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Lab worms are stunned by 'phaser'
BBC News ^ | Thursday, 19 November 2009 | Jason Palmer

Posted on 11/19/2009 7:00:50 AM PST by Willie Green

Scientists have shown off an effect not unlike that of the "phasers" in the show Star Trek - but it only works on tiny worms called nematodes.

They used a special molecule that, when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, changes its shape.

When the worms were fed this molecule and then exposed to UV light, they exhibited paralysis.

But when the worms were again exposed to visible light, they regained their ability to move.

The work is published in Journal of the American Chemical Society.

The authors claim the research could have therapeutic applications.

The phaser is a fictional invention in the Star Trek TV shows and films, a gun-like device that can stun or kill adversaries.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: disruptor; science

1 posted on 11/19/2009 7:00:50 AM PST by Willie Green
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To: Willie Green

Oh no. Here comes another episode of Leave it to Beeber”....


2 posted on 11/19/2009 7:02:33 AM PST by BenLurkin
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To: Willie Green

Hmmm, I sense a new food additive coming down the road...


3 posted on 11/19/2009 7:05:36 AM PST by Lx (Do you like it, do you like it. Scott? I call it Mr. and Mrs. Tennerman chili.)
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To: Willie Green

Set phasers to stun.


4 posted on 11/19/2009 7:07:24 AM PST by autumnraine (You can't fix stupid, but you can vote it out!)
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To: Willie Green

I’m stuned!


5 posted on 11/19/2009 7:08:55 AM PST by DannyTN
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To: Lx

>Hmmm, I sense a new food additive coming down the road...

FDA mandated, no doubt.


6 posted on 11/19/2009 7:09:54 AM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Willie Green

For humans it’s called “TV”.


7 posted on 11/19/2009 7:15:18 AM PST by gaijin
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To: gaijin

Very good.


8 posted on 11/19/2009 7:16:34 AM PST by listenhillary (A "cult of personality" arises when a leader uses mass media creating idealized/heroic public image)
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To: Willie Green
>"Lab worms are stunned by 'phaser'"

Whats the big deal? Hammers do the same thing.


9 posted on 11/19/2009 7:17:30 AM PST by scoobysnak71
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To: Willie Green
Lab worms are stunned by 'phaser'

Denebian Bloodworms?

10 posted on 11/19/2009 7:24:55 AM PST by steve-b (Intelligent Design -- "A Wizard Did It")
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To: Lx

Additive is already included in the H1N1 vaccine. OK, I made that up, but it sure sounds like it could be true, DON’T IT?


11 posted on 11/19/2009 8:06:51 AM PST by Rodamala
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To: Lx

That was my thought, too - it’ll be in the food the military is served, like this generations ‘salt peter’.

Typically, it’s the patriots, and sons and daughters of patriots, that join the military. They’re the ones the liberal elites want to control, so they’re the ones that will get this ‘special additive’.


12 posted on 11/19/2009 9:47:04 AM PST by Ro_Thunder ("Other than ending SLAVERY, FASCISM, NAZISM and COMMUNISM, war has never solved anything")
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