In a first, living mice are made transparent

When a dye called tartrazine is added to food, it creates a bright yellow hue often associated with lemon-flavored candy. But when mixed with a little water and daubed on the skin of mice, the dye makes their skin nearly transparent. 

Researchers reported the new use for the common food dye today in the journal Science. The technique creates a fresh opportunity for researchers to understand what is going on under the skin of a live animal, which could eventually allow them to study the inner workings of large organs or how diseases change the body. 

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