Possibly the most frustrating part of photography is the age-old trade off between light sensitivity and speed. Using a fast shutter speed means less light enters the camera, usually leading to underexposed, dingy images. However, by using new Serial Time-Encoded Amplified Microscopy (STEAM) technology, scientists have overcome these limitations.

The STEAM camera illuminates objects with an infrared laser that emits a different wavelength for each pixel captured. The camera's sensor then electronically amplifies the original, dim signal with a matching wavelength until it becomes visible.

Compared to the multi-million-pixel images produced by standard digital cameras, the current STEAM prototype only produces images composed of just 3,000 pixels. Yet there is a multi-megapixel camera in the works that the scientists hope will be competitive against consumer cameras. [Wired—Thanks Mark!]

Blood analysis usually requires either large and expensive equipment or a trained technician to manually examine the material. Both are out of reach for many remote areas, especially in parts of Africa where HIV and malaria are rampant. UCLA researcher Dr. Aydogan Ozcan developed software that allows blood samples to be analyzed with the use of inexpensive, off-the-shelf camera sensors and a filtered light source. The key is the software's ability to analyze thousands of blood cells at once, providing an accurate result within minutes.

The photo above shows a Sony-Ericsson phone modded for this type of use. That bulge on the back is the filtered light source. It's great to see cool mods done for great social welfare rather than our gadgety amusement every once in awhile. [Wired]

The researchers believe that this "technology" could eventually be refined to make inexpensive medical devices for developing countries. They have even applied for a patent that would cover such devices. In the meantime, using Scotch tape in normal situations should not produce any harmful effects, although one researcher on the project noted: "If you're going to peel tape in a vacuum, you should be extra careful." But "I will continue to use Scotch tape during my daily life, and I think it's safe to do it in your office. No guarantees."

"No guarantees?" I would expect media fear mongers to run with that one. "What everyday household item causes cancer? We'll tell you at 11." [CNN and Wired Science]

Kevin Eustice and Peter Reiher have built and tested a version that works perfectly using playlists stored inside laptops running their software, but since very few (sober) people stroll into a party with one of those tucked under their arm, they're aiming it at Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 players. Since Smart Party can triangulate people's position, it can also deduct their votes when they leave the party, making everything all fair and square. The one stumbling block is DRM, since copying the tracks into the system even temporarily isn't exactly RIAA-friendly activity.

It's a good idea, and it sure would make for a pretty eclectic set to groove away to, but for that one fatal DRM flaw. They're pinning their hopes on a temporary porting of the license, otherwise it would be limited to DRM-free tracks shame. We imagine it wouldn't go down too well at foam parties, either, but you wouldn't be able to hear your fave track from your soaked MP3 player with all that foam in your ear anyway, would you? [New Scientist]