Dragonflies can see a color humans can’t and it could change medicine

Dragonflies possess a unique ability to see deep red and near-infrared light, a discovery with potential applications in medical imaging and sensor technology. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Dragonflies can see a color humans can’t and it could change medicine

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Scientists have discovered that dragonflies possess a visual ability that pushes beyond human limits: they can detect extremely deep red light, edging into the near-infrared spectrum. This finding, published this week, reveals that these agile insects achieve this feat using a specialized visual protein that is strikingly similar to the one found in human eyes. The research suggests this capability is crucial for dragonflies to identify potential mates during high-speed aerial maneuvers by picking up on subtle variations in reflected light that are invisible to us. The study centers on a class of proteins known as opsins, which are the light-sensitive molecules in photoreceptor cells. In humans, these proteins are tuned to specific wavelengths of visible light. The dragonfly's version, however, has undergone a subtle molecular shift, extending its sensitivity further into the long-wavelength, red end of the spectrum. This evolutionary adaptation allows the insect to perceive a broader palette of colors in its environment, effectively seeing a hue that humans cannot naturally detect. This parallel between human and insect vision is what makes the discovery particularly significant. Evolution has arrived at a similar solution in two vastly different species, hinting at a fundamental and efficient mechanism for expanding visual range. The dragonfly's opsin modification is not a wholly novel invention but a refined twist on a common biological blueprint. This convergence suggests the underlying genetic and protein structures are remarkably adaptable for tuning light sensitivity, a principle that could be harnessed in laboratory settings. The immediate biological function for the dragonfly is tied to survival and reproduction. In the dappled light of their wetland habitats, the ability to discern deep red and near-infrared reflections could provide critical contrast. Researchers hypothesize that a dragonfly's wings or body might reflect these wavelengths in unique patterns, creating a private communication channel visible only to others of their species amidst the visual noise of their environment. This would explain their precision in identifying and pursuing mates...

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Categoria: cronaca