Articles tagged with Pigments
A team of Harvard scientists discovered that tiny Phoroncidia rubroargentea spiders use a combination of structural colors, pigment, and fluorescent material to produce their distinctive red and silver hues. The colors are stabilized by a tough cuticle layer, with the silver color relying on a reflective material similar to fish scales.
Researchers have developed a tiny, simple photoactive film that converts light impulses into electrical signals, stimulating neurons and potentially restoring sight to blind people. The technology uses cheap and widely-available organic pigments and has been successfully tested in experiments with non-functioning retinas.
Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.
A University of Michigan biophysicist and her team have imaged the moment a photon sparks the first energy conversion steps of photosynthesis. The findings provide crucial insights into the initial charge separation during photosynthesis, an essential step in the process.
New research by Northeastern University scientists isolates pigment granules from squid skin to create ultra-thin films with rich colors. These materials could be used for adaptive coloration and camouflage applications.
Using non-invasive portable imaging techniques, researchers uncovered hidden images connected to other works by Picasso and a landscape likely by another Barcelona painter underneath 'La Miséreuse accroupie'. The study revealed major compositional changes made by Picasso as he worked toward his final vision.
Scientists have reconfigured porphyrins to exploit their special properties by 'turning them inside out'. This discovery opens new horizons for these natural pigments as efficient metal-free catalysts. The findings could lead to applications in chemistry, biochemistry, physics and beyond.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard created a light-harvesting material that can absorb and transfer energy along precise pathways. The synthetic material uses densely packed clusters of pigments organized on DNA scaffolds to mimic natural photosynthetic structures.
A $400,000 grant from the US Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences will support Dr. Gary Hastings' research on efficient solar energy conversion in photosynthesis. The goal is to design more efficient artificial solar cells by understanding how plants capture solar energy.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have discovered an ancient loosening of a biochemical pathway that led to the evolution of characteristic red pigment in beets. The discovery sheds new light on how plants can produce various compounds and has implications for beet breeding programs.
Scientists have found that nanoparticles from tattoos can migrate to the lymph nodes and cause inflammation, leading to potential long-term health problems. The study provides strong evidence for the transport of toxic elements and tattoo pigments, highlighting the need for further research on the safety of tattoo inks.
Researchers used a portable macro X-ray fluorescence instrument to analyze an ancient Roman painting, revealing elements such as iron-based pigment and green earth pigment used in the underpainting. The study could help conservators restore the image and preserve ancient artistry for future generations.
A new study reveals that beets can produce a pigment with high antioxidant properties, boosting crop nutrition and resistance to disease. The researchers successfully engineered plants to produce this pigment, which also showed promise in controlling gray mold in crops.
Researchers found trace element barium present in azurite blues, identifying a unique fingerprint that can help link scattered pages. This discovery may aid in provenance research and provide insights into trade routes and historic mining sites.
Researchers developed a cost-effective method to produce biomimetic structural colors, overcoming previous limitations and enabling large-scale and flexible fabrication. The technique uses quasi-ordered scattering and can be fine-tuned by controlling synthesis conditions.
Researchers found that yellow soybeans result from naturally occurring gene silencing involving two genes, which blocks production of darker pigment's precursors. The study also identified the Argonaute5 gene responsible for saddle-patterned beans, shedding light on epistatic interactions in soybean genetics.
A University of Illinois project has identified a source of natural blue and purple corn, providing an affordable alternative to synthetic food dyes. The researchers found that anthocyanin concentrations in Peruvian corn lines remained stable across generations, paving the way for breeding high-yielding, colored corn hybrids.
Scientists discovered that buttercup petals contain a one-cell thick epidermis with a yellow pigment, which acts as an optical film reflecting light. The starch layer also scatters light, enriching the flower's bright yellow color. This complex anatomy produces a glossy sheen and advantages pollination and seed maturation.
Researchers discovered that macrophages transmit messages between non-immune cells, such as pigment cells in fish, to facilitate complex patterns like stripes. This unique function of macrophages suggests they may play a broader role in intercellular communication, affecting tissue development, regeneration, and cancer.
Scientists create new structural color material that showcases consistent color from all viewing directions, overcoming conventional wisdom about long-range order photonic structures. The innovative design has a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees, making it suitable for applications such as phone and television screens.
Researchers propose using portable instruments, spectroscopic techniques, and weathering cells to develop strategies for better artwork preservation. Non-invasive techniques like X-ray radiography, infrared photography, and X-ray fluorescence enable the detailed investigation of historical paints' chemical composition.
Scientists at KIT replicate nanostructures that produce vibrant colors independent of viewing angle, suitable for textile, packaging and cosmetic industries. The innovation could replace toxic pigments with sustainable alternatives.
A study by Oxford researchers found that exposure to green light rapidly induces sleep, whereas blue and violet lights delay sleep. The role of melanopsin, a pigment regulating the body clock, was confirmed as essential for these effects.
A Northwestern University research team has discovered telling clues about the materials and methods used by Roman-Egyptian artists to paint lifelike mummy portraits. The analysis provides strong evidence on how many of the 15 paintings were made, shedding light on the evolution of painting techniques in the Byzantine Empire.
Researchers uncover the genetic mechanism behind the Dun pattern, a unique coat color variant that provides camouflage in wild horses. The study reveals a single gene, TBX3, determines Dun versus non-Dun color, with implications for understanding horse domestication and skin/hair development.
Researchers discovered that birds use well-controlled changes to the nanostructure of their feathers to create multi-coloured plumage. This innovative approach could lead to synthetic materials with long-lasting colours.
A recent study reveals that tiny nanostructures in the exoskeletons of blue-haired tarantulas are responsible for their vibrant color. The researchers believe this discovery could lead to new ways to improve computer and TV screens using biomimicry.
A Brazilian research team has identified five previously known species and three new ones as separate genera due to distinct physical characteristics. The newly formed Curculionichthys genus includes catfishes with elongated mouths, dark-brown spots, and other unique features.
Researchers analyzed a Van Gogh painting using X-rays to determine the type of chrome yellow used. They found that lighter shades were more susceptible to degradation and darkened over time.
Researchers discovered that the retina employs a separate light-sensitive pigment called neuropsin to regulate its internal rhythms. Neuropsin is distinct from melanopsin, which controls the body's circadian rhythms and synchronizes with the suprachiasmatic nuclei.
The African clawed frog's evolution to violet vision involved rapid and controlled molecular changes, with five classes of opsin genes playing a crucial role. The study identified 12 mutations, including site 113, which shifted from glutamic acid to aspartic acid, leading to the frog's unique visual adaptation.
Researchers developed a bacterium-based biosensor that can detect zinc levels in blood samples, providing an inexpensive way to assess nutritional deficiencies. The test uses color changes to indicate zinc levels, making it visible without specialized equipment.
Researchers from the University of Southampton and international partners discovered glowing corals with a range of fluorescent colours in deep waters of the Red Sea. The team hopes that these pigments could be developed into new imaging tools for medical applications.
Researchers found that nonphotosynthetic pigments could produce strong spectral signals detectable by powerful future telescopes. These organisms cover a significant portion of a distant planet's surface, producing reflectance signatures different from photosynthetic land vegetation like trees.
Researchers found Antarctic octopods have high levels of haemocyanin, a blue oxygen transport protein, in their blood. This adaptation helps them supply oxygen to tissues at sub-zero temperatures.
Researchers identify plumbonacrite as intermediate in degradation of red lead, leading to bleaching of the color over time. The discovery sheds new insights into the bleaching process of red lead, revealing a possible reaction pathway involving light and carbon dioxide.
Researchers found intact thin sheets of shell proteins preserved for up to 15 million years in fossilized Ecphora shells from southern Maryland. The discovery shares characteristics with modern mollusk shell proteins, providing a unique window into the evolutionary history of these creatures.
Researchers have found remarkably preserved 15-million-year-old thin protein sheets in fossil shells from southern Maryland. The proteins share characteristics with modern mollusk shell proteins, offering insights into the evolution of mollusks and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay during the mid-Miocene era.
Researchers have found that corals use multiple identical copies of a gene to control pigment production, leading to dramatic differences in color among individuals. This genetic strategy helps corals survive in stressful environments and extends their distribution range along light gradients of coral reefs.
Professor Robert Sinclair argues that simple numerical observations and rational numbers can illuminate complex scientific systems. He proposes a balance between deterministic and stochastic growth, finding relevance in nature's selective pressure for stochasticity.
Researchers found that knocking out a single enzyme is responsible for changing blue penstemon flowers to red. The study reveals a predictable genetic change behind the evolution from blue to red, with reverse changes unlikely.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that people with more yellow pigment in their eyes can see better in hazy conditions. The study suggests that eating leafy green vegetables can help maintain healthy vision.
The Hawaiian bobtail squid recruits and sustains a symbiotic association with Vibrio fischeri by utilizing the antimicrobial properties of its hemocyanin blood pigment. The protein also enables the squid to modulate oxygen levels, creating an environment conducive to the bacterium's growth.
A study found that two days of larval food restriction can reduce adult monarch butterfly wing size by approximately 2% and affect wing pigmentation. Limited access to milkweed stunts monarch wings, which could impact migration success.
The Northwestern University/Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS) has established new conservation science collaborations with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago. Scientists have used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to identify organic colorant...
Researchers have identified carmine lake, a light-sensitive red pigment, used by Renoir in his painting 'Madame Léon Clapisson.' The study also sheds light on Winslow Homer's watercolor and Mary Cassatt's pastel, providing new insights into the techniques of these artistic masters.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the secrets behind the cuttlefish's adaptive camouflage, enabling it to change its skin color and pattern in response to visual cues. The study reveals that a sophisticated biomolecular nanophotonic system underlies the cuttlefish's color-changing abilities.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that multiple pigment cell types from different skin layers contribute to the formation of guppies' colorful spots. The research found that transparent, reflective, and iridescent cells called iridophores play a crucial role in these patterns.
Researchers found identical pigment compositions between hunter-gatherer and farmer styles, challenging previous theories. The artists used iron oxides and terrigenous materials easily found in their environment.
Researchers have discovered a new generation of natural food colorings derived from purple sweet potatoes, which offer superior properties to traditional synthetic colors. These antioxidants-rich substances may also have health benefits, making them an attractive alternative for the food and beverage industry.
Researchers discovered that Antarctic octopods have genetically and functionally distinct haemocyanin forms that facilitate oxygen release at sub-zero temperatures. This physiological adaptation allows octopods to sustain aerobic life in cold environments.
Researchers at The University of Manchester used X-ray experiments to reveal new insights into the evolution of plumage and preservation of feathers in ancient birds. They found chemical traces of original 'dinobird' and dilute pigments, shedding light on the bird's plumage pattern.
Researchers have successfully re-created the long-lost colors of treasured ivory carvings from ancient Phoenicia, using a non-destructive testing technology. The findings shed new light on the artistic techniques used by Phoenician craftsmen and could be applied to other valuable objects, such as the Elgin Marbles.
Researchers found that white tigers owe their color to a variant of the SLC45A2 gene. This discovery may lead to reintroduction of white tigers into their wild habitat.
A scientist has revealed how an ancient Egyptian marriage certificate played a pivotal role in confirming the veracity of inks used in the Gospel of Judas. The discovery sheds new light on the intensive scientific efforts to validate the controversial text, which suggests that Jesus requested that his friend, Judas Iscariot, betray him...
A team of chemists from the University of Valencia has proposed a two-stage process for creating Maya Blue, a highly-resistant pigment used in ancient Mesoamerican cultures. The researchers believe that indigo and palygorskite clay can be combined through heat to form a blue pigment with variable proportions.
Study highlights importance of analyzing ancestral molecules in understanding adaptive evolution and natural selection. By examining changes in visual pigments over time, researchers can gain insights into how environmental factors drive vision adaptations.
Researchers used a unique X-ray instrument to analyze decades-old paint samples and determine that Picasso used common house paint, known as Ripolin. This discovery offers insights into the development of new materials and sustainable energies.
Researchers expose berry extracts to human saliva to see what health-promoting substances survive. Anthocyanins, responsible for berries' colors, are more susceptible to degradation in the mouth.
The Teotihuacan civilization used cosmetics as part of an after-death ritual to honour their city's most important people. The analysis of cosmetic remains found in urns reveals the social status of the deceased, with only high-ranking individuals buried with these products.