Singing Cells in the Key of C-Sharp

JamGrrl writes "Using AFM technology in a way never initially intended, researchers at UCLA have discovered that cells make sounds. Living yeast cell walls rise and fall three nanometers on an average of 1,000 times a second. Amplified through an AFM like a record needle, this produces sound. Yeast cells play between C-sharp and D, just above middle C. Dying cells make a higher pitched tone, and dead cells continue to vibrate, albeit in very low tones. If tones are found to be consistant between types of cells and cell condition, this technique may be used in the future to diagnose diseases, possibly before the onset of symptoms."