Scientists Levitate Mice for NASA

sterlingda writes to tell us that scientists have built a mouse-levitating superconducting magnet, working on behalf of NASA to study variable levels of gravity. The group hopes to ascertain what physiological impacts prolonged exposure to microgravity might have. "Repeated levitation tests showed the mice, even when not sedated, could quickly acclimate to levitation inside the cage. After three or four hours, the mice acted normally, including eating and drinking. The strong magnetic fields did not seem to have any negative impacts on the mice in the short term, and past studies have shown that rats did not suffer from adverse effects after 10 weeks of strong, non-levitating magnetic fields."

Comments

I've done similar experiments before...

[TommydCat]

...using a 3-man slingshot and dead squirrels.

The dead squirrels did not seem to suffer adverse effects while they were levitating, though it must be said they were in this state only for a few moments and there were adverse effects after they struck their respective targets.

Re:I've done similar experiments before...

[eldavojohn]

...using a 3-man slingshot and dead squirrels. The dead squirrels did not seem to suffer adverse effects while they were levitating, though it must be said they were in this state only for a few moments and there were adverse effects after they struck their respective targets.

Dear sir or ma'am, I am a colleague of yours in the respected field of Airborne Necromancy and would like to see your records and raw data. Specifically I am interested to see trajectory and ballistics data on said deceased squirrel and would like to know targets, their reaction and splash radius (if any). Also, I require data on the haired appendage attached to the posterior of the squirrel and would like to know if it emitted a satisfactory trailing manifold while said furry body traveled along its arc. Also, if you have raw data on the reactions of homo sapiens of the homogametic sex upon realization of said ballistic squirrel, I would be eternally grateful for it and any footage of shear horror and/or terror. I look forward to peer reviewing your research in next month's issue of Bodies in Flight. Good day!

Re:I've done similar experiments before...

[TommydCat]

Dear eldavojohn - thank you very much for your interest in our research.

Unfortunately data collected on targetted facial responses is strictly limited to third-party hear-say information since the data collection stopped shortly after levitation was achieved due to personal safety risks to the research team if they were to have remained on-site. The time period of this research predates the "YouTube" era, and indeed no video recording devices were available that wouldn't prove too bulky for safe movement during the personnel evacuation window.

While my submission cannot be considered authoritative in this subject by peer review, it is refreshing to see other researchers interested in this field of study.

Good day to you and keep your head down!

Re:bipolar mice?

[Hurricane78]

Why does everyone think it's normal for mice, to eat partially digested and rotten (with the help of bacteria) cow milk? What do you think they do without humans? Suck on tits of dead cows? ^^

Re:bipolar mice?

[Rei]

Ok... I know I should be more attentive but when I first read that headline I thought;

Scientists Levitate Miss USA

I personally believe that U.S. scientists are unable to do so because, um, some scientists out there in our nation don't have magnets and, uh, I believe that our, uh, research like such as, uh, Caltech and, uh, the Harvard and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our research over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help Caltech and should help the Harvard and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future.