Cable Forum - Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

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Re: Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

Is there a subtle or not so subtle nuance I am missing? Why Highlanders....

Re: Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

Quote:

Originally Posted by mischievious (Post 34755517)

Is there a subtle or not so subtle nuance I am missing? Why Highlanders....

I was wondering that. if it was the billy connolly reference, well he's from Glasgow, so it can't be that. the only other thing is the whole "there can be only one", which would be either very flatering (I thank you), or very self obsorbed (modesty not a strong point). other than that, I'm stumped!!

Re: Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

Hmm. Is there any possibility the mosquitoes will evolve a defence? Consider how insects evolve to combat insecticides: all it takes is a few of 'em to possess even partial resistance by nothing more than pure chance, i.e. a random mutation which happens to reduce or even inhibit the insecticide's effects. If these individuals survive long enough to breed, said mutation will be conserved and reinforced (because partly-resistant males will breed with partly-resistant females) as it is a favourable one; a few generations later you've got a population no longer affected by the insecticide. This has happened several times in the last few decades; insect populations evolve rapidly owing to short lifespans and prolific breeding - in a swarm of midges, for example, like those which form over Lake Victoria in Africa, there are more midges than there are people on Earth. In one swarm. So if any mozzies only get clipped by the beam and somehow survive, well...

Imagine it - armour-plated mozzies! Eep! :shocked:

Re: Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymouse (Post 34755571)

Hmm. Is there any possibility the mosquitoes will evolve a defence? Imagine that - armour-plated mozzies! Eep! :shocked:

Funny you should say, someone else mentioned it to me in a face to face.

We joked that it would be funny if the laser beam went off and a little blue protective shere became momentarily visible, the mozzie obviously remaind alive :D

Re: Star Wars scientists use laser gun to kill mosquitoes in fight against malaria

Since the humanitarian side is also very interesting, thought you might be interested in:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/20...an-relief.html