Articles tagged with Melanin
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Researchers have found evidence that melanosomes, which produce melanin pigment, are preserved in the fossil record of Anchiornis huxleyi, a bird-like dinosaur. The study uses electron microscopy and chemical analysis to demonstrate that the microbodies are indeed melanosomes, not microbes.
Researchers at the University of Akron recreate structural color patterns in bird feathers to generate color without pigments and dyes. This breakthrough has potential applications in sensors, photo-protectors, and color creation from environmentally friendly materials.
UV radiation damages skin cells' DNA, even when sun is no longer present, according to a study published in Science. Melanin offers both protection and harm to skin cells.
Scientists have discovered that a genetic mutation associated with type 2 oculocutaneous albinism blocks ion channels in melanosomes, leading to a lack of melanin production. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying albinism and may inspire new treatment ideas.
Researchers found that male bluefin killifish use their fins to signal different information, including social standing and health. The colorful fins display messages to other fish about the fish's aggression level, body condition, and parasite infection status.
A new UK study reveals that a genetic defect in the melanocortin1 receptor (MC1R) may make people more susceptible to developing melanoma. The study found that MC1R defects contribute to melanoma development by delaying DNA repair and increasing cancerous mutations.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that human melanocytes rely on the TRPA1 ion channel to detect UVA light and trigger the production of melanin. This discovery strengthens the evidence of a parallel between the skin's response to UVA light and the eye's detection of light.
A GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences study published in Nature Communications reveals that traditional sun protection may not be effective against skin cancer. The research found that UVA radiation induces melanin formation, which is directly involved in melanoma formation, contradicting the notion of a 'safe tan'.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that melanin, a pigment found in cuttlefish and squid, remains intact in 160-million-year-old fossils. This finding suggests that the ink-screen escape mechanism of cephalopods has not evolved since the Jurassic period.
Skin detects UVA radiation using a light-sensitive receptor found in eyes, leading to melanin production within hours. Researchers find that long-wavelength UVA light stimulates rhodopsin in melanocytes, triggering calcium signals and melanin accumulation.
Researchers have discovered that human skin can begin tanning in seconds after exposure to UV light, using a mechanism similar to the retina's detection of light. This early response provides rapid protection against UV damage and may impact sunscreen design.
Researchers discovered melanin can receive electrons, counteracting gamma radiation's oxidizing effects, resulting in electric current production. This finding has potential applications in the space industry, where equipment is exposed to high levels of radiation.
A study published in Genes & Development found that blocking the action of an enzyme called PDE-4D3 leads to a significant increase in melanin production. This could lead to a novel way of protecting the skin from cancer-causing UV radiation, without the need for sunless tanning or indoor tanning.
In laboratory tests, water fleas from clear-water alpine ponds in Washington state's Olympic Mountains survived UV rays better than those from murkier ponds. The fleas lack melanin, a protective pigment found in most animals.
A team of European scientists discovered that going gray is caused by a massive build-up of hydrogen peroxide, which blocks the normal synthesis of melanin, our hair's natural pigment. This research provides an important first step in understanding the root cause of gray hair.
A two-year study found substantial quantities of melanin produced in morbidly obese patients' fat tissue, suggesting a natural defense mechanism against obesity-related conditions. The antioxidant properties of melanin may help suppress inflammatory properties of excess fat.
Researchers found that fat cells in obese people produce melanin in excess, which could lead to the development of new treatments for obesity-related metabolic problems. The discovery was confirmed using additional laboratory tests and may provide a safer alternative to weight loss treatments.
Researchers suggest that melanin-based signals in animals may signal their capacity to fight off free radicals and oxidative damage. The study found that reducing glutathione levels increased the size of black stripes in birds' feathers, indicating a link between antioxidant resources and signaling costs.
Researchers found that fossilized bird feathers contain pigments that once gave birds their color. The discovery enables scientists to predict the original colors of feathered dinosaurs using fossilized melanosomes.
A team at the University of Copenhagen discovered that people with blue eyes have a single common ancestor due to a genetic mutation in the OCA2 gene. This mutation resulted in reduced melanin production in the iris, effectively 'diluting' brown eyes to blue. Brown-eyed individuals exhibit more individual variation in their DNA.
A study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals melanin's role in protecting freshwater crayfish from bacterial infections. Effective melanin production is crucial for the animals' survival against Aeromonas hydrophila.
Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the Foxn1 gene determines where pigment is deposited in the epidermis and hair. The study reveals that melanocytes deliver melanin to specific cells indicated by the Foxn1 gene, which acts as a map for pigment distribution.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found fungi can harness ionizing radiation to produce food and spur growth, recalculating Earth's energy balance. This discovery could provide a sustainable food source for long-duration space missions or planetary colonization.
A new study at Ohio University sheds light on the structural materials that form the horn's characteristic shape, explaining its curved tip. The team discovered dark patches made of calcium and melanin in the middle, which harden the core and protect it from sun damage.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect metastasizing melanoma cells in the blood using photoacoustic detection, which can identify as few as 10 cancer cells. The technique uses laser techniques and ultrasound methods to emit noise from cancer cells, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists at the University of Kentucky are testing a lotion that stimulates melanin production, reducing UV damage and increasing skin protection. The treatment has promising results, offering an alternative to traditional sunless tanning products and tanning beds.
A new study by the University of Cincinnati finds that dark-skinned individuals are at a higher risk of dying from skin cancer due to its aggressive nature and delayed diagnosis. Despite having lower incidence rates, dark-skinned people are more likely to die from skin cancer, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventio...
Researchers used a non-invasive imaging system to detect pigment changes and test the efficacy of topical N-acetyl glucosamine in reducing hyperpigmentation. The study found that N-acetyl glucosamine was more effective than placebo and, when combined with niacinamide, showed significant reductions in facial hyperpigmented spots.
The study reveals that Pme117, a glycoprotein involved in melanosomes, rapidly folds into functional amyloid fibers that enhance melanin production. This discovery suggests that amyloid formation may serve a physiological role in cells, contradicting current views on pathogenic amyloids.
Scientists have found that melanin, a pigment in the body, acts as a sponge to absorb and destroy free radicals that damage retinal cells. This discovery offers hope for preventing macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
Research finds that melanin in hair follicles can increase cell death in response to UV radiation, depending on its color. The study used mice with engineered pigmentation to demonstrate this effect, suggesting that people with darker skin may not be as vulnerable to skin cancer as those with fair skin.