Researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences in Townsville, Queensland have reported the discovery of an amino acid that apparently absorbs ultraviolet radiation. The amino acid was discovered in algae growing inside coral on the Great Barrier Reef. The scientists say that without the protection provided by the amino acid in the algae the complex structure of the coral and the reefs would be impaired.
The amino acid has been produced in synthetic form, and while it has not yet been tested on humans, early lab results indicate that the substance successfully blocks even the dangerous UVB rays which can cause sunburn and trigger cancer. More potential good news from the research is that the algae lotion may be less likely than conventional products to cause allergic reactions which prevent many people from using sunscreens.
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