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LEGO Contraption Allows Scientists To Safely Handle Insects

Posted by samzenpus on from the build-and-study dept.

sciencehabit writes Researchers have built contraption from LEGOs that can move and rotate insects every which way while keeping them stable and positioned under a microscope. The design improves on previous insect manipulators because it's cheap, customizable, and easy to build. As natural history museums work on digitizing their voluminous collections—taking high-resolution photographs of each precious beetle, bee, and dragonfly in their possession—they have to handle insects repeatedly. Now the job will be easier on the entomologists, and more insect specimens will be able to hang on to their wings—all thanks to LEGOs.

3 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Plural of LEGO is NOT LEGOs! by ihtoit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    LEGO is a trademark, you do not pluralise trademarks. The correct plural form of LEGO is LEGO or LEGO bricks.

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    Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    1. Re:Plural of LEGO is NOT LEGOs! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I am not owned by corporate America. I can say bandaids, kleenexes, and legos if I want.

  2. Re:Cool, but... by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It would be neat if the Lego picked up the idea and put together a special set that other people could purchase to make it even easier.

    They seem to be relatively responsive to demand these days, you should send them a suggestion. They might well add it to their educational line.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"