Overview

• Scientists have used advanced EMCCD imaging to map ultraweak photon emissions (UPE) from living mice and plants for the first time.
• The emissions, byproducts of cellular metabolism, abruptly cease upon death, confirming their connection to life processes.
• Environmental stressors like heat, wounding, and chemical exposure significantly amplify UPE intensity in plants, offering insights into stress responses.
• The molecular mechanisms behind UPE are not fully understood but are likely tied to reactive oxygen species in metabolism.
• The findings open potential applications for non-invasive diagnostics, such as monitoring vitality in animals and detecting stress in plants.