Accurate weighing in laboratory experiments
July 2012
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
At the University of Florida’s Behavioral Neuroscience Lab, scientists are conducting experiments that examine the biological basis of behaviour. Using rats and mice, this particular laboratory focuses on studies that examine eating behaviour and its effect on obesity, nicotine addiction and ethanol intake.
The scientists are focusing on this study in recognition of the fact that two-thirds of all Americans are now considered to be obese, and that number is on the rise. Notably, growing numbers of obese mothers are pregnant and giving birth. By using the laboratory rats, the University of Florida is trying to determine the relationship between obese pregnant rats and their offspring and whether a high-calorie and high-fat diet poses additional risks for obesity in the pups (baby rats) depending on whether and when it is introduced into their diet.
The study is attempting to determine the metabolic and behavioural consequences of gestational over-nutrition (an obese mother) on rat pups. According to PhD candidate Anaya Mitra, “In this study, our focus is on the physiological effects of maternal obesity on developing rat foetuses.” She is particularly interested in results of this research from a public health, awareness and education standpoint.
In trying to replicate human eating patterns and behaviour, the experiments involve attempting to ‘create’ obese rats by engineering their diets to mimic a high-fat human diet. The ‘cafeteria-style’ diet fed to the lab rats consists of a 60% fat for example in Vienna sausages, oil-based cheese, peanut butter and cookie dough.
An essential tool in the laboratory is the Ohaus Explorer Pro precision weighing platform. “We use the Explorer Pro for just about everything, from weighing ingredients for the foods we prepare, to weighing food portions, both before consumption and after pre-determined time intervals, to measure the amount eaten by the laboratory rats, to weighing the rats. This is one scale that can do it all with incredible accuracy, to 0,01 grams. When we are looking for that type of accuracy and being able to handle a high load capacity in terms of the size of the rats, this is the scale we use. It is kept on a cart and wheeled to wherever it is needed,” says Mitra.
The rats in these experiments receive different quantities of a sugar-fat whip at various intervals to determine eating behaviour. For instance if it is available to them all the time, will they eat it all at once or in small doses? If it is only offered once in a while, will they have a feeding frenzy when it is presented? What percentage of the rats’ total caloric content is sugar-fat whip?
In this particular experiment, the Ohaus Explorer Pro measures drug dosages to see whether certain drugs have any effect on the palatability of the sugar-fat whip. Because drug dosage is determined by rat weight, it is imperative that any scale used for this purpose be sensitive to tiny amounts of the drug being tested. The lab utilises this same scale to weigh anorectic drugs in experiments designed to determine whether this drug classification has any effect on feeding behaviour.
The type of research taking place in the University of Florida’s Behavioral Neuroscience Psychology Laboratory is both ground-breaking and critical to understand human eating patterns, obesity and addiction. Ohaus scales serve this research in many different ways and are essential components in every experiment that is conducted there.
For more information contact Craig Blignaut, Apollo Scientific, +27 (0)11 466 7666, [email protected], www.apollosci.co.za
Further reading:
The importance of environmental monitoring and visibility at data centres
Legrand
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Data centres are one of the most energy-intensive building types, consuming up to 50 times the energy per floor space compared to a typical commercial office building. With organisations embracing advanced technologies, data centres powering these technologies are under increasing pressure around the globe to increase capacities and improve efficiencies.
Read more...
Analysers for use in high ambient temperature environments
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The 993X series of analysers from Ametek Process Industries are now IECEx Zone 2 certified for use in locations with up to 60°C ambient temperature. Built with IP66-rated enclosures and using an integrated cooling system, they can be installed outdoors or in minimally temperature-controlled enclosures, reducing complexity while lowering capital and operating costs.
Read more...
ATEQ is adapting to evolving markets
ATEQ South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
ATEQ is a global company that has established itself as a world leader in leak test technologies and industrial quality control equipment. The company’s mission is to help its customers remain compliant with regulations and maintain product quality through its range of support services.
Read more...
The art of precision measurement
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
To achieve precise, reliable measurement results when scanning component parts, use is frequently made of reference points. In optical measuring processes, these permit the referencing of three-dimensional objects during the digitisation.
Read more...
Vibration test system supports international space industry
TANDM Technologies
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Dragonfly Aerospace has launched EOS SAT-1, one of seven satellites in the world’s first agricultural-focused constellation. With optimisation of resources being a key component for Dragonfly, it called on TANDM to assist in creating and heavily expanding its environmental testing capabilities by providing a vibration test system that allowed it to perform in-house vibration and shock testing.
Read more...
Sensor technology for brewing
Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Brewing is a delicate balance, blending tradition with innovation. Now, modern sensor technology is stepping in to perfect the art of fermentation.
Read more...
Loesche gets dirty
Loesche South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The world’s attention is on environmental sustainability, and the pressure on countries and companies to demonstrate their commitment to preserving the environment and preventing climate change is at an all-time high. As we confront a multitude of environmental and social challenges, managing waste and maximising landfill diversion can play a key role.
Read more...
Water systems with energy savings and sustainability
Labotec
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
ELGA Veolia has relaunched its award-winning PURELAB flex range, with features to reduce the system’s environmental footprint and incorporate some of the latest innovations in water purification technologies. The ecological improvements integrated into the flex range have been made to reduce water and power consumption.
Read more...
Keeping an eye on invisible radiation
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
At its peak in 1994, the energy generation capacity of the UK’s nuclear power stations was 12,7 GW across 16 plants. In 2024, the capacity has fallen to around 5 GW, and the number of stations is down to nine. However, this is far from the end of the story as spent nuclear fuel remains radioactive for centuries, and requires rigorous safety processes to safeguard against leaks.
Read more...
Technology for water sustainability
Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The sustainability of surface water is critical for South Africa’s economic development, social well-being and environmental health. Endress+Hauser has a full range of liquid analysis sensors and transmitters to measure important parameters and has an excellent global track record in water and wastewater process plants and various surface and industrial water monitoring sites.
Read more...
printer friendly version