In The News

A Light in the Dark
How bioluminescence works
Bioluminescence is the process by which an organism produces its own light due to a chemical reaction. It is sometimes mistaken for biofluorescence, the re-emission of absorbed light in a new color.

Though commonly associated with fireflies and glowworms, the phenomenon is rare in land species. By contrast, an estimated 75% of all ocean animals exhibit this ability themselves or through a symbiotic relationship with bioluminescent bacteria, which they use for self-defense, hunting food, mating, and communication.

The light comes from binding oxygen to one of several molecules called luciferin. Different species have different luciferin varieties, producing various types of oxyluciferin, a light-emitting molecule, in the reaction. The variety of oxyluciferin results in the variety of observed bioluminescent colors.

Scientists have used bioluminescent proteins to create tools to observe cellular biological activity and identify biochemical signals within cells for drug discovery.

... Read our full explainer on the phenomenon here.

Also, check out ...
> How humans have used bioluminescence as a military advantage. (More)
> See a photo gallery of bioluminescent creatures. (More)
> Watch shrimp escape predators by releasing bioluminescent chemicals. (More)
> Scientists and artists paired up to create art from bioluminescence. (More)



Rockefeller Center's Origin
Who are the Rockefellers?
The Rockefeller family is one of the wealthiest families in American history, with influential legacies in business, art, architecture, and philanthropy. John D. Rockefeller, born in 1839 into relatively modest circumstances, became the world’s first billionaire in 1916 after creating the first major business trust. By some accounts, he is still the richest man to have ever lived. Their cumulative net worth today is $10.3B.

The Rockefellers created the Standard Oil Company, which contributed to innovations in scaled business practices (namely, through trusts) amid the Industrial Revolution in the US, catalyzing a shift toward market centralization and monopoly. They've also financed American institutions such as New York City's Rockefeller Center, Colonial Williamsburg, and more.

Their modern-day influence mostly involves charitable giving to causes like higher education, the environment, and national parks. Their moneyed reputation has outlasted John D. Rockefeller himself: Taylor Swift, for instance, recently referenced the Standard Oil fortune in a popular song.

... Read our full write-up on the family here.

Also, check out ...
> See Rockefeller Center's Christmas trees since 1931. (More)
> The Rockefellers funded the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. (More)
> How Standard Oil used vertical integration to grow their business. (More)
> John D. Rockefeller's father was a well-known con artist. (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS