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Monday, May 14, 2012

"Adaptive Response" With Sunlight

In radiation biology it has long been known that if one delivers a moderate dose of ionizing radiation to certain types of cells (the priming dose), those cells may fare better to a subsequent large dose of ionizing radiation (the challenge dose) than cells not given the priming dose.  That phenomenon is called adaptive response.  It is frequently misinterpreted as "hormesis" (the impression that radiation is good for you).

Now it looks like we have a similar phenomenon involving bright light (sunlight, welding light, etc.).  Treat the eyes first with infra-red radiation and they suffer less damage when exposed later to the visible light radiation.  At least in rats.

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