DailyDirt: Cool Animal Research
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
While there are some people out there trying to kickstop genetically modified organisms from being created, the progress of biotechnology doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Researchers are coming up with all kinds of new ways to look at mysterious biological processes, and here are just a few examples.
- Transparent brains could help neuroscientists visualize details of neurons at a molecular level. The process removes all the fat from a brain to make it transparent, and the technique could be applied to other organs as well. [url]
- Genes from jellyfish have created a bunch of glow-in-the-dark animals — such as cats, dogs, fish, sheep, pigs, monkeys and rabbits. This research isn’t just for fun (though kids might want a glow-in-the-dark pet someday) because the ability to insert genes from other species could lead to better ways to treat certain diseases, and glowing proteins give researchers an obvious way to mark genetically modified cells. [url]
- Researchers have found a way to study magnetic sensory cells in fish. These magnetic cells allow fish (and presumably similar cells in migratory birds) to navigate vast distances by sensing the Earth’s magnetic field. [url]
If you’d like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post via StumbleUpon.
Filed Under: animal research, biology, biotech, dna, genes, gfp, glow-in-the-dark, gmo, imaging, kickstop, magnetic sensory cells, neuroscience, protein
Comments on “DailyDirt: Cool Animal Research”
I want...
a glow in the dark Savanna cat!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_(cat)
It’s not like anyone can stop genetic testing on animals, even if they wanted to. Even protesting against animal testing can land you in prison on “Terrorist” charges.
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, co-sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein, is a federal law that states animal rights activists can be charged as “Terrorists”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Enterprise_Terrorism_Act
I just thought everyone should know about this. I never heard of this law until recently, and I’d hate to see anyone brought up on “Terrorism” charges.
Re: Re:
Wasn’t that also sponsored by the Umbrella Corp?
Hehe, no. Umbrella Corp was probably an entity lining the pockets of the three Senators that passed the bill though ;).
What’s interesting about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, is it only applies to businesses and technical institutes.
So if you catch your neighbor beating the crap out of a dog and report them, the police will arrest your neighbor.
If you catch a corporation beating the crap out of a dog and report it, the police will take YOU away.
God bless America!
poop bags
I want a dog that can pick up after itself.
And I want a government that doesn’t shit on our heads.
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act is only the last in a long line of laws meant to protect corporations at the expense of citizens and consumers. It’s meant to help corporations keep their ugly behavior secret and to scare journalists into keeping their mouths shut when those secrets become just to horrible to keep.
Re: Re:
And I want a date with Lady Gaga. But I don’t see that happening either.
Are you sure Dr. Frankenstein started this way?
Brain Liposuction
Perhaps this should be done to Obama since he claims to be the the most transparent administration ever.