Skin Pigmentation News and Research

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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.

Diet's role in fighting vitiligo highlighted in new research

Diet and nutritional interventions rich in antioxidants show potential benefits in reducing the symptoms of vitiligo, emphasizing the need for further research to solidify dietary guidelines alongside traditional treatments.

13 Mar 2024

Study reveals racial bias in pulse oximeter readings for Black heart failure patients

Racially biased readings of oxygen levels in the blood using pulse oximeters may further limit opportunities for Black patients with heart failure to receive potentially lifesaving treatments, such as heart pumps and transplants, a Michigan Medicine study finds.

21 Feb 2024

How does melanin distribution impact UV damage?

How melanin content and distribution affect ultraviolet damage in skin.

14 Feb 2024

From Neanderthals to now: Tracing the evolution of human sleep cycles

Researchers examined the differences in circadian biology between the ancestors of modern humans and the archaic hominins such as Denisovans and Neanderthals and the contribution of archaic introgression in human chronotypes by using genomes to trace chronotype evolution from archaic hominins to modern-day humans.

19 Dec 2023

Researchers develop wearable optical device for early detection of postpartum hemorrhage

Researchers have developed a wearable optical device for early detection of hemorrhage during labor or after childbirth.

21 Sep 2023

Study uncovers the science behind the body's tanning process after leaving the beach

Beachgoers are familiar with the experience of spending hours in the sun, going home, and noticing only hours later that their skin has changed color.

3 Aug 2023

Unique plant extract mixture has potent anti-acne effects

Researchers evaluate the efficacy of FRO, a formula composed of fermented Rhus verniciflua Stokes and Orostachys japonicus, against acne pathogenesis via antimicrobial assessment and an in vitro analysis. FRO was found to contain phenolics such as gallic acid, fisetin, quercetin, and kaempferol and was determined to alleviate acne by inhibiting the growth of Cutibacterium acnes, inflammation, and excess sebum.

9 Jul 2023

Does the skin microbiome contribute to protection from prolonged solar damage?

Researchers examined how the skin microbiome contributes to protection from solar damage.

19 Apr 2023

Using smartphone images for earlier detection of anemia in children

Researchers at UCL and University of Ghana have successfully predicted whether children have anemia using only a set of smartphone images.

3 Mar 2023

Burt's Bees research shows the benefits of nature-based regimens to protect and restore skin health

Burt's Bees, the #1 dermatologist recommended natural skin care brand and a pioneer in this area, announced its latest research findings on the benefits of nature-based regimens to protect and restore skin health across various skin conditions, types, and tones.

30 Sep 2022

Sensory nerve cells in human skin play an important role in pigmentation

Our skin forms the physical boundary between us and the outside world, yet it still holds a surprising number of secrets.

20 Sep 2022

Pulse oximeter inaccuracies may be associated with racial disparities in care

For most patients, a pulse oximeter is a familiar device from visits to the doctor's office. Placed on a finger or a patient's ear lobe, pulse oximeters are an easy way to quickly get a measure of someone's oxygen saturation (SpO2), which should generally be above 90 percent.

11 Jul 2022

New machine learning method may improve the identification of genes that cause diseases

A new machine learning method to model gene expression levels might improve the identification of genes that cause human diseases, according to a new study by Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

28 Jun 2022

Pulse oximeters give false readings in a group of patients with COVID-19

The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia can be difficult to assess in people from different ethnic groups, due to inaccurate readings from a device that measures the level of oxygen in the blood of patients.

28 Jan 2022

Skin pigmentation mechanism confers major protection against UV-related cancers

A skin pigmentation mechanism that can darken the color of human skin as a natural defense against ultraviolet (UV)-associated cancers has been discovered by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

7 Jul 2021

Lower UVB exposure correlated with higher risk of colorectal cancer

University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers have identified a possible link between inadequate exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) light from the sun and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, especially as people age.

6 Jul 2021

Inadequate exposure to UVB light may be linked with increased risk of colorectal cancer

Inadequate exposure to UVB light from the sun may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly in older age groups, according to a study using data on 186 countries, published in the open access journal BMC Public Health.

5 Jul 2021

Are pre-existing Vitamin D deficiencies linked to COVID-19 severity and mortality?

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge, much remains to be known about why severity varies so unpredictably between individuals. A new study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, elucidates the relationship between Vitamin D and COVID-19 severity.

10 Jun 2021

Study indicates an amyloid link between melanoma and Parkinson’s disease

On the surface, Parkinson's disease -; a neurodegenerative disorder -; and melanoma -; a type of skin cancer -; do not appear to have much in common.

7 Apr 2021

Could Vitamin D be an effective adjuvant to help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, there is a dire need for effective and safe therapeutics and vaccines. Overall, the pandemic has infected more than 90.87 million people and taken more 1.94 million lives.

12 Jan 2021