Hula hooping is so commonplace that we may overlook some interesting questions it raises: “What keeps a hula hoop up against gravity?” and “Are some body types better for hula hooping than others?” A team of mathematicians explored and answered these questions with findings that also point to new ways to better harness energy and improve robotic positioners. 

The Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) are part of the international consortium NanoBright, which has developed this new tool.

The probe reaches deep into the brain without causing appreciable damage, making it minimally invasive. It projects an ultra-thin beam of light.

The light from the probe illuminates nerve tissue and provides information about its chemical composition. This makes it possible to detect molecular changes caused by tumours or other lesions.

This "molecular flashlight" is currently a research tool, but researchers hope it will be used on patients in the future. The study is published in Nature Methods.