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New UNC Charlotte study reveals how just three molecules can launch gene-silencing condensates, organizing the epigenome and controlling stem cell differentiation

A new study by UNC Charlotte scientists has discovered a self-clustering mechanism in the Polycomb protein CBX2 that is essential for initiating gene-repressive condensates and guiding stem cells toward their proper fates. The researchers found that CBX2 clusters recruit two Polycomb repressive complexes, creating multicomponent repres...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2026

Under the hood: Probing the molecular mechanisms of metastasis

A team of researchers has revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying the binding of small extracellular vesicles to host cells, which could lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments. The study found that EVs primarily bind to laminin via CD151-associated integrin heterodimers and GM1, eliciting responses in recipien...

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Small messengers called extracellular vesicles deliver molecules between cells using protein signal

Researchers discovered a new process by which cancer cells use small extracellular vesicles to spread to healthy tissue. The study found that these vesicles are primarily internalized by clathrin-independent endocytosis via galectin-3, which is facilitated by an increase in intracellular calcium concentration.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2025

Uncurling a single DNA molecule and gluing it down helps sharpen images

Researchers have developed a method to stretch and immobilize single DNA molecules, enabling detailed analysis. By controlling the shear force applied through liquid pressure flow and bonding the molecule to a substrate, scientists can distinguish between tiny biomolecular features with higher precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJan 14, 2025

3D snapshots unveil the intricate dance of RNA folding

Scientists have captured 3D snapshots of individual RNA nanoparticles in motion, showcasing the dynamic and intricate folding process. This breakthrough uses advanced electron microscopy to study RNA's flexibility, enabling new insights into its structure and potential applications in molecular medicine.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Novel insights into fluorescent ‘dark states’ illuminate ways forward for improved imaging

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a way to mitigate long-lived triplet dark states in smFRET, significantly increasing the method's resolution for molecular imaging. This advancement enables direct visualization of biomolecules' functions and dynamics, crucial for understanding biological processes and...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Methods·DateJun 14, 2024

Taking spatial omics into the next dimension

Researchers have published novel spatial omics algorithms and tools in GigaScience and GigaByte journals to analyze biological data-based spatial information. These new methods enable the discovery of spatial domains, improvement of data quality, and better clustering of cells.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2024
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Team explores role of STING – stimulator of interferon genes – in body’s innate immune system

Researchers provide new insights into STING's function in innate immunity, revealing its role as a scaffold that activates TBK1. They also found that cholesterol plays a crucial role in STING clustering and activation, offering a potential target for treating diseases associated with STING inflammation.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 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

Sharper images: A breakthrough in microscopy resolution

A new deblurring algorithm has been developed to improve the resolution of microscopy images without amplifying noise. This breakthrough technique, called 'deblurring by pixel reassignment,' uses local gradients to sharpen images while preserving larger structures.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateOct 31, 2023

Researchers overcome stem cell delivery barrier, paving the way for regenerative medicine

Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Penn Medicine study reveals imaging approach with potential to detect lung cancer earlier, at the cellular level

Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed an imaging agent that detects cancer cells in real-time during biopsies, offering promise for earlier and more accurate diagnoses. The technology, known as NIR-nCLE, uses a combination of near-infrared tracers and confocal laser endomicroscopy to identify microscopic cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

A sharper image for proteins

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique called evanescent scattering microscopy (ESM), which allows for the visualization of proteins and other vital biomolecules with unparalleled clarity. This label-free imaging method reduces light-induced heating and requires no fluorescent dye or gold coating, making...

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
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.

Vortex microscope sees more than ever before

Researchers developed a vortex microscope that captures detailed motion and rotation of molecules in liquid. The technique provides unprecedented insight into molecular dynamics, enabling the study of diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Researchers measure the breakup of a single chemical bond

Using advanced microscopy techniques, researchers recorded the breaking of a single chemical bond between a carbon atom and an iron atom on different molecules. The team measured the mechanical forces applied at the moment of breakage, revealing insights into the nature of these bonds and their implications for catalysis.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Story tips: Sensing oil leaks, 3D prints in space, more fuel from ethanol, Arctic modeling boost, making isotopes faster and nano-enabled microscopy

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing various technologies to minimize oil leaks, enable 3D printing in space, and increase fuel efficiency from ethanol. They have developed a quantum sensing system to detect pipeline leaks more quickly, built a thermal protection shield for a capsule launched into space, and creat...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Optical imaging enters sub-nanometer era

Researchers at USTC achieved sub-molecular resolution in single-molecule Raman spectroscopy imaging and photoluminescence imaging. They demonstrated the effects of local plasmon-exciton interaction on fluorescence intensity, peak position and peak width on the sub-nanometer scale.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 27, 2020
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.

Tiny, erratic protein motor movements revealed

A Japanese research team has uncovered more about how proteins move using high-speed imaging to track dynein's movement along a microtubule. They found dynein moves erratically with frequent backward steps and side steps, challenging the conventional understanding of molecular motor tasks.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 14, 2020

Dynamics of key viral attack strategy visible for first time

Researchers developed imaging technology to visualize and understand frameshifting mechanisms at single molecule level, revealing bursts of activity and subsets of RNAs involved. This discovery promises new depth to understanding viral replication and could inform future antiviral therapeutics.

SourceColorado State University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 6, 2019

Taking a deep look: a near infrared fluorescent dye for long term bioimaging

A team of researchers has developed a photostable fluorescent labeling agent for single molecule, multicolor, and 3D deep imaging in the near infrared region. The new dye, PREX 710, allows for long-term bioimaging of blood vessels in mice brains.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 14, 2018

New method improves accuracy of imaging systems

A new research provides a mechanism to detect and correct systematic errors in data and image analysis used in many areas of science and engineering. The single-pixel interior filling function (SPIFF) method can improve the accuracy of imaging systems for tracking objects on scales ranging from nanometers to astrophysical scales.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2017
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.

Bright future for protein nanoprobes

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered new rules for creating ultra-bright light-emitting crystals less than 10 nanometers in diameter, which should be a big asset for biological imaging. The discovery shows that factors known to increase brightness in bulk experiments lose importance at higher excitation powers.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 17, 2014

The molecule 'scanner'

Researchers developed a detector that can chemically identify single molecules using terahertz radiation, enabling 'molecular imaging' at scales similar to airport screenings. The technology, featured in Nano Letters, has the potential for fundamental studies and practical applications.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 5, 2013

Researchers' new method may sharpen microscopic images

Researchers at UT Dallas have developed a new low-light imaging method that can significantly improve the accuracy of microscopic images. By minimizing camera noise and distortion, this method enables scientists to extract precise quantities from acquired images, such as object location, size, and orientation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 21, 2013

3-D tracking of single molecules inside cells

Researchers developed a novel 3D cell imaging method using multifocal plane microscopy to track single molecules in live cells for extended periods. This technique overcomes previous limitations and enables the study of complex spatial-temporal dynamics of protein transport.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateMar 8, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Rice rolls out new nanocars

Researchers at Rice University have successfully created nanocars that can move and operate at room temperature using fluorescent imaging. The breakthrough, led by Stephan Link, allows for the possibility of adapting these tiny machines to various applications beyond their original heated requirements.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 2, 2009

New paper offers insights into 'blinking' phenomena

A team of researchers led by University of Notre Dame physicist Bolizsár Jankó presents an overview of research into quantum jumps and fluorescence intermittency. The phenomenon, known as 'blinking,' reveals unexpected deviations from Bohr's predictions in various systems.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 1, 2008