Scientists Found a Dragonfly Eye Superpower That Humans Never Knew Existed
Yahoo News Singapore • • science
Key Points:
- Scientists discovered that dragonflies can see deep red light at wavelengths up to 720 nanometers, which is beyond the range visible to humans, due to a unique opsin protein in their eyes.
- This similarity in red light perception between humans and dragonflies is a result of parallel evolution, where both species independently developed comparable visual mechanisms despite their distant relation.
- Dragonflies likely use their ability to see deep red light to differentiate sexes during flight, enhancing mating efficiency and survival.
- The study suggests that near-infrared light, similar to what dragonflies perceive, could revolutionize optogenetics by enabling non-invasive control of cells deeper within living organisms, potentially improving treatments for neurological disorders.
- While practical applications in optogenetics are still uncertain, this research highlights the potential for new technologies inspired by the dragonfly’s exceptional vision.
