Fireflies shine differently, impacting cancer research: Study
Scientists at Gauhati University discovered that fireflies (specifically Asymmetricata circumdata) don't all shine the same way—there's actually a noticeable difference in their light, challenging what researchers thought about the luciferase enzyme.
Turns out, the color of their glow can shift by up to nine nanometers, possibly because of tiny changes in their environment or enzyme structure.
Why this matters for cancer research
This isn't just a cool bug fact—it matters for cancer research. Bioluminescence imaging, which uses this kind of light to track tumors and treatments, depends on consistent glows.
The study suggests these variations could have led to misreading tumor sizes and response to treatment.
Prof Subhradip Karmakar from AIIMS Delhi adds that different colors of light go through tissues differently, making it trickier to get accurate results.
The takeaway? Imaging tech and probes may need an upgrade to keep up with these new findings.