A peculiar and unseen world exists at our fingertips, and only a microscope has the power to bring this hidden dimension to light. To honor the beauty and scientific importance of microscopic photographs – also known as micrographs – the Nikon Small World image contest hands out awards to researchers and hobbyists who capture the most impressive photos.
This year, over 2,000 pictures were sent in from all over the world, and the best pictures were selected based on subject matter, technique, and inherent beauty. A selection of them can be seen below:
Hammerhead Sharks - Eevolution's Strangest Turn
Around 20 million years ago evolution introduced hammerhead sharks. Why did evolution make such a surprising turn and what makes these sharks so uniqe?
View the World Through the Eye of a Moving Bullet
Watch in awe as you discover regular objects through the eye of a moving bullet, using an incredible new type of lens.
These Photos Show How Our World Is Just Full of Surprises!
We are blessed to inhabit this Earth - think of all the beautiful things that you've seen! Here are 21 photos to prove that the world is full of surprises.
Let's Learn All About Your White Blood Cells
White blood cells (WBCs) are the part of your immune system which is responsible for fighting infection. Learn all about them here!
24 Unbelievable Abilities Your Body Has
The human body is a complex and endlessly fascinating machine, and it might be even more sophisticated than you know...
See the World From Up Close - 17 Fascinating Macro Photos
Seeing ordinary objects like honey, paracetamol, and snow through a microscopic lens teaches us how beautiful and intricate they really are!
This South African Plant May be the New Cannabis
Is this plant the new cannabis? What will the woolly umbrella plant do for medicine?
Welcome to the Fastest Maze-Solving Competition Ever Made...
Welcome to Micromouse, a competition for the quick of eyes and the quick of minds. This is the oldest robotics race.
Six Inventions Da-Vinci Made Ahead of Their Time
He created and envisioned many inventions that were sometimes even centuries ahead of their time. Was there ever a genius as great as Da-Vinci?
Why is Everyone Obsessed with This Weight-Loss Tool?
Ozempic has been touted as a wonder drug for weight loss in recent months. But what's the real truth behind it?
Study: Biggest Ocean in the World is.. Underground?
A groundbreaking discovery by researchers reveals an enormous water reservoir deep beneath the Earth's surface.
This Man Built an Automatic Train System for Trash Cans!
Wouldn’t it be cool if a robot picked up and moved our garbage out for pickup with the push of a button?
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
Fascinating Science: How Old Can We Actually Get?
All things being equal, and technology continually progressing - How old can a human body really get?
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
Do You Know What Alzheimer's Really Is?
This video will shed light on the different stages of this complex and incredibly destructive disease.
Is There Any Way To Destroy or Deflect Asteroids?
Watch an interview with Cathy Plesko, a leading scientist working on preparing for the dangers of an asteroid attack
Are Smartphones Making Us Stupid? This Will Surprise You!
If you use a smartphone you need to see this!
The Curious Science of Tricking Your Taste Buds
Did you know you could confuse your sense of taste? Find out how!
Understanding the Aging Process of Our Body Parts
Find out how every organ and body part in our body changes with age.
These Photos Show How Dependent We are On Smartphones
Technology has taken over and these funny (but true) photos help to drive this fact home.
7 Little-Known Body Parts We Never Knew About
Here's a look at some of the weird and little-known body parts that you didn’t know you had.
The COOLEST Flames in the World - Jaw-Dropping!
Have you ever seen a flame as epic as this? Find out how it's made...
These Are the Miracles That Happen in Our Bodies Every Day
There is a lot that happens inside our bodies every single day. Did you know any of these facts?
Researchers Claim This Ingredient Can Cure Depression!
A preliminary study has suggested that magic mushrooms may be able to soothe the symptoms of depression. Read here to find out more.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Subconscious Mind
10 facts about the way the subconscious mind works
Are You a Late Sleeper? This Super Video Explains Why
Why is it that some people are late risers, and some are morning people? It's all down to our genetics. Have a look here to find out more.
16 Surprising Things I Never Knew About Sleeping!
Who knew there was so much we don't know about our most popular activity! Here are 16 facts you may not have known about your sleep.
How Your Eye Came to Be the Color It Is...
Why do we have different-colored eyes, and what does it mean?
6 Intriguing Archeological Finds of the 21st Century
These archaeological and paleontological discoveries were made in the past 10 years and they're equally fascinating and intriguing...
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
INTERACTIVE: A Guide to the Workings of the Human Body
The human body is the most complex machine known to man, and the amount of things it has to do to keep us alive is incredible. View this interactive guide now.
24 Smart Storage Inventions You Didn't Know You Needed
These super useful inventions are designed to make you help space!
8 Biggest Mysteries Still Surrounding the Human Body
Although modern science has revealed much about the human body, there are some things that still remain unknown. Here are the 8 biggest mysteries about it.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
25 Feats of Engineering that Leave Everyone Amazed
The amount of planning and sheer brain power it took to design and execute these structures, proving once again that there are true geniuses out there.
9 Women Inventors Who Have Been Overlooked by History
History has overlooked many great women inventors. Here’s your chance to get to know a few of them.
Experience the True Scale of Heavenly Bodies
Witness the true scale of planets, stars and galaxies in this incredible video that sheds light on size in our universe.
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
Scary Stories: 11 of the World's Creepiest Experiments
Truth is stranger than fiction, and this can be said for occurrences in the scientific world too. Here are 11 of the world's creepiest experiments
These Ancient Inventions Have Got Scientists Stumped!
Here are 12 items from long ago which prove that our ancestors possessed knowledge and skills far more advanced than we once believed them to be.
7 Weird Facts About the Human Voice That Will Surprise You
We bet you didn’t know these peculiar facts about the human voice.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
How Do the Drugs We Take Affect Our Brain?
We take many pills these days. What is it exactly that they DO to our brain? Find out now.
You Won't Believe That These Things Exist in Japan...
If there's one place on this planet that well and truly at the forefront of modern technology, it has got to be Japan, as these inventions prove...