Cheetos Food Dye Turns Mice Transparent (nypost.com) 11
Researchers have discovered that a popular food dye used in Cheetos "alters the optical qualities of skin, allowing light to pass through (Source paywalled; alternative source)," according to the Wall Street Journal. Larger doses of the dye used on humans could make searching veins for blood draw easier. From a report: Tartrazine, the yellowing agent for the "dangerously cheesy" snack, was tested on the stomachs and heads of mice -- with surprising results. Researchers were even able to see muscle pulsations and blood vessels in their brains, the Wall Street Journal reported.
How does this ultimate magic trick work? It has to do with how cells are comprised of membranes that hold fats in a watery style, the outlet stated. The fats and water manage light differently. In this case, when the dye is applied, it causes light to pass through when it hits their cells. Thus, ta-da! the transparent opacity of invisible mice skin. The findings have been published in the journal Science.
How does this ultimate magic trick work? It has to do with how cells are comprised of membranes that hold fats in a watery style, the outlet stated. The fats and water manage light differently. In this case, when the dye is applied, it causes light to pass through when it hits their cells. Thus, ta-da! the transparent opacity of invisible mice skin. The findings have been published in the journal Science.
Inquiring minds want to know (Score:4, Funny)
How many Cheetos are safe to eat before you need to wear a hat to avoid sunburn on your brain?
Re: (Score:2)
All I know is that you should avoid hats made from mouse leather.
Pinky & the Brain (Score:3)
Pinky: "Gee Brain, what do you want to do tonight?"
Brain: "The same thing we do every night, Pinky - try to take over the world!"
Pinky: "Narf! But how, Brain?"
Brain: "Simple. We'll infiltrate the Doritos Nacho Cheese factory, dye ourselves yellow, and convince the scientists we're super-intelligent, glowing mice!"
Pinky: "Brilliant, Brain! But, um, won't that just make us look cheesy?"
Brain: "Exactly, Pinky. They'll be so distracted by our pulsating brain vessels, they'll never see our takeover coming! "
Re: (Score:2)
If that's on your mind - fewer.
So.. (Score:2)
It's not the basement dwelling but the Cheetos diet which causes pale nerds and geeks?
They should create a Cheetos version which brings the appearance of a tan.
Maybe make it bacon flavoured as well. Or change the peanut butter flavoured version for this. Peanut butter has a tan colour.
Re: So.. (Score:2)
They should create a Cheetos version which brings the appearance of a tan.
Sounds like a certain former president has been assisting the scientists in research on this application already. Too bad the product is still not perfected yet.
Effects (Score:2)
I'm sure this will be thoroughly studied for adverse affects on the human body before being approved for use by the medical industry, and won't be fast-tracked by lobbyists and corrupt regulators.
The effect was missed up to now (Score:2)
because while eating Cheetos makes your skin more transparent, it also makes the lard underneath considerably thicker.
Linked article is disappointing. (Score:1)
I already know what cheetos look like. I wanted to see some pics of transparent mice.
The weird thing is that SF writer Crichton knew (Score:2)
In his novel Next he even had corporations put their advertising even under the sea, on dolphins, and on a bad a$$ POTUS.
So Chris isn't dead (Score:1)
He's just invisible.