What’s Derek Doing? Exploring the Bridge between Creativity and Science.

A new comparative study shows that scientific CMOS (sCMOS) cameras could rival traditional CCD detectors in certain Raman CARS spectroscopy applications, offering faster readout and dynamic range despite slightly higher noise levels.

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.

Published in Food Chemistry, researchers from Jiangsu University of Science and Technology and Jimei University use near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning to tackle food adulteration and enhance quality control.