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Climate change to produce more rainbows

A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 28, 2022

The secrets of the best rainbows on Earth

Researchers found that Hawaii's location in the subtropical Pacific, combined with its mountains and clean air, create an ideal environment for frequent rainbow sightings. The new RainbowChase app, developed by Dr. Steven Businger, uses Doppler radar data and satellite images to alert users of favorable conditions.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateMar 11, 2021

Iridescent color from clear droplets

Researchers at Penn State and MIT discovered that uniform-sized clear water droplets on a surface can produce bright iridescent colors. The color is due to total internal reflection and light interference, creating an optical effect not possible in perfect spheres.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

Biodiversity: All the colors of the rainbow

Researchers have discovered three new species of chameleons in Madagascar, showcasing the island's extraordinary biodiversity. The newly found Calumma uetzi features vibrant display colors when males interact with females, while a second species, Calumma juliae, is found only in a protected forest fragment under threat from deforestation.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateApr 11, 2018

Researchers identify genes that help trout find their way home

Scientists have identified key genes involved in the homing behavior of rainbow trout, which use Earth's magnetic field to navigate back to their birthplace. The study found that changes in gene expression are triggered by disruption of the fish's internal compass, pointing to a possible role for iron-based magnetite particles.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 26, 2017

More to rainbows than meets the eye

Researchers are exploring the practical uses of rainbows in weather forecasting and combustion engine efficiency. A comprehensive review highlights the importance of simulating rainbows using mathematical modeling. The study also provides tips for capturing rainbows on camera, making them a rare and special phenomenon.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEuropean Journal of Physics·DateAug 25, 2016

Expert debunks the 'curse of the rainbow jersey'

Cycling World champions experience a dip in performance while wearing the champion's stripes due to regression to the mean. Dr Thomas Perneger's study analyzes racing results from 1965 to 2013, finding no significant difference between seasons with and without the rainbow jersey.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 14, 2015

Inkjet hologram printing now possible

Researchers at ITMO University have developed a method for producing vivid holographic images using an ordinary inkjet printer. The new technique uses colorless ink made of nanocrystalline titania, which can be deposited on special microembossed paper to create unique patterned images.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 24, 2015

Spicing up your fish fillets with science

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that adding coriander oil to vegetable oil-based diets increases EPA and DHA levels in rainbow trout fillets. This alternative method reduces reliance on fish oil, promoting aquaculture sustainability and creating new market opportunities for spice growers.

SourceCanadian Science Publishing·JournalCanadian Journal of Animal Science·DateAug 14, 2013

A rainbow for the palm of your hand

UB researchers develop one-step method to fabricate rainbow-colored polymer with extraordinary properties, reflecting many different wavelengths of light. The material could form basis of handheld multispectral imaging devices for applications in home improvement and biomedical imaging.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 23, 2012

Genetic buzzer-beater genes may save fish

A study published by researchers at the University of Oregon reveals that two distinct populations of rainbow trout share a genetic trait that enables them to adapt to their native rivers in Alaska and Idaho. This gene variant, identified using RAD technology, may hold key to saving struggling fish populations from extinction.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateNov 29, 2011

From myth to reality: Photos prove triple rainbows exist

Scientists have confirmed the existence of triple rainbows using photographic evidence and a new meteorological model. The discovery was made possible by a professor's guidelines that showed how to find tertiary rainbows, which are rare because they require specific conditions to appear.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateOct 5, 2011

Rainbow trapping in light pulses

Researchers at Nanjing University develop a new method to trap a wide spectrum of light, including visible radiation, using a self-similar-structured dielectric waveguide. This breakthrough has potential applications in on-chip spectroscopy, photon processing, and quantum computing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 13, 2010

Alberta's hidden valleys offer both resources and danger

Researchers have discovered hidden glacial valleys in Alberta that contain valuable resources, including loose rock and natural gas, posing risks of accidents and environmental damage. The valleys were found using a combination of seismic and electrical mapping data, highlighting the importance of advanced underground mapping practices.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateNov 12, 2009

Brain-injured children from stressed or disadvantaged families are more vulnerable to ongoing problems

A new study found that brain-injured children from less stressed and more supportive families had significantly higher achievement and behavior scores than their peers. The authors speculate that severe traumatic brain injury exacerbates the effects of unfavorable family circumstances, leading to worse academic and behavioral outcomes.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalNeuropsychology·DateJan 27, 2002