Ironically, because past research studying the after-effects of exposure to things like atom bombs and radiation treatments for cancer suggests the most important environmental risk factor for meningiomas is ionising radiation.

ECONOMIST: Confirmation that dental X-rays can be bad for you

This instrument monitors high-energy radiation considered to be a health risk to astronauts and a factor in whether microbes could survive on Mars' surface.

ENGADGET: Curiosity rover finds radiation levels on Mars are safe for humans

The result is a material that is not only waterproof but is able to block out UV radiation from the sun to such an extent that it would rate a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 101.15 if the chart went that high.

FORBES: Chinese Researchers Develop Waterproof Cotton