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Scientists Produce Fearless Mice

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the no-cheese-is-safe dept.

Dotnaught writes "According to New Scientist, a Rutgers University geneticist has found that turning off a specific gene for the protein stathmin makes mice fearless. The story speculates that this research might improve treatment for phobias. It does not mention obvious military applications for the discovery. As noted in this Naval Officer's guide for managing fatigue, the use of amphetamines to stay alert, followed by sedatives to sleep, has a long tradition. Genetic treatments may offer an alternative to pharmaceuticals."

27 of 499 comments (clear)

  1. My Vision of the Future by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    These mice escape and breed in the wild. Enormous of fearless mice terrorize the world's cat population. It's not going to be pretty.

    1. Re:My Vision of the Future by bersl2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Here's what I was thinking:

      NIMH unavailable for comment.

    2. Re:My Vision of the Future by ozmanjusri · · Score: 5, Funny
      In fact this situation is possible and not funny at all.
      It was the night before Christmas and a creature was stirring. It was a mouse, a grey mouse, a lean and hungry grey mouse.
      A slight breeze shuffled discarded newspapers in the grimy alley as the mouse crept a little closer to its prey. The tip of its scaly tail twitched in anticipation as it tensed its muscles for the leap.

      With saliva dripping from its fangs, the mouse covered the intervening centimetres in a huge bound, jaws fastening viciously onto its prey, a high-pitched growl issuing from deep from within its belly. Snarling, the ferocious rodent tore at the flesh of its enemy, and the rottweiler leapt to its feet with a surprised yelp.

      The mouse, every muscle shaking with anger and bloodlust, bit deeper through the rottweiler's fur, amost drawing blood, until the startled dog nipped its head off and swallowed it.
      No, you're right, it isn't funny.
      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
    3. Re:My Vision of the Future by GuyWithLag · · Score: 4, Funny

      In fact, I've seen a cat being chased by a mouse. Yes, a mouse, not a rat... Talk about a Bizarro-style experience ....

    4. Re:My Vision of the Future by hachete · · Score: 3, Funny

      lots of dead mice.

      --
      Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious
    5. Re:My Vision of the Future by kryten_nl · · Score: 4, Funny

      Eventually, the bird flew away, never to return.

      That's what the cat told you, wasn't it?

      --
      For the perfect anti-Unix, write an OS that thinks it knows what you're doing better than you do and let it be wrong.
    6. Re:My Vision of the Future by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Score:5, Informative

      Dude, that was Tom & Jerry.

      Speaking of bizaare experiences...

  2. Like Red Baron by mindflow · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now scientist need to figure out how to make theese mice pilot planes.

    1. Re:Like Red Baron by Incadenza · · Score: 4, Funny

      Have I got news for you.

  3. There's already a fearless mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Looks like Isadore Klein beat them to the punch. He created a fearless mouse in 1942. http://www.toonopedia.com/mightym.htm

  4. Now I'm Scared.. by Plunky · · Score: 4, Funny

    Come on Mickey, are you a MAN or a MOUSE?

    AAAAAAAAAGGHHHH!

  5. In other news..... by Gunnery+Sgt.+Hartman · · Score: 4, Funny

    More mice have been committing suicide by cat.

    --
    [ ]
  6. Anyone see Equilibrium? by vodkamattvt · · Score: 4, Funny

    So we got fear, now there are a few more emotions to get rid of and we can make Equilibrium come true. Now that's practical applicaton of science.

    1. Re:Anyone see Equilibrium? by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 3, Funny

      /me thinks you didn't watch Equilibrium close enough...removing all those emotions was a *bad* thing, except for when Christian Bale killed all those guys that tried to take his puppy.

      --
      Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
  7. Obligatory fearless mice joke... by KingSkippus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Three mice were sitting in a bar, each trying to impress the others with how tough they were.

    The first one said, "When I see a mousetrap, I deliberately set it off, bench press the bar fifty times, then snack on the cheese."

    The second one, not to be outdone, said, "Yeah? Well, every morning when I get out of bed, I stir in some cream and rat poison in my coffee. It gives me a good buzz that really wakes me up and gets me going."

    They both look at the third mouse who, after a few seconds, gets up and says, "I don't have time for this bullshit. I've got to go home and fuck the cat."

    1. Re:Obligatory fearless mice joke... by Jommeke · · Score: 3, Funny

      Now all we need is a fearless cat and we have Itchy and Scratchy for real.

  8. Danger Mouse by wenchmagnet · · Score: 5, Funny

    He's The Best
    He's The Greatest
    He's The Greatest Secret Agent In The World!
    He's The Ace - He's Amazing...
    He's the Strongest... He's The Quickest.... He's The Best!

  9. laser mice... by NoSuchGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    What about a laser mounted on the backs of these mice?

    Oh, never mind

    --
    Grundgesetz * 23. Mai 1949 - 30. November 2007 - http://www.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/
  10. Re:oh lord! by jouvart · · Score: 3, Funny

    See, it was all as Douglas Adams predicted. This proves that mice really are pan-dimensional super soldiers waiting to be triggered. I, for one, welcome our new fearless rodent overlords!

  11. I for one.... by rathehun · · Score: 5, Funny

    ....have a large stock of cheese, for our new....

  12. A fearless soldier is a crap soldier by Julian+Morrison · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Hey check this out, I'm not in the least afraid anymore. Hmm, I wonder what it feels like to plough an airplane into the ground on full afterburner. Whee, fast! Hello mr cornfield. Ooh, a scarecrow. My, that ground sure is big."

  13. USB by linumax · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does this have any impact on USB mice?

  14. These already exist by Karem+Lore · · Score: 5, Funny

    They are called lemmings...

    --
    When all is said and done, nothing changes...
  15. Wait a second... by McD · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...a Rutgers University geneticist...

    Rutgers? Didn't we read about them loosing three plague mice into the wild a few months back?

    I don't know what these Rutgers scientists are up to, but I think we can all agree that "Fearless Wild Plague Rodents" would be an excellent name for a rock and roll band.

    --
    "Given the pace of technology, I propose we leave math to the machines and go play outside." -- Calvin
  16. Re: Fearless mouse - powered by beer by Getzen · · Score: 3, Funny
    Reminds of that Guinness rhyme (feel free to substitute your favorite brew):

    Some Guinness was spilt on the bar-room floor
    Just around closing one night,
    And a wee little mousie crept out of his hole
    And into the pale moonlight.
    He lapped up all of that dark frothy brew
    And back on his haunches he sat,
    And all the night long you could hear that mouse roar,
    "Bring on that god-damned cat!"

    Getzen

  17. Huh. by StarKruzr · · Score: 3, Funny

    There really IS a club for everything, isn't there?

    --

    +++ATH0
  18. Re:Good old PCP by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Users of PCP report memory loss, difficulties with speech and learning, depression, and weight loss. These symptoms can persist up to a year after cessation of PCP use. PCP has sedative effects, and interactions with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can lead to coma or accidental overdose. Use of PCP among adolescents may interfere with hormones related to normal growth and development.

    Ask your doctor if PCP is right for you.

    --
    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?