Articles tagged with Pigments
Researchers developed a modular organic molecular system with customizable properties, creating a potent dye that absorbs light in the near-infrared range. The pigments' electronic switchability makes them suitable for studying electron transfer in photosynthesis and as efficient electron-transporting materials.
Researchers have developed ArtSea Ink, a colorful seaweed-based ink for 2D and 3D art that is biodegradable and stable over time. The ink uses mica pigments in alginate to create vibrant, pearlescent colors.
A team of scientists found that Neanderthals intentionally applied red ochre pigment to the cave's flowstone formation, dating back 65,000 years. The analysis revealed variations in pigment composition corresponding to different dates of application, indicating a tradition passed down through generations.
Researchers used beetroot pigments to visually track soil fungi colonizing plant roots in real-time. The technique enables selection of fungi that provide the biggest benefits in agricultural scenarios, enhancing crop production while reducing artificial fertiliser needs.
Researchers found that green pigments had impurities that produced porous, poor quality concrete, while red and blue pigments had little effect. The study discovered that the morphology of hydration products and kinetics was related to compressive strength.
Scientists have developed a novel naturally derived cyan blue colorant from red cabbage anthocyanin pigments, which shows high stability over time. The new compound, Peak 2, can produce both blue and green colors in food products, offering an alternative to synthetic blue dye.
A new biorefinery method extracts beneficial pigments from purple corncobs, producing natural dyes, nutraceutical supplements and absorbent kitty litter, offering a sustainable solution with zero waste at the end. The process uses water as an eco-friendly agent and achieves higher pigment extraction rates compared to traditional solvents.
Researchers at Nagoya University have identified a new compound responsible for the synthesis of anthocyanin pigment in black soybeans, shedding light on the biosynthetic pathway and potential applications for treating metabolic diseases. The study aims to clarify the full steps of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside synthesis in black soybeans.
Researchers studied a speck of purple pigment from an Egyptian portrait, revealing that it was likely made synthetically and mixed with clay and beeswax. The discovery sheds new light on the cultural significance of ancient portraits and their artistic techniques.
Researchers found previously unknown lead compounds in ancient Egyptian red and black inks, suggesting they were used as a drying agent. The discovery challenges previous understanding of ancient lead-based pigments and may indicate widespread use of similar techniques earlier than thought.
Researchers analyzed red and black inks from 100-200 AD papyri, finding lead used as a dryer rather than pigment. The discovery sheds light on complex ink recipes and potential connections to Renaissance paint practices.
Researchers detected iron-based compounds as ocher in ancient red ink, while lead, phosphorus, and sulfur were found in micrometric rings surrounding ocher particles in red ink. Lead compounds also appeared in black inks, likely used as drying agents rather than pigments.
Scientists have created a new class of paints that can achieve the lustrous metallic look of gold or bronze without using metal flakes. The organic dyes can be dissolved in water and are stable over time, making them suitable for commercial use in ink-jet printers and potentially in electronic systems.
Scientists from Tokyo University of Science have discovered a natural food pigment Monascus purpureus that can distinguish between living and dead cells. The pigment is robust against chemotherapy drugs and does not damage living cells, making it a promising tool for screening cell viability in various types of cancer research.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge used numerical experimentation to determine the limits of matt structural colour in the visible spectrum. They found that saturated, pure colors like reds, yellows, and oranges are difficult to recreate using this method, with blues and greens being the most feasible options.
Researchers found that Viburnum tinus plants' blue fruits owe their color to fat in their cellular structure, a first in nature. The combination of bright blue color and high nutritional content makes the fruits an irresistible treat for birds.
Researchers analyzed lead white pigments on qeros, finding only three isotope signatures, two matching European lead paints, and one suggesting local manufacture in the Andes. This study provides new historical context for understanding the timeline and production of culturally significant items during the colonial period.
Hundreds of frog species have a green coloration due to a biochemical workaround that combines a virus-fighting protein with a toxic bile pigment, not relying on traditional skin chromatophores. This adaptation ensures good camouflage in leafy environments and has evolved over 40 times across different families of treefrogs.
Scientists have developed a new model for studying developmental biology by creating sea urchins with reduced breeding cycles. The breakthrough uses CRISPR technology to edit genes responsible for pigment production, resulting in albino sea urchins that can thrive in the lab.
A team of scientists found that moisture triggers degradation of Edvard Munch's masterpiece The Scream, which can be preserved by minimizing exposure to high humidity levels and keeping lighting at standard values. This study provides new knowledge for the conservation strategy of the Munch Museum.
Mas Subramanian aims to create vibrant, safe and durable inorganic red pigment using solid state materials chemistry research. His lab has previously discovered YInMn blue, a groundbreaking discovery in two centuries.
Researchers found a gene influencing structural color in butterflies, which produces intricate nanostructures with optical properties. The study also reveals that most butterfly patterns have a mix of pigment color and structural color, with the latter having a stronger impact on wing color.
Scientists at University of Göttingen produce new nanomaterial based on Egyptian blue pigment for near infrared spectroscopy and microscopy. The resulting nanosheets are stable, fluoresce brightly in the near infrared range, and enable clear resolution using modern microscopes.
Researchers developed twin-chain hydrogels for cleaning artworks, improving efficacy on rough surfaces and reducing pigment loss. The new tool was successfully tested on Jackson Pollock paintings, demonstrating superior cleaning capabilities compared to conventional methods.
Research on Chinese porcelain has uncovered evidence of international trade in cobalt-based blue pigment, suggesting a globalized industrial chain by the 15th century. The study found that blue-and-white porcelain from the Xuande Period exhibited a mixture of domestic and imported pigment particles.
Algae found in glaciers thrive under extreme conditions, absorbing UV light and producing energy to drive surface melt. Darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet accelerates surface melt, with algal biomass contributing to its melt, according to a new study.
Researchers found that stress activates nerves that release norepinephrine, which causes premature depletion of pigment-producing cells. This leads to permanent damage and loss of stem cells, resulting in gray hair. The study advances understanding of stress impact on the body and paves way for new treatments.
Researchers developed a new class of 'cool' blue pigments that are inexpensive, durable, and more environmentally friendly than traditional cobalt blue. The pigments, inspired by the crystalline structure of hibonite, show a range of intense blue colors and reflect near-infrared light.
Researchers have analyzed the polychromy of the Pachacamac idol using non-invasive techniques, revealing that red is not blood but mercury from cinnabar. The study also confirms the idol's age as around 731 AD, with local ritual importance before Inca rule.
The Pachacamac Idol, a sacred icon worshipped for nearly 700 years, was symbolically painted with red, yellow, and white colors using cinnabar pigment. The study confirms the idol's polychromatic design and sheds light on pre-Columbian cultural practices in South America.
A newly discovered genetic element on dog chromosome 15 influences coat color intensity by affecting pigment distribution along the hair. Dogs with higher copy numbers of this region have more intense coat colors.
Researchers identified a genomic region associated with Alba, a rare white color form in female butterflies, linked to alternative life history strategy and increased fecundity. The study reveals the genetic basis of Alba, a visual manifestation of resource reallocation away from colored pigments.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a key design advance in creating durable and non-toxic blue pigments. By analyzing the crystal structure of hibonite, they have developed a way to match or surpass the vividness of cobalt blue while using significantly less hazardous cobalt ion.
A University of Houston research team is exploring the connection between macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa by studying the protein peripherin2. By modulating ROM1 levels, they found a way to convert severe macular degeneration phenotypes into less severe retinitis pigmentosa phenotypes.
Scientists discovered that reflectin proteins control iridocytes, which contribute to changing visibility and appearance. The proteins fold up when phosphate groups are added, exposing sticky surfaces that allow them to clump together, creating an osmotic motor that responds to neuronal signals.
Archaeologists have analyzed King Apries I's palace fragments and found two unknown pigments: lead-antimonate yellow and lead-tin yellow. These naturally occurring mineral pigments were used in European paintings from the Middle Ages onwards, but their use in Antiquity has hitherto been unknown.
Copper acetate and copper resinate pigments, used in Renaissance-era art, turned brown over time due to molecular changes triggered by light exposure. Boiling linseed oil before mixing slowed the darkening reaction.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed colorful pigments by combining fine silica particles and iron tannic acid, a safe and inexpensive alternative to conventional harmful color materials. The new pigments can be adjusted in color and viewing angle, opening up possibilities for everyday life.
An international research team deciphered the defence mechanism of filamentous fungi, discovering that certain fungal pigments like aurofusarin protect fungi from predation. These pigments were found to repel small soil animals such as worms and springtails, and may have evolved due to extremely high concentrations of defence chemicals.
A new study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology reveals that grey squirrels turned black due to interbreeding with fox squirrels. The faulty pigment gene was identified as identical to one found in the closely related fox squirrel species native to North America.
A team of Kyoto University researchers has created the smallest 'Great Wave' ever produced, just 1mm in width, without using pigments. This breakthrough uses Organized Microfibrillation (OM) technology to create a new palette of colors and applications in fields like anti-forgery technology, health, and food safety.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating to identify a 1985 forgery, finding excess 14C in oil from seeds in the 1950s and 1960s. The technique could help detect modern forgeries by analyzing micropaint samples.
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of paleontology, revealing colorful pigments from ancient mouse remains. The study used X-ray imaging to analyze fossils over 3 million years old, unlocking secrets about key pigments and their evolution.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that blue light can render MRSA bacteria defenseless against antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide. This new method uses photobleaching to reduce pigment production in the bacteria, making it a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Scientists have developed a non-invasive technique using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to study the layers of paint in rock art. This allows for the analysis of pictographs without causing damage to the artwork, revealing complex patterns and elemental makeup of pigments.
Researchers from Northeastern University and the Marine Biological Laboratory discovered that squid chromatophores use both pigmentary and structural coloration to create dynamic effects. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for biologists and chemists to better understand cephalopod biology and develop wearable devices or coat...
Researchers identified a novel group of stem cells controlled by mutations in the parade gene, leading to abnormally positioned pigment cells. The study showed that blood vessels play a crucial role in regulating these stem cells.
Poppies' colorful petals contain high concentrations of pigment, which causes efficient scattering of light. The unique shape of the pigmented cells creates air-filled gaps that reflect light on the cell/air boundary, resulting in striking colors.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce structural colors that don't change with the angle of viewing. The technique involves coating spherical silica particles with iron oxide nanoparticles, resulting in non-iridescent colors.
Researchers solve decades-long mystery of red pigments in corn by discovering a new gene, Ufo1, which controls the expression of a pigment pathway. The study's findings have significant implications for plant breeding, biofuel production, and crop protection from pests.
Researchers discovered plumbonacrite, a rare ingredient in historic paint layers, responsible for Rembrandt's unique impasto effect. The study uses advanced X-ray techniques to analyze tiny fragments from masterpieces and provides a path for long-term preservation and conservation.
A 45-60 year old medieval woman found to have lapis lazuli pigment in her dental calculus, suggesting she was an accomplished painter of illuminated manuscripts. The analysis challenges long-held beliefs about women's role in manuscript production and uncovers a remarkable life history.
A novel 'palette effect' mechanism allows locusts to switch between green and black coloring in response to different environments. The discovery reveals a red pigment complex acts as a switch to coordinate the insects' color changes, providing an adaptive response to population density.
A team of scientists combined fossil and genetic data to infer that ancient animals with complex eyes were likely colour-vision capable, providing insights into the evolution of vision.
Researchers have successfully created a blue rose through genetic engineering by expressing pigment-producing enzymes from bacteria in white roses, resulting in a blue color. The team's breakthrough could lead to the mass production of true-blue roses without dye or injections.
Researchers develop computational tool to automatically create 3D print templates for nanostructures that correspond to user-defined colors. The new design tool has several advantages over previous methods, including a free-form structure that allows for greater flexibility and possibilities for additional coloring effects.
Scientists developed a unique organic fluorophore that changes its emission color in response to external stimuli. The dye exhibits two-color behavior, emitting green and orange light depending on its solid-state morphologies.
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.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a fungus-produced pigment, xylindein, that could become a sustainable alternative to silicon in electronic applications. The pigment, found in infected wood, has high durability and stability, making it suitable for wearable electronics.
A new study found that contaminated black plastic is entering consumer products due to inefficient recycling practices, posing a risk to human health. The researchers also discovered potential harm to marine environments through the spread of microplastics.