To achieve this, the researchers used filters to block out background light and convert the light source—a simple LED—into the 460-nanometer wavelength required to excite the green fluorescent dye in the sample. After that they were were able to take fluorescent images of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (which causes TB in humans) with a 3.2-megapixel off-the-shelf phone camera. The images were then automatically analyzed using software to show the total of bacteria in the blood sample.

Traditional instruments with the same capability can be bulky and extremely expensive, which is why the CellScope can have a profound impact on health care in developing countries. It is still in the prototype phase at the moment, so there is no telling when it might go to manufacturing. [CNET]

After mounting it to the back of your Nikon DSLR, you can take detailed photos with a magnification of 20x on the FX camera models, 45x on the DX ones, and 66x with additional accessories. The Fabre Photo EX will be available for purchase starting February 20, and will cost you about $1,600 for both the microscope and the DSLR mount. [Boing Boing]

Now, I'm no scientist, but apparently this sort of image gives even the most seasoned electron microscopist a raging science boner. But it is not so much about the graphene as it is about the potential of the TEAM 0.5. One researcher noted that it "allows for the detection of every single atom from the Periodic Table provided that the sample under investigation can stand the radiation damage." Basically, it can study individual atoms in real time and produce high-resolution images of its subject. That will allow researchers to fully realize the potential of graphene by understanding how defects in the crystal structure can effect its properties. And they claim this is only the tip of the iceberg. Noooow I feel a science boner coming on. [Nanowerk and Science Daily]

Specifically the results of X-ray diffraction spectroscopy can tell us the elements that comprise each piece of the iPhone.

1. The screen is not made of rumored sapphire crystal, but glass.
2. The bezel is made of chrome plated steel.
3. The rear is made of anodized aluminum.

We're not sure if the ends (confirmation of pretty basic composition info) justify the means (using badass, crazy expensive microscopes)...but if there's ever been a method in which the means justify the means, this is it. [iPhone Custom and gen[m]ay]

Six Position Color Filter Wheel
Compound (Biological) Microscope
USB Cable for Transferring Images to a PC
40 to 400 Power - up to 1600 Power with Digital Zoom
AC Adaptor to Power the Microscope
3.5" (88mm) LCD Screen with 4x Digital Zoom
Carrying Case Included
Built-in Digital Camera - 2 Megapixels
Weight - 51oz (1446g)
Top and Bottom LED Illumination
Two Year Limited Warranty
Mechanical Stage - 3.5" x 3.5" (88mm x 88mm)
128MB Internal Storage Memory
SD Card Slot
Five Prepared Slides
Objective Lens - 4x, 10x, and 40x

It should retail for $299, and is, says Celestron, suitable for coins, molds, yeasts, bacteria and animal parts. [Celestron via I4U]

Not to spoil the ending of the movie for you (the webcam is actually a ghost), but the first commenter says you can even use this to detect sperm. Not that it comes, you know, in undetectable quantities or anything. If you see some, chances are that there's enough to tell what it is. [Metacafe]

You just plug the $50 EyeClops into a composite video input on any TV, point its bleary eye at your object of interest, and suddenly everything is in living color, up in your face in a super close-up on the TV screen.

If you go to your doctor's office or to a scientific laboratory and they are using one of these, head directly to the nearest exit. But for just plain ogling your boogers, scars or household insects, it might be good for a laugh or two. [Toys R Us ]

It's got a cracking pair of USB ports and works with Windows 98, 2000 and XP. There's a built-in microphone and it magnifies up to 600 times. Cost is $199, and here's a picture of what it can do.

Sheesh, guys, a leaf. Couldn't you have scraped off some toe jam and blown that up for us instead? [Product Page via UberGizmo]

Product Page [Thanko]

The USB scope hooks up to any Win 2000/XP/Vista machine with a USB 1.1/2.0 port and gives you mind-blowing resolutions all the way up to 640x480. It's probably not small enough to fit inside your ear, but it does make reproducing a whole lot easier. How'd you think I had all that room in my pants for those gadgets? – Jason Chen

Product Page [Thanko]

Product Page [ThinkGeek]

Aven seems to have partnered with Canon on this product because the microscopic lenses are attached to a Powershot SD600. – Travis Hudson

Press Release [Via MobileMag]

Microscope Cellphone Strap [TokyoMango]

Product Page [Via Sci-Fi]