The dye in your blue jeans could soon be used to kill cancer cells, say scientists.

UK researchers are employing tiny gold nanoparticles, 1/5000th the thickness of a human hair, to deliver the chemical compound directly into cancer cells, tearing them apart instantly.

The common dye found in blue jeans and ballpoint pens is called phthalocyanine and is a light-activated, or photosensitive, agent with cell-destroying properties.

This has been known for at least 15 years but, until now, scientists have not been able to successfully deliver it into cells; hence there's no harm in wearing blue jeans.

Blue jean dye kills cancer cells — BBC News (via digg)