There are more lighting options available today than ever before. Despite that, ENERGY STAR is still the simple choice to save on your utility bills.

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LED products use a variety of unique heat sink designs and configurations to manage heat. Today, advancements in materials have allowed manufacturers to design LED bulbs that match the shapes and sizes of traditional incandescent bulbs. Regardless of the heat sink design, all LED products that have earned the ENERGY STAR have been tested to ensure that they properly manage the heat so that the light output is properly maintained through the end of its rated life.

Yamanaka N*, Romero NM*, Martin FA*, Rewitz KF, Sun M, O'Connor MB, Léopold P. Neuroendocrine control of Drosophila larval light preference. Science. 2013; 341(6150):1113-6. (*=equal contributions)

Kim YJ, Bartalska K, Audsley N, Yamanaka N, Yapici N, Lee JY, Kim YC, Markovic M, Isaac E, Tanaka Y, Dickson BJ. MIPs are ancestral ligands for the sex peptide receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010; 107(14):6520-5.

Yamanaka N*, Roller L*, Zitňan D, Satake H, Mizoguchi A, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Bombyx orcokinins are brain-gut peptides involved in the neuronal regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis. J Comp Neurol. 2011; 519(2):238-46. (*=equal contributions)

Our lab is focused on identifying and characterizing neuroendocrine signaling pathways that regulate physiological and behavioral changes during insect development. Similar to humans, where physical and mental development during juvenile stage (puberty) is controlled by the neuroendocrine system, insects also have a sophisticated hormone signaling network that regulates their developmental transitions. Mainly by using fruit fly molecular genetic tools, we would like to understand what kind of hormones and receptors are involved in this system, how they work at the molecular level, and how such knowledge can be applied to develop new approaches to control animal development.

LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs and the result is visible light. To prevent performance issues, the heat LEDs produce is absorbed into a heat sink.

Yamanaka N, Rewitz KF, O'Connor MB. Ecdysone control of developmental transitions: lessons from Drosophila research. Annu Rev Entomol. 2013; 58:497-516.

Okamoto N, Yamanaka N, Endo Y, Kataoka H, Mizoguchi A. Spatiotemporal patterns of IGF-like peptide expression in the silkmoth Bombyx mori predict its pleiotropic actions. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2011; 173(1):171-82.

Common LED colors include amber, red, green, and blue. To produce white light, different color LEDs are combined or covered with a phosphor material that converts the color of the light to a familiar “white” light used in homes. Phosphor is a yellowish material that covers some LEDs. Colored LEDs are widely used as signal lights and indicator lights, like the power button on a computer.

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Okamoto N, Yamanaka N, Satake H, Saegusa H, Kataoka H, Mizoguchi A. An ecdysteroid-inducible insulin-like growth factor-like peptide regulates adult development of the silkmoth Bombyx mori. FEBS J. 2009; 276(5):1221-32.

Yamanaka N, Honda N, Osato N, Niwa R, Mizoguchi A, Kataoka H. Differential regulation of ecdysteroidogenic P450 gene expression in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007; 71(11):2808-14.

Okamoto N*, Yamanaka N*, Yagi Y, Nishida Y, Kataoka H, O'Connor MB, Mizoguchi A. A fat body-derived IGF-like peptide regulates postfeeding growth in Drosophila. Dev Cell. 2009; 17(6):885-91. (*=equal contributions)

LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR are subject to very specific requirements designed to replicate the experience you are used to with a standard bulb—so they can be used for a wide variety of applications. As the graphic on the right demonstrates, a general purpose LED bulb that does not qualify for the ENERGY STAR may not distribute light everywhere and could prove to be a disappointment if used in a table lamp.

International Silkworm Genome Consortium. The genome of a lepidopteran model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori. Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2008; 38(12):1036-45.

Yamanaka N, O'Connor MB. Nitric oxide directly regulates gene expression during Drosophila development: need some gas to drive into metamorphosis?. Genes Dev. 2011; 25(14):1459-63.

Yamanaka N, Hua YJ, Roller L, Spalovská-Valachová I, Mizoguchi A, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. Bombyx prothoracicostatic peptides activate the sex peptide receptor to regulate ecdysteroid biosynthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010; 107(5):2060-5.

Rewitz KF, Yamanaka N, Gilbert LI, O'Connor MB. The insect neuropeptide PTTH activates receptor tyrosine kinase torso to initiate metamorphosis. Science. 2009; 326(5958):1403-5.

LEDs are “directional” light sources, which means they emit light in a specific direction, unlike incandescent and CFL, which emit light and heat in all directions. That means LEDs are able to use light and energy more efficiently in a multitude of applications. However, it also means that sophisticated engineering is needed to produce an LED light bulb that shines light in every direction.

Rewitz KF, Yamanaka N, O'Connor MB. Developmental checkpoints and feedback circuits time insect maturation. Curr Top Dev Biol. 2013; 103:1-33.

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2009 Inoue Research Award for Young Scientists 2012 NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) 2017 Pew Biomedical Scholar

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Yamanaka N, Hua YJ, Mizoguchi A, Watanabe K, Niwa R, Tanaka Y, Kataoka H. Identification of a novel prothoracicostatic hormone and its receptor in the silkworm Bombyx mori. J Biol Chem. 2005; 280(15):14684-90.

The useful life of LED lighting products is defined differently than that of other light sources, such as incandescent or compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). LEDs typically do not “burn out” or fail. Instead, they experience ‘lumen depreciation’, wherein the brightness of the LED dims slowly over time. Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED “lifetime” is established on a prediction of when the light output decreases by 30 percent.

And as with all ENERGY STAR products, certified LED bulbs are subject to random testing every year to ensure they continue to meet the ENERGY STAR requirements.

Yamanaka N, Yamamoto S, Zitňan D, Watanabe K, Kawada T, Satake H, Kaneko Y, Hiruma K, Tanaka Y, Shinoda T, Kataoka H. Neuropeptide receptor transcriptome reveals unidentified neuroendocrine pathways. PLoS One. 2008; 3(8):e3048.

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LEDs use heat sinks to absorb the heat produced by the LED and dissipate it into the surrounding environment. This keeps LEDs from overheating and burning out. Thermal management is generally the single most important factor in the successful performance of an LED over its lifetime. The higher the temperature at which the LEDs are operated, the more quickly the light will degrade, and the shorter the useful life will be.

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In a CFL, an electric current flows between electrodes at each end of a tube containing gases. This reaction produces ultraviolet (UV) light and heat. The UV light is transformed into visible light when it strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb. Learn more about CFLs.

LED lighting differs from incandescent and fluorescent in several ways. When designed well, LED lighting is more efficient, versatile, and lasts longer.

Rewitz KF, Yamanaka N, O'Connor MB. Steroid hormone inactivation is required during the juvenile-adult transition in Drosophila. Dev Cell. 2010; 19(6):895-902.

Incandescent bulbs produce light using electricity to heat a metal filament until it becomes “white” hot or is said to incandesce. As a result, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat.

Yamanaka N, Zitňan D, Kim YJ, Adams ME, Hua YJ, Suzuki Y, Suzuki M, Suzuki A, Satake H, Mizoguchi A, Asaoka K, Tanaka Y, Kataoka H. Regulation of insect steroid hormone biosynthesis by innervating peptidergic neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006; 103(23):8622-7.

Ohhara Y, Kobayashi S, Yamanaka N. Nutrient-Dependent Endocycling in Steroidogenic Tissue Dictates Timing of Metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Genet. 2017; 13(1):e1006583. Ou Q, Zeng J, Yamanaka N, Brakken-Thal C, O'Connor MB, King-Jones K. The Insect Prothoracic Gland as a Model for Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis and Regulation. Cell Rep. 2016; 16(1):247-62. Danielsen ET, Moeller ME, Yamanaka N, Ou Q, Laursen JM, Soenderholm C, Zhuo R, Phelps B, Tang K, Zeng J, Kondo S, Nielsen CH, Harvald EB, Faergeman NJ, Haley MJ, O'Connor KA, King-Jones K, O'Connor MB, Rewitz KF. A Drosophila Genome-Wide Screen Identifies Regulators of Steroid Hormone Production and Developmental Timing. Dev Cell. 2016; 37(6):558-70. Yamanaka N, Marqués G, O'Connor MB. Vesicle-Mediated Steroid Hormone Secretion in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell. 2015; 163(4):907-19. Okamoto N, Yamanaka N. Nutrition-dependent control of insect development by insulin-like peptides. Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2015; 11:21-30.

For more information on how to select an ENERGY STAR certified bulb for each application in your home, view the ENERGY STAR Light Bulb Purchasing Guide (PDF, 1.49 MB) or use the interactive online Choose a Light tool.

LEDs are incorporated into bulbs and fixtures for general lighting applications. Small in size, LEDs provide unique design opportunities. Some LED bulb solutions may physically resemble familiar light bulbs and better match the appearance of traditional light bulbs. Some LED light fixtures may have LEDs built in as a permanent light source. There are also hybrid approaches where a non-traditional “bulb” or replaceable light source format is used and specially designed for a unique fixture. LEDs offer a tremendous opportunity for innovation in lighting form factors and fit a wider breadth of applications than traditional lighting technologies.

Roller L, Yamanaka N, Watanabe K, Daubnerová I, Zitňan D, Kataoka H, Tanaka Y. The unique evolution of neuropeptide genes in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2008; 38(12):1147-57.