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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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Elizabeth Hillman joins St. Jude as chair of Imaging Sciences

Elizabeth Hillman, a pioneer in imaging method development, is leading the new Department of Imaging Sciences at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The department aims to develop innovative new imaging and measurement approaches that will enable groundbreaking scientific studies and improve patient care.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·DateJan 22, 2025

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

Smaller, denser, better illuminators for computational microscopy

A team of researchers at the University of Connecticut created freeform illuminators that enable flexible illumination design and calibration using a blood-coated sensor. The newly developed technology simplifies microscopy experiments by reducing size, increasing density, and adjusting angle of illumination.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 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
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.

High-throughput computational microscopy imaging

Researchers develop hybrid brightfield-darkfield transport of intensity approach, expanding accessible sample spatial frequencies and achieving 5-fold resolution increase. This method enables precise detection and quantitative analysis of subcellular features in large-scale cell studies.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateNov 3, 2022

The invention of a flexible ultra-thin endoscope thinner than a needle

Researchers developed a high-resolution holographic endoscope system that can reconstruct microscopic images without attaching equipment to the fiber bundle. The new endoscope has a diameter of 350 μm and achieves spatial resolution of 850 nm, far smaller than the core size of optical fibers.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2022

Chip-scale metamicroscope for high-performance imaging

A newly developed polarizer-embedded metalens microscope system achieves high-quality, wide-field imaging with a large depth-of-field, significantly expanding human eyesight to the microworld. The chip-scale device offers a thousand-fold reduction in volume and weight compared to traditional microscopes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 28, 2022
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.

A new microscope allows for high-throughput 3D adaptive optical imaging

A new microscope allows for real-time aberration-free dynamic speckle microscopy using compressed time-reversal matrix technology. This enables almost real-time volumetric adaptive optical imaging with reduced data acquisition time and improved lateral resolution.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2022

Can the diffraction limit overcome in the linear imaging system?

Researchers develop chip-compatible 3D nanoscopy that surpasses the Abbe diffraction limit using a broadly-tunable large-spatial-frequency-shift effect. This method offers advantages over existing superresolution techniques, including high stability, low cost, and integration with microfluidic and optoelectronic functional chips.

SourceScience China Press·DateMay 13, 2021

Evolving the surgical microscope

The article reviews the development of surgical microscopes, from their introduction in 1921 to the latest advancements. Advanced technologies such as augmented reality displays, hyperspectral imaging, and robotic visualization platforms are increasing the capabilities of surgical microscopes. These improvements enable better visualiza...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 5, 2021
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.

The self-driving microscope

Researchers developed an adaptive microscope that can analyze and optimize its settings in real-time, achieving five-fold improvements in resolution. This technology enables long-term imaging of entire embryos and has significant implications for high-throughput drug screens and biological modeling.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 10, 2016

Filming life in the fast lane

The new Multi-View SPIM microscope allows scientists to image rapid biological processes in thick samples at high resolution. It can record the movements of every nucleus in the embryo throughout its life, providing valuable insights into embryonic development.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateJun 4, 2012

New microscope produces dazzling 3-D movies of live cells

The new microscope allows researchers to study the dynamic inner lives of living cells without damaging them. It uses a combination of structured illumination and two-photon microscopy to create high-resolution, three-dimensional images of cellular landmarks.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 4, 2011

A clearer view on biology

Scientists have developed a deconvolution algorithm that improves the resolution of Single Plane Illumination Microscope (SPIM) images. This advancement provides new opportunities for studying sub-cellular processes in large living specimens.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 5, 2007
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.