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Peering into Materials Down to the Nanoscale in the COCOON Lab

The COCOON Lab provides a coordinated suite of microscopes that work together to connect macro-scale observations to findings at the nanoscale. This allows researchers to study biological and industrial materials in unprecedented detail, from the macroscale down to the molecular scale.

SourceTufts University·DateJul 9, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rayleigh-driven ethanol cluster inference based on non-contact optical sensing and deep learning

Researchers developed a non-contact optical sensing strategy to detect ethanol molecules in air using light-field distortions and deep learning. The system employs a graphene-based Fresnel lens to focus light through interference, capturing minute changes in the focal spot formed by the lens.

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

When order gives way to chaos: the turbulent birth of magnetic nanovortices

Scientists have directly imaged the effect of short current pulses on skyrmions, finding that they break up into disordered patterns before re-forming in a predictable manner. This discovery opens up new possibilities for computing concepts like probabilistic computing.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2026

When cells reveal their inner workings

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light create a 'map' of glycocalyx by mapping individual sugar structures using super-high-resolution microscopy technology. The results show that the spatial arrangement of sugar structures relates to cell physiological state, providing a structured display to the outside world.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2026
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.

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at University of Witwatersrand and University of East Anglia have discovered a way to control light by exploiting its natural geometry. Light can develop chiral behavior, meaning it acts like left or right hand, while traveling freely through space, without mirrors or special materials.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·DateMay 12, 2026

How can scientists visualize cellular life with greater precision?

Salk scientists and collaborators advance visualization technology using visible-spectrum antigen-stabilizable fluorescent nanobodies (VIS-Fbs), reducing background fluorescence by up to a hundredfold. The new probe enables high spatial and temporal precision, allowing for real-time tracking of dynamic changes in living models.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 22, 2026

Study reveals dynamic interactions between brain tumors and immune cells

Researchers at DZNE discovered complex, situation-dependent interactions between glioblastoma cells and microglia in the brain. The study found that microglial activity changes as tumors spread, influencing containment and spread of the disease.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2026

MAPPI: a new system to learn how a plant's leaves, stem and roots mutually communicate under environmental stress

Researchers developed MAPPI, a system that enables real-time visualization of how a plant's leaves, stem, and roots communicate with each other in response to environmental stress. The system reveals bi-directional communication between leaves and roots, overcoming limitations of traditional microscopy.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 11, 2026
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Capturing the moment of organelle handoff inside living cells

For the first time, researchers have directly visualized how newly formed cellular organelles leave the endoplasmic reticulum and transition onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. The study reveals that the ER plays an active role in steering intracellular traffic.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026
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.

Dual-scale imaging platform captures metabolic and vascular adaptations in vivo, offering new insights for cancer treatment strategies

A multidisciplinary team developed a dual-scale Capillary-Cell microscope to visualize tumor metabolism and vasculature dynamics. The platform revealed complex relationships between tumor vascular network and metabolic behavior, highlighting distinct adaptations based on local conditions.

SourceBMEF (BME Frontiers)·JournalBME Frontiers·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

IIT: a new microscopy technique that preserves the cell’s natural conditions

Researchers at IIT develop optical microscopy technique that combines polarization and dark-field microscopy to observe cells with high contrast, preserving their natural conditions. The next step involves using AI to enrich images with molecular information related to diseases.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalOptics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Researchers from the UJI Optics Group correct image aberrations in real time in single-pixel microscopy using a deformable lens

Researchers from the UJI Optics Group have developed a new method to correct image aberrations in single-pixel microscopy using a deformable lens. This approach combines an adaptive lens with a sensor-less method that evaluates image sharpness directly from the data, producing sharper images close to the physical resolution limit witho...

SourceUniversitat Jaume I·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2026
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.

Characterization of few-cycle pulses tunable across the vacuum ultraviolet

Scientists at Max Born Institute develop technique to generate µJ-level tunable few-fs UV pulses in VUV range. They successfully characterized few-fs pulses tuned between 160 and 190 nm using electron FROG, revealing pulse duration of 2-3 fs.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2025
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.

New and simple detection method for nanoplastics.

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have developed a new method to detect tiny nanoplastic particles using an optical sieve, which is less expensive and faster than traditional methods. The test strip can be used to analyze environmental samples, blood or tissue for nanoplastic particles.

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 8, 2025

Ångström-scale optical microscopy deciphers conformational states of single membrane proteins

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light developed a new method to resolve specific sites within mechanosensitive protein PIEZO1 in its native cell membrane state. The technique, using cryogenic conditions and rapid freezing, sheds light on how the protein flexes and expands in response to mechanical stimuli.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 21, 2025

A new microscopy technique to capture the complexity of biological tissues

A new microscopy technique allows scientists to observe active cells, even in the presence of diseases, and understand how drugs interact with living tissues. The technique has been made available to the scientific community as Open Science, enabling rapid dissemination and further innovation.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2025

Optical microscopy combined with AI could enable new avenues in precision medicine

A new method using label-free optical microscopy and artificial intelligence effectively identifies disease phenotypes in pancreatic cancer. The approach achieved nearly 90% accuracy in predicting tissue phenotypes, demonstrating the promise of combining light-based imaging with AI for precision medicine.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·DateJul 14, 2025
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Piecing together the brain puzzle

A new microscopy method, LICONN, developed by ISTA scientists and Google Research, can reconstruct mammalian brain tissue with all synaptic connections between neurons. This technique uses standard light microscopes and hydrogel to achieve high resolution and opens up possibilities for visualizing complex molecular machinery.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 7, 2025
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.

Chinese researchers make breakthrough in artificial chiral structural-color microdomes

Researchers have made a breakthrough in creating artificial chiral-structural-color materials, exhibiting iridescent colors through microscopic structures that interact with light. The new discovery enables the creation of microdomes composed of widely available polymers that produce exceptional dissymmetry and polarization selectivity.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

A completely new type of microscopy based on quantum sensors

Researchers at TUM developed a new microscopy technique combining magnetic resonance spectroscopy with fluorescence microscopy, enabling high-resolution imaging of individual cells and structures down to the microscopic level. The technique has potential applications in cancer research, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2025
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.

Butterfly wings inspire new imaging technique for cancer diagnosis

Researchers have created a new imaging technique that uses the nanostructures found on butterfly wings to analyze cancerous tissues, providing a simpler and more accessible tool for cancer diagnosis. The method has shown comparable results to conventional staining methods and advanced imaging techniques, offering a stain-free alternative.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 20, 2025

Pushing the limits of ‘custom-made’ microscopy

Researchers have made a significant leap forward in Brillouin microscopy, providing a 1,000-fold improvement in speed and throughput. The new technology enables full-field imaging with minimal light intensity, opening up new possibilities for life scientists.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 20, 2025

Genoa Instruments, a deep-tech startup born from the Italian Institute of Technology, secures €1 million funding round led by Deep Blue Ventures to transform super-resolution optical microscopy

Genoa Instruments has secured €1 million funding to expand its market presence, develop new products, and democratize access to super-resolution microscopy. The company aims to enable researchers and professionals worldwide to access cutting-edge imaging technology.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·DateFeb 5, 2025
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Applications of ultrafast nano-spectroscopy and nano-imaging

Ultrafast nano-spectroscopy and nano-imaging enable atomic-scale spatial and femtosecond-level temporal resolutions, allowing for the direct observation of fleeting quantum states and complex phenomena. This breakthrough permits real-time exploration of ultrafast interaction processes with unprecedented insights into material properties.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateJan 13, 2025

10,000 times faster than traditional methods: new computational framework automatically discovers experimental designs in microscopy

Researchers have developed an AI framework called XLuminA that autonomously discovers new experimental designs in microscopy. The framework performs optimizations 10,000 times faster than well-established methods, opening the path for exploring completely new territories in microscopy.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 10, 2024

Controlling matter at the atomic level: University of Bath breakthrough

Researchers achieved control over competing reaction outcomes by selectively manipulating charge states and specific resonances through targeted energy injection. This breakthrough has profound implications for pharmaceutical research, potentially improving efficiency and sustainability.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

Megapixel fluorescence microscopy through scattering layers made simple

Researchers introduce a new approach for megapixel-scale fluorescence microscopy through complex scattering media, resolving high-resolution images without requiring specialized equipment. This technique efficiently corrects distortions caused by light scattering, enabling clear imaging of dense targets.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Next step in light microscopy image improvement

A new computational model called Multi-Stage Residual-BCR Net (m-rBCR) uses a unique frequency representation to solve deconvolution tasks with fewer parameters and faster processing times. The model demonstrates high performance on various microscopy datasets, outperforming traditional methods.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 19, 2024

Revolutionizing biology education: Scientists film ‘giant’ mimivirus in action

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have successfully captured viral infection process under a light microscope using the giant Mimivirus. The footage showcases the proliferation of the virus and its release from cells, highlighting its biological significance in ecosystems.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Microbiology and Biology Education·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

Accelerating 3D nanofabrication using a sensitive cationic photoresist

A new type of cationic epoxy photoresist exhibits greater sensitivity to two-photon laser exposure, enabling fast writing speeds and fine features. The material was developed by a research team led by Professor Cuifang Kuang, who achieved lithography speeds of 100 mm/s and resolution of 170 nm.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024
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.

Novel artificial intelligence-based method for pathological diagnosis of hereditary kidney diseases

Researchers developed an AI-based method to analyze kidney lesions in female patients with Alport syndrome, predicting renal prognosis and guiding treatment interventions. The approach uses a modified stain and deep learning to detect basement membrane lesions, showing a positive correlation with proteinuria concentration.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 30, 2024

12 new Oriental weevil species discovered using advanced imaging tools

Researchers used x-ray microtomography to discover and describe 12 new weevil species from Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The technique revealed significant morphological differences between species, which cannot be easily observed using other methods.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalZooKeys·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 29, 2024

Researchers can measure distances in molecules optically

Scientists have developed MINFLUX microscopy to measure distances within biomolecules, down to one nanometer, and with Ångström precision. This allows for the detection of different conformations of individual proteins and the observation of their interactions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2024
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.

Illuminating quantum magnets: Light unveils magnetic domains

Researchers successfully visualized tiny magnetic regions, known as magnetic domains, in a specialized quantum material using nonreciprocal directional dichroism. They also manipulated these regions by applying an electric field, offering new insights into the complex behavior of magnetic materials at the quantum level.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2024

Researchers integrate fast OCT system into neurosurgical microscope

A new microscope-integrated OCT system has been developed to identify tumor margins during brain surgery, providing high-resolution images of subsurface anatomy. The system has shown promising results in clinical studies, with the potential to improve outcomes for neurosurgery procedures.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 30, 2024

Smartphone-based microscope rapidly reconstructs 3D holograms

A new smartphone-based digital holographic microscope enables precise 3D measurements and has potential applications in medical diagnostics, education, and resource-limited settings. The portable device uses a simple optical system created with a 3D printer and calculates reconstructions based on a smartphone.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateSep 11, 2024

Freeze-frame: U of A researchers develop world's fastest microscope that can see electrons in motion

Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a transmission electron microscope with attosecond temporal resolution, allowing scientists to observe electron motion in real-time. This breakthrough enables studies of ultrafast processes at the atomic level, paving the way for advancements in physics and chemistry.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Morphable materials: Researchers coax nanoparticles to reconfigure themselves

A new study enables the reconfiguration of nanoparticles, a step toward smart materials and coatings. The approach combines electron microscopy, computer simulations, and microscopic channels, allowing researchers to watch how nanoparticles react to changes in their environment.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2024

Deep learning improves lens design

Researchers developed DeepLens design method based on curriculum learning to optimize complex lens designs. The approach considers key parameters like resolution, aperture, and field of view, providing optimal solutions without human intervention.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 12, 2024

"Laser view" into the avocado: New method reveals cell interior

Researchers at the University of Göttingen developed a new approach to analyze cell properties, using random fluctuating movement of microscopic particles. The method, called mean back relaxation (MBR), can distinguish between active processes and temperature-dependent processes.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2024

New microscopes available as public resource draw a crowd to Woods Hole

The Marine Biological Laboratory has introduced two new microscopes for biological and biomedical research, providing a valuable resource for scientists and students. The instruments enable correlative imaging, allowing researchers to confirm results in different ways, and are expected to influence further development of advanced imagi...

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·DateJul 8, 2024
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.

New computational microscopy technique provides more direct route to crisp images

Researchers at Caltech have developed a new microscopy technique called APIC that can produce clear, high-resolution images covering large fields of view without the need for iterative trial-and-error methods. This breakthrough eliminates guesswork and allows for faster, more accurate image acquisition.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2024

Janelia scientists adapt astronomy method to unblur microscopy images

Researchers at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus have adapted a phase diversity method from astronomy to microscopy, generating clearer images of thick biological samples. The new method is faster and cheaper to implement than current techniques, making adaptive optics more accessible to biologists.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalOptica·DateJun 12, 2024