A fabric that adapts to your body heat, inspired by squid skin

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have created a fabric inspired by squid skin, capable of regulating body temperature, ensuring breathability and being washable

©APL Bioengineering

From sportswear companies, many fabrics are touted for working well in any weather condition. But what if your clothing could literally adjust to the specific heat needs of your body?

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have developed an engineered material that borrows from the camouflage capabilities of squid skin-an ability to change color and texture in response to temperature fluctuations. That can be easily donned as “second skin” into which human temperature fluctuations are translated, is both breathable and washable, and was easily integrated into standard meshes. The research team published their findings in APL Bioengineering from AIP Publishing.

The secret to controlling temperature lies in complex layers within squid skin.

Squid skin is a multilayered marvel that works in harmony to manipulate light, enabling the squid to change color and pattern. This is effected with tiny chromatophores, which expand and contract under muscular control to modulate the passage and reflection of light. Scientists inspired by this developed instead a material interacting with infrared radiation. The human body dissipates heat when it warms up by emitting invisible infrared radiation. This infrared radiation can be detected by the intelligent fabric and induce a reaction so the temperature of the garment can be controlled with precision.

A washable breathable material ready for everyday use

The researchers applied a thin protective layer to the fabric, which made it appropriate for everyday use and washable without degradation of its properties. They perforated the material to make it very breathable and permeable in terms of air and water vapor, similar to cotton fabrics. Tests using infrared spectroscopy and a heated plate showed that it still thermoregulates when modified.

This new material is sure to find great applications in cold-weather wear-from ski jackets to socks and gloves, even hats. The associated production techniques could also be transferred to other areas of interest, such as washable wearable electronics and energy-storing stretchable fabrics.

Source: APL Bioengineering

Alcohol and cancer: 2024 report highlights growing risks for young adults

According to recent research, alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing various types of cancer even in younger people.

©Royaltystockphoto/123rf

The American Association for Cancer Research recently released its 2024 report on the progress of cancer, highlighting an alarming connection in consuming alcohol with six types of cancers on the rise among young adults.

The AACR added that nearly 40% of all cancers can be attributed to lifestyle changes in modifiable risk factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, use of tobacco, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets.

Given that alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor, reducing consumption can help individuals lower their risk for developing specific cancers.

From this study, the AACR report says that those who reduce alcohol intake or abstain altogether can lower the risk of alcohol-associated cancers by 8% and overall cancer risk by 4%.

What cancers does alcohol use increase the risk for?

The risk of six types of cancers is increased with excessive alcohol use:

Head and neck cancers
Breast cancer
Colorectal cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Liver cancer
Stomach cance

It is highlighted in the report that, in 2019, cancers which were attributed to alcohol consumption accounted for 5.4% of all cancers. In addition, early age commencement of drinking escalates the risk of cancer in later years of life.

Research also shows that moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy also elevates the risk of leukemia in children post-birth.

The survey revealed that “about a third of adults, 31%, think hard liquor increases the risk of cancer. About a quarter, 25%, identify beer as a risk increaser; 20% believe this about wine consumption.

More than half of the adults said they were not aware of how alcoholic beverages affected the risk of cancer.

The report authors wrote:

Educating the public about the ways in which alcohol increases cancer risk will not only enable consumers to make better choices but may also prevent and reduce excessive alcohol consumption, along with cancer morbidity and mortality.”

Source: American Association for Cancer Research

The article draws upon studies published and recommendations from international institutions and/or experts. We do not make claims in the medical-scientific field and report the facts as they are. Sources are indicated at the end of each article.