Praying Mantis Wears World's Smallest 3D Glasses and Goes to the 3D Movies
Jenny Reads and other scientists from Newcastle University created the world's smallest 3D glasses (5mm overall) to investigate stereoscopic 3D vision of the praying mantis, which is the only insect known to see in three dimensions. Mrs Read' laboratory didn't elaborate about who paid for the microsopic movie tickets or the 2£ surcharge...
Watch the mantis watch a 3D movie in the video here under!
Accurate 3D Face Reconstruction From DNA
A team of investigators led by Mark Shriver, an anthropologist at the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), announces the development of a new method for reconstructing a 3D model of a person's face, based on the analysis of their DNA material. This innovation could one day allow forensic experts to identify the face of a perpetrator based solely on a strand of hair left behind at the crime scene.
Journalist Sara Reardon is on the right, her reconstructed face is on the left.
Images courtesy of Penn State University and New Scientist
Chinese Jiaolong Sub Gets 3D Vision
The Jiaolong submersible is China's deepest operating manned submarine. The interesting fact is that it is fitted with brand new 3D stereoscopic cameras devised by the SIOSOA institute (Hangzhou, China). Those cameras are able to spot undocumented marine species in the deepest waters.
The cameras snap a series of three-dimensional images to build up a composite image of sea creatures and allow researchers to accurately measure the dimensions of sea life without having to collect samples.
Sperm is Alive and Well in its First 3D Movie
A team of European have developed a vision-based tracking system to help assess the viability of sperm used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This system is able to take 3D movies of the real-time movement and behavior of living sperm using a small camera and a special laser lighting set-up.
In addition to showing the movement and behavior of the sperm, the camera is able to provide 3D imaging of the sperm’s form and structure to detect potential infertility-causing anomalies, such as the “bent tail,” which prevents cells from swimming straight.