Articles tagged with Ultraviolet Radiation
A new NASA visualization reveals the hypnotic pas de deux of two orbiting black holes, distorting and redirecting light from their accretion disks. The system's unique features, including relativistic aberration and Doppler boosting, create striking images of each black hole.
A new study has found that norovirus clusters are resistant to detergent and ultraviolet disinfection, suggesting a need to revisit current disinfection practices. The clusters can survive attempts to kill them with standard disinfectants, including UV light used in water treatment plants.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have created a new technique to measure ultrafast extreme ultraviolet laser pulses. By utilizing photoionization as an optical shutter, they can encode the electric field of the pulse in a visible light signal, allowing for its measurement with a standard camera.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an approach to generate a broad palette of colours by adjusting the chemical structure of molecules themselves. By varying the chain length of fluorescent organic polymers, they can produce polymers with different colours, including yellow, green, and blue.
Physicists at CERN have demonstrated laser cooling of antihydrogen atoms for the first time, producing colder antimatter and enabling new experiments. The temperature of the antihydrogen atoms was reduced, slowing them down and reducing their space in a magnetic bottle.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have designed a smart device that harnesses sunlight to illuminate underground spaces. The device uses an acrylic ball and plastic optical fibre to focus sunlight onto a cable, which is then transported to underground locations to provide light.
Researchers have developed a novel light sensor from two algae's rhodopsins that can produce the signaling molecule cGMP in response to UV or violet light, and inhibit its production with blue or green light. This breakthrough advances optogenetics by providing new tools for studying nerve cell function and other physiological processes.
Researchers discover that filters used in solar storm detectors are losing their ability due to another stowaway from Earth, not just carbonization. This issue affects satellite data quality and reliability, sparking efforts to create more accurate space weather forecasts.
Scientists have developed a new material with faster and more efficient electrochromic properties than existing materials. The material, called Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), can be triggered by an applied electrical voltage, allowing for rapid color change and high sensitivity to electrochemical oxidation.
Filtration with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters is the most popular choice in hospitals and clinical settings. Other methods using ultraviolet C (UVC) light and bipolar ionization also show promise, but research on their effectiveness against COVID-19 is still evolving.
Researchers at Duke University and other institutions are developing a 'super camera' capable of capturing all types of information carried by light, including polarization, depth, phase, coherence, and incidence angle. The project aims to create an imaging system that can handle sensing and processing simultaneously, streamlining size...
Scientists at KAUST create an efficient catalyst that converts CO2 and hydrogen into methane using photothermal energy, reducing the need for external heat sources. The reaction achieves nearly 100% selectivity and impressive efficiency, offering a sustainable way to convert harmful greenhouse gases into valuable fuel.
A new method, Coherence Tomography with Extreme Ultraviolet Light (XCT), enables non-invasive observation and analysis of tiny structures in semiconductors. The technique uses broadband XUV radiation to generate coherent light with nanometer precision.
Researchers have designed windows with a conjugated polymer layer that absorbs light and guides it to solar cells, generating electricity. The panels are more efficient at converting ambient LED light than direct sunlight.
A research group from Tohoku University has developed a compact, low-cost device that can measure acetone gas concentration in exhaled air to monitor fat burning. The device uses ultraviolet light to gauge the concentration with high accuracy, allowing for non-invasive monitoring and optimization of metabolism.
Global emissions of CFC-11 have fallen dramatically, with thousands of tonnes per year dropped between 2017 and 2019. The rapid decline is attributed to enhanced international efforts in eastern China and other regions, preventing a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
A recent human study found that consuming grapes protected against ultraviolet (UV) skin damage by increasing resistance to sunburn and reducing markers of UV damage. The study attributed these beneficial effects to the natural components polyphenols in grapes, which may act as an edible sunscreen offering additional protection.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers has developed a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent that can be customized to a patient's anatomy. The stents, made from a specially designed resin, are biocompatible and gradually dissolve after implantation.
Researchers from Hokkaido University have found that ultraviolet light reacts with nitrophenol to produce atmospheric nitrous acid, a key component of photochemical smog. This decomposition process occurs in real-time and involves the distortion of the nitrophenol molecule's shape under extreme UV light.
Recent studies suggest organic UV filters in sunscreens may harm coral reefs, but evidence is limited and inconclusive. Researchers recommend further field and lab studies to assess environmental risk and develop a coral environment risk assessment framework.
A University of Washington study identifies four main groups of photoreceptors, many of them new, that marine organisms use to detect and respond to light. This discovery could aid in the field of optogenetics and provide insights into how marine life responds to changing ocean conditions.
Skin cancer rates in the UK have increased dramatically over the past four decades, with a notable rise in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that public health campaigns targeting children and adolescents may be contributing to the stabilization of skin cancer incidence among young people.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Groningen University develop a method to control the daily rhythm of human cells using light. They discovered two compounds, TH303 and TH129, that can lengthen the circadian clock period and found a way to reverse this effect by changing the compound's structure with light.
A new study from researchers at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has found that skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can trigger inflammatory processes in the kidney, even in normal, healthy mice. This subclinical injury may lead to pathologic consequences in lupus patients and worsen their clinical symptoms.
A study by Dmitry Gordenin and colleagues found that genomic DNA changes in skin cells accumulate over time, with the amount of damage caused by UV light unrelated to age. Black individuals exhibited less UV damage compared to white donors, possibly due to higher melanin levels.
Researchers developed a novel decontamination method using pulsed ultraviolet light to inactivate microbial strains on eggshells, achieving significant reductions. The technology showed no negative effects on hatching eggs or chick growth, improving food safety and potential financial constraints.
Research reveals that UVA light intensity affects seasonal responses in marine animals, altering behavior and hormone production. The study found a key light receptor involved in responding to UVA light, which was absent in worms lacking this receptor.
A new study from Incheon National University reveals a fully transparent solar cell that can absorb UV light while transmitting most visible light. The cell's performance is encouraging, with a power conversion efficiency of 2.1% and high responsiveness in low light conditions.
An international team of scientists has developed a novel technique for a high-brightness coherent and few-cycle duration source spanning 7 optical octaves from the UV to the THz. This breakthrough enables future research on time-domain analysis of substances, opening new opportunities for multimodal measurement approaches.
A KAUST team has created a way to produce warm and cool white light LEDs by combining devices of different materials, eliminating the need for phosphors. The new device uses material defects to enhance current injection, emitting light across the entire visible spectrum.
Researchers have discovered a new class of fluorescent dyes that can convert visible light into ultraviolet light, overcoming one of the biggest challenges to harnessing sunlight for energy. This breakthrough could enable more efficient solar-powered water splitting and other high-energy reactions.
A team of researchers, led by INRS professor Federico Rosei, has developed a novel process to modify graphene's structure and properties using ultraviolet light. This breakthrough enables the creation of a band gap in graphene, making it suitable for use in electronics.
Researchers at the University of Groningen and AkzoNobel created a coating process using light, oxygen, and UV light, turning biomass into a high-quality coating. The coatings have properties comparable to those of acrylate-based coatings and can be adaptable for different purposes.
A review of 13 studies found that individuals with skin of color are at increased risk of developing melanoma due to UV exposure. The study suggests that prolonged UV light exposure is a significant risk factor for melanoma in this population.
A study from Harvard University found that COVID-19 transmission tends to be lower in weeks following higher UV exposure, with a 7-percentage point decrease in growth rate on average across the Northern Hemisphere. This effect is modest compared to social distancing measures.
A team of researchers has found evidence that UV radiation from sunlight significantly affects COVID-19 transmission. By analyzing daily COVID-19 cases and environmental conditions, they discovered a correlation between UV exposure and the growth rate of new cases.
Astronomers use a novel spectrograph to measure the redshift of GN-z11, a ancient galaxy located 13.4 billion light years away, marking it as the farthest detectable galaxy in the universe. The team's precise measurement improves the accuracy of the galaxy's distance by a factor of 100.
Researchers have created a compact, high-brightness mid-IR-driven source combining a gas-filled anti-resonant-ring photonic crystal fiber with a novel nonlinear-crystal. The table top source provides a seven-octave coherent spectrum from 340 nm to 40,000 nm, outshining brightest Synchrotron facilities in spectral brightness.
Sunscreen reduces skin cancer risk by blocking solar radiation; use of sunscreen is crucial beyond just sun protection, also for premature aging prevention.
Researchers have clarified the regulatory mechanism of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in recognizing and repairing DNA damaged by ultraviolet light. The study reveals that proteasomes' protein degradation activity and architectural integrity are involved in regulating DDB2 protein-mediated DNA damage repair.
Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new material system that can directly convert visible light into ultraviolet light with an efficiency of up to 20.5%, doubling previous records. The system is promising for harnessing ambient light to drive applications requiring high-energy ultraviolet light.
Researchers synthesized indolizines with green fluorescence using pyridinium salts and enamiones. The resulting substances have potential applications in medical fields, including cancer treatment and diabetes management.
The Stingray Nebula, a young planetary nebula, has faded significantly over the past 20 years, losing its bright colors and shape. Its rapid dimming is likely connected to the cooling of its parent star, which has reduced ultraviolet ionizing radiation.
A new study published in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that tanning bed use and sunburns may increase a woman's chances of developing endometriosis. The research analyzed data from over 116,000 women and found a higher risk among those who used tanning beds frequently or got sunburnt during teenage years.
Researchers have directly observed the formation and interaction of highly ionized krypton plasma using femtosecond coherent ultraviolet light and a novel four-dimensional model. The study reveals strongly nonlinear behavior in laser-plasma interaction, allowing for the creation of well-defined plasma conditions.
A new study by Swansea University scientists has found that mycosporine-like amino acids, nature's UV sunscreens, are increased when exposed to far-red light. This discovery challenges current understanding of their role in temperature regulation and environmental balance.
Several patients using germicidal lamps developed painful inflammation of the cornea after exposure, prompting warnings from ophthalmologists. Manufacturer recommendations must be closely followed to prevent injury.
The Blue Ring Nebula, a cloud of gas in space, is likely composed of debris from two stars that collided and merged into one. A new study using cutting-edge models applied to collected data reveals the nebula's age and nature.
Two Stanford engineers developed a technique to disinfect personal protective equipment (PPE) with ultraviolet light, eliminating 99.9999% of pathogens in under five minutes. They designed and donated a method for healthcare providers worldwide to build PPE sterilization units, helping launch do-it-yourself efforts in over 25 countries.
The ULLYSES program aims to create a comprehensive dataset for understanding star formation and its impact on planet habitability. The Hubble Space Telescope will observe over 300 stars across eight regions, capturing their spectral templates to inform research on stellar evolution and planetary chemistry.
Researchers have created a bio-based, water-resistant wood film that can emit and scatter light, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional lighting materials. The luminescent panel demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and can be used as cover panels for lamps, displays, and laser devices.
Researchers have developed a graphene-organic heterojunction transistor that can modulate photocurrent speed, magnitude, and direction using light. The device utilizes the effective exciton thickness limitation of an intermediate organic transport layer to achieve logic reversal under optical modulation.
The platypus fur exhibits biofluorescence under UV light, similar to other mammals like opossums and flying squirrels. Researchers discovered this phenomenon using museum specimens and propose it could aid these nocturnal animals in spotting each other.
Scientists at the University of Groningen designed a rotary motor powered by near-infrared light, overcoming a major limitation of previous designs. The motor uses an antenna to absorb two low-energy photons, which are then transferred to initiate movement.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science create a novel approach to reducing chromium toxicity in wastewater through the chemical reaction of reduction, employing photocatalysts like titanium oxide and copper complexes. The method has high efficiency and is reusable, providing a promising technology for environmental regulation.
Researchers have discovered a new understanding of how fruit flies perceive color by examining the spectrum of light they can see. The study found that the green photoreceptor's light sensitivity shifted significantly, with its original range now better suited for seeing orange rather than green.
The ONR robotics program has deployed a decontamination robot using short-wave ultraviolet (UVC) light to combat Covid-19. The robot's mechanical arm can reposition UVC lamps over surfaces, reducing human exposure and enabling autonomous disinfection.
Researchers discovered a new protein called cryptochrome that repairs DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, a function previously attributed to photolysis in cells. This breakthrough highlights how proteins can evolve and acquire new functions over time.
Researchers from Kyoto University and Tokai University have developed a new apparatus to study terahertz radiation's effects on human stem cells. The findings reveal that terahertz pulses activate genes involved in motor neuron survival and mitochondrial function, while deactivating those involved in cell differentiation.
Researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill have measured the temperature of a large sample of super flares, providing insights into life-prohibiting levels of UV radiation. The study's findings will inform the choice of planetary systems to be observed by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.