Best of the Week: SciX 2024, Environmental Analysis, Advancing Forensic Science

This week, Spectroscopy published various articles that covered many topics in analytical spectroscopy. This week’s articles touch upon several important application areas such as biomedical imaging and environmental analysis, and several key techniques are highlighted, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy and chemometrics. Several of these articles highlight our coverage of the SciX 2024 Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, which took place this week. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers and subscribers. Happy reading!

Emerging Leader Highlights Innovations in Machine Learning, Chemometrics at SciX Awards Session

At the SciX conference in Raleigh, Joseph Smith of Merck received the Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy Award for his work on innovative, data-driven tools for small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. Smith’s plenary session was followed by presentations highlighting spectroscopy advancements (1). Karl Booksh discussed conformal predictions for multivariate classification, improving accuracy in drug identification. Barry Lavine showcased FT-IR imaging for forensic automotive paint analysis, while Bhavya Sharma explored using SERS and machine learning to monitor oxidative stress (1). Igor Lednev presented Raman hyperspectroscopy for Sjögren’s disease diagnostics, and Jean-Francois Masson detailed chemometric methods for grading maple syrup based on flavor profiles (1).

The Latest in Environmental Analysis

Spectroscopic techniques like ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and SERS play a crucial role in environmental protection, offering valuable insights for sustaining a clean environment on Earth. These methods aid in analyzing environmental samples, helping scientists address key challenges and safeguard ecosystems for future generations. In this article, we recap five of the most recent studies in environmental analysis (2).

Cutting-Edge Biomedical Imaging Spotlighted at SciX 2024

At the 2024 SciX conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, scientists presented new spectroscopy technologies for diagnostic and biomedical applications. The session, led by 2024 Charles Mann Award Winner Nicholas Stone, showcased innovations in real-time, non-invasive medical assessments (3). Highlights included spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for hydration monitoring by Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, single-cell metabolomics via optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) by Roy Goodacre, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for early cancer detection by Laura Fabris (3). Ioan Notingher demonstrated Raman microscopy for cancer surgery, while Peter Gardner showcased rapid hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for prostate cancer (3). These advancements promise to improve diagnostics and personalized medicine.

Advancing Forensic Science with Chemometrics: New Tools for Objective Evidence Analysis

Forensic science, essential for solving crimes, often relies on expert interpretation, which can be subjective and prone to bias. Researchers Georgina Sauzier, Wilhelm van Bronswijk, and Simon W. Lewis from Curtin University highlight the potential of chemometrics to address these issues in their review published in Analyst (4). Chemometrics applies statistical models to analyze complex data from techniques like FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and chromatography (4). These methods offer more objective, data-driven interpretations, enhancing the accuracy of evidence analysis across various forensic fields, including toxicology and arson investigation (4). Although challenges like validation and legal admissibility remain, chemometrics shows promise for advancing forensic science.

Autonomous Mineral Classification Enhances Planetary Exploration

A recent study by NASA researchers Timothy K. Johnsen and Virginia C. Gulick has improved mineral identification on planetary surface missions using dual-band Raman spectroscopy and machine learning (ML). By employing two laser wavelengths (532 nm and 785 nm) on the same sample, the technique significantly enhanced the accuracy of classifying minerals, such as olivine, quartz, and gypsum (5). ML algorithms interpreted the spectral data, achieving up to 100% accuracy for certain minerals (5). The study highlights the potential of autonomous classifiers to enhance decision-making and mission efficiency on Mars and other planetary explorations.

References

1. Hroncich, C. Emerging Leader Highlights Innovations in Machine Learning, Chemometrics at SciX Awards Session. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/emerging-leader-highlights-innovations-in-machine-learning-chemometrics-at-scix-awards-session (accessed 2024-10-24).
2. Wetzel, W. The Latest in Environmental Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-latest-in-environmental-analysis (accessed 2024-10-24).
3. Hroncich, C. Cutting-Edge Biomedical Imaging Spotlighted at SciX 2024. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/cutting-edge-biomedical-imaging-spotlighted-at-scix-2024 (accessed 2024-10-24).
4. Workman, Jr., J. Advancing Forensic Science with Chemometrics: New Tools for Objective Evidence Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/advancing-forensic-science-with-chemometrics-new-tools-for-objective-evidence-analysis (accessed 2024-10-24).
5. Wetzel, W. Autonomous Mineral Classification Enhances Planetary Exploration. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/autonomous-mineral-classification-enhances-planetary-exploration (accessed 2024-10-24).