R&D INSIGHT A spider from the same family as the new discovery
New lineage of spiders
A group of experts from the University of Barcelona (UB) has described a new endemic lineage of spider. From the genus Loxosceles - a group of arachnids globally distributed which can cause quite severe bites – these spiders are found in the Canary Islands. There are more than 107 species of the genus Loxosceles distributed all over the world, particularly in Africa and America. They are small and brown spiders, active at night, with three pairs of eyes distributed in a triangle form. Loxosceles species are medically significant since, in some cases, their bite may cause different severe effects.
“Loxosceles spiders are naturally non-
aggressive”, points out Professor Carles Ribera, expert on systematics and animal phylogeny and member of the Research Group on Zoological Systematics and Evolution of UB. “In some extreme cases, Loxosceles bite may cause serious loxoscelism conditions for its venom component toxicity, which has necrotic and haemolytic effects.” Loxosceles rufescens is the only species known to date in the Canary Islands. The new endemic Loxosceles group —which shows great diversification— extends the catalogue of arthropod biodiversity in this isolated area.
UB experts have analysed Loxosceles
diversification patterns and colonization pathways across the Canary Islands. By applying molecular phylogenetic techniques, they have determined the evolution of Loxosceles spiders in the Canary Islands. Biogeographical studies carried out by the
research group in the Canary Islands can be used in other ecological systems. “These studies contribute to improve scientific knowledge on natural ecosystems and provide new perspectives to solve problems related to ecology, management, conservation biology and the impact of non-native species on local populations,” states Ribera.
Voice-care®: a new low-cost device
Politecnico di Torino have a produced a new device for voice monitoring. The technology will monitor voice professionals as well as track vocal changes caused by chronic diseases and physical or psychological stress. Functional dysphonia is vocal damage caused by an excessive effort or misuse of the voice, a condition feared by professional singers and actors. The problem is more common than thought. The intervention of specialists, such as speech therapists or phoniatricians, usually occurs when the dysphonia is already chronic and the risk of compromising the voice permanently is high.
The Voice-Care® device is essentially made up of a contact microphone and a small data-processing unit. It has been developed thanks to a joint project between Prof. Alessio Carullo (Department of Electronics and Telecommunications) and Prof. Arianna
in the use of voice by teachers after an acoustic intervention in school environments. The device opens the possibility of analysing time intervals. A particular feature is the traceability assurance of the obtained measurements, thanks to the implementation of suitable calibration procedures for each of the estimated parameters. Furthermore, its low cost could offer the possibility of performing extensive experimental campaigns.
Astolfi (Department of Energy) at the Politecnico di Torino. The simple low-cost device has sophisticated functionalities and is able to store a large amount of reliable data to provide an objective estimation of the stress the vocal folds are subjected to. Specific tests have shown the effectiveness of the device in highlighting improvements
Another possible application is the diagnosis of vocal apparatus diseases. A cooperation has been set up between the present research group and the group of Ear Nose and Throat specialists of the Dept. of Surgical Sciences at the University of Turin, which is coordinated by Prof. Giancarlo Pecorari. The device is available to public and private organisations for possible collaborations, with the aim of conducting experimental campaigns that involve categories at risk to vocal diseases.
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