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Community Forum · Est. 2006
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09-12-2010, 04:42 PM
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Military Eyes Glowing Secrets Of Fireflies Bioluminescence Could Light Up Weapons,etc
NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The U.S. military is hoping the secrets of fireflies and other glowing creatures might someday save soldiers' lives. Scientists in Connecticut and the country are getting military grants to research bioluminescence. That's the phenomenon that lets lightning bugs, lanternfish and other creatures illuminate themselves with their own body chemistry. Military officials say bioluminescence could someday be used for lighting up helicopter landing zones or marking weapons on the battlefield. The Office of Naval Research has poured millions of dollars into the research, and a new round of Air Force research grants were announced this summer. They include $225,000 to a Connecticut College researcher who's spent 30 years studying firefly proteins and enzymes. |