samedi 21 septembre 2013

Amazing remote sensing-based scientific applications

From saving millions of animals from scientific experiments annually to wearable sensors on elephant seals, remote sensing applications are rapidly evolving to provide an amazing amount of useful data in a fraction of the time and sometimes expense. Here are remote-sensing applications and the tools that are used.

Animal Experiments and Nanosensors

Long-debated, scientific animal experiments have been a reality for decades. From disease, medical compound, and fundamental biological research, animals have been an important but controversial part of testing. According to Research News, 2.79 million animals were used in 2009 alone. Given the uproar from people who want safe medical solutions and processes, but do not want invasive animal experiments as the price, researchers have now found an alternative—sensor nanoparticles.



With a yellow signal, nanosensors show that the cells are active. In bad shape, they turn red. Middle: Signal of the indicator substance. Left: Signal of the reference substance. Source: Fraunhofer EMFT

Fraunhofer EMFT is using test tubes in its research, rather than animals. Living cells taken from humans and animals (with both left unscathed), are grown in cell cultures and exposed to the substance under research. If poisonous, the cell dies. Dyes are used and nanosensors enable EMFT to detect triphosphate and determine the state of cell health.

Carolyn Mathas - September 19, 2013

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