Bio Photonics Research

 Congratulations to Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Aboraia from Al-Azhar University, Egypt , on being nominated for the Best Researcher Award at the World Biophotonics Research Awards . Recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of Hydrogen Evolution , Dr. Abdelaziz Aboraia has demonstrated remarkable scientific excellence and research impact, with 86 publications, 1,257 citations, and an h-index of 23 . His dedication to advancing sustainable energy research continues to inspire innovation and shape a brighter future. Join us in celebrating this exceptional achievement and honoring a researcher whose work is making a meaningful difference in the global scientific community. 👏 Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! #WorldBiophotonicsResearchAwards #BestResearcherAward #HydrogenEvolution #ResearchExcellence #ScientificInnovation #SustainableEnergy #ResearchImpact #AcademicAchievement #AlAzharUniversity #EgyptResearch #EnergyResearch #FutureOfScience

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitors brain hemodynamics by sending NIR light into the head from light sources placed on the scalp and measuring the light that scatters back. While this approach is noninvasive, its accuracy can be affected by signal contamination from blood flow in the scalp and skull. Isolating the cerebral hemodynamic response , so that signals from the brain do not mix with signals from superficial layers surrounding it, is necessary to ensure accurate measurements. Using a special source-detector geometry, researchers at Tufts University measured how light travels through a layered-tissue model of the head. This approach allowed the researchers to isolate brain-specific signals without the need for large datasets for tomographic reconstructions. Traditional fNIRS measurements often use a single distance between a light source and a detector. While easy to implement, this homogeneous setup is highly sensitive to blood flow changes in the scalp an...

The combination of optical fiber and phototheranostic agents has emerged as a promising strategy to address the challenges of limited light penetration depth and systemic toxicity of nanomaterials . However, the multiplexing potential of fiber-optic probes remains underrated, resulting in enlarged incisions, repeated invasive procedures, and a lack of real-time therapeutic feedback. Herein, we propose a scheme for single‑fiber multifunctional integration leveraging wavelength division multiplexing technology. As a proof-of-concept, by co-immobilizing pH indicator, temperature indicator, and photothermal agent with non-overlapped excitation bands onto tapered optical fiber surface, a fiber-optic theranostic probe enabling closed-loop tumor photothermal therapy was developed. Pre-treatment, the probe can achieve tumor edge identification through revealing the tumor pH gradient. Intra-treatment, the photothermal agent can convert optical energy into heat for photothermal therapy , while...

Research in   New Phytologist   shows that plants can acquire nutrients not only from the soil but also from atmospheric dust that settles and dissolves on their leaves, releasing elements such as phosphorus and iron. In a Mediterranean field study simulating dust events, dust application increased plant macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations through the plants' mildly acidic leaves. By integrating field observations with dust-deposition estimates and soil nutrient data from different regions, investigators found that during dust events, daily nutrient inputs via foliar uptake can match or exceed soil-derived inputs. "This suggests a shift from the traditionally soil-centric view of nutrient acquisition toward a vegetation-mediated pathway, where the plant canopy acts as an active interface for capturing and processing atmospheric particles," said Anton Lokshin, a postdoctoral researcher at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.  "In nutrient-limited eco...

Algae blooms make a pond's surface shine in mesmerizing green hues. But if the microorganisms responsible are cyanobacteria, they can also release toxins that harm humans and wildlife alike. A team reporting in  ACS ES&T Water  has designed a "set it and forget it" system for distributing algaecide using specialized buoys tethered at the site of a bloom. In tests, the buoys removed nearly all cyanobacteria without the need for frequent reapplication. Algae blooms occur when extra nutrients in the water—likely from fertilizer runoff—cause tiny microorganisms like algae and cyanobacteria to proliferate. In 2014, one such algae bloom in Lake Erie near Toledo, Ohio, rendered drinking water unsafe for hundreds of thousands of residents. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Toledo seeks to create an algaecide treatment system that puts a stop to a bloom before it has even started.  The team, including Umberto Kober, Hanieh Barikbin, Youngwoo Seo, Yako...

Photosynthetic bacteria do not release oxygen during photosynthesis but can convert solar energy into chemical energy with remarkably high efficiency. They also utilize near-infrared light—wavelengths unused by plants—and thrive in diverse environments, including freshwater, seawater, and hot springs. Among these organisms, the marine purple nonsulfur bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is a model species notable for its strong tolerance to oxygen. However, the molecular mechanism by which its light-harvesting and energy-converting LH1-RC complex maintains highly efficient photosynthesis under oxic conditions remains unclear. Researchers at University of Tsukuba used  cryo-electron microscopy  to visualize the structure of the protein complex responsible for photosynthesis in Rhodovulum sulfidophilum. Their analysis uncovered a previously unrecognized membrane protein and revealed structural features that could explain how this organism achieves efficient energy conversion des...

  In the game of survival, you can't always go it alone. Tiny algae living in the harsh conditions of the world's polar oceans appear to be better able to withstand the cold, high salinity, and extreme UV radiation, thanks in part to giant virus DNA in their genome, according to a study  published  in  Current Biology . Compared to tiny viruses like the flu or the common cold, giant viruses known as nucleocytoviricota (NCV) are massive. Their genomes can be larger than those of some bacteria and can carry hundreds of genes. Instead of relying entirely on a host's cells to replicate, like most viruses, they often carry genetic instructions involved in processes such as metabolism and DNA repair. Giant virus DNA has already been detected in common algae, but researchers from the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science at the University of Miami wanted to know whether it was present in polar algae, helping them survive. And they didn't have to go anyw...