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Intoxicatingly light sensitive

Scientists at ETH Zurich have synthesised four variants of THC that can be altered with light, offering a potential tool for controlling and influencing CB1 receptors. These light-sensitive THC derivatives were tested in living cell cultures and found to activate and deactivate the receptors using specific wavelengths of light.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 10, 2018

Temperature may affect pollen color

New research on Campanula americana found that temperature influences pollen pigmentation, with dark pollen outperforming light under higher temperatures but not elevated UV. This study suggests temperature stress may play a significant role in geographic variation of pollen color.

SourceWiley·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJan 5, 2018

Tanners who use sprays and lotions less prone to get tattoos and piercings than sunbathers

A Baylor University study reveals that frequent tanners are more likely to engage in risky appearance-related behaviors, including tattoos and piercings, compared to infrequent tanners. The research suggests that excessive tanning may be a sign of body image concerns, making it essential to address social and appearance pressures.

SourceBaylor University·JournalFamily and Consumer Sciences Research Journal·DateDec 4, 2017

NIR-driven H2 evolution from water: Expanding wavelength range for solar energy conversion

Researchers at Kyushu University developed a device harnessing near-infrared light to drive the water-splitting reaction and produce hydrogen gas efficiently. This breakthrough enables a broader spectrum of light to be harvested, including UV, visible, and NIR, increasing the potential for clean energy storage.

SourceKyushu University, I2CNER·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 17, 2017

Synthetic material acts like an insect cloaking device

Researchers have developed a synthetic material that can absorb light from all directions, making it suitable for antireflective coatings. This material is similar to the brochosomes used by leaf hopper insects to blend in with their backgrounds, allowing them to hide from predators.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 3, 2017

Researchers propose how the universe became filled with light

A team of researchers at the University of Iowa suggests that black holes played a crucial role in making the universe visible. By ejecting matter violently, black holes may have pierced cloudy surroundings, enabling light from stars to escape. This theory is supported by observations of a nearby galaxy emitting ultraviolet light.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 30, 2017

Sunscreen creams break down into dangerous chemical compounds under the sunlight

Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University found that avobenzone, a popular UV filter in sunscreen products, breaks down into hazardous chemical compounds when exposed to chlorinated water and ultraviolet radiation. These compounds can be toxic and have been linked to liver and kidney dysfunction, as well as nervous system disorders.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalChemosphere·DateJun 27, 2017

Solar material for producing clean hydrogen fuel

Osaka University researchers have developed a novel solar material that can efficiently split water to produce clean hydrogen fuel, outperforming traditional semiconductors. The three-part composite material maximizes light absorption and electron conduction, resulting in 60 times higher activity than pure lanthanum titanium oxide.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 14, 2017

Tiny glow sticks

Chinese researchers create microscale optical waveguides using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks, offering potential for low-loss light conduction and polarized emissions. The novel structures emit luminescence in different colors depending on the used lanthanide, making them suitable for color-tunable optical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 8, 2017

Evidence shows increased risk of ozone loss over the United States in summer

Researchers found that stratospheric ozone concentrations in the US are vulnerable to water vapor and temperature variations from storm systems, posing a risk to human health and crops. The study calls for increased meteorological and chemical observations to forecast short-term and long-term ozone loss.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2017