Light at night, clocks and health: from humans to wild organisms

Dominoni, D. M. , Borniger, J. C. and Nelson, R. J. (2016) Light at night, clocks and health: from humans to wild organisms. Biology Letters, 12(2), 20160015. (doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0015) (PMID:26888917)

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Abstract

The increasing use of electric lights has modified the natural light environment dramatically, posing novel challenges to both humans and wildlife. Indeed, several biomedical studies have linked artificial light at night to the disruption of circadian rhythms, with important consequences for human health, such as the increasing occurrence of metabolic syndromes, cancer and reduced immunity. In wild animals, light pollution is associated with changes in circadian behaviour, reproduction and predator–prey interactions, but we know little about the underlying physiological mechanisms and whether wild species suffer the same health problems as humans. In order to fill this gap, we advocate the need for integrating ecological studies in the field, with chronobiological approaches to identify and characterize pathways that may link temporal disruption caused by light at night and potential health and fitness consequences.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dominoni, Dr Davide
Authors: Dominoni, D. M., Borniger, J. C., and Nelson, R. J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Biology Letters
Journal Abbr.:Biol Lett
Publisher:The Royal Society
ISSN:1744-9561
ISSN (Online):1744-957X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Biology Letters 12(2):20160015
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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