Articles tagged with Pigments
Researchers found that pheomelanin helps maintain cysteine balance in cells by converting excess into inert pigment. This suggests why genetic variants promoting pheomelanin production persist despite increasing melanoma risk.
Polyphenols are multifunctional agents with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, microbiota-modulating, and neuroprotective properties. The Polyphenols Applications 2025 congress explores novel applications of polyphenols in various fields.
Researchers have elucidated the molecular composition of a pigment produced by anaerobic bacteria, revealing its role in cellulose degradation. The pigment shows mild antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Advanced electron crystallography techniques have revealed the unexpected structure of carmine, a natural red colouring agent. The substance has a well-defined, three-dimensional porous structure composed of two calcium ions, two aluminium ions, and four organic ligand molecules.
A recent study published in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology reveals that Long-eared Owls have fluorescent pigments in their feathers that can only be seen under ultraviolet light. The amount of pigment varies within a population and is correlated with age, sex, and size, suggesting alternative functions beyond sexual signaling.
Researchers developed a sustainable process to recover valuable products from oilcane bagasse, generating multiple product streams. The process recovers anthocyanins and vegetative lipids for natural colorants and biofuel production, making the process more cost-effective and sustainable.
Researchers have developed a low-cost method for producing pearlescent pigments using vanadium phosphates, which are stable in organic solvents and environmentally friendly. The process produces glossy, iridescent pigments with high aspect ratios and can be tailored to achieve specific colors and finishes.
Researchers have discovered that chameleon shrimp can disguise themselves in exotic algae from other oceans, regardless of their evolutionary history. The crustaceans prefer to hide in invasive species with complex structures that offer better protection from predators.
Researchers developed a novel coating material that captures the brilliance of structural colors using melanin particles, producing non-iridescent color even when viewed from different angles. The coatings displayed a contact angle of over 160 degrees, monochromatic hues, and a self-cleaning surface.
A team of scientists has developed an AI algorithm that can analyze paint chips from the Berlin Wall, identifying pigments and dyes. The results indicate that the primary pigments in the samples were azopigments, phthalocyanins, lead chromate, and titanium white.
Kobe University has developed a new way to produce colors using nanospheres, which could reduce the environmental impact of paints and cosmetics. The technology uses silicon spheres to scatter light, creating bright and brilliant colors that do not fade or change with viewing angle.
Anthocyanins, widely studied for antioxidant and anticancer properties, break down easily due to environmental conditions. Researchers developed pectin-coated nanoparticles to improve bioavailability, absorption efficiency, and targeted delivery.
A team of researchers used spectroscopic techniques to detect toxic metals in Victorian-era book covers, finding some volumes contain high levels of lead and chromium that could pose a health risk. The study aims to raise awareness about safe handling and conservation of these books among librarians and collectors.
Scientists have identified a novel photoreceptor in cyanobacteria that can detect green/teal light, breaking the typical red/green spectrum. The discovery highlights the remarkable diversity and editability of cyanobacteriochromes, expanding our understanding of how these organisms perceive color.
Scientists from Trinity College Dublin created a computer program that visualizes molecular structure in the style of Piet Mondrian. The program uses blocks of color to represent symmetry and shape, making it easier to understand complex molecular interactions.
A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.
Researchers developed a highly reflective black paint that improves detection of dark objects by lidar sensors in self-driving cars. The new paint, made with titanium dioxide, was tested on two types of lidar sensors and showed improved performance compared to traditional carbon-based paints.
Researchers develop laser microscopy technique to analyze pigments in artwork, detecting chemical changes that mark the onset of decay. The technique uses ultra-fast pulses of light to create 3D maps of certain pigments, allowing for nondestructive analysis and early detection of fading.
Oregon State University researchers have developed a new pigment based on divalent chromium, which could be used as energy-efficient coatings for vehicles and buildings. The pigments are stable and reflective of heat from the sun, leading to potential energy savings.
The researchers developed a process to engineer bacteria to grow sustainable textiles with their own pigment. They created shoe and wallet prototypes using the new material, which has potential for various colors and patterns. The self-dyeing leather alternative could solve environmental problems in the fashion industry.
A recent study found that some water-based paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals of emerging concern. The research, published in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters, analyzed the composition of 40 top-selling water-based paints and discovered varying levels of potentially hazardous compounds.
A recent study by Binghamton University researchers found that 90% of commercial tattoo inks in the US market contain major discrepancies between their actual and labeled contents. The study analyzed 54 inks from nine manufacturers and discovered unlisted polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and other contaminants.
Scientists have created a vibrant blue pottery pigment using less cobalt, which retains high temperature stability and chemical resistance. The new pigment, derived from barium aluminosilicate, substantially reduces the need for cobalt ions, making it a more affordable and accessible option.
Scientists have found polyene pigments in fossilized snail shells that are 12 million years old, providing the world's first evidence of intact pigments in fossils. The discovery was made possible by analyzing the pigments using Raman spectroscopy and sheds new light on the chemical composition of ancient organisms.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a way to create different colors of blue cheese by inducing sexual reproduction in the fungus Penicillium roqueforti. The team created various fungal strains that produce colors ranging from white to yellow-green, red-brown-pink, and light to dark blues.
The study found that black spots in salmon fillets contain eumelanin, a type of melanin present in human hair and skin, while red spots do not detectably contain melanin. The discovery provides an important step towards understanding the cause of these unsightly spots.
Researchers discovered ancient shell beads stained with organic red pigment in an Israeli cave, dating back approximately 15,000 years. The findings represent the oldest known example of this type of coloration.
New study analyzes 'Mona Lisa' and 'Last Supper' paintings, finding rare plumbonacrite compound and lead oxide in ground layers. These discoveries suggest Da Vinci experimented with toxic materials on his palette.
Researchers investigated the factors affecting water-based paint evaporation, revealing that pigment concentration and temperature impact pattern formation. The study found that lower pigment concentrations result in 'fried egg' patterns, while higher temperatures produce uniform distributions.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to process cholesteric liquid crystals into micrometer-sized spherical particles, creating a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The use of chirality in these particles enables the creation of more secure codes with potent...
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can improve athletes' visual range by acting as a filter to prevent blue light exposure. This improvement can lead to better eye health and functional vision, essential for top athletes in almost any sport.
The native gromwell plant, a crucial element in traditional Japanese culture, is facing severe threats from disease and cross-breeding with non-native species. Researchers at Kyoto University are leading efforts to raise awareness of the plant's significance and promote conservation initiatives.
A UCF researcher has developed the first environmentally friendly, multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants using structural colors from butterflies. The new plasmonic paint is lightweight, non-toxic, and reflects the entire infrared spectrum, promising significant energy savings and reduced global warming.
Archaeologists found that potters across the Wari empire used the same black pigment, suggesting imperial control. The shift to manganese-based recipes implies 'quality control' and symbolic meaning behind the color black.
Researchers created adaptive optical phantoms by combining multiple pigments to mimic target tissue's optical properties, successfully validating them in extensive experiments. The new platform enables broader band spectra for emerging hybrid modalities and novel instruments.
Scientists have genetically modified potatoes and tomatoes to produce betacyanin, a pigment with anti-inflammatory properties. The transgenic vegetables demonstrated enhanced accumulation of the pigment, which showed improved effects in reducing inflammation in macrophage-like cells and murine models of colitis.
Researchers have discovered that fungi in orange lichens can transport toxic pigments out of their cells, creating a 'sunscreen effect'. This mechanism allows the lichens to reflect harmful radiation while still allowing some solar radiation to pass through for photosynthesis.
Lichen-forming fungi have evolved unique gene clusters to produce orange 'sunscreen' pigments, allowing them to thrive in sunny environments. The discovery of a critical ABC transporter gene within the pigment gene cluster provides a potential hypothesis for toxicity avoidance in these organisms.
Researchers at Göttingen University have found fluorescent color patterns in fossils from the Triassic period, making them the oldest of their kind. The study reveals a surprising variety of stripes, zigzags, and flame patterns, similar to those of modern seashells.
A new study reveals the Atacama desert's 'blooming desert' phenomenon is characterized by a high level of variability in flower colors and patterns, which are invisible to human eyes. However, pollinators such as bees and wasps perceive this diversity due to their unique color sensitivity.
A black-coated Canada lynx has been photographed for the first time in Yukon, shedding light on a rare genetic variation. The animal's unique coat color is a result of melanism, a condition where an individual has excess melanin, and its impact on hunting abilities is still unclear.
Brown algae's unique pigments have evolved through a complex genetic pathway, enabling them to harness more light energy than green plants. This discovery could lead to insights into fucoxanthin's health applications and improved photosynthetic efficiency for biofuels production.
Diatoms have a complex pathway to produce the brown pigment fucoxanthin, which enables efficient light harvesting during photosynthesis. The discovery provides new insights into the synthesis of this important pigment, with potential applications in biotechnology and ecology.
Researchers analyzed almost 100 inks and found that even when ingredient lists are provided, they often contain inaccuracies. The team also detected small particles that could be harmful to cells, with some particles as small as 100 nm.
Researchers present a 'green' process for tie-dyeing cotton with renewable resources and wastes, linking science, art, and sustainability. The natural dyes used produce designs of white, brown, orange, and bluish-black colors on fabrics.
A team of scientists has developed a method to extract precious metals like gold and platinum-group metals from electronic waste using the Picasso pigment, Prussian blue. This technique shows promise in improving the recycling of valuable metals from nuclear and electronic wastes.
Researchers at ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering have identified a less toxic dye called pigment red 254 (PR254) as a greener alternative to current anthraquinone dyes used in signal smokes. PR254 forms a red-colored smoke cloud more effectively and is thermally stable, making it suitable for use in heat-generating systems.
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.
Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.
Research at Clemson University reveals that flowers use UV-absorbing chemicals to create a 'bulls-eye' effect for pollinating insects, aiding survival. Plants adapt to different environments by producing varying amounts of UV-blocking or absorbing chemicals.
Researchers in Brazil and Portugal create biodegradable plastic film using eutectic solvents and natural pigments extracted from yeast. The process is environmentally sustainable and has potential applications in smart packaging with antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
Researchers have discovered a practical and inexpensive way to produce non-toxic, recyclable, and sustainable colors using nanotechnology and nature's approach. The method mimics normal color mechanisms in nature, creating physical colors from almost transparent materials like clay suspended in water.
Researchers have created a range of permanent hair dyes that avoid the allergenic properties of traditional formulations, producing a range of hues from rosy pinks to deep blacks. The new dyes were found to be less reactive toward proteins and generated a reduced inflammatory response in cells compared to PPD.
Researchers have designed a digital camera-based system that can accurately detect jaundice in newborns within one second, sending diagnoses to carers via SMS. The system uses image processing techniques to detect bilirubin levels, triggering blue LED phototherapy and treatment.
A recent study discovered high levels of mercury exposure in human bones from Copper Age Iberia, dating back 5000 years. Cinnabar powder used for pigments and rituals led to severe health effects, including intoxication.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a sustainable, non-toxic, and vegan glitter made from cellulose nanocrystals. The material is biodegradable, plastic-free, and free from carcinogenic effects, offering a promising alternative to traditional cosmetics.
Researchers identified bacteria and yeast on photovoltaic panels in Brazil, similar to those found in Spain, the US, Arctic, and Antarctic. The microorganisms have adapted to sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and water scarcity, making them suitable for biotech applications.
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.
Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have developed tiny, color-changing gas sensors using new materials and 3D printing techniques. These sensors can detect solvent vapors in air and have potential applications in wearable devices for health monitoring and low-cost environmental monitoring systems.
Researchers have successfully synthesized AIE-active nanoparticles in a single step, producing fluorescent sensors that can detect nitroaromatic compounds with high sensitivity. The novel solid-state sensors show quenching of fluorescence emission on contact with PA, enabling fast and accurate detection of explosives.