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New imaging technique sees through deep tissue, dense fog, and other obstacles

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a lower-cost imaging system that overcomes challenges in near-infrared light transmission through deep tissue and dense fog. The AI-enhanced time-gating technique produces clearer images in these environments, improving applications such as cancer detection and LiDAR systems.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalLight: Science & Applications·DateAug 17, 2026

This is how we found ‘The Heaven Sword,’ East Asia’s tallest tree after years of looking

Researchers from Frontiers, a multidisciplinary team, spent years searching for the tallest tree in Taiwan after discovering an estimated 5,000 different species thrive on the island. They used LiDAR technology and citizen scientists to identify the 'Heaven Sword,' a 84.1-meter-tall Taiwania fir, as East Asia's tallest tree.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

LiDAR‑based detection of topographic modifications in medieval mountain castles and their landslide susceptibility

Researchers used LiDAR surveys to analyze medieval mountain castles' topography, distinguishing between human-made and natural landscapes. The study found that castle sites exhibit greater variability in slope compared to unmodified natural ridges, with high slope variability linked to landslide traces within the castle boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPhysical Geography·DateApr 28, 2026

Do you trust me? A framework for making networks of robots and vehicles safer

Researchers propose a foundational framework to help multi-agent, connected systems decide what information they can trust before acting. The 'cy-trust' concept assigns a numerical trust value between 0 and 1 to data from other agents based on sensing, context, network behavior, and past experience.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 2, 2026

Can smart cameras improve evacuations? A new approach to smarter crowd mapping

Researchers developed a color-guided depth recovery method for non-repetitive LiDAR images to improve real-time crowd monitoring during disasters. The method reconstructs continuous depth structures while preventing over-smoothing and overfilling gaps, achieving improved depth accuracy and structural consistency.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 26, 2026

How can you rescue a “kidnapped” robot? A new AI system helps the robot regain its sense of location in dynamic, ever-changing environments

A hierarchical 3D LiDAR localization method improves robot positioning in large outdoor spaces even after seasonal changes. The method integrates deep learning techniques to extract discriminative local features from 3D point clouds, making it robust to environmental variability.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Eyes above the trees

Researchers at Kyoto University used LiDAR to measure the crown structure of 4,326 canopy trees across 23 forest census plots in Japan. The analysis revealed that canopy trees account for about 75% of total forest biomass across diverse forest types, providing a foundation for estimating total forest biomass and supporting sustainable ...

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Forest Research·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2025

Farm robot autonomously navigates, harvests among raised beds

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an autonomous driving algorithm for robots to navigate raised cultivation beds, utilizing lidar point cloud data. The system enables precise movement and accuracy in both virtual and actual environments, promising to expand tasks beyond harvesting to monitoring and pruning.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2025

Coastal heritage threatened by climate change

The article highlights the vulnerability of US Gulf coast archaeological sites to climate change-induced sea level rise and extreme weather. The study calls for an integrated approach combining coastal ecosystem management with archaeological and historical resource preservation using Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 15, 2025

How one researcher equipped with a smartphone is creating detailed reports on the insides of stranded sea creatures

A researcher is using accessible 3D scanning technologies to document and analyze stranded marine mammals, providing precise morphometric assessments and creating interactive visualizations. This approach enhances data collection, democratizes access, and expands the impact of conservation efforts worldwide.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 5, 2025

A new technology with UPV hallmark improves the accuracy of radars and LiDAR systems, key technologies for autonomous transport and environmental monitoring

A new technology developed by researchers from UPV, BUPT, CAS Institute, Air Force Early Warning Academy and University of Ottawa improves the accuracy of radars and LiDAR systems by up to 14 times, enabling faster and more accurate navigation in autonomous vehicles and detailed environmental studies.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2024

Researchers use high-resolution images to create model that predicts landslide risk in coastal areas

A team of researchers has created a model that predicts landslide risk in coastal areas, using high-resolution images to identify over 1,000 landslide points in São Sebastião, Brazil. The new methodology aims to provide more precise results and will be ready by the end of 2025.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBrazilian Journal of Geology·DateNov 13, 2024

EarthCARE's lidar shows particles in the atmosphere in detail

The ATLID atmospheric lidar is a state-of-the-art instrument that records detailed vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere. The new data from EarthCARE's lidar will significantly advance our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their interactions with climate change.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2024

Wildland firefighters hit their STRIDE

Researchers from University of Utah introduced Simulating Travel Rates in Diverse Environments (STRIDE) model to predict walking travel times with unprecedented accuracy. The model considers slope steepness, vegetation density, and ground surface roughness for efficient routes.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 16, 2024

How spaceborne satellites can help with forest monitoring

The study uses spaceborne lidar to estimate canopy height, providing accurate measurements over large geographic regions. The results show promising accuracy for evergreen forests with dense canopy cover, highlighting the potential of ICESat-2 in monitoring forest recovery and detecting health issues.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 24, 2024