Seachnasaigh's system with an emitter and aura mesh works in Poser 8 and up, with some variations. See the thread "Making Biscuits Sparkle Glow! How?"

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3934129&ebot_calc_page#message_3934129

Also for his technique applied to torchlight see this thread...

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=4056723&ebot_calc_page#message_4056723