Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...

Color Vision

Color Vision

Color perception begins in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Two main theories explain how colors are seen: the trichromatic theory and the opponent-process theory. The trichromatic theory, proposed by Thomas Young in 1802 and extended by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1852, suggests that color vision is based on three types of cone receptors in the retina. These cones are sensitive to different but overlapping ranges of wavelengths corresponding to red, blue, and green.

Colors and Magnetism

Colors and Magnetism

Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...

States of Water

States of Water

Water exists in any one of the three classical states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam or water vapor). The state of water depends on i) the intermolecular forces that draw molecules together and ii) the kinetic energy that leads to movements that pull them apart.
Water freezes when the intermolecular forces are greater than the kinetic energy. Unlike most other substances, water is less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state. This is because each water molecule can form...

Red Algae

Red Algae

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Irrigation plan threatens key wetland in Spain.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2023

Same author

Stimulating the brain may help people who stutter.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2022

Same author

Bill threatens key Brazilian universities.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2020

Same author

Indigenous communities in Brazil fear pandemic's impact.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2020

Same author

When will the Amazon hit a tipping point?

Nature·2020

Same author

Fasting promotes functional changes in liver mitochondria.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Bioenergetics·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Exfoliation of Egyptian Blue and Han Blue, Two Alkali Earth Copper Silicate-based Pigments

Exfoliation of Egyptian Blue and Han Blue, Two Alkali Earth Copper Silicate-based Pigments

Published on: April 24, 2014

Shades of blue.

Ignacio Amigo¹

¹Refoxos, Spain.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|November 21, 2024

Summary

Blue zones are marketed as places for long life, but scientific evidence supporting these longevity claims is questioned. Research into these areas faces scrutiny regarding the validity of their health and aging data.

Area of Science:

Gerontology and Demography
Public Health and Epidemiology

Background:

Blue zones are geographically defined regions identified for their disproportionately high number of centenarians.
These areas have been popularized as models for healthy aging and longevity, influencing global health trends and marketing.

Discussion:

The scientific validity of the "blue zones" concept is debated, with critics questioning the data's robustness and methodology.
Skepticism centers on whether the observed longevity is due to specific lifestyle factors or potentially flawed data collection and interpretation.

Key Insights:

The "blue zones" phenomenon has achieved significant global recognition, creating a powerful brand around longevity.
However, rigorous scientific validation of the underlying claims remains a point of contention within the research community.

More Related Videos

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Published on: April 24, 2017

Applying Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging to Investigate the Palettes and the Techniques of Painters

Applying Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging to Investigate the Palettes and the Techniques of Painters

Published on: June 18, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Exfoliation of Egyptian Blue and Han Blue, Two Alkali Earth Copper Silicate-based Pigments

Exfoliation of Egyptian Blue and Han Blue, Two Alkali Earth Copper Silicate-based Pigments

Published on: April 24, 2014

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Published on: April 24, 2017

Applying Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging to Investigate the Palettes and the Techniques of Painters

Applying Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging to Investigate the Palettes and the Techniques of Painters

Published on: June 18, 2021

Outlook:

Further independent research is needed to critically assess the demographic data and lifestyle associations in blue zones.
Clarifying the scientific basis of blue zones is crucial for accurate public health messaging and avoiding the promotion of unsubstantiated longevity claims.