New Atlas

Medical Audio available

New process uses two kinds of light to make organs safer for transplant

Ben Coxworth April 12, 2019

It goes without saying that the greater the number of organs available for transplant, the better for patients in need of them. A newly-developed technique could help, as it uses light to kill viruses and bacteria that might otherwise make donated organs unsuitable for use.

The technology has so far been utilized on lungs, but is being adapted for use on ...

Space Audio available

UV-drenched exoplanets might still host life after all

Michael Irving April 10, 2019

Unfortunately, some of the most likely candidates for life on exoplanets are bathed in apparently-lethal levels of radiation – but a new study from Cornell University says that might not be a problem. Case in point: Earth.

The intense UV radiation that bombards exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars might not hinder life, according ...

Medical

Melanin injections found to highlight and hinder tumors

Michael Irving April 8, 2019

The pigment melanin is a natural defense against skin cancer – and now it could help fight other cancers too. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München have found that melanin-loaded nanoparticles can help diagnose tumors and slow their growth.

An infrared image of a tumor injected with melanin-loaded nanoparticles (right), compared to one that had ...

Materials Audio available

Nanobionic plants could detect chemicals or grow on Mars

Michael Irving April 3, 2019

A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne has developed a new way to turn plants into nanomaterial factories, which could allow them to act as chemical sensors or even allow them to survive in harsh environments, such as in space or on Mars.

The metal organic framework coating (luminescent green) protects lillyturf cuttings from damage by UV light

Space Audio available

NASA lab brews up alien atmospheres here on Earth

Michael Irving March 14, 2019

Earth’s pleasant, life-giving atmosphere is turning out to be somewhat of an oddity. To get a better understanding of exoplanets, a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has recreated one of these alien atmospheres in the lab.

A NASA team has recreated the atmosphere of a "hot Jupiter" exoplanet, similar to this artist's ...

Space Audio available

NASA lab brews up alien atmospheres here on Earth

Michael Irving March 14, 2019

Earth’s pleasant, life-giving atmosphere is turning out to be somewhat of an oddity. To get a better understanding of exoplanets, a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has recreated one of these alien atmospheres in the lab.

Science Audio available

"Invisible" reusable labels are written and read using light

Ben Coxworth February 4, 2019

Currently, package labels contain certain information – such as barcodes, serial numbers or buyers' addresses – that would be best left unseen by wrongdoers. Newly-developed rewritable labels could address that issue, as they're blank and transparent unless exposed to a certain type of light.

The labels are made of a plastic known as poly(methyl methacrylate), or PMMA

Science

Special camera simulates birds' color vision

Ben Coxworth January 23, 2019

Have you ever wondered what the world looks like to birds? Well, Swedish scientists have created a camera that will show you. Amongst other things, it has revealed that birds see tree foliage as much more than just a uniform "wall of green."

Unlike humans, birds can perceive ultraviolet light

Medical Audio available

Light-sensitive adhesive may find use in ouch-less band-aids

Ben Coxworth December 17, 2018

We all know how painful ripping off a band-aid can be. It may not be so unpleasant in the not-too-distant future, however, as scientists have created an adhesive that detaches in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Two slabs of hydrogel, joined together using the adhesive, separate easily when exposed to ultraviolet light

Health & Wellbeing

L'Oréal's new electronic wearable tracks UV exposure, without batteries

Ben Coxworth November 15, 2018

While we all appreciate the importance of limiting our exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, actually keeping track of the amount can be difficult. L'Oréal's new My Skin Track UV is designed to help. It's described as "the first battery-free wearable electronic to measure UV exposure."

My Skin Track UV is currently available at US Apple stores, and on the company's retail ...