Darkness News
Near Infrared Light Also Stimulates the Melanopic Response
January 13, 2023 - Biology
A paper from the Long School of Medicine at University of Texas, San Antonio has found that certain bands of infrared light is absorbed the skin and eyes and stimulate melatonin production. The authors recommend exposure to daylight outdoors as much as avoiding light at night for sleep hygiene.
Read MoreMarine Ecosystems Depend on Seasonal and Lunar Lighting Changes
January 12, 2023 - The Conversation
Researchers at Plymouth University have determined that seaside urban ALAN exceeds lunar light on all except three days a year. That level of brightness is disrupting the reproductive habits of thousands of species, as well exposing many to night-time predation they would not otherwise encounter.
Read MoreStreaming on January 19th: Why Light Threatens Life
January 11, 2023 - Royal Institute of Great Britain
Johan Eklöf, author of The Darkness Manifesto: On Light Pollution, Night Ecology, and the Ancient Rhythms that Sustain Life will deliver a 90-minute talk on light pollution and wildlife health. The talk is presented by The Royal Institution and tickets are available for £5.
Read MoreRidgway State Park Picked for Dark Sky Mentorship Program
January 3, 2023 - The Daily Sentinel
Staff at the Colorado dark sky park will begin offering free training and consultations to municipalities, other parks and private businesses on reducing light pollution and dark sky tourism.
Read MoreDesign Lights Consortium Charts Lighting Ordinances
December 30, 2022 - Light Now
The DLC has compiled and rated lighting ordinances that mitigate light pollution across North America. The data is available for download or as an interactive online map.
Read MoreVerticality of ALAN Amplifies Bird Issues
December 29, 2022 - Ecology and Evolution
While most light pollution metrics are taken from ground level, birds in flight experience a different horizon line, making them more susceptible to the effects of distant light sources. Zoologists at the University of Würzburg are recommending that ecologists and advocates take that into account when measuring light pollution.
Read MoreThe Shape of Your Eyes is Making Light at Night Worse
December 28, 2022 - ArXiv
Intraocular scattering, light bouncing off the pupil before it reaches the retina, has been found damage the perception of sky quality when near bright street lighting. Spanish researchers are calling for better shielding of light near stargazing spots.
Read MoreCzech Republic Aims to Reverse EU Light Pollution
December 27, 2022 - Edison Report EU
The Czech Ministry for the Environment has some of the strongest light pollution regulations, and their aim is to spread across all European Union members. The IDA and Czech staff presented a proposal limit ALAN to the EU environmental council on the 20th.
Read MoreAmity University Charts Sleep and Immunity
December 20, 2022 - Brain Sciences
The value of REM sleep has been tracked across two factors: neurotransmission and noradrenergics. Their findings are that sleep is key to health, but that those who are ill should be charting sleep habits during recovery.
Read MoreROLAN Publishes Manifesto
December 16, 2022 - Arc Magazine
The founding partners of Responsible Outdoor Light at Night have published a ten-point manifesto to underline their core principles for exterior lighting for health safety and sustainability.
Read MorePassive Sleep Delay Makes Depression Worse
December 15, 2022 - Heliyon
A study from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University has found that passive sleep delay related to work or study (as opposed to sleep delays caused by leisure) results in higher levels of depression and more adverse sleep behaviors.
Read MoreLight Pollution Can Track Wealth From Space
December 14, 2022 - St Louis NewsNet
IIASA has examined 30 years of satellite images to determine that global poverty and its changes can be mapped based on light pollution levels.
Read More