It's a Small, Small World in Nikon's Microscope Video Contest

The zebrafish is ready for its close-up. Researchers captured video of the fish's lateral line — the equivalent of the inner ear in humans — which lets it sense movement in the surrounding water. It was impressive enough to win first place at the fourth annual Nikon Small World in Motion Photomicrography Competition, which features time-lapse footage taken through microscopes.

The video shows how genetic markers can be used to reveal how sensory hair cells develop in the zebrafish's lateral line. The Spanish researchers behind the video, Mariana Muzzopappa and Jim Swoger, say this up-close look at the process could help scientists find a cure for deafness in humans.

The contest featured lots more stunning footage: To win second place, Douglas Clark, of San Francisco-based Paedia Corp., condensed 20 minutes of imagery into40 seconds of video that shows caffeine crystals forming in water.

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John Hart, a professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences the University of Colorado at Boulder, won third place by recording how oil evaporates and coalesces on the surface of water. His work on "complex microscopic fluid dynamics" could be useful to researchers studying the longevity of oil spills.

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

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Fourteen entries, documenting processes ranging from fruit fly locomotion to sulfur crystal formation, won honorable mentions. Here's the full list.

Sitting in front of a microscope right now? Submissions for the next Small World in Motion contest are due on April 30. If you need further inspiration, check out the most recent winners of the Nikon Small World contest for still photography, the top entries in the Olympus BioScapes contest, this year's "Vizzie" awards for scientific visualization and a sampler from last year's "Art of Science" exhibition.