Researchers unveil "Olo", a new color never seen before

Scientists claim to have discovered a new color, "olo", perceived during an experiment involving laser pulses aimed at retinal cells. The blue-green hue is more saturated than any natural color, but some experts question whether it should be classified as a true new color.

A team of scientists has claimed to discover a new color, called "olo", that no human has ever seen before. In an experiment, participants had laser pulses directed into their eyes, stimulating specific retinal cells, which led them to perceive a unique blue-green color. The color, named "olo", has been described as more saturated than anything seen in the natural world. However, some experts have raised doubts, suggesting that the existence of this new color is open to interpretation.

The study, published in Science Advances, was led by Prof. Ren Ng from the University of California. Ng and his colleagues believe the discovery could have implications for understanding color blindness. During the experiment, participants viewed a device called Oz, which directed laser beams at their retinas, specifically targeting M cone cells. This resulted in the perception of a color that doesn’t occur naturally in human vision, making "olo" an artificial but novel hue.

Though the color "olo" is difficult to perceive, it’s seen as a significant technological breakthrough, with potential applications for helping those with color vision deficiencies. However, experts have questioned whether the color should truly be classified as a "new" color, suggesting that the perception could depend on individual interpretation and the stimulation of cone cells in unusual ways.

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