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  Original photo by h heyerlein/ Unsplash Humans Actually Glow. Bioluminescence, the strange biology that causes certain creatures to glow, is usually found at the  darkest depths of the ocean  where the sun’s light doesn’t reach. While these light-emitting animals seem otherworldly, the trait is actually pretty common — in fact, you’re probably glowing right now.  According to researchers at  Tohoku Institute of Technology  in Japan, humans have their own bioluminescence, but at levels 1,000 times less than our eyes can detect. This subtle human light show, viewable thanks to ultra-sensitive cameras, is tied to our metabolism. Free radicals produced as part of our cell respiration  interact with lipids and proteins  in our bodies, and if they come in contact with a fluorescent chemical compound known as fluorophores, they can produce photons of light. This glow is mostly concentrated around our cheeks, forehead, and neck, and most common during t...

The key to protecting rattlesnakes from extinction? Clearing their name and reputation These antiheroes of the American West are actually not so bad. New research reveals they're good parents and neighbors, and their venom may help save lives. By Elizabeth Royte Photographs by Javier Aznar González de Rueda November 13, 2024 The night of  near-continuous rattlesnakes was mellow: the temperature pleasant, the humidity low, the beer cold. Under a crescent moon, the electric golf cart rolled silently over hilly paths. When our headlights illuminated a venomous snake, Matt Goode would hop out—a drink in his right hand, a snake stick in his left—and calmly present the creature for my inspection. Unlike the amped-up fellows on YouTube snatching hissing vipers from beneath wooden boards, Goode never shouted “Dude!” It was early September, and the herpetologist’s field season was winding to a close. For over 20 years the University of Arizona research scientist and his students have been c...

  Original photo by RealPeopleGroup/ iStock Around one in four people sneeze when they see a bright light. Sunlight tends to be good for us. It helps our bodies create vitamin D and mood-lifting serotonin, and  even syncs our circadian rhythms . However, some people experience an unexpected side effect after glancing into the sun: sneezing. As many as   one in four people have the reaction , appropriately   called ACHOO syndrome   (short for autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst). The sun isn’t the only thing to blame — the reaction can occur when moving from dark to light settings, after seeing bright lights, or even from witnessing a camera flash. ACHOO syndrome — also called “photic sneeze reflex” or “sun sneezing” — isn’t an allergy. While researchers  aren’t entirely sure why it happens , one theory is that it’s caused by a nervous system misfire involving the trigeminal nerve, which connects the eyes and nose with the brain. Within s...

  Original photo by Andriiii/ Shutterstock You can see inside your own eye. Your eyes are how you see the world, but they’re also how you see yourself — including  inside of your own eye . You may have experienced this while having your eyes examined, such as when the doctor shines a light on your pupils. When light comes from a small point and hits your eye just right, you can see your own blood cells as they move through the capillaries on your retina. The light reflects off the vessels, casting a shadow onto the light-sensitive cells in the retina and rendering them visible to your brain in a pattern of orange or red coloration. Each heartbeat sends those blood cells surging, adding a rhythmic quality to this strange phenomenon.  You may also have experienced what’s called the  blue field entoptic phenomenon  while staring at the clear blue sky and noticing clear, floating cells moving through your field of vision. Unlike red blood cells, white blood cells do...

  The United States is made up of 50 states, yet four of them — Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky — are officially referred to as commonwealths. Their names are technically styled as the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, etc. The term “commonwealth” is frequently associated with Great Britain, and its ongoing alignment with many countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. But in the U.S., which was also once under British rule, the term has a somewhat different meaning. A commonwealth is defined as a political entity founded for the good of the people. The word dates back to the mid-15th century and was given weight by political philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes throughout the 17th century. The term was also popularized during this period due to the execution of England’s King Charles I in 1649. After the king’s death, the country was declared a republic , and was known as the Commonwealth of England until t...

America's first theme park was focused on Santa Claus. In most cities, Christmas comes once a year… unless you live in Santa Claus, Indiana, the self-proclaimed home of the holiday season and America’s first theme park: Santa Claus Land. While amusement parks have  existed in the U.S. since the 1840s , at the beginning the general idea was just having fun. It wasn’t until 1946, with Santa Claus Land’s opening, that amusement parks  began developing specific themes . The attraction took advantage of the town’s unique name, hoping to draw in visitors who wanted to experience a bit of holiday spirit any time of year, and especially youngsters keen to meet St. Nick himself. Owner Louis Koch, who built the theme park as a retirement project, planned the destination with children in mind; his original park featured a toy shop, doll displays, children’s rides, and a restaurant. Over time, Koch also added a mini circus, deer farm, wax museum, and live entertainment. But Santa Claus La...