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Refractive-index microscope measures a sample’s optical properties with pinpoint accuracy

In this way, and almost by chance, researchers at TU Wien developed a novel microscopy technique that allows the refractive index of biological samples to be measured at a resolution far below what conventional light microscopy theory would seem to allow. Their paper is published in the journal ACS Nano.

The trick behind resolution beyond the wavelength of light

What happens if you try to image two molecules whose separation is smaller than the wavelength of light? You will not see two distinct points, but a single blurred spot of light—the images of the two molecules overlap, no matter how precise the microscope is.

Scientists develop high-performance Hg-based crystal for mid-far infrared birefringence

Mid- and far-infrared birefringent crystals are key functional materials for polarization control, laser technologies, and infrared photonics. However, existing materials generally suffer from limited infrared transparency, an intrinsic trade-off between large birefringence and wide transmission windows, and challenges in optical characterization due to restricted crystal dimensions.

New Study Reveals How Nanoplastics Make Bacteria More Dangerous

Nanoplastics already raise fears because people can ingest them directly. Now scientists say these tiny particles can create a different kind of danger when they end up in water: they can help bacteria become tougher and harder to remove.

A study in Water Research led by Virginia Tech’s Jingqiu Liao, working with international collaborators, found that nanoplastics can influence how environmental microbes behave in ways that may indirectly affect human health. The concern is not just what the particles might do in the body, but what they might encourage in the water systems people rely on every day.

“It is very important to better understand the adverse effects of the nanoplastics on human health, and not just in humans but also in the environment, which indirectly influences human health,” said Liao, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. “The nanoplastics can make the antimicrobial-resistant pathogens better survive, which could be harmful to the environment and would have public health implications.”

Physicists Discover a New Way To Connect Qubits Using Crystal Imperfections

A new study suggests that crystal defects in diamond may hold the key to scalable quantum interconnects. Connecting large numbers of quantum bits (qubits) into a working technology remains one of the biggest obstacles facing quantum computing. Qubits are extraordinarily sensitive, and even small di

A Breakthrough That Cuts Blockchain Delays Nearly in Half

The idea of a fully connected digital world is quickly becoming real through the Internet of Things (IoT). This expanding network includes physical devices such as small sensors, autonomous vehicles, and industrial machines that collect and exchange data online.

Protecting this data from tampering is essential, which has led engineers to explore blockchain as a security solution. Although blockchain is widely known for its role in cryptocurrencies, its core function is as a decentralized digital ledger. Instead of data being controlled by a single organization, information is shared and maintained across many computers.

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