Scientists have used a laser beam to alter a fly’s behavior and make it mate with just about anything – even a ball of wax.
The researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute created an experiment that involves shining an infrared laser directly at the head of a fly whose brain has been altered using heat-activated proteins, the Verge reported.
This alteration allows the laser, dubbed the ” Fly Mind-Altering Device” ( FlyMAD), to activate specific neurons which are involved in mating.
In the experiment, the fly suddenly started “courting” the closest object in its vicinity – in this case, a ball of wax – by circling it and vibrating its wings.
The resulting behavioral modification was so strong that it persisted for about 15 minutes after the laser had been turned off. (ANI)