The Microscope – Volume 72, Fourth Quarter 2025

IN THIS ISSUE
On the cover
A mixture of fibers through the stereomicroscope illuminated with transmitted light and room light alone, adding reflected LED ring light, and adding the NightSea near-UV source. All of the images are at the same magnification. See Assembly of an Inexpensive and Fully Functional Stereomicroscope for the Frugal Forensic Microscopist, page 175. (Photomicrographs courtesy of Thomas A. Kubic)
Editorial | Eighty-Eighth Anniversary of The Microscope
Gary J. LaughlinThe Microscope 72:4, p. ii, 2025https://doi.org/10.59082/PYJU9775 Excerpt: "In August 1937, The Microscope was first published to serve as a medium for communication among microscopists. It was believed that an independent journal, with its columns available for letters, news items, and articles of general interest as well as more learned papers would be generally welcome. The support given in the initial stages was sufficient to encourage eventual monthly publication. After only two years the event of 1939-1945 made a regular monthly appearance impossible, but the journal continued to be published as paper supplies and time permitted." "In concluding this short backward glance, we repeat that The Microscope is published as a means of communication among its readers: it exists to serve them and we make no excuse for pointing out once again that what you, the reader of these words, have to say constitutes the very life blood of the journal.” – Arthur L.E. Barron, F.R.M.S., Editor, July, 1958.
Particle Source Identification, Part 2: Assemblages
Russ Crutcher and Heidie CrutcherThe Microscope 72:4, pp. 147–160, 2025https://doi.org/10.59082/WDWK6701 Abstract: Separating the particles in a field of view under the microscope into a count of fibers, dander, minerals, tire wear, plant parts, and so on, is of relatively little value if the goal is to assess environmental quality and to suggest ways to improve that quality. Particle assemblages identify sources, the method of generation, and the transport mechanisms that brought those particles to the location in question. With a little training, assemblages can be quickly identified and quantified. This article deals with how assemblages are identified.The human visual system functions at a subconscious level far more efficiently and accurately than conscious processing of the field of view. We use these subconscious functions regularly, at least hundreds or more times a day, though we generally don’t appreciate their analytical value. In Part 1 of this series, we introduced the power of ensemble analysis (see “Particle Source Identification, Part 1: Thinking in Assemblages,” The Microscope, Vol. 72:3, pp. 124–131, 2025; https://doi.org/10.59082/UGIK4736. In this article, Part 2: Assemblages, we introduce "chunk" and "chunking” and how that applies to the analysis of assemblages of particles viewed through the microscope.Recognizing assemblages is an important part of assessing environmental quality. It is also used to determine the origin of honey, characterize paleoenvironments, determine pond water quality, and to identify the source of particles. A number of assemblages are presented here together with how they are identified.
Critical Focus | Microbes and the Plant-Based Foods of Tomorrow
Brian J. Ford The Microscope 72:4, pp. 161–173, 2025https://doi.org/10.59082/RBTT4015 Excerpt: We often complain about our microbes, don’t we? One will produce confluent colonies rather than discrete growths; sometimes a culture medium doesn’t seem to work; occasionally bacteria don’t take stain the way we think they should. It just happened to me. I was so surprised at what I found that I muttered aloud: “Well, I didn’t expect to find you here.” It was only a passing thought. To my surprise, one of the bacteria responded. “And why not?” it said. “I’ve as much right to be here as anything else?" Plant-based substitutes for cheese and meat are being widely promoted.
Assembly of an Inexpensive and Fully Functional Stereomicroscope for the Frugal Forensic Microscopist
Thomas A. Kubic, Michelle D. Miranda, and Antonio Del Valle The Microscope 72:4, pp. 175–180, 2025 https://doi.org/10.59082/UNPJ2422 Abstract: As practicing microscopists and criminalists one with more than 50 years experience (TAK), the authors have always wished to have available to them, in their forensic and chemical consulting laboratory at Thomas A. Kubic and Associates (TAKA), a high-quality, high-performance, multi-purpose stereomicroscope for forensic examinations and for the sorting of microscopic and larger evidence traces for a reasonable price. The high cost of such a multipurpose instrument together with the authors’ cost-conscious nature and budget prevented them from fulfilling their desires, until they examined the internet’s used equipment and “previously owned” market. They searched there with the goal of assembling the desired multi-functional microscope at a fraction of the original retail cost of a similar performing instrument. Assembling a suitable microscope system was possible after researching the major microscope manufacturers’ sales brochures (Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss, and Leica) and subsequently locating alternative equipment that is fit for the required purposes on internet locations such as Amazon, Google, eBay, etc. Although the crafted microscope may not be absolutely perfect for every function desired, the stereomicroscope assembled for use in the author’s lab and described in this paper is, in their opinion, of exceedingly high quality in every aspect, fit for the desired purpose, and accomplished at a fraction of what its original retail cost would have been. The estimated total cost of all this equipment would be considerably more than $10,000 USD, if purchased new, while the assembled microscope was less than $3,500 USD.
Letter to the Editor | The Definition of Asbestos
The Microscope 72:4, pp. 181–184, 2025 https://doi.org/10.59082/XTMO7701 The Microscope welcomes letters to the Editor. Please send email to themicroscope@mcri.org. Include your full name, title and affiliation (if applicable), and location. Consistent with our standards and practice, the opinions expressed are those of the writers and/or respondents and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Microscope.
Correction | A Legally Defensible Operating Procedure for Asbestos Analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy with Emphasis on Asbestos in Talc-Containing Materials
The Microscope 72:4, pp. 184, 2025 https://doi.org/10.59082/BKRH5411 In the article, “A Legally Defensible Operating Procedure for Asbestos Analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy with Emphasis on Asbestos in Talc-Containing Materials” by Shu-Chun Su (The Microscope, Volume 72, Third Quarter 2025; https://doi.org/10.59082/PZKQ6211), the Metric Tensor (MT) equation on page 121 is incomplete where a portion of the entries in the third column and right square bracket symbol are not showing. The equation has been corrected here. Download/view the corrected Metric Tensor (MT) equation. The Microscope regrets the error.
The Microscope Author and Subject Indexes: Volume 72, 2025
The Microscope 72:4, pp. 186–191, 2025
Afterimage | Wood Section
Meggan King Dempsey — McCrone Research InstituteThe Microscope 72:4, p. 192, 2025
Radial section of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with Rheinberg illumination (red central filter, green annular filter); where spiral thickenings and bordered pits are easily seen. This thin section of wood and festive colors were selected in preparation of McCrone Research Institute's Christmas and holiday card for 2025, original magnification 200×.
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