Killer RATS!!

Did anyone else see this on the news?

Scientists have bred larger stronger rats.

Putting them to the test they put them in running wheels where the average rat could run for about 6 minutes, these nasty buggers ran for approximately 6 HOURS!!

HOOOLEEEE CRAPP!

They said that unfortunately though the rat was about 90% muscle, was faster and more agile, it was also much more aggressive than average...

Anyone else thinking horror movie/end of the world scenario here?

Give one of those buggers rabies and let 'em rip!

I don't know why but Killer Rats happen to be a favorite subject of mine. Since your OP did not include any links to your report of "Killer Rats", I decided to do some further research.

Can you imagine my dismay at realizing that you were referring to a recent news report regarding "super mice" -- not "killer rats"!!!!

The breed of mice can run six kilometers (four miles) at a speed of 20 meters (yards) per minute for up to six hours without stopping, according to Richard Hanson, a biochemistry professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.SOURCE

Even though I was hoping to read about "Killer Rats", I still found some interesting information on the intriguing capabilities that scientists have been able to engineer into the lowly cousin of the rat -- the laboratory mouse.

The genetically engineered mice can eat 60 percent more than wild mice in a control group but remain slim and fit. The "mighty mice" live longer, and some females were able to reproduce much later in life than other mice.SOURCE

This sort of research has some obvious implications in the areas of longevity as well as diet and weight control. Of course, there are some real implications in this study towards the development of genetically engineered soldiers as well.

The "mighty mice" primarily relied on "fatty acids as a source of energy during exercise, while the control animals rapidly switched from fatty acid metabolism to using muscle glycogen (carbohydrates) as a fuel; this dramatically raised the blood lactate levels," the research said.

The PEPCK-C enzyme was first discovered at the medical school of Case Western Reserve University in 1955, the study authors said. SOURCE

One can only imagine how the military views this type of research: The development of a "professional" soldier that can run for hours without tiring while carrying large loads of ammunition and equipment. Physical Training would become a thing of the past. The time necessary to PE training could be devoted to tactical training and exercises instead.

Of course, at this point, all that we have right now are some mice that would give an exterminator a real run for his money.



[edit on 11/4/2007 by benevolent tyrant]

Originally posted by Anderi
Did anyone else see this on the news?

Scientists have bred larger stronger rats.

Putting them to the test they put them in running wheels where the average rat could run for about 6 minutes, these nasty buggers ran for approximately 6 HOURS!!

HOOOLEEEE CRAPP!

They said that unfortunately though the rat was about 90% muscle, was faster and more agile, it was also much more aggressive than average...

Anyone else thinking horror movie/end of the world scenario here?

Give one of those buggers rabies and let 'em rip!

Originally posted by benevolent tyrant
I don't know why but Killer Rats happen to be a favorite subject of mine. Since your OP did not include any links to your report of "Killer Rats", I decided to do some further research.

Can you imagine my dismay at realizing that you were referring to a recent news report regarding "super mice" -- not "killer rats"!!!!

The breed of mice can run six kilometers (four miles) at a speed of 20 meters (yards) per minute for up to six hours without stopping, according to Richard Hanson, a biochemistry professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.SOURCE

Even though I was hoping to read about "Killer Rats", I still found some interesting information on the intriguing capabilities that scientists have been able to engineer into the lowly cousin of the rat -- the laboratory mouse.

The genetically engineered mice can eat 60 percent more than wild mice in a control group but remain slim and fit. The "mighty mice" live longer, and some females were able to reproduce much later in life than other mice.SOURCE

This sort of research has some obvious implications in the areas of longevity as well as diet and weight control. Of course, there are some real implications in this study towards the development of genetically engineered soldiers as well.

The "mighty mice" primarily relied on "fatty acids as a source of energy during exercise, while the control animals rapidly switched from fatty acid metabolism to using muscle glycogen (carbohydrates) as a fuel; this dramatically raised the blood lactate levels," the research said.

The PEPCK-C enzyme was first discovered at the medical school of Case Western Reserve University in 1955, the study authors said. SOURCE

One can only imagine how the military views this type of research: The development of a "professional" soldier that can run for hours without tiring while carrying large loads of ammunition and equipment. Physical Training would become a thing of the past. The time necessary to PE training could be devoted to tactical training and exercises instead.

Of course, at this point, all that we have right now are some mice that would give an exterminator a real run for his money.



[edit on 11/4/2007 by benevolent tyrant]