the
Analytical Scientist
(^40) The Spectroscopist Inside
A Little “Light”
Reading
Presenting the latest
spectroscopic research in
bite-sized chunks
Root of the Matter
A recent proof-of-concept study analyzed
the impact of sodium hypochlorite
- the medication of choice for root
canal therapy – on dental collagen.
FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the
compound causes degradation in the
collagen structure. Another reason to
take good care of your teeth...
Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2Nf M3e4
Bad Blood
Raman continues to make its mark in
forensic science; Igor Lednev and Kyle
Doty (University of Albany, New York,
USA) successfully distinguished between
chronological ages of blood donors in a
new preliminary study. Unlike sex or race,
age is something that clearly cannot be
determined through DNA profiling.
Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2NhW8H9Lucky in Lava
Spectroscopy took a dive lately, when
researchers used LIBS to discriminate
between samples of rock taken from various
volcanoes. Able to identify different regions
and sources, handheld LIBS could be a
viable option in the field when analyzing
and dating geological samples.
Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2NhuF8LTo the Bone
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
researchers have successfully used Raman
spectroscopy to analyze collagen integrity
in bones – meeting the need for a non-
destructive means to diagnose brittle
bone disease.
Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2Nf HMXVFree-from Fries
When the chips are down... it looks like
spatially resolved spectroscopy can detect it.
Lien Smeesters and his colleagues from the
Vrije Universiteit Brussel have developed a
new laser scanning technique to find outwhich potatoes have the lowest amounts of
acrylamide – making them most suitable for
the production of fries. The technology can
scan tons of potatoes per hour.
Read the paper: http://bit.ly/2P4skj1Baby Brains
MRI scans can check for brain damage in
newborn babies, but doctors often have to
wait several days to perform them. However,
a team at University College London have
discovered a possible alternative that allows
earlier screening and treatment – broadband
near-infrared spectroscopy. A clinical trial
will soon be underway.
Read more: http://bit.ly/2P822woFind it in Your Heart
Could NIR spectroscopy identify patients
at risk from angina and acute coronary
syndrome? When combined with
intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), a team
headed by Ron Waksman (MedStar Heart
Institute) discovered NIRS was capable
of identifying lipid-rich plaque, which is
associated with increased risk of certain
cardiovascular diseases.
Read more: http://bit.ly/2P5PuWh