|
 |
INTRODUCTION
|
|
In this edition of the Macroscopic Solutions newsletter, you will find a recent interview with Macroscopic Solutions’ Co-founder, Mark Smith, which aired on Connecticut’s News 8 WTNH. You will also learn about the detrimental impacts that an invasive insect is having on North America’s ash trees and how the Macropod is providing images of this critter like no one has seen before! Finally, we tell you about Macroscopic Solutions’ new relationship with the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History), provide you with our most recent notable images, and list upcoming events and conferences.
Enjoy!
Blue Iris
|
|
NEWS
|
WINNER of $250 Imaging Service Voucher
One lucky attendee from the Northeast Geological Society of America meeting that signed up for the Macroscopic Solutions newsletter was randomly selected and has won $250 worth of imaging services! Macroscopic Solutions is happy to announce Matthew Eckle as the winner. Congratulations Matthew! Macroscopic Solutions will be contacting you shortly. |
|
News 8 WTNH: Interview with Mark Smith of Macroscopic Solutions
Ann Nyberg, news anchor at News 8 WTNH, had a one on one interview with Mark Smith, Co-founder of Macroscopic Solutions. The interview keys in on Macroscopic Solutions’ novel imaging system, the Macropod, its wide variety of scientific and artistic applications, how the system was developed, and recent innovations.
Watch the exclusive interview and read the accompanying article HERE. |
|
The Emerald Ash Borer: Invading North America
The emerald ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) has killed millions of Ash trees since it was first spotted in North America. The beetle has caused regulatory agencies (such as the USDA) to enforce quarantines and fines for transporting firewood across the borders of 23 US states and Canadian provinces. The species is native to China and was introduced somewhere near Michigan via cargo ships in 2002.
This detailed image of the EAB was captured to raise awareness about the beetle. As destructive as it is, it’s equally as beautiful. We propose a widespread and collaborative eradication effort by turning them into jewelry!
Specimen provided by Dr. David Wagner of the University of Connecticut. View this image in high-resolution HERE.
|
|
The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators: High Resolution Imaging for Scientific Art
On March 17th, Macroscopic Solutions delivered a presentation to the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), a nonprofit organization that was founded at the Smithsonian Institution in 1968. Scientific illustrations reflect scientific findings in a very unique way. Illustrators focus on recreating scientific specimens in the form of art, usually by drawing or painting. They have a true appreciation for precision and are tolerant of extremely fine details – details that often cannot be viewed with the naked eye.
This is where the Macropod comes into play, by providing highly magnified images of natural science specimens that are high resolution and in color. The Macropod provides illustrators with the means to view the tiny details that often go unnoticed, allowing them to replicate these features in their illustrations. These pictures are then often used for educational and research purposes.
Visit the Guild of Natural Science’s website for more information.
|
| |
NOTABLE MACROPOD IMAGES
|
|
The Macropod’s images are sometimes considered a mixture of science and art. This is because a scientific instrument is used to achieve an artistic end that is significant for discovery, observation and education. The images appease the senses and document high quality data of subjects that are associated with time and position.
Macroscopic Solutions releases many images daily and some of our most noteworthy are shown below.
|
Moth genitalia. Eupsilia sidus, Arlington, VA, Feb 3, 1989
| 
Eye of Sapromyza brachysoma, Collected in CT on 3.15.15
|
Herkimer Diamond filled with Petroleum
|
Scales of Dyseriocrania griseocapitella
|
Aragonite
|
Lacewing, Coventry CT, 4.4.15 |
| |
EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
|
Northeast Natural History Conference
The 15th Northeast Natural History Conference (NENHC) will be held from April 18-20, 2015 at the Sheraton Springfield Hotel in Springfield, MA. This conference promises again to be the largest regional forum for researchers, natural resource managers, students, and naturalists to present current information on the varied aspects of applied field biology (freshwater, marine, and terrestrial) and natural history for the Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. For more information about this event, visit the NENHC website.
Mark Smith, will be giving a talk titled, “High Resolution Imaging Techniques and Technologies in Photomacrography” at 8:35 AM on Sunday April 19, 2015 |
The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
The 30th annual SPNHC General Meeting will be hosted by the Florida Museum of Natural History and is scheduled from May 17-23, 2015. Macroscopic Solutions is proud to be an exhibitor at this conference, which has a theme of "Making Natural History Collections Accessible through New and Innovative Approaches and Partnerships.” Macroscopic Solutions provides researchers and collections managers with an imaging tool that is being used throughout the natural sciences to efficiently digitize natural history collections, greatly enhancing their accessibility. Read more about this event here. |
**FREE IMAGING SERVICES**
By showing this newsletter at these events, you will receive one free high-resolution image of your specimen on-site AND you will be entered for a chance to win $250 worth of Macroscopic Solutions imaging services. Click Here to read more about imaging services. |
| |
|
|
|
