Cyborg Worms and Lesbian Mice
All you see below is just a boring description of a few recent news from the world of science. Therefore, it is better not to read further.
The development of American nanotechnology led to the creation of worms with remote control at the University of Buffalo (Department of Physics, University at Buffalo) ( link ). The principle of creating such an animal is quite simple. Iron -containing nanoparticles were integrated into the area around the mouth of Caenhorhabditis elegans nematodes , which heated up under the influence of a magnetic field and changed the behavior of the worms: when they felt heat, they began to crawl in the opposite direction (this is their reflex). Below I give a video of this heartbreaking experiment.
But it is not the worms themselves that are interesting, but the fact that, for example, neurons have heat-sensitive ion channels that can be controlled in this way, i.e. on distance. A change in the activity of ion channels leads to a change in the functional state of the cell and affects the work of a specific organ and organism as a whole. In light of the foregoing, the expression “wireless mouse” may soon become ambiguous.
Speaking of mice . Korean scientists turned off the FucM gene in female mice, which led to a radical change in their behavior. Growing up, these mice began to behave like the last males: pestering other females,drinking beer and watching football. It is interesting that they still had the ability to give birth to offspring, however, when the scientists planted males in their cages, the mutant mice stubbornly kept their suitors away. Nevertheless, persistent Koreans have found that their offspring can become pregnant "when forced to mate with a sexually experienced male" ( link ). Sorry, I did not dare to translate this phrase.
The benefit of the new knockout mice, according to researchers, is that they may be the first step in understanding the causes of homosexuality. I also see the appearance in pet stores of non-traditional sexual orientation “for those who are not like everyone else”, or cats that do not need castration.
British scientists from Portsmouth University are not far behind. They found out that the antidepressantfluoxetine kills shrimp ( link ). Under the influence of this preparation, experimental shrimps ceased to hide from the sunlight, moreover, they strove for it with all their might. Researchers are worried that this behavior of small crustaceans will make them a prey of predators. And when all the shrimp are eaten, the ecological balance is disturbed.
In fairness, it should be noted that selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake, including fluoxetine, according to some researchers, increase the risk of suicide in humans ( link ), which, however, should not lead to environmental disaster.
A lot of interesting things have been published over the past couple of months. So, scientists have proved that friendship prolongs life for baboons (link ) that people tend to overestimate the size of their body ( link ), and depression in youth can cause senility ( link ).
In conclusion, I want to say that humanity is changing everything around. We can control worms and mice, the medicines we take fall into the ocean and make small invertebrates mortally fearless, we watch the friendship of monkeys and fear Alzheimer's disease and all this in order to get confused with something new tomorrow. The main thing is not to overdo it and sometimes look inside yourself, selfishly turning away from the outside world.
So, I wanted to write a science news digest, but I got a sermon.
The development of American nanotechnology led to the creation of worms with remote control at the University of Buffalo (Department of Physics, University at Buffalo) ( link ). The principle of creating such an animal is quite simple. Iron -containing nanoparticles were integrated into the area around the mouth of Caenhorhabditis elegans nematodes , which heated up under the influence of a magnetic field and changed the behavior of the worms: when they felt heat, they began to crawl in the opposite direction (this is their reflex). Below I give a video of this heartbreaking experiment.
But it is not the worms themselves that are interesting, but the fact that, for example, neurons have heat-sensitive ion channels that can be controlled in this way, i.e. on distance. A change in the activity of ion channels leads to a change in the functional state of the cell and affects the work of a specific organ and organism as a whole. In light of the foregoing, the expression “wireless mouse” may soon become ambiguous.
Speaking of mice . Korean scientists turned off the FucM gene in female mice, which led to a radical change in their behavior. Growing up, these mice began to behave like the last males: pestering other females,
The benefit of the new knockout mice, according to researchers, is that they may be the first step in understanding the causes of homosexuality. I also see the appearance in pet stores of non-traditional sexual orientation “for those who are not like everyone else”, or cats that do not need castration.
British scientists from Portsmouth University are not far behind. They found out that the antidepressantfluoxetine kills shrimp ( link ). Under the influence of this preparation, experimental shrimps ceased to hide from the sunlight, moreover, they strove for it with all their might. Researchers are worried that this behavior of small crustaceans will make them a prey of predators. And when all the shrimp are eaten, the ecological balance is disturbed.
In fairness, it should be noted that selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake, including fluoxetine, according to some researchers, increase the risk of suicide in humans ( link ), which, however, should not lead to environmental disaster.
A lot of interesting things have been published over the past couple of months. So, scientists have proved that friendship prolongs life for baboons (link ) that people tend to overestimate the size of their body ( link ), and depression in youth can cause senility ( link ).
In conclusion, I want to say that humanity is changing everything around. We can control worms and mice, the medicines we take fall into the ocean and make small invertebrates mortally fearless, we watch the friendship of monkeys and fear Alzheimer's disease and all this in order to get confused with something new tomorrow. The main thing is not to overdo it and sometimes look inside yourself, selfishly turning away from the outside world.
So, I wanted to write a science news digest, but I got a sermon.