We all have a (very tiny) glow of light, no movie magic needed

Many science fiction and fantasy stories are enveloped in a warm glow, and it’s not just because of nostalgia. Some characters literally glow — from ET’s fingertip to the demon markings in this year’s hit movie K-Pop Demon Hunters.

This glow-up is easy to draw or add in post-production for movie magic. But while we can’t see it unaided, we — and every organism around us — really do produce tiny amounts of light. Scientists still aren’t sure whether these biophotons serve a purpose, or if they’re just glowing motes of cellular junk.

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