25 Amazing Images for an Electron Microscope

Check out the top 25 most amazing images taken with a high powered electron microscope.

(Via list25 Youtube Channel)

Compound Microscopes 101

A compound microscope can be used for medical research to a day at the beach. A compound microscope includes an eyepiece, stage clips, and objectives with different lenses, adjustable knobs, a power button, and a stage with light source. Other parts include the body, nose piece, arm, and stage stop.

It can be used in various science fields such as Microbiology and Geology. Forensic investigators and scientists identify crystal shapes to reference pharmaceuticals and other medical needs. Microscopes can also help them see human cells, minerals, and metals. 

The setup of the optical parts plays an important ole in working with a compound microscope. The condenser focuses light onto the specimen with either bright-field or darkfield condenser attachments. 

By understanding these basics, you can independently carry out an experiment for observing minute objects of your interest, and try to explore some of the incredible things with the help of this wonderful instrument. Nowadays, compound microscopes are used in various domains, within or outside science. Care should be taken while buying any of the microscopes, be it compound or digital microscope. For better understanding, you can always discuss with a science teacher or an expert.

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Science Trends for 2013: Microbiomes

This past year, science research has seen an increase in focus on human genome and diseases and earth's microbiomes. 

At the past AGBT convention, Kjersti Aagaard gave an amazing presentation on the human placentia. Her group claims that this is not a sterile organ and that it harbors a  non-pathogenic commensal microbiome which was the most similar to the oral cavity microbiome. Kjersti concludes that she believes that the fetus is not sterile and that the microbiome may be related to the immune tolerance of neonates. 

Jonas Korlach from PBS and Stephan Schuster from Penn State University also touched on tools for microbial sequencing at the convention. They discussed a new assembly approach  and sequencing environmental microbes. He stressed that much of earth's microbiome remains undefined and unidentified. 

This year and the next years to come will have more and more scientists leading extensive research on microbiome identification and advanced human microbiome projects.