Phys.org news tagged with:hair https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Millennial Black women navigate when and where to express style Millennial Black women feel they have autonomy and flexibility in navigating beauty standards in their personal lives, according to a new qualitative study. But at work, they feel compelled to adapt to a more restrictive beauty standard. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-millennial-black-women-style.html Social Sciences Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:41:03 EDT news646584061 Edible insects show promise as sustainable nutritional source As the global population grows and traditional livestock production increasingly strains environmental resources, there is a rising interest in alternative protein sources. Edible insects, particularly grasshoppers, are abundant in regions like Cameroon and provide essential nutrients, including proteins, amino acids, and minerals vital for health and growth. Addressing these challenges calls for in-depth studies on the nutritional benefits of insects such as Ruspolia nitidula. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-edible-insects-sustainable-nutritional-source.html Agriculture Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:33:12 EDT news645460378 Unique nanodisk pushes photonics research forward Photonic applications harness the power of light-matter interactions to generate various intriguing phenomena. This has enabled major advances in communications, medicine, and spectroscopy, among others, and is also used in laser and quantum technologies. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-unique-nanodisk-photonics.html Optics & Photonics Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:57:03 EDT news645274621 Scientists create ultracompact polarization-entangled photon sources for miniaturized quantum devices Scientists have created an ultra-thin light source that emits pairs of polarization-entangled photons. These specially correlated photons hold promise for future quantum technologies, including ultra-secure communication, powerful computation, and high-precision measurements. This light source is particularly small, pure, efficient, and versatile. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-scientists-ultracompact-polarization-entangled-photon.html Optics & Photonics Quantum Physics Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:36:03 EDT news643984562 Tarantulas' hairiness may have evolved as a defense mechanism against predatory ants An article published in Journal of Natural History reviews the mutually beneficial ecological relationships and evolutionary adaptations of tarantulas. The study reveals that the infamous spiders are actually often on friendly terms with amphibians, reptiles, and even army ants, which are known to feed on spiders. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-tarantulas-hairiness-evolved-defense-mechanism.html Evolution Ecology Thu, 22 Aug 2024 10:58:03 EDT news643543081 Surprising mechanism for removing dead cells identified Billions of our cells die every day to make way for the growth of new ones. Most of these goners are cleaned up by phagocytes—mobile immune cells that migrate where needed to engulf problematic substances. But some dying or dead cells are consumed by their own neighbors, natural tissue cells with other primary jobs. How these cells sense the dying or dead around them has been largely unknown. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-mechanism-dead-cells.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 21 Aug 2024 13:01:04 EDT news643464061 How to keep your pet's coat healthy Unless you own a Sphinx cat, you probably deal with your pet's coat daily. Every time you pet, groom, or even feed your pet, you're interacting with your pet's coat health. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-pet-coat-healthy.html Veterinary medicine Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:01:03 EDT news642866461 Researchers develop 3D printed model for targeted antibiotic therapy against follicular infections Hair follicle infections are often difficult to treat because bacteria settle in the gap between hair and skin, where it is difficult for active substances to reach them. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-3d-antibiotic-therapy-follicular-infections.html Biotechnology Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:22:10 EDT news641463721 Why do dogs have different coats? Experts explain—and give grooming tips for different types Dog hair comes in many varieties, from shaggy to short, curly to straight. If you live with a dog, you live with their hair—on your couch, in your clothes, it's everywhere! https://phys.org/news/2024-07-dogs-coats-experts-grooming.html Veterinary medicine Wed, 10 Jul 2024 10:50:01 EDT news639827290 European airport pollution threatens health of 52 mn people: NGO High concentrations of tiny particles released when aviation jet fuel is burnt pose a health risk to 52 million people living around Europe's busiest airports, NGO Transport & Environment warned Tuesday. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-european-airport-pollution-threatens-health.html Environment Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:40:21 EDT news638509216 Your wig could be poisoning you: Study finds pesticides and other toxic chemicals in synthetic hair in Nigeria Well-groomed hair is a symbol of beauty for many black African women. Natural hair requires special care and attention, though, which can be time consuming. Wigs (human or synthetic hair), weave-ons and other artificial hair extensions offer women an alternative to their natural hair. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-wig-poisoning-pesticides-toxic-chemicals.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 24 Jun 2024 11:51:04 EDT news638448662 Scientists discover surprising link between ancient biology and restricted human hair growth University of Manchester scientists have linked one of the ways that cells respond to stressful conditions with restricted healthy hair growth. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-scientists-link-ancient-biology-restricted.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:18:03 EDT news638115481 Splitting hairs: Research team applies science of biomechanics to understand our bad hair days Academics are often accused of "splitting hairs," but a team at Trinity College Dublin has now devised a machine to do just that. We all have a bad hair day from time to time, and split ends are a common problem. However, the science behind this kind of hair damage is poorly understood, which is why the Trinity team, led by Professor David Taylor, is investigating this knotty problem. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-hairs-team-science-biomechanics-bad.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:52:03 EDT news637257121 Amino acid found in chicken feathers could deliver chemotherapy drugs and repair enzymes A new method of drug delivery using proline, an amino acid found in chicken feathers and skin tissue, could be used to limit the side effects of chemotherapy and repair important enzymes, new research suggests. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-amino-acid-chicken-feathers-chemotherapy.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 29 May 2024 11:00:02 EDT news636192241 First topological quantum simulator device in strong light-matter interaction regime to operate at room temperatures Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have fabricated a device no wider than a human hair that will help physicists investigate the fundamental nature of matter and light. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, could also support the development of more efficient lasers, which are used in fields ranging from medicine to manufacturing. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-topological-quantum-simulator-device-strong.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Fri, 24 May 2024 05:00:01 EDT news635696900 Researchers develop world's smallest quantum light detector on a silicon chip Researchers at the University of Bristol have made an important breakthrough in scaling quantum technology by integrating the world's tiniest quantum light detector onto a silicon chip. The paper, "A Bi-CMOS electronic photonic integrated circuit quantum light detector," was published in Science Advances. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-world-smallest-quantum-detector-silicon.html Optics & Photonics Quantum Physics Fri, 17 May 2024 14:00:01 EDT news635155801 Nanotubes, nanoparticles and antibodies detect tiny amounts of fentanyl A research team at the University of Pittsburgh led by Alexander Star, a chemistry professor in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, has developed a fentanyl sensor that is six orders of magnitude more sensitive than any electrochemical sensor for the drug reported in the past five years. The portable sensor can also tell the difference between fentanyl and other opioids. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-nanotubes-nanoparticles-antibodies-tiny-amounts.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 02 May 2024 16:22:01 EDT news633885716 Sourdough under the microscope reveals microbes cultivated over generations Sourdough is the oldest kind of leavened bread in recorded history, and people have been eating it for thousands of years. The components of creating a sourdough starter are very simple—flour and water. Mixing them produces a live culture where yeast and bacteria ferment the sugars in flour, making byproducts that give sourdough its characteristic taste and smell. They are also what make it rise in the absence of other leavening agents. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-sourdough-microscope-reveals-microbes-cultivated.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 01 May 2024 11:05:45 EDT news633780342 Nanoscale movies shed light on one barrier to a clean energy future Left unchecked, corrosion can rust out cars and pipes, take down buildings and bridges, and eat away at our monuments. Corrosion can also damage devices that could be key to a clean energy future. And now, Duke University researchers have captured extreme close-ups of that process in action. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-nanoscale-movies-barrier-energy-future.html Nanomaterials Thu, 11 Apr 2024 10:04:01 EDT news632048638 Why did modern humans replace the Neanderthals? The key might lie in our social structures Why did humans take over the world while our closest relatives, the Neanderthals, became extinct? It's possible we were just smarter, but there's surprisingly little evidence that's true. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-modern-humans-neanderthals-key-social.html Archaeology Social Sciences Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:40:01 EDT news630755352 Cinnamic acid shows promise for opening a new developmental avenue in hair growth treatment Hair has a significant impact on how society and we, as individuals, see ourselves. Consequently, hair loss or alopecia causes considerable emotional distress and anxiety and often results in a reduced quality of life for those suffering from its effects. Most alopecia patients choose drug therapy as their first treatment option. Currently, there are drugs that are effective in improving some symptoms of alopecia. However, these drugs often have side effects, and their efficacy may vary widely. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-cinnamic-acid-developmental-avenue-hair.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:17:32 EDT news630677849 Combating counterfeiting: Advanced hologram protection invented Counterfeiting of various documents, banknotes, or tickets is a common problem that can be encountered in everyday life, even when shopping. Recognizing the scale and seriousness of the problem, researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, decided to look for ways to further reduce the risk of counterfeiting by inventing a new method to produce holographic security labels. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-combating-counterfeiting-advanced-hologram.html Optics & Photonics Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:53:32 EDT news630086009 The hidden racist history of hair loss Hair loss is common in men and women, particularly with age—for example, androgenetic alopecia (or pattern baldness) affects 80% of men and 40% of women. For the most part, it can be physically inconsequential. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-hidden-racist-history-hair-loss.html Social Sciences Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:34:04 EDT news630066841 Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog The development of hair was of central importance for the evolution of mammals and, thus, also of humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the genetic program of hair was previously unknown. An international research team led by Leopold Eckhart from MedUni Vienna has now been able to show that important hair components and their genetic control have already evolved in amphibians. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-genetic-basis-evolution-hair-clawed.html Evolution Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:02:03 EDT news629985721 Animal hair structure changes from summer to winter to fend off freezing weather, researchers show Unique adaptations allow wild animals to survive temperature extremes that would quickly kill an unprotected human. For example, certain animals can withstand bitterly cold weather, thanks to the insulating properties of the hollow hairs that make up their coats. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-animal-hair-summer-winter-fend.html Plants & Animals Molecular & Computational biology Sun, 17 Mar 2024 05:00:01 EDT news629718406 Vitamin A may play a central role in stem cell biology and wound repair When a child falls off her bike and scrapes her knee, skin stem cells rush to the rescue, growing new epidermis to cover the wound. But only some of the stem cells that will ultimately patch her up are normally dedicated to replenishing the epidermis that protects her body. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-vitamin-play-central-role-stem.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:17:03 EST news629047021 Researchers uncover new principle of motion in liquid crystals A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled for the first time a new principle of motion in the microworld, where objects can move in a directed manner simply by changing their sizes periodically within a substance known as liquid crystal. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-uncover-principle-motion-liquid-crystals.html Soft Matter Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:52:02 EST news628937521 Spontaneous curvature the key to shape-shifting nanomaterials, finds study Inspired by nature, nanotechnology researchers have identified 'spontaneous curvature' as the key factor determining how ultra-thin, artificial materials can transform into useful tubes, twists and helices. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-spontaneous-curvature-key-shifting-nanomaterials.html Nanomaterials Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:23:03 EST news628770181 Research explores how people make a snap judgment about unfamiliar dogs It's no secret that people can be quick to judge others, particularly when it comes to how a person looks. There have been tons of studies on how physical facial appearance, like makeup or facial hair, impacts a person's perception of someone else. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-explores-people-snap-judgment-unfamiliar.html Plants & Animals Other Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:27:03 EST news627744421 Researchers assemble patterns of micro- and nanoparticles without using solvents Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Riga Technical University and the MESA+ Institute at the University of Twente have succeeded in arranging very small particles (10 µm to 500 nm, 10 to 100 times thinner than a human hair) in a thin layer without using solvents. This is a hugely important first step towards developing a new generation of sensors and electronics for a wide range of applications. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-patterns-micro-nanoparticles-solvents.html Nanomaterials Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:46:03 EST news627655561