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Converting lateral scanning into axial focusing to speed up 3D microscopy

A team of scientists has developed a novel optical design that enables fast imaging in 3D microscopy by converting lateral scanning into axial focusing. This technology accelerates axially swept light-sheet microscopy (ASLM) and raster scanning microscopes to multi-kHz rates, outperforming previous aberration-free focusing technologies.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateSep 23, 2020
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.

'Firefly' imaging method zooms in on 'the forces within us'

Researchers create a new technique using luminescent DNA tools to visualize mechanical forces of cells at the molecular level. They discovered that platelets have a concentrated core of mechanical tension and a thin rim that continuously contracts, opening up new possibilities for studying blood clotting disorders.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 22, 2020

Get diamonds, take temperature

Researchers from Osaka City University developed a microscope-based thermometer that uses quantum technology to detect temperature changes in live, microscopic animals. The thermometry algorithm successfully tracked temperature fluctuations in C. elegans nematode worms after inducing a fever by stimulating their mitochondria.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 11, 2020

Quantum light squeezes the noise out of microscopy signals

Researchers at ORNL developed a quantum microscope that measures signals with sensitivity better than classical limits, revealing fine details hidden by noise in microscopy signals. The approach uses squeezed light to reduce noise and achieve higher signal-to-noise ratios.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 8, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tiny bubbles make a quantum leap

Columbia engineers use sophisticated microscopy techniques to directly image localized states in 2D material, yielding single-photon emitters that can be tuned and controlled. This breakthrough enables the creation of quantum optical circuitry for future photonic applications.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 13, 2020

Shining light into the dark

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze microscopic samples without using external light, reducing interference and damage to living specimens. The 'glow in the dark' approach uses chemical stimuli to activate chemicals, enabling precise control over localized oxidative hotspots.

SourceCurtin University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJul 9, 2020

Laser takes pictures of electrons in crystals

Researchers have developed a new laser-based microscope that can resolve the distribution of electrons in crystal lattices with unprecedented resolution. The technique, known as Light Picoscopy, uses powerful laser pulses to drive electrons into fast motion, allowing them to emit radiation that reveals their position within the crystal.

SourceUniversity of Rostock·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Plug-and-play lens simplifies adaptive optics for microscopy

Researchers developed a smart lens that transmits light to correct optical aberrations, improving image quality in biological samples. The device can be easily installed on commercial microscopes, enabling advanced optical techniques like multiphoton microscopy.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 24, 2020

New discovery advances optical microscopy

A new discovery enables researchers to directly visualize unlabeled nanoscale objects with deep sub-wavelength separations, advancing the field of optical microscopy. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications in semiconductor wafer inspection, nanoparticle sensing, material characterization, and biosensing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 5, 2020
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.

Self-aligning microscope smashes limits of super-resolution microscopy

Researchers at UNSW achieved unprecedented resolution capabilities in single-molecule microscopy to detect interactions between individual molecules within intact cells. Their self-aligning microscope smashed the limits of existing super-resolution microscopy technology by measuring distances between proteins with nanometre precision.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 20, 2020

Insight into the synapses

A recent study published in Science Advances has shed light on the molecular organization of synapses, revealing that glutamate receptors are directly connected to calcium channels and Munc-18-1. This new understanding could lead to a better comprehension of brain function and signal transmission.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2020

AI finds 2D materials in the blink of an eye

Researchers developed a machine learning system that can automatically detect and label 2D materials in microscope images, reducing the time required for their development. The system was trained using labeled examples and achieved accuracy in under 200 milliseconds, enabling faster testing of new electronic devices.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·Journalnpj 2D Materials and Applications·DateApr 1, 2020

A pigment from ancient Egypt to modern microscopy

Scientists at University of Göttingen produce new nanomaterial based on Egyptian blue pigment for near infrared spectroscopy and microscopy. The resulting nanosheets are stable, fluoresce brightly in the near infrared range, and enable clear resolution using modern microscopes.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes

Engineers at MIT developed a small, mirrored chip that helps produce dark-field images without expensive components. The chip can be added to standard microscopes or hand-held microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 24, 2020

Lensless on-chip microscopy platform shows slides in full view

A new lensless on-chip microscopy platform developed at UConn removes traditional lenses to provide a fuller picture of tissue samples, leading to more accurate diagnoses. The platform uses ptychography and achieves an ultra-high Fresnel number, allowing for a 30 mm2 field of view and eliminating the need for cell staining.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalLab on a Chip·DateFeb 19, 2020

Visualizing diffusive dynamics beyond tracking limit with standard optical microscope

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new approach to detect crystallization signs without fluorescent labeling or tracking. They used particle image diffusometry to analyze microscopy movie data, revealing the collective motion of molecular clusters before nucleation.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 17, 2020

Hybrid microscope could bring digital biopsy to the clinic

Researchers developed a hybrid microscope that combines optical and infrared measurements with machine learning algorithms to create digital biopsies. The hybrid microscope closely correlates with traditional pathology techniques and outperforms state-of-the-art infrared microscopes in terms of resolution, consistency, and coverage.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2020

Synchronized swimming: Biology on a micro-scale

Scientists studied the behavior of viscoelastic fluids interacting with tiny structures called cilia. They found that fluid elasticity drives patterned movement of cilia, but only under specific conditions. Future research aims to develop new biological models and understand the dynamic movements within cells.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalSmall·DateJan 29, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Super-resolution photoacoustic microscopy finds clogged blood vessels

A new photoacoustic microscopy system developed by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) can image blood vessels with high resolution and speed. This system enables real-time monitoring of blood flow, which is significant for diagnosing and treating stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·DateDec 16, 2019

Illuminating the path for super-resolution imaging with improved rhodamine dyes

Researchers from DUT and SUTD developed novel rhodamines to overcome fluorophore brightness limitations in SMLM, enabling clearer resolution and analysis of cellular structures. The new dyes show increased fluorescence brightness and 'photon budget', crucial for high-resolution imaging.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 3, 2019

Designer lens helps see the big picture

Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel method for quantitative phase and intensity imaging in microscopy, overcoming limitations of existing techniques. This new approach enables high-resolution images to be acquired quickly and accurately using affordable optics and common light sources.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 20, 2019
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.

Evading Heisenberg isn't easy

Researchers at EPFL have found unexpected constraints on the achievable sensitivity of measurements, even with backaction-evading techniques. Tiny deviations in optical and mechanical frequencies can cause mechanical oscillations to amplify out of control, affecting quantum sensors and applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review X·DateOct 31, 2019

Physics: DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy at speed

Researchers optimized DNA-PAINT for faster image acquisition using orthogonal DNA sequences, achieving sub-10nm spatial resolution and multiplexing capabilities. This improvement allows for biomedically relevant high-throughput studies, such as diagnostic applications.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 11, 2019

New method visualizes groups of neurons as they compute

Researchers have developed a fluorescent probe that can image electrical activity in multiple neurons simultaneously, enabling the visualization of brain circuits and their relation to behavior. This technique uses a voltage-sensing molecule to record electrical activity on a millisecond timescale, providing more informative measuremen...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateOct 9, 2019
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.

HD microscopy in milliseconds

Researchers from Bielefeld University have developed a faster method for super-resolution SR-SIM microscopy, allowing for real-time recording of cell movements and observations of small structures. This enables biologists to explore such structures in detail, particularly in the study of viral particles on their way through cells.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 20, 2019

New microscopes unravel the mysteries of brain organization

Researchers have developed custom-built microscopes called mesoSPIMs, which can image the minute detail of brain tissue down to individual neurons. These new microscopes provide new insights into brain and spinal cord organization, enabling researchers to investigate neuronal networks involved in cognition, pleasure, or drug addiction.

SourceWyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 16, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Innovative method provides unique insights into the structure of cells and tissues

Researchers at the University of Münster have developed a new technique that combines two methods to improve the spatial resolution of mass spectrometry imaging. This allows for better understanding of disease processes and potential new strategies for treating them. The technology uses dual-beam laser mass spectrometry, enabling the s...

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 6, 2019

Universal algorithm set to boost microscopes

A team of scientists at EPFL developed an algorithm that can estimate a microscope's resolution from a single image, boosting image quality and enabling optimized imaging conditions. The algorithm has been made available as an open-source plugin, allowing researchers to directly obtain the estimate and optimize their microscopes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 26, 2019

uSEE breakthrough unlocks the nanoscale world on standard biology lab equipment

Researchers at Macquarie University have created a simple method to bypass diffraction limitations using standard optical imaging tools, enabling everyday bio-imaging techniques. The uSEE approach improves resolution by reducing illumination intensity, making it suitable for any biological lab with minimal extra cost.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

'DNA microscopy' offers entirely new way to image cells

Researchers have invented a new type of microscopy called 'DNA microscopy' that can image cells at the genomic level. This technique uses DNA bar codes to pinpoint molecules' relative positions within a sample, allowing scientists to build a picture of cells and amass enormous amounts of genomic information.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJun 20, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Fiber-optic probe can see molecular bonds

Engineers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a new technology that tunnels light into the quantum realm with unprecedented efficiency. The device integrates a glass optical fiber with a silver nanowire condenser to squeeze visible light to the tip of the condenser and interact with molecules locally.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 10, 2019

A bubbly new way to detect the magnetic fields of nanometer-scale particles

Researchers at NIST developed a method to measure magnetic properties of nanoparticles by rapidly enlarging magnetic bubbles, revealing the orientation of individual nanoparticle poles. This technique enables fast and economical measurement of magnetic stability for various medical and environmental applications.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJun 10, 2019

Scientists proposed a novel configuration of nanoscopes

Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University proposed a new configuration for nanoscopes that uses special diffraction gratings with gold plates, allowing for accelerated image generation without losing magnification power. The study's results are published in Annalen der Physik and show improvements in resolution up to 0.3 λ.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalAnnalen der Physik·DateMay 23, 2019

A new vision for neuroscience

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new tool that records and controls neural activity in real-time using genetically encoded voltage indicators. This breakthrough enables the study of complex behaviors and neural interactions with unprecedented clarity.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2019
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.

Imaging technology will offer new clues to embryonic development

Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a new imaging technology that can simultaneously capture structural and molecular changes in embryos during critical periods of development. This breakthrough could lead to improved early detection and prevention of birth defects with long-term chronic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 8, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New way of optical visualization of nano objects proposed

Researchers have developed a new way to visualize nano objects using superlenses and titanium oxynitride films, achieving spatial resolutions of 8 nm and 80 nm. This breakthrough enables non-destructive analysis and 3D visualization without the need for fluorescent labels.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalNanoscale·DateMar 29, 2019

Deep learning merges advantages of holography and bright-field microscopy for 3D imaging

Researchers developed Bright-field Holography to overcome limitations of holographic 3D imaging. The method combines the image contrast advantage of bright-field microscopy with the snapshot volumetric imaging capability of holography, allowing for rapid creation of images equivalent to those from a bright-field microscope.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 6, 2019
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Virtual lens improves X-ray microscopy

Researchers at PSI develop a new method that uses a small but efficient lens to create high-resolution images of X-ray microscopes, providing absorption and phase contrast information. This technique has the potential to reveal material properties and improve image quality for biological samples.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 1, 2019

Manipulating cell networks with light -- New frontiers in optical microscopy

A new optical microscope system called SIFOM stimulates multiple cells simultaneously using holographic method and monitors cell activity using 3D measurements. The system has potential applications in reconstructing lost nerve pathways, constructing artificial neural networks, and developing food resources.

SourceKobe University·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 28, 2019

Broadband achromatic metalens focuses light regardless of polarization

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a polarization-insensitive metalens using non-symmetric nanofins. This design doubles the efficiency of previous iterations and enables achromatic focusing across the visible spectrum.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 21, 2019

How to rapidly image entire brains at nanoscale resolution

Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that allows for rapid and detailed scanning of entire brains at the nanoscale. This breakthrough method, combined with the lattice light-sheet microscope, enables visualization of any desired protein and has the potential to revolutionize neuroscience research.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateJan 17, 2019
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.

Inflate cells to observe their inner life

Researchers at the University of Geneva have developed a new technique called Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy (U-ExM), which allows for the visualization of cellular structures and protein complexes at a nanoscale. This method enables the detection of biochemical modifications and mapping of large intracellular molecular complexes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 17, 2018

Meta-surface corrects for chromatic aberrations across all kinds of lenses

A new meta-surface technology has been developed to correct for chromatic aberrations across all kinds of lenses, from simple to complex. This innovation uses a single-layer surface of nanostructures and can be incorporated into commercial optical systems, improving performance while reducing complexity.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 20, 2018

Making X-ray microscopy 10 times faster

Researchers at NSLS-II have developed a TXM that can image samples in 3D faster than previously possible, reducing the time from over 10 minutes to just one minute. The new microscope enables scientists to visualize their samples much faster and collect more valuable data.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 19, 2018

A new lens for microscopy has been developed

Physicists at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University developed a mini transfocator, a variable focus lens for compact and mobile optical systems. The new design offers submicron resolution and is ideal for studying biological samples under extreme conditions.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalMicroscopy and Microanalysis·DateNov 8, 2018
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.