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spectroscopy

Noninvasive 'virtual biopsy' diagnoses brain injury

For many, getting hit in the head too many times might bring to mind famed boxer Muhammad Ali, but brain injuries across several sports, including hockey and American football, have prompted investigations into headgear and even the nature of the sports themselves.

For now, the only way to diagnose what is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is to inspect brain tissue during autopsies--in other words, after the point at which such a diagnosis could help the afflicted.

So while results from a study out of Boston of a noninvasive "virtual biopsy" technique on live subjects are both small-scale … Read more

High-tech hair brush improves optical brain scans

When it comes to measuring oxygen levels in the brain to chart neurological activity--a technique called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)--things can get a little hairy. Literally. As in, the patient's hair gets in the way.

So researchers at the University of Texas have engineered a novel device, which they call a "brush optrode" (variant of word optode), whose fiber tips thread past hair to increase scalp contact, thereby improving signal levels as well as overall cost and efficiency of the optical scanning technique. They will present their findings at the Optical Society's 94th annual … Read more

MIT diabetes device monitors glucose with light

Imagine simply shining a light on your skin to determine how much sugar is in your blood. Researchers at MIT are developing a glucose-monitoring device for diabetes patients that may help do away with finger pricks.

By scanning a user's arm or finger with near-infrared light, the device frees users from the necessity of drawing blood, a daily routine for most type 1 diabetes patients.

The laptop-size machine is the result of 15 years of research at the MIT Spectroscopy Lab. It employs Raman spectroscopy, which can determine chemical compounds based on their molecular vibration.

In a technique described … Read more