New Atlas

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Vitamin D levels can be painlessly measured in the hair

Ben Coxworth February 25, 2019

Our bodies need vitamin D, but many peoples' indoor lifestyles keep them from getting enough via sunlight exposure. So, how can someone find out just how high their D levels are? Well, blood sampling works, although levels can now also be determined simply by analyzing one of the person's hairs.

There's 25-hydroxyvitamin D in that thar hair

Medical Audio available

Scientists fire up sonic hedgehog gene to spawn new hair regrowth possibilities

Nick Lavars November 28, 2018

The sonic hedgehog gene carries far greater responsibility than its playful suggests. Scientists have now tapped into its unique properties to regrow hair on damaged skin thought incapable of doing so, opening up new research opportunities for drugs to restore hair growth in those with baldness.

Scientists have triggered a signalling pathway that is active during embryo development to explore new possibilities ...

Science

New eczema drug unexpectedly restores hair in bald alopecia patient

Rich Haridy October 11, 2018

A new case study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology reveals a young patient suffering from severe eczema along with a longstanding case of alopecia totalis has displayed major hair regrowth after being treated with a newly approved eczema drug.

Within weeks of starting the eczema treatment the patient unexpectedly discovered hair growth on her scalp

Around The Home

Dyson dials up its beauty offerings with a high-powered hair styler

Nick Lavars October 10, 2018

Dyson has recently started to cast its eye beyond spotless living rooms and hospital-grade kitchen floors. Its latest creation puts its expertise in sucking and blowing air around to use in a high-powered hair styling machine that can apparently be used to create all kinds of 'dos.

Dyson's latest creation takes its expertise in sucking and blowing air to a high-powered hair styling ...

Health & Wellbeing

Wearable LED device could regrow hair

Ben Coxworth September 12, 2018

Studies have already shown that by irradiating bald skin using red lasers, hair follicles can be stimulated into growing new hair. Unfortunately, though, such laser setups are large, cumbersome and energy-inefficient. With that in mind, scientists have developed a wearable LED photostimulator.

People may conceivably one day use the technology to treat baldness in their own homes

Science

A gene that causes hair loss may be recruited to help kill cancers

Rich Haridy July 30, 2018

An intriguing new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center has found that the same gene associated with a condition responsible for autoimmune-related hair loss could be recruited to help our immune cells better target tumors.

The gene responsible for autoimmune hair loss has been recruited to put a bullseye on tumor ...

Medical

Experimental drug reverses fatty diet-induced hair loss and skin damage in mice

Rich Haridy July 30, 2018

Using a new experimental drug, researchers at Johns Hopkins have successfully reversed baldness, hair whitening and skin inflammation caused by high-fat diets in mice. It's hoped the research could lead to treatments to reverse baldness and speed wound healing.

An experimental drug may lead to treatments that help reverse hair loss and improve wound healing

Health & Wellbeing

“Unprecedented” research reverses age-related wrinkles and hair loss in mice

Rich Haridy July 22, 2018

A breakthrough new study has demonstrated that reversing mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse models can reverse hair loss and smooth wrinkles. The research points to new targets for scientists to investigate in developing treatments for age-related skin deterioration and hair loss.

A new study provides the first evidence that restoring mitochondrial DNA can reverse age-associated symptoms such ...

Science

Blackcurrants could be a green source of hair dye

Ben Coxworth May 29, 2018

Traditional synthetic hair dyes can be quite toxic, not only to our bodies, but also to the environment. As a result, scientists are developing non-toxic dyes based on substances such as graphene. Now, it appears that waste blackcurrant skins can also do the job.

Blackcurrant skins contain pigments called anthocyanins

Health & Wellbeing

Side effect of an old drug inspires new hope for treating hair loss

Rich Haridy May 8, 2018

Despite a hefty amount of research, science still hasn’t cracked the mystery of how to stimulate hair regrowth. A study has now uncovered an entirely new way to promote human hair growth – and it's inspired by a side effect of a nearly 50-year-old drug.

A 50-year-old drug has opened up a new avenue in the quest for a baldness cure