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Rocket Scientists Shoot Down Mosquitoes With Lasers
Wall Street Journal online ^ | March 14,2009 | ROBERT A. GUTH

Posted on 03/14/2009 4:01:26 PM PDT by jmcenanly

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- A quarter-century ago, American rocket scientists proposed the "Star Wars" defense system to knock Soviet missiles from the skies with laser beams. Some of the same scientists are now aiming their lasers at another airborne threat: the mosquito.

In a lab in this Seattle suburb, researchers in long white coats recently stood watching a small glass box of bugs. Every few seconds, a contraption 100 feet away shot a beam that hit the buzzing mosquitoes, one by one, with a spot of red light.

The insects survived this particular test, which used a non-lethal laser. But if these researchers have their way, the Cold War missile-defense strategy will be reborn as a WMD: Weapon of Mosquito Destruction.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: pests; scientists; tech; zot
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1 posted on 03/14/2009 4:01:26 PM PDT by jmcenanly
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To: jmcenanly

Now this is technological advancement I can really get behind.

It’ll sure make the family reunions more enjoyable, and entertaining.


2 posted on 03/14/2009 4:05:29 PM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg (Warning: Sarcasm/humor is always engaged. Failure to recognize this may lead to misunderstandings.)
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To: jmcenanly

Thanks for posting. This is way cool!


3 posted on 03/14/2009 4:05:37 PM PDT by tanuki (The only color of a leader that should matter is the color of his spine.)
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To: jmcenanly

An AK47 works pretty well also.


4 posted on 03/14/2009 4:06:07 PM PDT by bikerman (Obama lied;the Country died.)
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To: jmcenanly
“A mosquito hovers into view. Suddenly, it bursts into flame. A thin plume of smoke rises as the mosquito falls.”

This sounds like more fun than even a back-porch bug zapper.

5 posted on 03/14/2009 4:06:40 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: jmcenanly

I want one - I don’t care what it costs - I want one.

I will pay extra if it keeps count.


6 posted on 03/14/2009 4:07:26 PM PDT by DevNet (What's past is prologue)
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To: jmcenanly

This will revolutionise the trailer park.


7 posted on 03/14/2009 4:08:16 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: DevNet

That would be eeven better! Add a “kill-o-meter” to it!


8 posted on 03/14/2009 4:08:55 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

lol


9 posted on 03/14/2009 4:09:09 PM PDT by Roscoe Karns
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
Would be cool to get a few to hang from the eves around the house.

Also, maybe hook up a little extra power source to zap trespassers in the night.

10 posted on 03/14/2009 4:09:22 PM PDT by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: jmcenanly

As awesome as this sounds (and it does sound Awesome!), I would imagine a batch of DDT would cost a lot less, but that’s pretty environmentally insensitive of me—what was I thinking?


11 posted on 03/14/2009 4:10:55 PM PDT by Future Snake Eater ("Get out of the boat and walk on the water with us!”--Sen. Joe Biden)
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To: Dr.Zoidberg

This is the beginning of the end for pesticides and weed killers. Little solar powered robots will patrol farm fields and lawns, selectively zapping pests while leaving honey bees and lady bugs alone. Lasers might be used to precise mow your lawn too.


12 posted on 03/14/2009 4:11:29 PM PDT by Reeses (Leftism is powered by the evil force of envy.)
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To: jmcenanly

I want one that will do june bugs. Maybe even starlings.


13 posted on 03/14/2009 4:11:39 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
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To: trussell; LUV W
A world without mosquitoes?

Next LIBERALS!!!

14 posted on 03/14/2009 4:12:01 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, Question everyone else)
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To: jmcenanly

On a serious note - The technology required to accomplish a hit on a flying Mosquito from 100 feet is very impressive. It would seem to make the task of knocking a fairly predictable target, such as a Missile or Warplane, a fairly routine event.


15 posted on 03/14/2009 4:12:40 PM PDT by TCats
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To: EGPWS
A world without mosquitoes?

Next LIBERALS!!!

What works on one blood-sucker should work on another one! LOL!

16 posted on 03/14/2009 4:13:06 PM PDT by luvie (The new Boston Tea Party is here, baby, and it's doused in barbecue sauce..Michelle Malkin)
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To: jmcenanly

I can see it now a mosquito laser perimeter around our yards. I wonder if we can set it to zap June bugs, moths and other critters. We need to be able to set it so it will not zap lightening bugs though! I could use one for my garden.


17 posted on 03/14/2009 4:13:08 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: LUV W

Well you do tote a very good point there! ; )


18 posted on 03/14/2009 4:14:13 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, Question everyone else)
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To: jmcenanly
But what if it whacks one that is on short final for your arm...or leg....or face? Think it would leave a mark?
19 posted on 03/14/2009 4:14:20 PM PDT by rightwingextremist1776
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To: jmcenanly

I dream about a slightly larger one...


20 posted on 03/14/2009 4:15:02 PM PDT by bill1952 (Power is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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