When we soaked the chicken breast in a solution containing FD&C Yellow 5 dye, something amazing happened. It became more transparent, allowing us to clearly see a Stanford sign placed underneath.

However, by adding the yellow dye used in Cheetos to the skin of mice, researchers found that they could actually bypass that scattering and allow them to see deeper.

The transparent areas take on an orangish color, Ou said. The dye used in the solution is commonly known as FD&C Yellow #5 and is frequently used in orange- or yellow-colored snack chips, candy ...

When the food, drug and cosmetic dye Yellow No. 5 is absorbed by skin, however, it reduces scattering and allows light to penetrate deeper, making the tissue transparent.