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Australian Mammals Glow Under UV Light, Researchers Discover

5/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at James Cook University, led by Linda Reinhold, have unveiled a fascinating discovery: Australian mammals like bandicoots and possums emit a glow under UV light, thanks to metabolites from tryptophan and porphyrin. This groundbreaking study, the first in over 50 years, also highlights how indigo enhances the striking purple hues in possum fur.

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Story summary

Researchers at James Cook University, led by Linda Reinhold, have unveiled a fascinating discovery: Australian mammals like bandicoots and possums emit a glow under UV light, thanks to metabolites from tryptophan and porphyrin. This groundbreaking study, the first in over 50 years, also highlights how indigo enhances the striking purple hues in possum fur.