may have played a key role in the universe's reionization process. The discovery sheds light on how the first stars and galaxies formed, with implications for our understanding of the universe's evolution.
A team of astronomers has made the most precise measurements yet of the motions of stars around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The research, using cutting-edge facilities like Gemini Observatory and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, shows that nearly all of the mass c...
A mini-jet has been found near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, indicating periodic outbursts. The discovery was made using multi-wavelength observations from various telescopes and suggests that the black hole is not a sleeping monster but rather dynamically variable.
A team of researchers used the X-ray laser European XFEL to study the detailed dynamics of how water molecules break apart when exposed to high-energy radiation. The study reveals that the disintegration process is more complicated than expected, with the oxygen atom not being flung away hard when the molecule breaks up.
Researchers have developed the world's thinnest X-ray detector, made from tin mono-sulfide nanosheets, which could enable real-time imaging of cellular processes. The detectors possess high photon absorption coefficients and rapid response times, making them suitable for studying soft X-rays.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new X-ray method for respiratory diagnostics using dark-field chest imaging, allowing for early detection and treatment follow-up of respiratory ailments. The technology reduces radiation dose by a factor of fifty compared to traditional computed tomography.
Researchers measured the alpha-proton reaction of magnesium-22, providing essential data for understanding X-ray burst light curves and environments. The new reaction rate was used to closely reproduce observed X-ray bursts, shedding light on the physics behind these events.
A team of astronomers used LAMOST observations to classify hundreds of unidentified gamma-ray sources as blazars. The study provides insight into the nature of these sources and their potential counterparts in active galaxies.
A new metrology instrument and techniques have been developed to characterize strongly curved high-quality X-ray mirrors, enabling unprecedented accuracy. The technique, known as speckle angular measurement (SAM), can push the precision of slope error measurements down to 20nrad rms.
The LSXI will use a lunar platform to continuously observe the global images of the Earth's magnetosphere, providing unprecedented observational coverage and innovations in magnetospheric physics research. The instrument combines space-based and ground-based detection results to predict and mitigate space weather disasters.
Researchers have developed a flexible and wearable X-ray detector using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that don't contain harmful heavy metals. The device shows high-sensitivity sensing and imaging capabilities, making it suitable for various radiation monitoring and medical imaging applications.
The Big Bear Solar Observatory will become home to NSF's Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) telescope, enabling researchers to study long-term changes in the Sun's activity and its impact on Earth. SOLIS will provide comprehensive observations of the Sun's magnetic fields, solar flares, and space weather events.
Astronomers have discovered a 0.6-second gamma-ray burst caused by the implosion of a massive star, revealing that some short GRBs might be imposters in disguise. The discovery suggests that most collapsing stars fail to produce a GRB jet, making this event an effective fizzle.
Karan Jani's Gravitational-Wave Lunar Observatory for Cosmology aims to analyze black hole and dark matter mergers with unprecedented sensitivity. The moon's environment offers an ideal backdrop for the observatory, lacking atmosphere and seismic noise, making it a crucial step towards discovering new physics.
A research team has explained the cause of Jupiter's X-ray aurorae, a phenomenon puzzling scientists for decades. The study found that heavy ions with mega-electron volt energies produce the auroral flares, triggered by magnetic compression and electromagnetic waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Researchers have solved a decades-old mystery as to how Jupiter produces spectacular bursts of X-rays every few minutes. The X-rays are triggered by periodic vibrations of Jupiter's magnetic field lines, creating waves of plasma that send charged particles towards the planet's atmosphere.
Astronomers have identified a white dwarf so massive that it may collapse. The discovery provides an example of what can happen after the phase where two less massive white dwarfs merge into one. This process boosts the magnetic field and speeds up rotation compared to progenitors.
A team of UK scientists has confirmed a decades-long theoretical prediction about gamma-ray bursts. They measured the magnetic field in a far-off Gamma-Ray Burst and found it was scrambled after the ejected material crashed into, and shocked, the surrounding medium. This discovery sheds new light on these extreme cosmic blasts.
Researchers develop a new method for reducing X-ray exposure during coronary angiography procedures by applying video interpolation techniques to frame rates. The approach uses a dataset of 95,039 images and achieves significant reductions in X-ray exposure frequency.
Duke University engineers developed a prototype X-ray scanner that can reveal molecular composition of objects, revolutionizing cancer surgery, pathology, drug inspection, and geology. The technology can accurately diagnose cancerous tissues and analyze pharmaceuticals in real-time.
Scientists developed a method to predict and eliminate X-ray glitches in single-crystal optics, increasing the efficiency of refractive optics. The approach is based on accurate simulation and prediction of glitches, allowing researchers to tune their work at modern X-ray sources.
A research team led by the University of Göttingen has created tiny gas bubbles with a radius of a few thousandths of a millimeter using laser pulses, observing their expansion and shockwaves. The team used holographic flash imaging and X-ray laser pulses to capture data and images, providing insights into cavitation processes.
Scientists have recorded the most energetic radiation and longest gamma-ray afterglow of a gamma-ray burst, revealing similar spectral characteristics between X-ray and very-high energy gamma-rays. This challenge to established theory highlights the need for further studies of very-high energy GRB afterglow emission.
Astronomers used High Energy Stereoscopic System to observe gamma ray burst GRB 190829A's afterglow, detecting emission at several tera-electronvolts. The results show similar spectral properties and decay profiles to x-ray emission, contradicting current emission models for gamma ray bursts.
Researchers at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology used the Zhores supercomputer to develop a new method for generating gamma-ray combs, which are essential for nuclear spectroscopy and medicine. The method uses polarization-gated pulses to reduce ponderomotive spectral broadening, allowing for high-brightness gamma-ray sources.
A new panorama of the Galactic Center builds on previous surveys, expanding Chandra's high-energy view. The image features X-ray and radio emission intertwined threads, bound by magnetic fields that may have formed through magnetic reconnection. This process drives galactic-scale outflows and affects cosmic rays and interstellar medium.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the center of our galaxy, revealing an X-ray thread and hinting at a previously unknown interstellar energy source. The findings provide the clearest picture yet of a pair of X-ray-emitting plumes emerging from the region near the massive black hole.
The LHAASO observatory detected 12 Ultra-high Energy gamma-ray sources, prompting the presence of active or recent PeVatrons. The team identified possible candidates, including pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants.
LHAASO's discovery opens up an era for UHE gamma astronomy, prompting scientists to rethink high-energy particle acceleration and propagation mechanisms. The observatory detected 12 stable gamma ray sources with energies up to 1 PeV, revealing the Milky Way is full of PeVatrons.
Scientists have developed a method to shape soft X-ray pulses with high precision, using self-phase modulation in the X-ray regime. This technique has the potential to unlock new protocols for femtosecond core electrons spectroscopies.
Scientists used uGMRT to determine that AT 2018cow has an extremely patchy environment. The study provides the first observational evidence of inhomogeneous emission from an FBOT, which sheds light on its progenitor star's mass shedding rate and magnetic field strength.
Analysis of data from a lightning mapper and radiation detector revealed neutrons generated from soil by large cosmic-ray showers, matching simulations that included both hadrons and gamma rays. This discovery suggests natural phenomena producing ground-pointed gamma-rays could produce similar neutron burst signatures.
Astronomers have found powerful evidence for a neutrino-driven explosion in the remains of a supernova called Cassiopeia A (Cas A). The discovery was made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and suggests that titanium bubbles play a crucial role in driving the shock wave forward to trigger the supernova explosion.
Researchers developed a new x-ray optics-on-a-chip device that can modulate X-rays at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional devices. The tiny device, weighing just 3 micrograms, has the potential to capture fast chemical, material and biological processes.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will establish a new research observatory in Gakona, Alaska, to explore the upper atmosphere and geospace environment. The observatory will use instruments such as the Ionospheric Research Instrument and lidar to study space weather and its effects on Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.
The HAWC Observatory has detected photons with energies of up to 200 TeV, a hundred trillion times greater than visible light. The source of these high-energy photons was identified as a nearby cloud of interstellar material surrounding a young star cluster.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory uses a one cubic kilometer block of ice in Antarctica to track high-energy particles called neutrinos. The observatory enables the detection of new cosmic events, such as a recent Glashow resonance event detected by IceCube, which validated the Standard Model of particle physics.
The Cygnus Cocoon is found to be the most powerful of our galaxy's known natural particle accelerators, with photons recorded from energies up to one hundred teraelectronvolts. The HAWC observatory detected this phenomenon, suggesting that protons accelerated in stellar winds could be responsible for high-energy gamma photon emission.
The HAWC Gamma Ray Observatory has discovered the origin of the highest-energy cosmic rays in the galaxy, which are traced to the Cygnus OB2 star-forming region. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing question in astrophysics and sheds light on the mechanisms that accelerate these particles to petaelectronVolt energies.
COSMIC, a multipurpose X-ray instrument at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source, has made groundbreaking contributions in fields ranging from batteries to biominerals. It offers world-leading soft X-ray microscopy resolution below 10 nanometers and extreme chemical sensitivity.
Research from Michigan State University identifies four distinct waves of the 1918 flu virus, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study reveals that a spike in cases may occur late 2021 or early 2022 due to remaining susceptible individuals and lack of vaccination.
Researchers have discovered that non-teleost ray-finned fishes possess genetic traits similar to those of lobe- and ray-finned fishes, including limb development and respiratory systems. These findings provide crucial insights into the water-to-land transition during vertebrate evolution.