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Observing mammalian cells with superfast soft X-rays

Researchers developed a new technique to view living mammalian cells using ultrafast pulses of illumination from a soft X-ray free electron laser. The microscope captured images of carbon-based structures in living cells with high spatial resolution and a wide field of view, revealing new insights into cellular biology.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024

Illuminating neuro-vascular dynamics throughout the body: 3D-printed implants and bioluminescence duet shed light on brain–spinal interactions

A team of visionaries at the Carney Institute developed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants, revolutionizing surgical implantations and optical access. Bioluminescence imaging overcomes limitations of traditional fluorescent microscopy, providing unprecedented observation of neural and vascular activity.

Hyperspectral dark-field microscopy for rapid and accurate identification of cancerous tissues

Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that rapidly and accurately identifies cancerous tissues in breast samples. The method uses machine learning algorithms trained on hyperspectral dark-field microscopy data to pinpoint regions of invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive mucinous carcinoma.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMay 8, 2024

Laser imaging could offer early detection for at-risk artwork

Researchers develop laser microscopy technique to analyze pigments in artwork, detecting chemical changes that mark the onset of decay. The technique uses ultra-fast pulses of light to create 3D maps of certain pigments, allowing for nondestructive analysis and early detection of fading.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Physics Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2024

A better view with new mid-infrared nanoscopy

A team at the University of Tokyo has constructed an improved mid-infrared microscope that enables them to see the structures inside living bacteria at the nanometer scale with a resolution of 120 nanometers. This breakthrough can aid multiple fields of research, including into infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024

Reimagining electron microscopy: Bringing high-end resolution to lower-cost microscopes

Scientists have developed a new technique called electron ptychography that boosts the resolution of electron microscopes using computation, allowing for record-breaking resolution without expensive aberration correctors. This breakthrough enables state-of-the-art resolution at a fraction of the cost, making microscopy more accessible.

Researchers unveil useful strategies for sustainable gas storage and separation with clathrate hydrates

A new study by GIST researchers provides efficient hydrogen storage solutions using clathrate hydrates, overcoming limitations such as limited gas storage capacities and slow formation rates. The study offers crucial insights for developing clathrate hydrate-based technologies for carbon dioxide separation and hydrogen storage.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 8, 2024

AI takes the reins in deep-tissue imaging

Researchers at Purdue University developed a novel AI engine to control and optimize optical microscopes, enabling 3D ultrastructure visualization of the brain circuitry with nanometer resolution. This technology has the potential to shed light on human development and disease, particularly autism and Alzheimer's disease.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 6, 2023

CityU researchers develop ultra-sensitive photoacoustic microscopy for wide biomedical application potential

The research team created a multi-spectral, super-low-dose photoacoustic microscopy system with improved sensitivity, enabling new applications and clinical translation. The system achieved up to capillary-level or sub-cellular resolution at greater depths than traditional optical microscopy methods.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2023

Automated medical imaging framework revolutionizes schistosomiasis diagnosis

Researchers developed an innovative optical tool, the Schistoscope, to capture microscopy images of urine samples for efficient detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. A two-stage diagnostic framework using deep learning accurately identified and counted eggs in field settings with high sensitivity, specificity, and precision.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateAug 7, 2023

New details about the strongest spider silk in the world

Scientists have studied the internal parts of spider silk using an optical microscope without cutting it open. The analysis revealed that the fiber consists of at least two outer layers of lipids and numerous fibrils running in a straight, tightly packed arrangement. Understanding how to create such strong fibers is crucial for produci...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2023

New imaging technique is no last resort

Researchers created a new method, RESORT, to image and analyze living systems in unprecedented detail. The technique combines benefits of super-resolution fluorescence and vibrational imaging, allowing for high spatial resolution and analysis of complex interactions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2023

Reconstructing brain connectivity using 3D images

A team of scientists has developed an automated algorithm to reconstruct the shape of each neuron inside a light microscopy image using deep learning. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of generalizing algorithms across diverse species, brain locations, developmental stages, and microscopy image sets.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 25, 2023

Testing antibiotic resistance with a fast, cheap, and easy method

Researchers have developed a fast, cheap, and easy method to test antibiotic resistance in bacteria, using optical nanomotion detection. The technique can determine sensitivity or resistance of bacterial cells to antibiotics in under two hours, with significant implications for clinical and research applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023

New approach to developing efficient, high-precision 3D light shapers

Scientists create a simple approach to fabricating highly precise 3D aperiodic photonic volume elements (APVEs) for various applications. The method uses direct laser writing to arrange voxels of specific refractive indices in glass, enabling the precise control of light flow and achieving record-high diffraction efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateApr 21, 2023

Brain images just got 64 million times sharper

Researchers at Duke University have successfully improved the resolution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), capturing images of a mouse brain with unprecedented sharpness. The breakthrough allows for the visualization of microscopic details within the brain, enabling new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's an...

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Correlative light electron microscopy using small gold nanoparticles as single probes

A new CLEM approach uses small gold nanoparticles as single probes visible in both LM and EM with high contrast and photostability. This method detects individual nanoparticles with nanometric precision, enabling accurate correlative microscopy workflows without the need for unstable fluorophores or additional fiducial markers.

Photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy for lipid imaging

This technology uses light and sound to create images of the inside of the body. The research team developed a novel method that eliminates the need for ultrasonic transducers, allowing for non-contact photoacoustic signal detection and improved sensitivity. The technique has great application potential in various biomedical research.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023

The roly-poly gold rush

Researchers have developed a novel imaging method to detect gold nanoparticles in woodlice, allowing for the study of metal toxicity and its impact on the environment. This technique enables scientists to precisely pinpoint the fate of individual gold nanoparticles in complex biological systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 11, 2023

Ultra-fast light at the end of the vacuum tunnel: Meta-optics shows physical processes in the attosecond range

A new type of meta-optics, developed at Harvard, has been successfully tested at Graz University of Technology, allowing the observation of ultra-fast physical processes. The lens uses extreme ultraviolet radiation to track charge carriers in space and time, enabling optimization of modern transistors and optoelectronic circuits.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 6, 2023

Scallop eyes as inspiration for new microscope objectives

Researchers have developed a new type of microscope objective inspired by the eyes of scallops, which can capture images in various immersion media, including liquids. This innovative approach uses a mirror instead of lenses and has been shown to provide excellent image quality in homogeneous fluids as well as in air.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2023

Speckle-illumination proves useful in photoacoustic microscopy

Researchers have successfully applied speckle illumination to photoacoustic microscopy, reducing tissue damage and improving image reconstruction. The technique harnesses the power of structured illumination methods initially developed for optical microscopy, allowing for more efficient imaging with acoustic detection.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023