In the 21st century we all have ideas about what the next big tech development is going to be: Teleportation, true bio-mechanical interfacing, lightsabers. Stuff like that.
Not many of us expect it to be Dorito dust turning skin invisible. But here it is:
A food dye that helps give certain sodas and snacks their hallmark orange hue renders mouse skin almost completely see-through in a reversible, potentially non-toxic research method that could transform medical and scientific imaging. Because of a counterintuitive fundamental physics principle, Tartrazine, also known as Yellow 5, can temporarily turn biological tissue transparent to the naked eye, as described in a study published September 5 in the journal Science.
Betcha didn't know those chips could do that!
Here's what it looks like after they make a mouse semi-invisible:
And this could technically end up being a good thing, according to Fox News:
While this study has only been done on animals, the ability to make skin temporarily transparent 'could offer a variety of benefits in biology, diagnostics and even cosmetics,' Hong told Fox News Digital.
'For example,' he said, 'instead of relying on invasive biopsies, doctors might be able to diagnose deep-seated tumors by simply examining a person's tissue without the need for invasive surgical removal.'
'This technique could potentially make blood draws less painful by helping phlebotomists easily locate veins under the skin,' he said. 'It could also enhance procedures like laser tattoo removal by allowing more precise targeting of the pigment beneath the skin.'
So next time you need the power of invisibility, go ahead and crush an entire bag of Doritos and see what happens. Who knows, maybe this is the origin story of the next Marvel superhero.
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