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Scientists Turn Docile Mice Into Ruthless Hunters (the-scientist.com)
BenBoy writes: A couple of years ago, a story surfaced about smarter mice: Scientists Create Super-intelligent Mice, Discover They're Also Very Laid Back. Well, implicit challenge accepted! 2017 brings us a report from Cell, via The Scientist: "Neural circuits in the amygdala are responsible for predatory behavior in mice, according to a study published January 12 in Cell. Using optogenetics, a technique that uses light to turn neural circuits on and off, a group of researchers led by neuroscientist Ivan de Araujo of Yale University was able to turn docile mice into ruthless hunters. Earlier research revealed that the amygdala, an almond-shaped brain structure most commonly linked to fear, was active when rats were hunting and feeding. To see whether this brain region was actually controlling predatory behavior, Araujo and colleagues decided to use optogenetics to selectively activate specific neurons in mice, with light. When the researchers activated the amygdala, docile mice attacked everything from bottle caps to live insects. Even when there was no prey in sight, the mice displayed feeding behavior -- moving their jaws and lifted their paws as if holding a piece of food. Once the light was switched off, the animals went back to peacefully strolling around their cages." Nuclear death-mice are, we assume, right around the corner.
Looks like we aren't waiting for the Changlings to create the Jem'Hadar. A little on the small scale, but maybe they had to start somewhere?
Maybe I have been watching too much DS9?
Jumpstart the tartan drive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Every time pull up slashdot, although I emphasize to other people the educational value, deep down I want to see some totally cyberpunk horror sounding headlines. Thanks for that.
Yep, Reaver rats. They'll rape us to death, eat our flesh and sew our skin into their clothing. And if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order.
I don't know that I want my soldiers leaving the battlefield to go look for Bambi's mother to shoot. I'd rather the concentrate on the goal of attacking and conquering our biggest foe, Canada.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
George Washington and his patriot army had mad ninja skillz.
They did. The old story goes that Ethan Allen was brought back to England as a prisoner in the Revolutionary War, he was housed with a English merchant who to goad the patriot put a picture of George Washington up in the outhouse. Much to the merchant's chagrin, Allen approved. "Nothing," Allen said, "will make an Englishman shit faster than the sight of George Washington."
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