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Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker Ants

Posted by Soulskill on from the why-would-you-do-this dept.

sciencehabit writes: Researchers have nearly doubled the size of a handful of Florida ants by chemically modifying their DNA, rather than by changing its encoded information. The work may help explain how the insects—despite their high degree of genetic similarity—grow into the different varieties of workers needed in a colony.

99 comments

  1. wait a minute... by slashmydots · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is EXACTLY what happened in the ant mission from Fallout 3. I had to kill like 50 of those giant ants. In fact, I think they breathed fire too. They should really stop pointless science like this before I have to clean up yet another mess with a flechette shotgun.

    1. Re:wait a minute... by BreakBad · · Score: 1

      That explains it. These scientists play Fallout 3. Things were getting a little boring in the labs. How about some fire breathing man sized insects to spice things up.

    2. Re:wait a minute... by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's silly! No one's talking about making them breathe fire! Hm. Unless... Um... BRB...

      --

      I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

    3. Re:wait a minute... by sandytaru · · Score: 1

      Happened in FFXI too. Giant ant race took over an entire island. Displaced the Galka and forced them into slavery for 200 years for the Bastokans that took them in.

      --
      Occasionally living proof of the Ballmer peak.
    4. Re:wait a minute... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      I'm going to invent a Preservation Shelter for little kids to hide in if these ants come attacking.
          -- Dr Pulowski

    5. Re:wait a minute... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is EXACTLY what happened in the ant mission from Fallout 3. I had to kill like 50 of those giant ants. In fact, I think they breathed fire too. They should really stop pointless science like this before I have to clean up yet another mess with a flechette shotgun.

      The opposite is what was going on: the scientist was trying to engineer the ants that had already grown large from radiation to grow smaller with each generation until they reached their original size. The fire breathing was an unfortunate side-effect.

      Now as to why Fire Ants are also present clear across the country only 3 years later in Fallout: New Vegas, well that's anyone's guess.

    6. Re:wait a minute... by Immerman · · Score: 1

      That should be obvious - they make for awesome "guard dogs" and "lion pits" for the black-hearted sorts, but a few always escape...

      --
      --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
    7. Re:wait a minute... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is EXACTLY what happened in the ant mission from Fallout 3. I had to kill like 50 of those giant ants. In fact, I think they breathed fire too. They should really stop pointless science like this before I have to clean up yet another mess with a flechette shotgun.

      Why have there been so many Fallout references on the internet today? Fallout 4 isn't due anytime soon, nobody is even talking about it and it's been half a decade since the last one.

    8. Re:wait a minute... by slashmydots · · Score: 1

      Technically 7 years since the last DLC for New Vegas. And everyone is sick of waiting on GTA V and Half Life 3. Fallout 4 is technically more progressed than the HL3 project, which isn't saying much.

  2. Keep em away from my house by c0d3g33k · · Score: 5, Funny

    I only allow GMO-free ants to roam my property.

    1. Re:Keep em away from my house by omems · · Score: 5, Informative

      You're in luck then, cause they're not genetically modified. They're epigenetically modified (thru drugs).

    2. Re:Keep em away from my house by LifesABeach · · Score: 2

      I wonder if similar therapies could be applied to humans?

    3. Re:Keep em away from my house by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 3, Funny

      I only allow GMO-free ants to roam my property.

      That's OK. They don't recognize your property claim and they only allow giant ants from their colony and food on their land.

      And you sure don't look like a giant ant.

    4. Re:Keep em away from my house by Minwee · · Score: 1

      They are Florida ants. Where did you think they got the idea from?

    5. Re:Keep em away from my house by pooh666 · · Score: 2

      I think you meant to type in, "enhancement" on your Google search, good luck on that.

    6. Re:Keep em away from my house by vettemph · · Score: 2

      They don't so much "roam" as extract you from your home and feed you to their young.

      --
      The government which is strong enough to protect you from everything is strong enough to take everything from you.
    7. Re:Keep em away from my house by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I wonder if similar therapies could be applied to humans?

      Take one look at an NFL ( American football for those who are not located in the US ) defensive line, and you will have your answer.

    8. Re:Keep em away from my house by OzPeter · · Score: 2

      [lamenting missed opportunities]

      The title of your post should have been

      Keep Them! away from my house

      --
      I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
    9. Re:Keep em away from my house by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sorry, I don't allow EMO ants on my property :)

    10. Re:Keep em away from my house by netsavior · · Score: 1

      Yeah, leading edge aids treatments, body building doping, and "anti-aging" treatments would be revolutionized by such a finding 50 years ago.

    11. Re:Keep em away from my house by sumdumass · · Score: 1

      You thinking about medicated underwear?

      Double thr size.... hm....

    12. Re:Keep em away from my house by Rei · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Probably not. But they could very likely do it to their close relatives, bees, which might be useful. Bees are actually more closely related to ants than they are to wasps.

      --
      "Are you hungry? I haven't eaten since later this afternoon." -- Primer
    13. Re:Keep em away from my house by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can't stand the screaming and eyeliner either.

    14. Re:Keep em away from my house by Agripa · · Score: 1

      They might make an exception for GMO-free humans. They could raise them as livestock.

  3. Anyone ever seen The House of Next Tuesday? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is a Ren and Stimpy episode where the house has a giant magnifying glass that kills the giant ants that attack. Next Tuesday was a LONG time ago though.

    1. Re:Anyone ever seen The House of Next Tuesday? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aaaaaahhh, here we go. See? Giant ants. They're just trying to manifest every little detail of the Ren & Stimpy show. Or something.

  4. What is their reasoning for this science ? by SirGeek · · Score: 1

    Are they going to use it on chickens to make elephant sized chickens (One breast would feed a school ?!?!)

    --
    UPS Sucks
    1. Re:What is their reasoning for this science ? by itzly · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Expanding our knowledge.

    2. Re:What is their reasoning for this science ? by sycodon · · Score: 1

      Mmm....breasts.

      --
      When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    3. Re: What is their reasoning for this science ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who's the scientist that created these giant prepubescent attention whores that make troll comments?

    4. Re:What is their reasoning for this science ? by GTRacer · · Score: 1

      Once they hire Billywitchdoctor.com, they'll be ready to roll!

      --
      Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    5. Re:What is their reasoning for this science ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...it's worth noting that ants historically have served as de facto model organisms for understanding all sorts of things related to population biology and behavior. As yeast and drosophila are to molecular genetics of individual-level biology, ants are to population genetics of social animals. I suspect this paper will have big impact because it demonstrates the consequences of methylation in a very vivid, socially-relevant way in a model organism.

    6. Re:What is their reasoning for this science ? by LongearedBat · · Score: 1

      Yes, because underdeveoped elephant sized chickens become dinosaurs!!!

  5. Anything but spiders by gunner_von_diamond · · Score: 1

    As long as it's not giant spiders...

    1. Re:Anything but spiders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even if they achieve that, because spiders have hydraulic feet they might not be able to move. Or, if they attempt to, their hearts might explode. So no danger there :)

  6. next: small dragons by hooiberg · · Score: 1

    So now all there is left to do for science is to create small dragons...

  7. I, for one... by marsu_k · · Score: 0

    ...can't be arsed to post the Simpsons quote here.

  8. I for one welcome by future+assassin · · Score: 0

    .....

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    1. Re:I for one welcome by NatasRevol · · Score: 1

      What is this? A comment for ants?

      --
      There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
    2. Re:I for one welcome by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      He is using scent communications.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  9. Finally on topic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If there ever was a thread this would be considered on topic this is it!

    I for one, welcome our new giant insect overlords

    1. Re: Finally on topic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      .. .. .. .. oo oo oo OO OO

      There's no stopping us!

  10. Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker Ants by Snufu · · Score: 4, Funny

    Those are very small researchers. Or very large ants.

  11. If they do that to fire ants by whitroth · · Score: 1

    I'll have a necromantic ritual, bring up the shade of my late ex, and let her go kill them messily wherever they're hiding.

    And if you think that's extreme, go find a fire ant nest and investigate it, preferably with bare feet.

                    mark

  12. I seem to remember someone in Brazil... by chasm22 · · Score: 1

    Here come the killer ants. I bet the drones will be flying for sure. I wouldn't want to be sharing the sky with them. Birds beware.

  13. Re:Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker An by rujasu · · Score: 2

    Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this.

  14. Does this mean I need a giant magnifying glass? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I was so used to frying them with my pocket magnifying lens.

  15. I for one... by Detonia · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...approve of our new Ant overlords.

    --
    Comment received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
    1. Re:I for one... by TapeCutter · · Score: 1

      ..don't approve, I'm off to the pet shop to buy a giant anteater before they are sold out!

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    2. Re:I for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      plot twist: the mutated ants also double in size with each generation.

  16. Rather than what? by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The initial paragraph of TFA and the summary both fail to say what was done instead of modifying the coded information.

    They are actually talking about modifying the methylation of the DNA rather than the base pair sequence. How this doesn't count as coded information is beyond me.

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    1. Re:Rather than what? by ClickOnThis · · Score: 3, Informative

      TFA and summary are correct: they did not modify the genetic code in the DNA. However, they did methylate the adenine and cytosine nucleotides. Presumably this changed the behavior of the DNA, but it did not change the base-pair sequences.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    2. Re:Rather than what? by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Err. Yes. That's what I said. The summary did not say that. The letters 'methyl' do not appear in the summary or the opening paragraph of TFA. Try reading what I said before responding to it.

      Nevertheless, it is still information. It is coded information.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    3. Re:Rather than what? by friesofdoom · · Score: 2

      "Look, I haven't modified this rope at all, I've just cut it up into pieces."

    4. Re:Rather than what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is coded information in a sense, but in genetics the term typically refers to sequences of nucleotides which in turn encode amino acids in a protein. Epigenetic changes like methylation don't change the encoded protein but instead may change the level at which it is produced.

    5. Re:Rather than what? by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      I guess my grasp of information theory is stronger than my grasp of what geneticists think about information theory.

      Methylation is more or less a string of bits on top of the string of bit-pairs coded in the base pairs.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    6. Re:Rather than what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Epigenetics is relatively new and not fully understood, the concept of code meaning just nucleotide sequence has been around much longer. Saying that, the term epigenetics does in many respects represent what you've said, it's effectively a layer of information on top of the primary layer of information. The idea of the genetic code only referring to the base sequence of DNA has stuck, however, as that what determines its primary output, protein sequences.

    7. Re:Rather than what? by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 1

      Yes. I've been reading a lot about new learnings to do with methylation as I've studied a lot of biochemistry and nutrition research to understand obesity and disease. That methylation can epigenetically change mitochondria and be passed on by the mother has the potential to explain how changing diet by your grandmother and great grandmother may have affected obesity today. But as usual, until highly specific experiments are done and supporting data is gathered, it's more hypothesis than theory.

      --
      I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
    8. Re:Rather than what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a very well known documented case of mother's nutrition level affecting the birth weight and obesity level of their babies. You might have seen it already, it's the case from the Netherlands during the winter of 1944-1945. Women who were malnourished in the later stages of pregnancy had smaller than normal babies, whereas women who were malnourished in early pregnancy but in the last few months had normal food levels gave birth to normal-sized babies. The babies in the first category grew into adults without obesity issues, whereas those in the latter category often reported issues with obesity. This is now known to have an epigenetic cause and one which is meiotically heritable, meaning it can be passed onto offspring.It is a very interesting field, but much is still unknown. Over time as it matures there likely will be a change in how the idea of the genetic code is viewed.

  17. I've seen this movie! by wiredog · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What could possibly go wrong?

    --

    Best Slashdot Co
    1. Re:I've seen this movie! by sysrammer · · Score: 1

      Great movie. It'd be tough to do it justice with a remake nowadays. idk, I guess we could blame it on agw or something instead of radiation.

      --
      His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
  18. Oh, come on people! by nobuddy · · Score: 5, Funny

    How is "I, for one, welcome our giant ant overlords." not the first post here? Opportunity wasted.

  19. TMNT by martiniturbide · · Score: 1

    Don't use it in turtles.

  20. You did WHAT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm trying to understand the thought process behind this idea. Were the bugs in Florida are not big enough already? I get the feeling this is not going to end well.

  21. Obligatory by Necron69 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Do you want giant ants? Because that's how you get giant ants!

    - Necron69

    1. Re:Obligatory by The_Rook · · Score: 2

      Go Team Ant!

      http://nethack.wikia.com/wiki/Ant#.22Go_Team_Ant.22

      --
      when religion is no longer the opiate of the masses, governments will resort to real opiates.
    2. Re:Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Another 2 hours lost to reading the Nethack wiki... and I don't think I'm any closer to understanding the game.

  22. Came here for the "I for one" jokes. by BLToday · · Score: 0

    So far very disappointed.

    1. Re: Came here for the "I for one" jokes. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One tear shed for unoriginality.

  23. Welcome by stazeii · · Score: 0

    I, for one, welcome our new giant ant overlords. Also, where can I buy a 55gal drum of Terro? =)

  24. Re:Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker An by Nidi62 · · Score: 2

    The ants that deleted the emails sent by the researchers recruiting for the study because they thought it was spam must be pissed.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  25. Them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The movie was called "Them" it wasn't meant to be a suggestion.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4URRp39XOo&t=114

  26. It Came From The Desert by eric2hill · · Score: 2

    Anyone remember this classic? It Came from the Desert

    --
    LOAD "SIG",8,1
    LOADING...
    READY.
    RUN
    1. Re:It Came From The Desert by MeesterCat · · Score: 1

      I came to post that very same link. Such a damn hard game, trying to shoot antenna off...

      I can still hear the noise that signified an impending ant attack.

      --
      "I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different." ~ Kurt Vonnegut Jnr.
  27. Re:Alright. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's enough silly but scary shit !
    Time to place my order for at least one giant anteater (aka: Myrmecophaga tridactyla),

  28. Just great. Giant worker ants. by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny

    More competition in work force to suppress wages. I'm sure once they get to be big enough, companies will ship them off to India and hire them back using H-1B visas. Let us all pray these ants don't get any IT training.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    1. Re:Just great. Giant worker ants. by Livius · · Score: 1

      They'll probably form a giant union and extort giant wages.

    2. Re:Just great. Giant worker ants. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And they will breathing curry fire!

  29. Let's shrink people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    More stuff for everyone!

  30. Let me be the first to say... by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 1

    No no no no NON NO NO NO NOOOOO!!! no no no no no!!!

  31. Such tiny researchers! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    At least they found something smaller to study.

  32. Re:Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker An by DrunkenTerror · · Score: 0

    If you morons would RTFS you would see that it clearly says "Researchers have nearly doubled the size of a handful of Florida ants." Anyone who's not an idiot knows "handful of Florida ants" is an eggcorn for the colloquial expression "Florida aunts" which is a Southern Georgia expression meaning you suspect someone is inbred. Florida aunts means cousins or sisters or mothers or other taboo relations. So this story is about that. About researchers doubling the size of a handful of Florida Aunts. So it's ok that I have the fantasies I do and one day we'll all be together as one happy family.

  33. Haven't these guys ever seen films. by sandbagger · · Score: 1

    We all know what'll happen next. Monster-killer giant super radioactive ants will devour cities. We'll need a spunky scientist's daughter to convince the test pilot that her father doesn't approve of to attach giant electromagnets on tractors to drive them into the sea where they'll drown.

    --
    ---- The above post was generated by the Turing Institute. Maybe.
  34. I'll just leave this here... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    THEM! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047573/)

  35. Re:Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker An by AnotherAnonymousUser · · Score: 1

    Working at a Center For Ants, perhaps :)?

    http://gifrific.com/wp-content...

  36. Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I for one welcome our new giant ant overlords.

  37. As Patton Oswalt said... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Science! We're all about COULD'VE, not SHOULD'VE."

  38. DIAF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Speaking of MORANS, what makes you so goddamned special that you can override my browser settings to spew your goddamned courier font all over my page?

  39. Exactly what I need... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    BIGGER ANTS! (and I even live in Florida)

    1. Re:Exactly what I need... by rdwulfe · · Score: 1

      I actually have a colony (on purpose) of this species (C. floridanus) next to my desk in a very nice formicaria. They are wonderful, large ants to watch and enjoy, even ifyou REALLY do not want to put your hand in the container.

      If they get pissed, they tend to bite then spray formic acid into the wound. Not pleasant... but they're still cute.

  40. Fools, these giant ants will never learn to read! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They'll never be able to attend the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good and Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too for Ants.

  41. Well I misread that... by ccanucs · · Score: 1

    Thought at first glance there were twice as many researchers as ants... Must be tired :-)

  42. Obligatory Archer comment (kinda) by Martin+Maciaszek · · Score: 1

    Do you want giant killer ants? Because that’s how you get giant killer ants!

  43. Re:Researchers Nearly Double the Size of Worker An by antdude · · Score: 1

    What is this? Researchers for ants? :P

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  44. Oh Boy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Looks like the Earth Defense Force will be getting funded in the near future...

  45. Scientists create giant ants?! by werewolf1031 · · Score: 1

    This was NOT necessary.

  46. Tiny Researchers by ghurlag · · Score: 1

    Even at twice the size of the ants, these are the tiniest researchers I've ever heard of.