In a recent breakthrough, researchers have developed a new method to predict a patient’s response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. This method leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and combines information from ultrasound images and pathology slides. NAC is a type of chemotherapy given before surgery to shrink tumors and improve surgical [..]

Researchers have successfully engineered a metasurface that can transform the chaotic, incoherent thermal emissions from thermal sources like incandescent bulbs into highly coherent, polarized, and directed beams. This groundbreaking achievement could revolutionize fields ranging from lighting and imaging to thermal management and control. Traditionally, metasurfaces have been limited to manipulating highly coherent laser light. However, [..]

Traditionally, liquid crystal (LC) holography has been confined to the scalar domain, manipulating only light intensity. This limitation hinders the ability to control light fields and encode complex information fully. Researchers have recently made significant strides in overcoming this hurdle, achieving vectorial LC holography using a single-layer, single-material LC superstructure. This novel approach leverages a [..]

Microfluidic biochips are tiny devices that manipulate fluids at the microliter scale. They have a wide range of applications in the medical field, including drug discovery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. However, a new study has shown that these chips are vulnerable to cyber-physical attacks that can be launched by tampering with the manufacturing process. The [..]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss. Early detection and treatment of DR are essential to prevent vision loss. Traditional fundus photography (FP) is a common screening method for DR. Still, it has limitations in detecting diabetic macular edema (DME), a type of fluid buildup in the macula, [..]

In silicon photonics, creating dependable sources of single photons and enabling strong interactions between them has been a substantial obstacle to quantum technologies. A recent study describes a novel technique for generating indistinguishable photons from a silicon waveguide incorporating a G center. G centers are intricate defects within silicon. They consist of two carbon atoms [..]

A new method for measuring urine C-reactive protein (CRP) levels has been developed using an optical sensor and machine learning algorithms. This method is believed to be more accurate and reliable than traditional methods, such as ELISA. CRP is a biomarker of inflammation, and a point-of-care test for CRP could be useful for various applications, [..]

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in their understanding of retinal neovascularization. This condition, characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina, is a leading cause of vision loss in premature infants, diabetics, and the elderly. Traditionally, treatments for retinal neovascularization have been limited to laser therapy and anti-VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor [..]

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking microscopy technique that promises to revolutionize our understanding and manipulation of nanomaterials. Their work introduces a method to visualize the intricate details of metamaterials, structures engineered at the nanoscale with extraordinary optical properties. Until now, exploring the nanoscale realm has been akin to studying an elephant with a magnifying glass. [..]

Imagine a world where telescopes in space and powerful lasers on Earth can function flawlessly for years without worrying about microscopic cracks or fractures diminishing their performance. This futuristic vision might inch closer to reality thanks to researchers’ recent discovery of self-healing glass. The crux of the challenge lies in the limitations of conventional materials [..]

Jiming Bao, an electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Houston, has invented a new method to improve thermal imaging and infrared thermography. These techniques measure and show temperature distributions without physically touching the photographed material. Thermal cameras and infrared thermometers are very sensitive tools used in various industries, including military and medical [..]

A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the potential of optical spectroscopy to assess COVID-19 severity rapidly. By employing Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy, researchers have shown that subtle changes in blood plasma viscosity can serve as a valuable biomarker for disease progression. BLS is a non-invasive technique that analyzes the interaction of light with acoustic waves [..]

Solitary pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma (SPMA) is a challenging lung cancer to diagnose due to its often slow-growing nature. Traditionally, invasive surgical biopsies have been the gold standard for confirmation. However, a recent study has introduced a promising alternative: a novel nomogram model. This nomogram is a diagnostic tool that combines clinical and radiological data to [..]

Researchers have made significant strides in optoelectronics by developing a new type of LED capable of emitting spin-controlled photons at room temperature. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we harness light and electrons in devices like LEDs, solar cells, and lasers. The team’s previous research involved creating a polarized LED using perovskite materials. Building upon this [..]

A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in photonics by trapping alkali atoms on an integrated photonic circuit. This groundbreaking achievement paves the way for developing quantum networks based on cold-atom integrated nanophotonic circuits. The team successfully cooled cesium atoms to near zero and trapped them on a photonic waveguide. These “frozen” atoms, [..]

Our cell membranes are like the gatekeepers of our cells, controlling what goes in and out. But they’re not just passive barriers; they also respond to physical cues from their environment. A recent study used a powerful imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy to show how these membranes react to mechanical stress. The study focused on [..]

Gamma imaging, a cornerstone of nuclear medicine, traditionally relies on large, stationary cameras. This limits patient access and restricts the technique to specialized departments. However, a new device, Seracam, is challenging the status quo. Seracam is a compact, portable gamma camera designed for small-organ imaging. Its dimensions – just 15 cm in diameter and 24 [..]