Skin Pigmentation News and Research

RSS

The color of the human skin is due to a brown pigment called melanin. Pigmentation or coloration of the skin is dependent on the amount of melanin present in the skin. People with pale skin produce very little melanin and people with darker skin produce higher amounts of melanin. Pregnancy and sun exposure can also make skin darker, while infections, burns, and blisters can make skin lighter.

Skin transplant surgery has long-term benefit for restoring pigmentation caused by vitiligo

A Henry Ford Hospital study has shown that skin transplant surgery has long-term benefit for restoring skin pigmentation caused by the skin disease vitiligo.

27 Jul 2017

Gene editing technology shines light on rare dyskeratosis congenita

Using the gene editing technology CRISPR, scientists have shed light on a rare, sometimes fatal syndrome that causes children to gradually lose the ability to manufacture vital blood cells.

27 Jul 2017

Human teeth reveal clues to evolution, migration and health problems

The story of humanity's vital – and fragile – relationship with the sun has been locked inside our teeth for hundreds of thousands of years. A new method is starting to tease out answers to major questions of evolution and migration, using clues hidden just under the enamel.

18 May 2017

Study highlights risk factors for widespread vitamin D deficiency

Results from a clinical review published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association find nearly 1 billion people worldwide may have deficient or insufficient levels of vitamin D due to chronic disease and inadequate sun exposure related to sunscreen use.

2 May 2017

Study suggests ‘synergistic’ link between exercise and vitamin D for better heart health

Johns Hopkins researchers report that an analysis of survey responses and health records of more than 10,000 American adults for nearly 20 years suggests a "synergistic" link between exercise and good vitamin D levels in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

27 Apr 2017

Red hair-related gene variant may contribute to link between melanoma and Parkinson's disease

A gene variant that produces red hair and fair skin in humans and in mice, which increases the risk of the dangerous skin cancer melanoma, may also contribute to the known association between melanoma and Parkinson's disease.

2 Mar 2017

Japanese scientists capture live distribution of melanin inside the skin

With a little help from chickens and video cameras, scientists have captured live the moment when skin gets darker.

8 Dec 2016

BetterYou’s oral spray effective in correcting vitamin D insufficiency in athletes, study shows

The findings of a study by Ulster University in conjunction with health pioneers BetterYou, have confirmed existing literature showing how athletes, despite spending an above average amount of time outdoors, are still at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

From BetterYou Ltd 19 Oct 2016

Researchers identify genetic causes underlying higher rate of melanoma in men

A study led by researchers at Universitat Jaume I de Castellón has identified one of the genetic causes underlying the higher rate of melanoma in men. The results have been published in Biology of Sex Differences.

21 Jul 2016

New research on EdnrB, Wnt signaling pathways could lead to therapies for skin pigment disorders

A pair of molecular signals controls skin and hair color in mice and humans — and could be targeted by new drugs to treat skin pigment disorders like vitiligo, according to a report by scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center.

29 Apr 2016

Derivatives of female sex hormones can influence natural melanin production, study suggests

When skin cells responsible for pigmentation are exposed to estrogen or progesterone, the cells respond by adjusting their melanin production, resulting in either skin darkening or lightening. Although pregnant women often experience alterations in skin pigmentation, the reason for the changes has long puzzled physicians.

27 Apr 2016

UT Southwestern scientists discover mutation that causes X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have discovered a mutation that causes a rare systemic disorder known as X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR) and, significantly, the unexpected cellular mechanism by which the mutation causes the disease.

29 Mar 2016

To reduce skin cancer risk, Vitamin D deficient Aussies should supplement

Health pioneers BetterYou are advising those looking to boost their levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ to supplement orally as a safer alternative to lengthy UV exposure.

From BetterYou Ltd 3 Feb 2016

Avita Medical sends devices and personnel to help treat mass burn victims in Taiwan

Avita Medical Ltd., a regenerative medicine company specializing in the treatment of wounds and skin defects, today announced that doctors in Taiwan have reported positive results from using ReCell® to treat burn victims of June’s waterpark disaster, with medics saying they have seen superior wound closure and better outcomes.

15 Oct 2015

Avita Medical gains two CE marks to complete skin healing portfolio

Avita Medical Ltd. (ASX: AVH), (OTCQX: AVMXY), a medical device company specializing in the treatment of wounds and skin defects, today announced it has received CE Mark authorization to market in Europe that will allow it to define and target its autologous cell suspension technology for particular clinical market segments.

9 Oct 2015

14th APS symposium highlights role of endothelin in many biological functions

Endothelin (ET) is a peptide produced by cells in the blood vessels and has powerful vessel-constricting effects. Although endothelin is mainly associated with its role in blood pressure control and cardiovascular diseases, it continues to appear in other physiological functions and diseases.

4 Sep 2015

Vitamin D deficiency can leave people less able to fight HIV-1 infection

Vitamin D plays an important part in the human immune response and deficiency can leave individuals less able to fight infections like HIV-1. Now an international team of researchers has found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation can reverse the deficiency and also improve immune response.

16 Jun 2015

New method offers quick spectral analysis of blood and melanin contents in skin sites

Many factors can change skin pigmentation, including aging, exposure to UV light, certain drugs, as well as certain diseases. A simple technique for measuring skin pigmentation could be a helpful tool for research and diagnostics. The same goes for measuring the skin blood content.

24 Apr 2015

Researchers find link between vitamin D deficiency and seasonal affective disorder

Vitamin D deficiency is not just harmful to physical health--it also might impact mental health, according to a team of researchers that has found a link between seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and a lack of sunlight.

3 Dec 2014

WRF, University of Washington partner to develop iPhone app to find severity of jaundice in newborns

Washington Research Foundation is helping University of Washington clinicians and researchers —one a MacArthur Fellow — to develop BiliCam, an iPhone app that can help determine the severity of jaundice in a newborn without having to draw blood.

29 Oct 2014