July 14th 2025
DOGE-related federal funding cuts have sharply reduced salaries, lab budgets, and graduate support in academia. Researchers view the politically driven shifts in priorities as part of recurring systemic issues in U.S. science funding during administrative transitions. The impact on Federal laboratories has varied, with some seeing immediate effects and others experiencing more gradual effects. In general, there is rising uncertainty over future appropriations. Sustainable recovery may require structural reforms, leaner administration, and stronger industry-academia collaboration. New commentary underscores similar challenges, noting scaled-back graduate admissions, spending freezes, and a pervasive sense of overwhelming stress among faculty, students, and staff. This article addresses these issues for the analytical chemistry community.
Wearable Near-Infrared Technology Tested for Monitoring Athletic Performance
June 10th 2024Researchers from the University of Saarland in Germany investigated the reliability and side differences in muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) measurements using a wearable near-infrared monitor on trained cyclists. The study found that the device shows good reliability but highlighted significant side differences, which must be considered in practical applications.
A Look at the Role of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy on Mitochondrial Disorders
June 6th 2024A recent study from the Children’s National Health System and George Washington University explored how near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be used to improve epilepsy detection in patients with mitochondrial disorders.
Unveiling the Giants: Mid-Infrared Observations of the Solar System's Largest Planets
June 5th 2024A century of mid-infrared observations has significantly advanced our understanding of the atmospheres of the giant planets in our solar system. A researcher from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in Chile has reviewed the developments in this field and the potential of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to further enhance our knowledge of these planets.
Deep Learning Advances Gas Quantification Analysis in Near-Infrared Dual-Comb Spectroscopy
May 15th 2024Researchers from Tsinghua University and Beihang University in Beijing have developed a deep-learning-based data processing framework that significantly improves the accuracy of dual-comb absorption spectroscopy (DCAS) in gas quantification analysis. By using a U-net model for etalon removal and a modified U-net combined with traditional methods for baseline extraction, their framework achieves high-fidelity absorbance spectra, even in challenging conditions with complex baselines and etalon effects.
New Near-Infrared Machine Learning Technique Identifies Dangerous Blood for Transfusion Safety
May 6th 2024Researchers in China have developed a cutting-edge machine learning approach that can detect chylous blood in blood intended for transfusion with more than 90% accuracy. This development promises to significantly reduce the risks associated with blood transfusions and improve the efficiency of blood donation centers.
New Probes for NIR Monitoring of Polymer Injection Molding Composition in Real-Time
May 2nd 2024Researchers from Kyoto University and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed innovative probes to monitor the chemical composition of biodegradable polymer blends during injection molding. This breakthrough could lead to improved production efficiency and reduced waste in the polymer industry.
Pittcon 2024: Novel Spectroscopic Techniques
February 27th 2024On Tuesday February 27, a Pittcon oral session, titled “Novel Spectroscopic Techniques,” took place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. This session featured three talks that covers spectroscopic applications across various fields.
Prediction of the Harvest Time of Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
February 1st 2024The results in this study indicate that NIR spectroscopy is a potentially promising approach for the rapid identification of different harvest times of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and the proposed technique is helpful for the prediction of ripened and over-ripened Cabernet Sauvignon grapes during the harvest time.