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Histology in 3-D: New staining method enables Nano-CT imaging of tissue samples

A new staining method allows specialists to investigate three-dimensional tissue samples using the Nano-CT system, delivering resolutions of up to 100 nanometers. The technique is time-efficient and compatible with conventional methods, enabling enhanced insights into tissue distribution and microscopic origins of diseases.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2018

First 3-D imaging of excited quantum dots

A US research team has successfully imaged excited quantum dots at multiple orientations using a new technique called single molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscopy (SMA-STM). This allows for the visualization of defects in quantum dots, which can be characterized and precisely controlled to improve their performance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 8, 2018

The (extra) eyes have it

A team of UCSB researchers found that aggregating individual responses from multiple observers improves visual search performance, especially when the object is hard to detect. This approach leverages the high confidence of individuals who directly gaze at the target.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2017

Watching cities grow

Researchers from TUM develop new algorithm to reconstruct 4D point clouds of cities from satellite images, enabling early detection of dangers like subsidence and collapse. The method improves precision on a fraction of the radar wavelength, allowing for monitoring of urban growth and development.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJun 20, 2017

Measuring trees with the speed of sound

A team of researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees, which can help understand global carbon pools and tree health. The sonic tomography technology uses sound waves to image the trunk, allowing for the creation of color-coded images of decaying wood.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJan 5, 2017

Researchers image roots in the ground

Geophysicists at the University of Bonn have visualized plant root activity using electrical impedance tomography, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of nutrient uptake. The method provides insights into plant behavior under different conditions, such as drought or nutrient stress.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalBiogeosciences·DateAug 23, 2016

RMIT researchers make leap in measuring quantum states

A breakthrough in quantum tomography has been achieved by RMIT researchers, demonstrating a new technique that significantly reduces resources and improves robustness against noise. This innovation enables the characterisation of large quantum states, a critical bottleneck in quantum information science.

SourceRMIT University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 21, 2016

Brooding brittle star babies in 3-D

Researchers used microCT scanning to visualize brooding chambers and juveniles in live-bearing brittle stars. The 3D images provide an in situ view of developing young and the position of bursae inside adults, allowing for comparative morphological analyses.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateNov 17, 2015

Less costly to screen for and treat early-stage lung than to treat late-stage lung cancer

A new study found that high-risk individuals screened for early-stage lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce treatment costs by up to 85%, resulting in a significant reduction in mortality rates and improved patient outcomes. The average cost per-person for LDCT screening was $453, while the mean cost for diag...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Peeking into Schrodinger's box

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new method called direct measurement that can characterize high-dimensional quantum states in a single experiment with no post-processing. This technique offers an exciting alternative to quantum tomography and could be central in developing high-security quantum communication...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2014

'Caldas tear' resolves puzzling seismic activity beneath Colombia

Researchers identified the 'Caldas tear,' a break in a slab separating two subducting plates, which accounts for seismic activity patterns and high-grade mineral deposits. The tear is thought to be caused by the Panama plate's collision with Colombia, resulting in an accumulation of stresses that could trigger strong motion events.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJun 6, 2013

Tortuous paths hamper ion transport

Scientists have created a three-dimensional map of electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries, revealing their unique structures and impact on charging speeds. The study's findings suggest that using round particles instead of plate-like ones can significantly improve the battery's performance.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateApr 8, 2013

Biodiversity exploration in the 3-D era

A team of researchers from Hellenic Centre for Marine Research used X-ray computed tomography to create detailed 3D representations of tiny animals, facilitating the study of morphology and improving taxonomy. The method enables virtual rotation, magnification, and dissection of specimens, extracting new scientific information.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateFeb 4, 2013

December 2010 Geosphere themed issue highlights

This special issue explores the geological changes in the southern margin of Laurentia using Magnetotelluric Transportable Array data, discovering a Jurassic backarc basin in the Gulf of Mexico and revealing new insights into Monterey Submarine Canyon's axial channel. 3D petrography techniques also shed light on pumice clast size distr...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateDec 1, 2010