Spectroscopy News and Research

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Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between radiation (electromagnetic radiation, or light, as well as particle radiation) and matter.

Study indicates neurotransmitters are abnormal in people with psychotic illness

There is growing evidence that two neurotransmitters - dopamine and glutamate - are abnormal in people with psychotic illness, including schizophrenia. Among many other things, these chemicals play a role in cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and problem-solving.

1 Oct 2010

Two new techniques to identify dissolved cocaine in bottles of wine or rum

In two landmark studies published today in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis (DTA), UK and Swiss research teams reveal two techniques proven to identify dissolved cocaine in bottles of wine or rum. These tools will allow customs officials to quickly identify bottles being used to smuggle cocaine, without the need to open or disturb the container.

30 Sep 2010

Study suggests drugs targeting glutamatergic transmission may help treat psychotic illness

There is growing evidence that two neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate are abnormal in people with psychotic illness, including schizophrenia. Among many other things, these chemicals play a role in cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and problem solving.

30 Sep 2010

Medical team uses LeadCare II blood-lead test to examine people exposed to lead poisoning in Nigeria

As part of the international response to the lead-poisoning crisis linked to small-scale gold-mining activities in this northwestern region of Nigeria, a medical crisis team is deploying Magellan's three-minute LeadCare II blood-lead test in the triage, assessment, and clinical follow-up of thousands of villagers who have been exposed to extremely high levels of lead in the soil and water.

29 Sep 2010

UGA researcher receives NIH award for high-risk, high-reward carbohydrate research

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a prestigious EUREKA award to Robert Woods, a professor at the University of Georgia Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, to develop a new method for understanding how antibodies interact with large molecules known as glycans that are a major component of all cell surfaces.

27 Sep 2010

OrSense introduces NBM200 system for anemia screening, hemorrhage detection

OrSense Ltd., developer of monitors for non-invasive measurements of various blood parameters, introduced at the Global Forum of Maternal and Infant Health, at Barcelona, Spain, NBM200, a non-invasive hemoglobin measurement system for anemia screening and hemorrhage detection. The Company presented results showing that Hb measurements obtained by the NBM200 showed accurate performance compared with invasive point of care devices.

27 Sep 2010

Portable laser devices to probe early signs of diseases

Portable devices that use a laser beam to probe bones, teeth, and other parts of the body for early signs of diseases like osteoporosis and tooth decay may seem like something out of science fiction. But those devices are moving closer to reality, according to an article in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS' weekly newsmagazine.

23 Sep 2010

Fatty issues

In a new survey it was seen that too fat and too thin people suffer more from depressive moods. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index published these findings it its September 17 issue and noted obese and underweight Americans are more stressed, worried, angry and sad than their overweight and normal weight friends.

22 Sep 2010

Volcano Corporation announces pricing of convertible senior notes due 2015

Volcano Corporation today announced the pricing of its offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875 percent convertible senior notes due September 1, 2015 registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Prior to June 1, 2015, the notes will be convertible only upon certain circumstances.

15 Sep 2010

Researchers elucidate Qua1 spatial structure region of Sam68 protein

Using NMR spectroscopy, Professor Michael Sattler and his team elucidated the spatial structure of the Qua1 region of Sam68, which is responsible for the dimerization of the protein. In collaboration with the research group of Professor Ruth Brack-Werner of the Institute of Virology, the authors showed that this region is essential for the biological function of Sam68.

13 Sep 2010

Structure of key protein for cellular signal transduction elucidated

Scientists of the Institute of Structural Biology of Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technische Universität München have succeeded in elucidating the structure of an important region of the Sam68 protein. Sam68 is a key protein for cellular signal transduction. The Journal of Biological Chemistry has selected the report of these research findings as one of two "papers of the week" for its September 10, 2010 issue and has chosen the structural model as cover image.

10 Sep 2010

UCLA plans nanotechnology collaboration with Hamamatsu Photonics

The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has announced plans to collaborate with Hamamatsu Photonics Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of photon detectors and camera systems, to apply nanoscience and nanotechnology to projects having global importance in health, medicine, energy and the environment.

9 Sep 2010

Scientists to develop test for Mad Cow Disease detection

The eyes may or may not be windows to the soul, as the old adage goes, but scientists are reporting evidence that a peek into the eyes of cattle may become the basis for a long sought test to detect infection with the agent that causes Mad Cow Disease. That test could help prevent the disease from spreading in the food supply. A study on using the tell-tale glow given off by eyes infected with the Mad Cow agent appears in ACS' semi-monthly journal Analytical Chemistry.

9 Sep 2010

InfraReDx receives 510(k) clearance to market LipiScan IVUS Coronary Imaging System

InfraReDx, Inc., a medical device company developing intelligent cardiovascular diagnostic imaging technologies, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market the LipiScan IVUS Coronary Imaging System. LipiScan IVUS is the first cardiac catheter to combine intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy to help cardiologists identify and characterize the plaques that complicate stenting and are associated with acute coronary events.

2 Sep 2010

MRI and MR spectroscopy determine internal fat distribution: Study

Why is it that some people lose weight and body fat when they exercise and eat less and others don't. German researchers say MRI and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy can provide the answer and help predict who will benefit from lifestyle changes.

25 Aug 2010

Scientists discover Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can rapidly diagnose degenerative disorders

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can distinguish between neurological diseases in patients without clear symptoms.A team of American scientists claim that a new method of testing for neurological diseases could provide doctors with a rapid and non-invasively method of diagnosing degenerative disorders.

25 Aug 2010

Scientists report global shortage of radioactive isotopes for medical scans

Twenty million medical scans and treatments are done each year that require radioactive isotopes and scientists today described a global shortage of these life-saving materials that could jeopardize patient care and drive-up health care costs.

23 Aug 2010

Magnetic resonance image analysis helps assessment of prostate cancer severity

Rutgers researchers are developing methods that can accurately assess the severity of prostate cancer by analyzing magnetic resonance images and spectra of a patient's prostate gland. This may help physicians decide more confidently which patients need aggressive treatment and which are better served by "watchful waiting," and could even postpone or eliminate invasive biopsies in patients with low-grade tumors.

11 Aug 2010

Scientists develop laser probe for early detection of oral cancer

UC Davis researchers have developed a laser probe for the early detection of oral cancer. A trial with human subjects shows that the device could also be used during surgery to locate the edges of a tumor.

5 Aug 2010

Flow-induced polymer translocation through narrow and patterned channels

An octopus-like polymer can "walk" along the wall of a narrow channel as it is pushed through by a solvent. Now research in The Journal of Chemical Physics, which is published by the American Institute of Physics, provides a theoretical model that compares the transport characteristics of straight- and branched-chain polymers in smooth channels as well as in channels whose walls interact with the polymer -- work that could aid in the development of carrier molecules for delivering drugs at a controlled rate in the body.

4 Aug 2010