Raman spectroscopy is making waves in the world of science. It's a powerful tool that can spot tiny particles in the air. These particles are called bioaerosols. They come from living things like plants, animals, and even us. Scientists use Raman spectroscopy to study these particles. It works by shining a laser on the particles. The laser light scatters in a unique...
Alzheimer's disease is a growing concern, with millions of people affected worldwide. Early detection is crucial for better management and treatment. Two important indicators of this disease are monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These substances are often elevated in individuals with Alzheimer's. However, finding both of these indicators at...
Explosive identification is a crucial part of crime scene investigation. It often requires specialized teams to ensure safety. Handheld Raman spectrometers are popular tools for this job. They are portable, don't damage samples, and can detect various compounds with little preparation. However, they struggle with dark-colored explosives like black powder and flash po...
The cyanobacterium Mastigocladopsis repens has a unique light-driven chloride pump. This pump is similar to the proton pumps found in archaea, but it moves chloride ions instead. One big question has been about the role of a late red-shifted photoproduct, known as the O intermediate. This intermediate appears when there is a high concentration of chloride ions. Rese...
Deep in the frozen lands of Antarctica, scientists found a meteorite named Yamato 980115. This isn't your average space rock. It's a carbonaceous chondrite, a type of meteorite that's been around since the early days of our solar system. These rocks are like time capsules, holding clues about how water and other elements interacted in the early solar system. ...
For a long time, DNA has been like the superhero of crime scene investigations But guess what? Too much evidence can overwhelm crime labs and create huge backlogs making this investigation process lengthy Moreover, many pieces of evidence at crime scenes can be body fluids. Oral fluid stains are one of these fluids that can be found on vari...
Scientists are on a mission to pinpoint the exact moment when neurons, grown in a lab, reach full maturity. This time, they're using a nifty tool called Raman spectroscopy and a clever method known as Dynamic Network Biomarker (DNB) analysis. The goal? To spot the critical shift during neuron development. First, let's talk about their lab model. They've created an i...
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global search for effective ways to detect the virus, SARS-CoV-2, beyond vaccines and therapies. One promising method is surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which boosts the signals of molecular probes using special nanomaterials. Gold and silver nanoparticles are particularly effective in enhancing these signals due to their ...
Imagine if doctors could really understand what's happening deep inside our bones, not just see the overall shape. That's what Raman spectroscopy might help achieve, especially for the collagen part of our bones. The NHS spends a lot of money treating bone issues like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, using methods like X-rays to spot anatomical changes. But these cha...
Raman spectroscopy is a great tool for analyzing samples, but sometimes the data gets messy with noise and background interference. Especially annoying is the fluorescence background, which can be way stronger than the Raman signals we care about. This makes it hard to study the data. One clever method to fix this is called shift excitation Raman differential spectro...