Articles tagged with Pigments
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.
A recent ACS study found that chrome yellow pigments, like those used by Van Gogh, darken over time when exposed to certain types of light. To prevent this darkening, art collectors and gallery owners should minimize their paintings' exposure to blue/violet/ultra-violet range.
Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray analysis to identify a hitherto unknown degradation process at the interface between paint and varnish. The study found that the presence of lead-based siccative in the varnish led to the formation of anglesite, an opaque compound causing discoloration.
Insignia Technologies, formed by the merger of Insigniapack and Novas Technologies, will exploit design expertise to create smart packaging labels initially in the food sector, expanding into other areas. The company's patented smart pigment technology aims to reduce waste and environmental impact.
A new study found that grasses coated with latex paints show a notable reduction in photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that red paint is more damaging to total canopy photosynthesis (TCP) than white paint, while diluting each color with water reduces their negative effects.
Coral growth and tissue proliferation are linked to disease, wounding, and stress-related color changes in reef-building corals. The study found that increased growth is the underlying physiological process associated with these changes.
Researchers develop Thermal Quasi-Reflectography (TQR) system, capturing features not visible with current imaging techniques. The TQR system revealed hidden details in famous artworks, including the Zavattari frescos and 'The Resurrection' by Piero della Francesca.
A new compound has been discovered that can significantly reduce heat absorption on building roofs and walls, making it a promising candidate for 'cool roofing' applications. The material has an infrared heat reflectivity of around 40%, outperforming most blue pigments currently used.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the green pigment in nitrite-cured bacon, discovering its chemical composition and potential health effects. Further research is needed to determine if 'nitrite burn' poses a risk to human health.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis successfully synthesized a chlorosome component, a giant assembly of pigment molecules, and studied its self-assembly properties. The findings suggest that synthetic pigments could be easier to incorporate into solar devices than biomimetics made of proteins.
A new species of minute freshwater snail, Daphniola eptalophos, has been found in a mountainous spring in central Greece. The species differs from its congeners in shell dimensions, soft body pigmentation and penis coloration.
Researchers have created a novel technique to probe the fundamental workings of photosynthesis, revealing how energy is transferred through antenna proteins. The study uses laser-light pulses to test whether overlapping excitation states occur in Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) protein.
Researchers have discovered a range of new colors by tweaking the chemical structure of the existing blue pigment, which could lead to safer and more durable pigments. The new orange pigment is already being explored for commercial use.
Scientists have discovered a remarkable relationship between copper and pigment in exceptionally preserved feathers and soft tissues from 120 million-year-old Confuciusornis sanctus and 110 million-year-old Gansus yumenensis fossils. The study, published in Science, reveals original colour patterns using X-ray analysis.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed pigment-free polymer materials that exhibit intense, colorful patterns. These materials are difficult to copy and could provide a new anti-counterfeit solution for passports and banknotes.
Researchers at Harvard University found a key gene governing color patterns in deer mice, which could explain stripes and spots in diverse vertebrates. The Agouti gene's embryonic activity influences pigment distribution across the body.
Scientists have identified a complex chemical reaction responsible for the degradation of Van Gogh's paintings, which involves the reduction of chromium in chrome yellow pigment. The study suggests that shielding affected paintings from UV and sunlight can help slow down the fading process.
Researchers have identified a new agouti family gene that regulates pigmentation and body weight in fish. The protein enables fish to dramatically change color to match their environment, a phenomenon also observed in mammals such as the arctic hare.
Researchers developed a simple sensor to detect triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a high-powered explosive used in shoe bombs. The colorimetric sensor array can quantify TATP vapor at very low levels, making it suitable for luggage and passenger screening at airports.
A team of McGill chemists has discovered a technique that can identify the composition of pigments used in art work that is decades or even centuries old. The technique, known as photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy, analyzes the infrared spectra emitted by pigments when exposed to light, allowing researchers to classify 12 historically...
A team of Catalan scientists found remains of Egyptian blue in a 12th-century Romanesque church's altarpiece, challenging the understanding that this pigment fell out of use after the Western Roman Empire. The pigment's presence has sparked debate about its possible origin and transportation during Medieval times.
Certain bird species prefer darkly colored fruits, which are found to have higher antioxidant levels than lighter-colored fruits. These antioxidant-rich foods may help birds combat stress and inflammation during long migrations.
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.
Researchers found that butterflies with a duplicate gene can see ultraviolet colors and have UV-yellow pigment on their wings, facilitating mate searching and reproduction. This link between vision and wing colors may be an adaptive advantage for these butterfly species.
Researchers developed a color chart called The Manchester Color Wheel to study people's emotions. Depressed individuals tend to prefer gray, while anxious ones choose between positive and negative colors more frequently than healthy participants.
Researchers found pigment-stained and perforated marine shells at two Neanderthal sites in Spain, suggesting symbolic thinking and modern behavior. The discovery of red and yellow pigments and cosmetic materials pushes back the debate on Neanderthal cognition.
Chemists at Oregon State University have discovered a new blue pigment based on manganese that is safer to produce, more durable, and environmentally friendly. The compound can survive extreme temperatures and resist acid, making it suitable for various applications such as art, inkjet printers, and automobiles.
Vision scientists at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that allows the human eye to adapt to darkness quickly, also enabling it to function in bright light. This discovery may contribute to better understanding of age-related macular degeneration and potential treatments.
Researchers identified eight risk factors for the transformation of choroidal nevi, benign flat pigmented growths inside the eye, into melanoma. These factors include tumor thickness greater than 2mm, fluid beneath the retina, and orange pigment.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a new technology that allows for high-resolution imaging of tissue depth using sound waves. The technique, called multispectral opto-acoustic tomography, uses flashes of laser light to create small shock waves, which are then analyzed to generate detailed images of internal organs and tissues.
Researchers at Kansas State University have discovered a special breed of purple sweet potato with high levels of anthocyanins, which are linked to reduced cancer risk. The study found that the potato's antioxidants and phenolic compounds inhibit cancer cell growth.
A new technology developed at the University of Cincinnati enables full-color electronic paper with excellent brightness, color saturation, and video speed. The Electrofluidic Display Technology (EFD) has the potential to transform e-readers into mainstream products, such as Amazon Kindle, and create high-tech jobs in southwest Ohio.
Researchers developed a computer program that replicates complex seashell patterns using simple principles from brain function. The 'neural net' model shows how mollusks sense and build their shells based on previous layers, much like the human brain projects memories.
A study by the University of Minnesota found that 'Honeycrisp' apple trees produce more blushed fruit than striped ones, which have more intense markings. The research also discovered that northeast-facing branches produce more blushed fruit, highlighting the importance of tree position in determining peel pattern.
Cones starve to death due to structural changes in the retina, disrupting nutrient flow. Researchers propose boosting nutrient levels in cones to preserve daylight vision in patients.
Researchers discovered a new technique to visualize the electronic structure of pigment-protein complexes, enabling better understanding of how plants transfer energy. This breakthrough could lead to designing future experiments to study individual energy relaxation pathways in photosynthesis.
Researchers from Wheaton College and The Field Museum discovered how the ancient Maya created the renowned blue pigment Maya Blue. They found that the pigment was produced through a ritual combination of indigo, palygorskite, and copal incense, which was then used in sacrificial ceremonies.
A novel approach strips Staphylococcus aureus of its virulence by blocking pigment formation, which acts as an antioxidant to hinder immune system's ability to kill bacteria. The method reduces bacterial population by 98% in mice infected with S. aureus.
A Queensland University of Technology researcher has discovered two new pigments at the famous Maya archaeological site in Honduras that would have had a lustrous effect. The pigments, including green and mica, were found on stucco masks and revealed that the Rosalila temple was built using over 15 layers of paint and stucco.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has discovered the earliest evidence of modern human behavior in South Africa, dating back 164,000 years. The findings suggest that early humans expanded their diet to include shellfish and other marine resources, likely as a response to harsh environmental conditions.
Scientists identify key enzymes responsible for modifying anthocyanins, which produce plant colors and offer antioxidant properties. The discovery could lead to the development of natural food colorings and improved understanding of plant-based cancer treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered complex organic molecules in 350-million-year-old fossil sea creatures, revealing a new way to track species evolution. The findings offer a significant breakthrough in understanding how species adapted and thrived over millions of years.
Researchers at NYU and Pratt Institute discovered the mechanism behind ultramarine blue's fading, revealing that framework breakage releases color-forming molecules. This finding will aid in developing art conservation techniques to preserve cultural heirlooms.
Researchers at the University of Florida have found that bone marrow cells can regenerate damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which play a crucial role in vision health. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and provide hope for patients with sight-robbing injuries.
The lizard's parietal eye photoreceptors contain two pigments, allowing it to respond to blue and green light in the same cell. This unique mechanism may have been an economical way to detect changes in sunlight during dawn and dusk. The study proposes a 'missing link' between the light-sensing apparatus of lower animals and humans.
Researchers have discovered that since the 1960s, spores from living land plants show a three-fold increase in UV-B absorbing pigments to protect themselves against declining stratospheric ozone. By studying ancient plant fossils, scientists aim to measure past UV-B levels and better understand Earth's climate history.
Researchers have precisely identified the pigments used to illustrate seven Gutenberg Bibles using non-invasive analytical techniques. The study provides chemical data that could help preserve and restore these historic treasures, offering insights into printing practices of early Europe.
Researchers found that pigment cell grafts resulted in significant repigmentation in patients with stable vitiligo, with 55-77% of treated areas regaining pigmentation over 3-12 months. Long-term efficacy was also demonstrated in another study, showing sustained repigmentation in up to 95% of patients.
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards have honored scientists who develop innovative chemistry to lower pollution. Two winners in 2004 developed "tunable" benign solvents from water and CO2 that host chemical reactions more cleanly and efficiently.
A new technique using laser desorption mass spectrometry can analyze paint samples as thin as 10 micrometres, determining pigment composition and origin. The study improves upon existing techniques for studying pigments in paintings.
A team of archaeologists, led by Professor C. Brian Rose, has successfully restored the most colorful surviving example of Classical Greek antiquity - a 400-375 B.C. marble coffin with vibrant pigments. The Can sarcophagus, discovered in Turkey, boasts more preserved paint than other ancient Greek artifacts.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison propose that anthocyanins in plants like maples and oaks produce vibrant autumn colors. The pigments shield sensitive photosynthetic tissue from excessive light and other stresses as trees reabsorb nutrients, allowing them to store energy.
Joseph R. Webster receives American Chemical Society's Industrial Innovation Award for improving thermoplastic polyester processing and stabilization, enhancing product durability and UV resistance. He also develops environmentally friendly pigment technology to color thermoplastics without chromium premetallized dyes.
A study by University of Illinois researchers has identified a mechanism that determines whether pigment moves within cells. The discovery reveals that the motor protein is disengaged as a result of phosphorylation during cell division. If confirmed, this finding could lead to new cancer treatments targeting specific mechanisms.
A new device measures macular pigment to study its correlation with macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness. The portable device uses LEDs and takes about 10 minutes to measure a patient's macular pigment levels.
Researchers at Kansas State University recommend using a small probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of the patty, which should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal doneness. Color alone can be misleading, as premature browning can occur due to factors such as packaging and handling.