Articles tagged with Ultraviolet Radiation
Researchers found that exposing skin to ultraviolet light every 2 days resulted in darker pigmentation with less radiation damage than daily exposure. A 48-hour cycle of melanin production was observed in both mice and human cells, suggesting a natural timing mechanism for skin protection.
Researchers identified a 48-hour cycle regulating the skin's response to ultraviolet rays, revealing a tradeoff between stress response and pigmentation. The 'UV-protection timer' optimizes sun damage prevention by synchronizing natural defense mechanisms.
Researchers found that up to 12% of bacteria on average were alive and able to reproduce in dark rooms. In contrast, only 6.8% of bacteria exposed to daylight and 6.1% of those exposed to UV light remained viable. This suggests that daylight can reduce the risk of dust-borne infections by killing dust-dwelling bacteria.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is working on a new light therapy that uses ultraviolet light to activate light-sensitive drugs, selectively targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy stem cells. This approach has the potential to be more effective and safer than current treatments.
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.
Researchers found a species of blind cavefish lacking an ancient DNA repair system, previously known only in placental mammals. The discovery supports the 'nocturnal bottleneck' theory, suggesting ancestors of modern mammals lived in darkness before dinosaurs.
A new computer simulation simulates the effects of general relativity on spiraling supermassive black holes, predicting predominant UV and X-ray light emission. The simulation suggests that gas in these systems will glow predominantly in these wavelengths when two supermassive black holes collide.
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology have built the first simulation to predict light signals from supermassive black hole binaries nearing merger. The model combines information gathered from light- and gravitational waves, enabling scientists to identify these monster collisions with existing and future telescopes.
Pea aphids can see and avoid virulent bacteria, led by Cornell University researchers who found the bacteria's fluorescent compounds that emit UV light. This ability may lead to organic farmers using pyoverdine or virulent bacteria on leaves to deter pea aphids.
Researchers at Purdue University have found that red and blue LED lights can lead some birds to fly away, potentially preventing bird strikes. The study used a single-choice test to measure avoidance behavior in brown-headed cowbirds.
RMIT researchers develop color-changing sensors to measure individual UV exposure, providing a simple solution to prevent Vitamin D deficiency and sunburn. The technology has potential applications beyond health, improving safety and reliability in various industries.
Scientists created a comprehensive guide to the optical properties of 2D materials, enabling the design of smaller devices and polarizing filters. The research revealed surprising optical signatures in each material, with some absorbing or reflecting specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine shed light on mechanisms underlying prion disease progression and identified a potential target for treatment. Inhibiting p38 MAPKα enzyme prevents nerve connection damage and promotes recovery.
A simulation by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers suggests that direct collapse black holes (DCBH) would produce specific kinds of intense radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet emission. They also predict the formation of massive metal-free stars, a finding unexpected at first but making sense in hindsight.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory developed nanoparticle coatings that increase the sensitivity of photodetectors to UV radiation, enabling the detection of rare events and potential insights into neutrino oscillations. These enhanced detectors could also be used to enhance visible light in dim environments.
Two lunar transits were observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in September 2018, with the first lasting one hour and obscuring 92% of the Sun. The second transit was shorter, lasting 49 minutes and showing a distinct view of the Moon's surface due to the lack of atmospheric distortion.
A study found that European bats are attracted to red light sources during their seasonal migration, potentially leading to fatal collisions with wind turbines. The use of bat-friendly lights or context-dependent illumination could help reduce this risk.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered that UV light can kill drug-resistant bacteria, a major cause of infections around skin-penetrating medical devices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that far-UVC light delivered through optical fibers could be used to prevent catheter-based and drivelin...
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine describe how RNA polymerase I stalls by DNA lesions caused by UV exposure. The study identifies a key amino acid essential to detecting UV damage, offering potential for novel cancer therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Swansea University's CERN project have improved the synthesis of antihydrogen and accumulated the anti-atoms for greater experimentation scope. This achievement allows for greater control and manipulation of ultra-cold anti-atom properties.
Scientists discover faintest satellite galaxies orbiting Milky Way are among the first galaxies to form, dating back over 13 billion years. The findings support the current model for the evolution of the universe, providing insight into the early stages of galaxy formation.
A team of astronomers led by George Becker found that 12.5 billion years ago, the most opaque region in the universe had relatively little matter. The discovery sheds light on how galaxies formed and altered their surroundings in the early universe.
Blue light from digital devices and the sun transforms vital molecules in the eye's retina into cell killers, leading to age-related macular degeneration. A new therapy is being explored that uses a natural antioxidant called alpha tocopherol to slow down this process.
Researchers found that iron-silica particles in ancient seawater helped cyanobacteria survive and thrive, paving the way for oxygenation. However, UV stress still limited their growth, contributing to the slow accumulation of atmospheric oxygen.
Researchers found that dark-pigmented yeasts capture more heat from the sun and thrive in colder conditions than their light-colored counterparts. This 'thermal melanism' effect could help predict microbial survival at different latitudes as temperatures rise.
Researchers found a group of planets outside our solar system where chemical conditions similar to Earth's exist. These planets are in the habitable range and receive sufficient ultraviolet light from their host stars to kick-start life. The study identifies potential candidates, including Kepler 452b, that could support life development.
A new light device has been developed by the University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Trust, showing an average 83% improvement rate in treating finger ulcers caused by systemic sclerosis. The therapy combines infrared, red, and ultraviolet light and can be administered at home, offering a potential game-changer for ulcer treatment.
Researchers created a new cost-effective instrument combining mass spectrometry and thermal desorption to study uracil's molecular dynamics. The technique provides insights into mechanistic principles that could inform better medicines and optimize photo-dynamic therapies.
Researchers created an atomic movie of molecule reactions, revealing how light stretches bonds to a point of no return. The observation could lead to better understanding of life processes like photosynthesis and vision.
The new photodetector designed by UCLA has major improvements in speed, sensitivity and spectrum range, making it suitable for a wider range of applications including thermal imaging, environmental sensing and medical diagnosis.
Researchers at Nagoya University created a composite material that adjusts its appearance based on different types of light and backgrounds, mimicking the color-changing abilities of animals like chameleons. The material features dyes, crystals, and pigments that interact to produce vibrant displays.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing an autonomous greenhouse for the Arctic using innovative technologies. The project involves phytotrons, ceramic emitters, and automated control systems to study plant growth and radiation modes in extreme conditions.
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.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that bees are attracted to blue fluorescent light, particularly within a specific wavelength range of 430-480 nanometers. This finding has significant implications for bee population assessment and manipulation, such as attracting large numbers of bees for crop pollination.
Scientists have engineered a molecular soft cocrystalline structure that exhibits reversible twisting upon heating, elastic bending under mechanical force, rapid reversible bending under UV light, and self-healing properties. This multifunctional quality makes it an attractive candidate for advanced materials in electronics and optics.
Researchers at USTC have identified a novel pathway that enhances learning capacity by promoting the production of glutamate in the brain. Moderate UV exposure is found to elevate blood urocanic acid levels, which are later converted to glutamate, contributing to improved learning and potential neurobehavioral changes.
Researchers have developed a synthetic SensoGlow™ material that can detect the quantity and quality of UV radiation from the Sun. The material is durable and can be used multiple times due to electron storage, making it a promising tool for everyday UV radiation monitoring.
Researchers from SUTD have developed reprocessable thermosets for DLP-based high-resolution 3D printing, enabling structures to be reshaped, repaired, and recycled. This breakthrough addresses the environmental implications of vast waste in 3D printing materials.
Researchers discovered that zinc sulfide crystals can bend up to 45% when in complete darkness due to the absence of electron trapping under light conditions. This unique property makes it suitable for flexible electronic applications where traditional inorganic semiconductors are brittle.
Columbia University researchers develop a method to spin artificial fibers that mimic the nanostructures and optical properties of comet moth cocoon fibers, achieving exceptional cooling abilities and reflectivity. The new fibers can block sunlight and guide light signals with high efficiency.
Rochester Institute of Technology faculty Jing Zhang has received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop high-efficiency ultraviolet light sources. Her research could advance applications in photolithography, 3D printing, environmental purification systems and chemical sensing.
Todd Holmes, UCI professor, receives NIH grant to study phototransduction in insects, aiming to design safer light-based insect control strategies. The research could lead to environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic pesticides, reducing health and environmental harm.
New research estimates total and per-case costs of newly diagnosed non-melanoma skin cancers in Canada in 2011 due to workplace sun exposure. The study found that the two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer cost $5,760 and $10,555 per case respectively.
Researchers have created a silk hybrid material that attacks bacteria when illuminated by green light, producing reactive oxygen species to break down organic contaminants. The biocompatible material could be used for wound healing and environmental remediation, including air and water purification.
The hemithioindigo-based molecular motor exhibits unidirectional rotational motion about a specific chemical bond when exposed to light. The team has characterized the dynamics of unidirectional rotation in the motor using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques and quantum mechanical calculations.
Researchers at LMU have found a novel effect in optical excitation of charge carriers in solar semiconductors, enabling more efficient conversion of infrared light into electrical power. The discovery involves resonances between light overtones and excitonic band-gaps, offering new avenues for solar cell innovation.
Engineers at U.S. Army Research Laboratory and University of Maryland developed a technique to control composite material behavior using ultraviolet light, enabling new capabilities for rotorcraft design, performance, and maintenance. The method allows materials to become 93%-stiffer and 35%-stronger after UV exposure.
RIT researcher Zoran Ninkov developed an astronomical imager inspired by a cinema projection system, capturing light signatures from multiple objects in the same area of sky. NASA is funding $550,000 to recoat the device with aluminum for improved performance at ultraviolet wavelengths.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends behavioral counseling for individuals with fair skin types between 6 months and 24 years old to reduce skin cancer risk. Counseling is also advised for adults over 24 with fair skin, although the benefit is considered small.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study the chemical complexity of molecular clouds to understand the origin and evolution of water and other key molecules. By observing icy layers, protoplanetary disks, and individual stars, scientists aim to determine whether life-building blocks exist in every star system.
Researchers developed LEDs made of dislocation-free aluminum-gallium-nitride nanowires, which can efficiently extract light due to air gaps between nanowires via scattering. Treating the nanowires with a diluted potassium-hydroxide solution suppresses surface reabsorption, leading to a 49.7% enhancement in ultraviolet light output power.
Researchers using a unique radio antenna detected a clear signal from the earliest stars in the universe, revealing the formation of these massive, blue, and short-lived stars within 180 million years of the Big Bang. The discovery provides new insights into the early universe's mysteries and potential connections to dark matter.
A study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that far-UVC light can efficiently kill aerosolized influenza viruses in the air without harming human tissues. The use of overhead far-UVC light in hospitals, schools, and other public spaces could provide a powerful check on seasonal influenza epidemics.
Researchers have developed a process to produce porous films made from shape memory polymers with precise dimensions, which can be reversibly changed with light. The films feature micropores that switch between different shapes and/or sizes, expanding possibilities in fields such as electronics and separation processes.
Global ozone decline since the 1970s persists, with unexpected decreases in lower stratosphere preventing recovery at lower latitudes. Scientists point to climate change and short-lived substances as potential causes.
A team of Columbia engineers, led by Michal Lipson, has developed a groundbreaking AR glass design that enables high-resolution projection and detection with no moving parts. The technology leverages recent work on engineered optical materials (EnMats) and silicon nitride integrated photonics to provide an ultrahigh-resolution see-thro...
Scientists at Yokohama National University developed a photoresponsive molecular switch that enables the control of sol-gel transitions in thermoresponsive polymers. The azobenzene-containing ionic liquid triggers reversible physical property changes upon light irradiation, showing tunable sol and gel states.
Researchers combined tofacitinib, an arthritis medication, with narrow band ultraviolet B light therapy to restore skin color in patients with vitiligo. After a few months of treatment, both patients experienced near-total restoration of skin pigmentation.
Scientists develop method to produce shinorine in lab, increasing reliable supply and reducing environmental impact. The new process uses freshwater cyanobacteria as host cells for shinorine expression, resulting in higher production yields.
Researchers from Saarland University conducted a systematic meta-analysis of studies on sunbed use and malignant melanoma. While they found an association between the two, they identified significant methodological shortcomings in earlier studies. Moderate solarium use was not shown to increase the risk of malignant melanoma.