Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Environment
Sam McKeith

Scientists probe glow-in-the-dark rat 'mystery'

James Cook University
Researchers tested whether rats used photoluminescence in their fur for 'nocturnal communication'. (Supplied James Cook University/AAP PHOTOS)

World-first research by scientists at an Australian university has been unable to solve the mystery of why some rats glow in the dark.

The researchers, from Queensland's James Cook University, used the pelts of 36 dead rats to test if their glow-in-the-dark fur was used for "secret nocturnal communication".

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
A woman goes to pour Walmart chicken broth dated 2027, but something is clogging the spout: ‘What the heck is that?’
That’s not how broth pours.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
A man buys three limited-edition BrüMate cups at Target after two failed trips, then says a woman stopped him on the way out and demanded them back
Didn't see that coming.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
‘He was just a baby’: A cat owner says his hair-loss treatment cost him his 2-year-old cat, and he’s warning others about minoxidil
Should come with a warning label.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
A hospital worker’s $15.99 Goodwill find was identified as a Le Pho painting worth up to $80,000
An occupational therapist found a painting for $15.99 at Goodwill while shopping to relieve stress. Notably, the piece was valued significantly higher during an appraisal on Antiques Roadshow. Fine-art expert Betty Krulik identified it as a work by Vietnamese artist Le Pho. The appraisal revealed that similar artworks could sell…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Stark warning – does new footage in Avengers: Endgame reveal the truth about Doctor Doom?
Warning: contains spoilers The four short scenes added to the new version has made the film the highest-grossing of all time – but the only people really enjoying this are the Disney accountants
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Students from military families are often misunderstood in US public schools – a retired military officer and behavioral health expert explains what schools can do
Over 1.4 million children had a parent or caregiver who served in the U.S. armed forces in 2024.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play