Articles tagged with Pigmentation
Researchers have identified the cells and connections underlying a fish's ability to dynamically change color to match its surroundings. The study found that specialized skin cells called melanophores control the color change, which helps the zebrafish evade predators by lightening its skin over tens of minutes.
Albino cane toads created using CRISPR technology reveal that albinism affects survival and hunting abilities, with poor eyesight being the core problem. In controlled environments, albino tadpoles were less likely to survive and developed faster when competing with pigmented siblings for food and space.
A study published in Neurobiology of Disease found that melanin degradation is impaired in genetically engineered mice lacking the SLC26A4 gene, leading to chronic inflammation and macrophage activation. The researchers propose a novel pathological cascade where melanin accumulation exacerbates hearing loss in pigmented individuals.
A global review of legislation addressing witchcraft found that only nine countries used the law to prosecute cases, highlighting its ineffectiveness. The study advocates for a comprehensive, victim-centric approach to combat human rights abuses linked to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks.
Researchers at Nagoya University found that luteolin, an antioxidant in vegetables, can suppress hair graying by preserving endothelins and supporting healthy melanocyte activity. The study suggests luteolin's unique medicinal effect may be a promising candidate for addressing age-related hair graying.
The study combines AI with fluorescence photography to enhance skin diagnostics, allowing for earlier detection of skin conditions such as acne, photoaging, and hyperpigmentation. AI can pinpoint early indicators of skin conditions with greater accuracy and monitor changes over time for data-driven decisions.
A team of international researchers has discovered a surprising genetic mechanism that influences the vibrant patterns on butterfly wings. An RNA molecule controls where dark pigments are made during butterfly metamorphosis, shaping the butterfly's color patterns in a way previously unforeseen.
Researchers confirm Bachman's warbler as a distinct species by sequencing its genome from museum specimens. The study reveals a new candidate gene involved in feather pigmentation in the group. Comparing the genomes of the extinct warbler with living sister species highlights the crucial role of museum collections in science.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has established a method to identify individual inbred medaka killifish by analyzing the characteristic patterns of dark spots on their heads. This identification method may contribute to biometrics for medical and drug discovery research.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that deactivating the light-sensitive protein melanopsin slows melanoma progression in animal experiments. The study, published in Communications Biology, suggests that melanopsin acts as an oncogene in melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
New research found that 62% of tinted sunscreens have only one shade option, with tone compatibility being the most important criterion. The study suggests that the beauty industry and dermatologic field need to improve diversity and offer more options for tinted sunscreen formulations tailored to people with skin of color.
Researchers identified six human blood proteins, including serum albumin and immunoglobulin G, in the red paint of a 1000-year-old gold mask. The presence of bird egg proteins suggests the use of a binding material to preserve the paint on the metal surface.
Researchers found that UVB phototherapy increases levels of romantic passion and aggression in both men and women. Exposure to sunlight affects the endocrine system's regulation of sexual hormones.
A study found that male dragonflies evolve less wing pigmentation in regions with hotter climates to regulate body temperature. This adaptation helps them survive but may also make it harder for them to attract mates.
Researchers propose a new model to simulate temperature rise of laser-heated skin, taking into account melanosome pigments. The model predicts that darker skin is more prone to damage from laser irradiation.
Researchers found that temperature increases led to a decline in pigmentation in flowers, while aridity increased pigmentation, affecting plant-pollinator interactions. The study used historical climate data and flower color descriptions from museum specimens.
The team successfully knocked out a pigmentation gene in squid embryos, eliminating pigmentation in eye and skin cells. This milestone study opens avenues for research on cephalopods' unique features and potential applications in fields like medicine and artificial intelligence.
Researchers found graying hair does not linearly progress with age in chimpanzees, but rather plateaus after midlife, leading to a 'salt and pepper' appearance.
Researchers suggest that squid use visual communication to establish order in near-darkness, utilizing light-producing organs and shifting skin patterns. The study found supporting evidence for this hypothesis in anatomical studies of captured squid.
35 coral species on Turks and Caicos Islands remained resilient during a severe global bleaching event. Corals that experienced bleaching quickly recovered, with some appearing healthier in 2017 than in 2014.
Researchers discovered that the monkeyflower's distinctive spots are controlled by a reaction-diffusion mechanism involving two proteins. The study used mathematical modeling and experimentation to validate the theory, shedding light on how natural patterns arise.
Researchers used whole-genome sequencing to discover the Agouti gene's role in winter coat color change in mountain hares. The study suggests introgression from non-color-changing species drove this variation, highlighting a key factor in polymorphism of winter coats in hares.
Scleral pigmentation plays a role in eye morphology across great apes, with varying levels of contrast between irises and sclerae among species. The study suggests that some nonhuman great apes may use gaze as a social cue, similar to humans.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that the genetic mutation responsible for black pigmentation in nonagouti mice is caused by the insertion of a retrovirus β4 into VL30. Researchers found that this mutation originated from East Asian mice related to Japanese fancy mice.
A recent study published in Current Biology has challenged the long-held idea that Hox genes are the primary drivers of body plan evolution. Researchers found that modifications to a Hox gene were only part of the story, with other genes playing crucial roles in shaping animal development.
Researchers found that two specific genes, SPR and BCO2, are responsible for yellow and orange/red pigmentation in wall lizards. These genes also affect behavior, size, fighting ability, and reproductive strategies, with different-colored individuals preferring mates of their own color.
A recent study has identified the rapid evolution of a gene causing lighter skin pigmentation in southern Africa. The SLC24A5 gene was introduced from eastern Africa and underwent strong positive selection among KhoeSan populations.
A study found that variations of a single gene in pigeons are associated with diverse feather patterns and unexpected links to human vision defects. The gene, Norrie Disease Protein, is well-studied in humans but has different effects on pigs, causing only pigmentation changes.
A team of scientists discovered 124 genes involved in determining human hair color variation, explaining a substantial fraction of hair color variation and heritability. The new findings have implications for conditions linked to pigmentation, such as skin, testicular, prostate, and ovarian cancers.
African populations show a higher degree of genetic complexity in skin pigmentation as latitude decreases, with an increasing number of unknown genes contributing to variation. The study found that stabilizing selection takes over at lower latitudes, leading to more diverse skin colors.
Researchers studied African populations, finding a high degree of variability in skin pigmentation that cannot be explained by just a few genes. The study suggests that multiple genes contribute to the process, with variations increasing near the equator.
Researchers have developed a way to increase pigmentation in human skin without the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A new class of small-molecule inhibitors has been found to activate the pigmentation pathway, inducing significant darkening similar to UV-induced tanning.
Dowling-Degos disease patients with PSENEN gene mutations display unusual pigment cell behavior in zebrafish, leading to similar skin patterns. The discovery provides new insights into the causes of acne inversa and its link to the genetic disorder.
Biologist Dr Aldemaro Romero Jr explores how major religions have influenced evolutionists and their scientific thinking over the centuries. He challenges notions of predetermination and linearity in evolutionary theory by highlighting the importance of considering philosophical baggage in research conclusions.
Scientists have developed a genetically modified lime that produces anthocyanins, resulting in unique leaf pigmentation, flower coloration, and fruit pulp colors. The discovery opens up opportunities for new citrus fruits, ornamental plants, and potentially health-beneficial fresh produce.
Male damselflies employ various strategies to decide whether to fight, including assessing wing pigmentation and choosing non-contact aerial display fights. Stronger males use aggressive tactics like chasing and biting to wear down weaker opponents.
Researchers will study genetic aspects of craniofacial asymmetries in cavefish to better understand human conditions like non-syndromic cleft palate. The project aims to identify specific genes and mutations causing facial asymmetry, with potential implications for understanding pigmentation changes in humans.
Researchers discovered that melanocytes from light-skinned humans and albino mice secrete high levels of fibromodulin, which promotes angiogenesis. Fibromodulin's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for diseases with increased vascularization is discussed.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna discovered that 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with female abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster. These SNPs were found to lie in or near genes involved in pigment synthesis, suggesting a complex regulation mechanism controlling pigmentation var...
Scientists have discovered a new species of ant from the Philippines with a distinctive dark stripe across its eyes, which resembles a pirate eye patch. The function of this bizarre pigmentation pattern remains unclear, but researchers speculate it may serve as a tool to distract and confuse predators.
Researchers have identified a functional genetic variant responsible for the highest prevalence of blonde hair outside of Europe in the Melanesian population. This finding explains over 45% of the variance in hair color in the Solomon Islands.
Scientists have discovered how to control the Ruby gene, which is associated with improved cardiovascular health and reduced obesity. This breakthrough could lead to genetically engineered blood oranges that can thrive in warmer climates without cold dependency.
Researchers used mathematics and engineering to study 19 species of Conus sea snails, generating a model that estimates ancestral shell pigmentation patterns and identifies rapidly evolving parameters. The study provides an indirect way to study the evolution of simple nervous systems.
Marine biologist Helen Nilsson Sköld and her colleagues found that the number of internal pigment cells is linked to transparency levels in fish. Plaice have a high number of internal pigment cells, but are not transparent, leading to a bewildering display of colour.
Pittsburgh University researchers teamed up with Berkeley biophysicist George Oster to create a computer program generating complex shell patterns. The model shows how mollusks' neural networks process sensory information and past experiences.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego identify cells responding to illumination by producing dopamine, a chemical message controlling pigmentation in tadpoles. This finding suggests that stimulating specific neural circuits could selectively alter brain chemistry to remedy low levels of neurotransmitters underlying human a...