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Scientists discover the 'Homer Simpson' gene that makes mice more intelligent if it is switched off
Daily Mail [UK] ^
| 9/22/10
| staff
Posted on 09/22/2010 12:59:50 PM PDT by Nachum
Scientists have discovered a gene which makes mice more intelligent when it is not working. Nicknamed the Homer Simpson gene, after the hapless cartoon character, it operates in a part of the brain which regulates how animals learn and form new memories. The researchers from the Emory University School of Medicine say that deleting the gene in mice made them more skilled at navigating mazes and remembering objects. (Snip) John Hepler, PhD, professor of pharmacology at Emory University School of Medicine, said: "A big question this research raises is why would we, or mice, have a gene that makes us
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: discover; homer; scientists; simpson
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Mmmmmm...... donuts
1
posted on
09/22/2010 12:59:56 PM PDT
by
Nachum
To: Nachum
Mmmmmm - The Democrat Gene
2
posted on
09/22/2010 1:04:44 PM PDT
by
Waverunner
(")
To: Nachum
3
posted on
09/22/2010 1:04:50 PM PDT
by
saluki_in_ohio
(I support statehood for Central and Southern Illinois. Let Cook County play with itself...)
To: Nachum
I wonder how long it will be until liberals are screaming for the government to start paying to have this turned on for free for the poor and illegal immigrants.
To: Nachum
“A big question this research raises is why would we, or mice, have a gene that makes us less smart
Put into a virus and injected along with the last flu vaccines.
[Wow, I actually scared myself}
5
posted on
09/22/2010 1:08:58 PM PDT
by
DManA
To: Nachum
6
posted on
09/22/2010 1:09:52 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
To: Nachum
Genes are not the reason Homer is stupid. He has a crayon crammed up his nose and into his brain. When it’s removed he is very intelligent.
7
posted on
09/22/2010 1:10:14 PM PDT
by
Hacklehead
(Note to Leftists- We Will Bury You (politically)
To: Nachum
I thought I heard somebody talking about me.
Guess not.
8
posted on
09/22/2010 1:11:06 PM PDT
by
Homer_J_Simpson
("Every nation has the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
To: DManA
what is the reproductive advantage to being stupid?
keep making babies despite the lack of family resources to raise them?
induce mating with ugly people? (beer goggle gene?)
9
posted on
09/22/2010 1:12:06 PM PDT
by
longtermmemmory
(VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
To: SandRat; All
To: Slings and Arrows
To: Nachum
Better at memorizing a maze is NOT “more intelligent”, it is “better memory”.
As to why we (and mice) would have a gene that makes it easier to forget, perhaps they should consider that while being locked into the memory of a maze may be advantageous to a lab raised maze walking mouse - it could be absolute MURDER for a wild mouse that has to adapt to changing circumstances and cannot be a slave to its memory.
Imagine if you never forgot anything! I asked out a gal once, and she turned me down.... never do THAT again!
12
posted on
09/22/2010 1:19:08 PM PDT
by
allmendream
(Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
To: Nachum
I always thought it was the lack of a gene but it makes sense because you can’t be that stupid from nothing.
13
posted on
09/22/2010 1:21:51 PM PDT
by
Berlin_Freeper
(If Obama was the answer---that must have been one stupid question!)
To: Nachum
To: paterfamilias
15
posted on
09/22/2010 1:23:39 PM PDT
by
Red Badger
(No, Obama's not the Antichrist. But he does have him in his MY FAVES.............)
To: longtermmemmory
What is the reproductive advantage to being stupid? FREE HEALTH CARE FREE FOOD STAMPS FREE HOUSING FREE LOADING...............
16
posted on
09/22/2010 1:25:26 PM PDT
by
Red Badger
(No, Obama's not the Antichrist. But he does have him in his MY FAVES.............)
To: Hacklehead
“Shut up, brain, or I’ll stab you with a Q-Tip!”
“How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain - remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?”
“I hope I didn’t brain my damage!”
“I am so smart, I am so smart, S M R T, I mean S M A R T.”
17
posted on
09/22/2010 1:27:47 PM PDT
by
dfwgator
(Rangers Magic Number - 6)
To: Nachum
“Simpson gene? That’s just foolishness!”
18
posted on
09/22/2010 1:29:52 PM PDT
by
Oztrich Boy
(Pardon him...he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe ... are the laws of nature)
To: Waverunner
19
posted on
09/22/2010 1:30:37 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(This post is not a statement of fact. It is merely a personal opinion -- or humor -- or both.)
To: SandRat
20
posted on
09/22/2010 1:31:15 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(This post is not a statement of fact. It is merely a personal opinion -- or humor -- or both.)
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