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Scientists have made female flies to act like male flies |
tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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Researchers genetically modified the insects so that a group of brain cells that control sexual behaviour could be "switched on" by a pulse of light.
The team was able to get female fruit flies to produce a courtship song - behaviour usually only seen in males.
The study, published in the journal Cell, suggests that the wiring in male and female flies' brains is similar.
Gero Miesenboeck, from Oxford University, UK, who carried out the research with J. Dylan Clyne from Yale University, US, said: "It is often the case that males have to work very hard to convince females to mate with them.
"In many animal species, males have to put on elaborate courtship displays to impress females - even the tiny fruit fly."
Male fruit flies will vibrate one of their wings to produce a barely audible song, explained Professor Miesenboeck.
"And if the female likes that sound, she'll surrender to his advances."
Previous research has revealed that a group of 2,000 brain cells are necessary for this courtship behaviour in the insects; however, both male and female fruit flies appear to possess most of these neurons.
Professor Miesenboeck said: "It looks like males and females have very similar neuronal equipment, yet they behave so differently - only the male sings, and only the female responds to the song by allowing a male to copulate with her.
"The big question is: why - what is the difference?"
To investigate, the team placed some flies in a "mini sound studio".
The insects had been genetically modified so that a pulse of light would activate this group of courtship neurons.
S O U R C E
OOOOHHHH MY GOD!
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fatreg
Joined: Jul 26, 2003
Posts: > 500
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On 2008-04-18 22:27:56, tranced wrote:
"It is often the case that males have to work very hard to convince females to mate with them.
I find lots of alcohol does the trick!! |
tranced
Joined: Jan 19, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: Santo Domingo, wonDeRland
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is there any alco-drink for flies? though they stick to any bottle they want.
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Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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Stuff the alco-drink, give me the light beam that makes women think like men!
"Bloody 'ell Cyco, I'm dying for a six pack o' Stella an' a bit o' you know what, are you game?"
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paul101
Joined: Mar 26, 2007
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From: first to last
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On 2008-04-18 23:02:24, Cycovision wrote:
Stuff the alco-drink, give me the light beam that makes women think like men!
then youre wife would be strangely attracted to your sister 
I don't wanna sleep
I don't wanna dream
'cause my dreams don't comfort me |
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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That's fine by me mate, I'd make a bloody fortune on the web
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KingBooker5
Joined: May 12, 2007
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From: London, England
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Whats next animal sex changes? Likely, they do crazy experiments with animals. |
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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Likely, they do crazy experiments with animals
Tell me about it! I'm still smoking woodbines and washing shampoo out of my tail 
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KingBooker5
Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: London, England
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On 2008-04-18 23:30:42, Cycovision wrote:
Likely, they do crazy experiments with animals
Tell me about it! I'm still smoking woodbines and washing shampoo out of my tail
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belialwafu
Joined: Jun 01, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Texting Capital of the World
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On 2008-04-18 23:28:56, KingBooker5 wrote:
Whats next animal sex changes? Likely, they do crazy experiments with animals.
lol i watched tv they drop some liquid substance to a snail and its MALE organ pops out even if it is a female!
[addsig] |
tapojyoti
Joined: Oct 12, 2007
Posts: 15
From: The world above this one
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Instead of doing it with animals and physically torturing them,I think they should do it with themselves. |
belialwafu
Joined: Jun 01, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Texting Capital of the World
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yeah, to let them show what the animals feel omg we are like PETA now haha!
[addsig] |
gola
Joined: Jul 17, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: South Africa
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why would they need to do this? 
"Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!"
Proverbs 4: 7 |
badassmam
Joined: Nov 07, 2007
Posts: > 500
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Its a bad idea to play God like that, it would disrupt an entire ecosystem. Its not as bad as the man who will be giving birth soon (I don't mean Arnie in Junior). If you look at the Earth, its beautiful and self-sustaining. There is no reason for such science (and this coming from a scientist). There are many problems that need solving, this is just going to make problems. As for the child from the pregnant man, what will he think when he finds out that his dad got knocked up. Lets hope he has a Caeserian. |
Cycovision
Joined: Nov 30, 2003
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From: England
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The significance here is in understanding exactly how cells work and learning how we can control their functions at a very fundamental level.
Doing so could hold the key to curing illnesses that are currently mostly terminal, although I do agree that there could and no doubt will be malevolent uses as well.
It's just Human nature, I guess
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Posted: 2008-04-18 22:27
jay0726 | 
