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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.

2 of 99 comments (clear)

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

    What could possibly go wrong?

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  2. 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.

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