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An ecological rule for animals applies to flowers

University of Pittsburgh researchers Matthew Koski and Tia-Lynn Ashman proved that Gloger's rule exists among flowers, where larger bull's-eye centers are associated with higher levels of ultraviolet light near the equator. This finding expands our understanding of biological responses to global climate change.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Plants·DateJan 8, 2015

Probing the past

Astronomers have combined traditional method with reverse engineering to improve accuracy in measuring distant galaxies. They calculated a robust distance measurement using near-infrared and visible-light photos, estimating a redshift of 10 for the galaxy.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 16, 2014

What lit up the universe?

Researchers from UCL and collaborators aim to determine whether numerous small galaxies or rare quasars produce more ultraviolet light. A forthcoming survey will analyze detailed measurements of a million distant quasars to map the neutral hydrogen gas in the universe, revealing its history.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 27, 2014

Water window imaging opportunity

Researchers develop theoretical framework to generate coherent radiations in the water window range, enabling high-contrast imaging of biological samples. The study extends previous work on hydrogen and applies it to argon atoms, paving the way for improved spectroscopy techniques.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 21, 2014

Small but plentiful: How the faintest galaxies illuminated the early universe

Researchers at Georgia Tech and UC San Diego found that tiny galaxies contributed nearly 30% of UV light during reionization, marking a significant shift from previous focus on larger galaxies. Simulations show that small galaxies' high abundance and lower gas density allowed for more UV light to escape, illuminating the early universe.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 8, 2014

Hollow optical fibers for UV light

Researchers have developed a new type of optical fiber that can guide UV laser light without being damaged. The fiber has a hollow core with a diameter of 20 µm, which allows for single-mode transmission and reduces loss. This breakthrough enables new applications in precision spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and process plasmas.

Feel-good hormones could cause UV addiction

Chronic UV radiation stimulates endorphin production, causing physical dependence and addiction-like behavior in mice. This finding could explain why people have an instinctive desire for sunlight despite its health risks. Researchers suggest that a conscious effort to limit sun exposure is needed to mitigate skin cancer risk.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJun 19, 2014

Glow-in-the-dark tool lets scientists find diseased bats

Researchers have developed a new, non-destructive method to detect white-nose syndrome in bats by using ultraviolet light. The technique, which involves shining long-wave UV light at bat wings, produces a distinctive orange-yellow fluorescence that corresponds with microscopic skin lesions characteristic of the disease.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateMay 29, 2014

Eumelanin's secrets

Eumelanin, the primary pigment in human skin, hair, and eyes, has been found to absorb a broad spectrum of sunlight due to its unique physical arrangement. Researchers have identified that disorder in the material's structure plays a crucial role in its broadband blocking ability.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2014