Singing cells (Sonocytology)

Subject: Singing cells (Sonocytology)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 07:33 AM

It's science news, that makes it BS, but the method used is 'music'. I wasn't sure about the label, but here you are:

James Ginzewski and Andrew Pelling of UCLA sing (think) that cells, even outside of the body (though not for long) swing depending upon their state. They bring a 'needle' near the cell, amplify and make the sound of the cells audible.

Example to listen to

The field looks promising though alternative explanations have not yet been ruled out. They call the field sonocytology and report that cancer cells have a different sonogram (are audibly different). Future applications are thought to be for instance in very early detection of cancer.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Singing cells (Sonocytology)
From: Dave Swan
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 10:18 AM

That's cellular proof of the relationship between beer and song. It's brewer's yeast whcih are the singing cells.

D

Subject: RE: Singing cells (Sonocytology)
From: semi-submersible
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 07:23 PM

Fascinating. Thank you for posting it.
I've also read that tiny sensitive microphones in a corn field can tell when crops get thirsty (useful for agricultural water conservation) by picking up minute high-frequency "popping" sounds made by capillaries. Click for reference.

While seeking a link to the above, I also ran across this item from last year's Better Homes and Gardens:
    "Every living organism makes noise, but most of us aren't sensitive to it," says Bernie Krause, coauthor of Wild Soundscapes: Discovering the Voice of the Natural World.
    Kids (and most adults) are surprised to learn that ants sing. Krause suggests placing an inexpensive lavaliere microphone, plugged into a tape recorder, in the dirt over a carpenter ant hole and recording sounds. The ants' communication sounds like high-pitched, rhythmical chirps.

Who knew you could learn so much about the world just by listening? (Mama told me, but I didn't listen...)

Subject: RE: Singing cells (Sonocytology)
From: Dave Swan
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 07:41 PM

Bernie is also quite a musician. He was the banjo player for the Weavers for a while.

D