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Discovery of a simplest mechanism for color detection

Researchers from Osaka City University found a single kind of opsin in a photoreceptor cell achieves UV and visible light discrimination in the fish pineal organ. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that multiple kinds of color opsins are required for color detection.

Human retinas grown in a dish explain how color vision develops

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have successfully grown human retinas in a dish, providing insights into how cells enable color vision. The study found that thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in determining the fate of these cells, with implications for understanding and potentially treating eye diseases.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Thyroid hormone regulates development of color vision

Researchers used human retinal tissue grown from stem cells to discover how cone photoreceptors develop, leading to insights into eye diseases like color blindness. Thyroid hormone signaling regulated the growth of blue-detecting cones first, followed by red- and green-detecting ones.

How fruits got their eye-catching colors

New evidence supports the idea that fruits develop eye-catching colors to attract animal dispersers. Fruits eaten by mammals have higher reflectance in the green spectrum, while those dispersed by birds reflect more in the red. The study also found a link between fruit color and environmental factors such as UV light.

Brown researchers teach computers to see optical illusions

Researchers developed a neural-network model that perceives contextual optical illusions like humans, advancing knowledge of human visual system. The model includes feedback connections between neurons, which improve artificial vision by addressing context-dependent weaknesses.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Birds categorize colors just like humans do

Zebra finches partition hues from red to orange into two discrete categories, similar to human color perception. The birds' ability to distinguish between colors suggests a cognitive shortcut to reduce ambiguity in decision-making.

Do spiders have a favorite color?

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati studied wolf spiders' color vision, finding they are sensitive to green light but don't have a favorite color. Their eyes adapt to changing seasons, allowing them to see contrast against colored backgrounds.

Slacking on your savings? Cognitive bias could be to blame

A new study by Cornell University neuroscientists suggests that cognitive bias can be a major obstacle to saving money. The researchers found that people tend to spend more brain power on earning than saving, leading to warped time perception and making it harder to prioritize saving over earning.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Zebrafish's near 360 degree UV-vision knocks stripes off Google Street View

Researchers discovered that zebrafish use a near-360 degree view to detect threatening silhouettes in black-and-white and seek out food by detecting UV light scattering. Their unique four-color vision system is unlike any other vertebrate, with half of their neurons dedicated to eyes that are substantial metabolic investments.

SF State study finds US Forest Service lands underused by minorities

A San Francisco State University study reveals that many ethnic minorities are not utilizing US national forests and grasslands, despite living nearby. The research highlights the need for improved outreach and understanding of minority groups' needs to promote sustainable use of these public lands.

Engineers design color-changing compression bandage

A new compression bandage developed by MIT engineers features pressure-sensing photonic fibers that change color in response to pressure. This allows caregivers to gauge the optimal pressure and adjust the bandage accordingly.

What your choice of clothing says about your weight

A new study found that darker and multicolour clothes are preferred by women with higher BMIs, while men with larger BMIs opt for black or white garments. Clothing size is also closely related to BMI and waist circumference.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

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New study sheds light on how we perceive color

Researchers at City, University of London found that colour processing cells in the brain are crucial for interpreting colours in natural images, and that transitions between colours do not significantly contribute to perceived colourfulness. The study's findings support the importance of individual colours in determining what we see.

Back in black for singletons trying to find love

A new study based on the TV series First Dates found that singles wear more black than red on first dates. Black was associated with increased attractiveness and perceived fashion sense, while red was linked to increased sexual receptivity.

Which piece resembles your color perception for #theDress image?

A novel algorithm has been proposed to simulate the color appearance of objects under chromatic illuminants, addressing the fundamental question of human color perception. The algorithm successfully simulated differences in color appearance for #theDress image, which sparked debate over its colors online.

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Why do some people 'hear' silent flashes?

Researchers found that visually-evoked auditory response (vEAR) is more common than other types of synaesthesia, affecting up to 21% of the population. The study suggests a connection between vEAR and physiological factors such as raised cortical excitability in the brain.

At first blush, you look happy -- or sad, or angry

A groundbreaking study found that people can correctly identify others' feelings up to 75% of the time by analyzing subtle changes in blood flow color around the nose, eyebrows, cheeks, or chin. Computer algorithms developed from the research accurately recognize human emotion via face color with up to 90% accuracy.

How the color-changing hogfish 'sees' with its skin

Researchers at Duke University discovered that hogfish sense light with their skin, which differs from eye-based vision. The skin's unique ability allows it to detect changes in brightness or wavelength, such as moving shadows or light fluctuations, enabling the fish to adapt its color pattern accordingly.

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Facial attraction: Red-fronted lemurs recognize photos of their own species

Red-fronted lemurs demonstrate an ability to recognize individuals of their own species from photographs, with females showing a stronger response than males. The animals' capacity for cross-modal recognition suggests that they use both sight and smell to differentiate between conspecifics and heterospecifics.

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Printable, colorful camouflage with polymers

Researchers develop polymers that can change colors like structural color in nature, enabling smart decorations and anti-counterfeiting measures. The new materials use inkjet printing technology to produce a wide range of colors, including blue, green, orange, and red.

Little understood cell helps mice see color

Scientists discovered a complex color vision circuit in mice involving the M5 cell, which may process color information and lead to new treatments for humans. This finding expands our understanding of color vision and its relationship with other types of vision.

Researchers induced a form of synesthesia with hypnosis

Researchers from University of Turku successfully induced a functional analogue of synaesthesia in the brain using hypnosis. The study confirms previous results and shows that hypnosis can rapidly trigger visual hallucinations and induce a form of synaesthesia, offering new insights into cognitive neuroscience.

The stacked color sensor

Researchers have developed a stacked color sensor using perovskites, which improves colour recognition and light sensitivity. This allows for more accurate image capture and enables the creation of smaller pixel sizes, potentially leading to higher spatial resolution in various analysis technologies.

Better, bolder printing with silicon nanostructures

Researchers have found a way to expand the printable color spectrum with a novel nanostructure system that broadens colors while maintaining high resolution. The new silicon nanostructures can print an art piece with a 121% expanded color gamut, higher color saturation and resolution.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

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Research letter examines evolving standards of beauty

A new study compares celebrities from People magazine's World's Most Beautiful lists in 1990 and 2017, revealing increased representation of darker skin types and older age groups. The researchers found that traditional beauty standards are evolving as people become more exposed to diverse cultures and media influences.

Analyzing the language of color

Research across over 100 languages reveals a consistent pattern of language divide towards warmer and cooler colors. The findings suggest that human languages prioritize labeling warm colors consistently due to their prevalence in foreground scenes.

Green light for ultra-fine display colors

Scientists have made a breakthrough in producing ultra-pure green light for high-resolution displays, exceeding 97-99% of the Rec.2020 standard. The new technology uses simple room-temperature processes and inexpensive materials, paving the way for low-cost industrial production.

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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Discovery of dynamic seasonal changes in color perception

Research on Medaka fish reveals dynamic seasonal changes in color perception, with variations in behavior, light response, and gene expression. This phenomenon may not be limited to Medaka and could be widely observed in various animals, including humans.

Nanotechnology gives green energy a green color

Researchers in the Netherlands have created efficient green solar panels using soft imprint lithography, which scatter green light and maintain a 10% power reduction. The technology has potential to widen solar panel use as an architectural design element.

The color of people's clothing affects lizard escape behavior

A study found that western fence lizards preferentially flee from dark blue T-shirts over other colors, suggesting they respond to the color itself rather than its detectability. The researchers suggest that this could have implications for animal conservation and ecotourism, where human clothing color may affect animal behavior.

Animal coloration research: On the threshold of a new era

Recent technological advances enable researchers to study animal coloration more comprehensively. The authors of a review article highlight recent progress and set out key questions for the future, shedding light on evolutionary processes and the intricacies of function.

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Animals have it all over us when it comes to color

Animals use color in diverse ways, including for reproduction and predator-prey interactions, with species-specific purposes in mind. Mantis shrimp have four times as many colour receptors as humans, allowing them to perceive ultraviolet light.

Technique enables printable and rewritable color images

Scientists at Rice University have created a method for printing and rewriting color images by utilizing structural colors, which are determined by the selective reflections of certain colors at specific angles. The technique uses a single, colorless ink and can generate high-resolution images with excellent durability.

Holograms taken to new dimension

Researchers have developed a new technology to create inexpensive full-color 2-D and 3-D holograms that are far more realistic, brighter and can be viewed at wider angles than current holograms. The applications for this technology could be wide-ranging, from currency and identification badges to amusement rides and advertisements.

News laser design offers more inexpensive multi-color output

A Northwestern University study has engineered a cost-effective laser design that outputs multi-color lasing, offering potential benefits in optical fibers, medical imaging, and sensing applications. The new technology allows for stable multi-modal nanoscale lasing with fine control over color and intensity.

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Seeing the colored light: Bee brains open way for better cameras

Researchers discovered a new mechanism for processing color information in honeybees, which could improve color constancy in imaging systems. The study found that the bees' ocelli contain two color receptors that can detect ambient light color, allowing them to discount naturally colored illumination and perceive true colors.

When gold turns invisible

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a gold compound that turns invisible when ground into a fine powder, emitting only infrared light. The substance's unique property has significant implications for bioimaging and the creation of invisible security inks.

Computer game helps scientists understand animal camouflage

Researchers from the University of Exeter used online computer games to test animal camouflage and colour vision. They found that trichromats, like humans, outperformed dichromats in finding camouflaged prey, but dichromats improved faster over time.

Mapping food color regulations in the EU and the US

A new study reviews EU and US food colouring legislation to find ways to reduce regulatory barriers to international trade. Key findings include differing rules on colour additives, labelling requirements, and natural vs synthetic colours.

GoPro HERO13 Black

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Study of sleep apps finds room for improvement

A study of 35 popular phone-based sleep apps found that most help users set sleep-related goals and track their sleep patterns, but few provide general information about sleep or its benefits. The analysis suggests that there is room for improvement in the development of these apps to educate users about the importance of sleep.

Why don't Americans have a name for the color 'light blue?'

Researchers found that Japan has unique color terms like 'mizu' and 'kon', while the US uses words like 'teal' and 'lavender'. The study reveals differences in color language between modern societies, highlighting the evolution of color terminology through interaction.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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Flat lens opens a broad world of color

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed the first flat lens that works across a continuous bandwidth of colors, from blue to green. This breakthrough enables new applications in imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing.

Novel liquid crystal could triple sharpness of today's televisions

Researchers developed a new blue-phase liquid crystal that can enable televisions and computer screens to pack more pixels into the same space while reducing power consumption. The material can achieve a resolution density of up to 1500 pixels per inch, which triples the sharpness of today's TVs.

Jumping spiders court in color

Two groups of jumping spiders, Habronattus and Maratus, have evolved rare color vision to see reds, yellows and oranges. They use different mechanisms, with Habronattus employing a red filter and Maratus relying on ultraviolet, blue and green sensitive cells.

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Female lemurs with color vision provide advantages for their group

Researchers found that trichromat females have higher body mass indices and increased infant survival rates among their group members. This suggests a selective advantage for trichromatic females in providing nutrition and care to their offspring during times of food scarcity.