A team of scientists published findings earlier this week in the journal Scientific Reports, in what the researchers think is the first described instance of a bioluminescent gene in chordates, animals that have a cartilaginous skeletal rod supporting their bodies at some stage of their lives.
Scientists have known that sea pickles have special cells called photosites, located as spots around their bodies, that allow them to glow. But the species is hard to study.David Gruber was on the southeast shores of Brazil when the ocean started glowing. He was testing out a squishy robotic hand that was attached to his submarine with the help of two colleagues when a colony of sea pickles swam by shining in their characteristic blue light.
“This paper begins to uncover some of the mystery behind bioluminescence in chordates,” says biologist Rene Martin, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kansas who wasn’t involved in the study. Most of the things we know about bioluminescence in animals come from studying non-chordate creatures like jellyfishes or plankton. Chordates that can glow are hard to study. They are often hidden in the deep ocean and rarely come up to the surface.
that instruct the creatures to start a chemical reaction that stimulates a molecule called luciferin. This molecule releases light when the animal is disturbed.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
We Finally Know The True Extent of Space Destroying Astronauts' Red Blood CellsThe human body did not evolve to handle life in space, and it shows in our very blood.
Read more »
Why the Streamers Are (Finally) Investing in AfricaThe continent is generating a frenzy of localized content as giants like Netflix and Disney+ battle to gain a foothold in a market that has long been ignored: 'There’s a lot of room for growth.'
Read more »
An Injection of Chaos Solves a Decades-Old Fluid MysteryIn the 1960s, drillers noticed that certain fluids would firm up if they flowed too fast. Researchers have finally explained why.
Read more »
Unhinged Candace Owens Pushes Vaccine Conspiracy About Bob Saget’s Death“I don’t know why a healthy man, who was in the middle of a comedy tour, suddenly and unexpectedly drops dead in his hotel room,” Owens exclaimed this week.
Read more »
Another GOP member of the Impeachment 10 heads for the exits.MaddowBlog: When former President Trump was impeached for a second time, 10 House Republicans voted in the majority. He set out to end their careers. Here's where campaign against the Impeachment 10 has had some effect.
Read more »
Touchland Glow Mist Hand Sanitizer Doubles as Perfume | Well+GoodThe brand's latest drop is the prettiest smelling hand sanitizer we've ever tried—you won't stop spritzing it.
Read more »