Gizmodo Australia » monkeys

NASA To Bomb Monkeys With Gamma Radiation

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Dear NASA, I love you, but come on… monkey radiation tests? What is this? The ’50s? Are you going to resuscitate J. Edgar Hoover next? Didn’t you guys see Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt saving the monkeys in Project X?

That’s what NASA is planning to do: use squirrel monkeys to test the possible effect of radiation in humans for long-term space missions. This is the first time the agency is going to test with monkeys since the days of the Mercury Project.

They plan to bomb 27 squirrel monkeys with high-energy gamma-ray radiation, the equivalent of what astronauts could get in a three-year voyage. This obviously can result in two things: monkeys dying in pain or giant green monkeys destroying the whole East Coast.

Clearly, a lose-lose situation.

The $US1.75 million project has encountered strong opposition from animal welfare organisations, but NASA spokesman Bill Jeffs gives a good argument:

NASA-funded research has shown that simulated space radiation can affect nerve cells in culture and also the behaviour of mice and rats, but these studies are limited in the extent they can be extrapolated to human behaviour and performance. Studies in nonhuman primates are essential to be able to best predict neurobehavioral effects of radiation on humans.

Would you prefer 27 squirrel monkeys dying in experiments or six dead astronauts in a capsule floating on the Pacific Ocean? [Space.com]

Space Monkey Gone to Heaven

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Hello Miss Baker, you squirrel monkey you. You travelled onboard of a Jupiter ICBM 50 years ago with your brave friend Able. We salute you. May you two find space-bat and swing forever among the stars. [NPR]

Too Hot or Too Cold? The Monkey’s ‘Fro Will Let You Know

Andi Wang — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:40:13 +0000

This $US3 monkey luffa has a head full of heat-senstive hair that changes from brown to yellow when it feels your bath is hot enough for you to jump in. [Product Page via Nerd Approved]

Solar-Charged Monkey Toy Amuses Only Other Monkeys

Gizmodo US Edition — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:10:00 +0000

This solar-charged monkey toy that uses solar energy to climb the rope, hand over hand, is probably the first of its kind that we’ve seen.

Unfortunately, there is some assembly required, but it’ll teach the young’ns about how monkeys need to often be under direct sunlight. The solar chimp will cost you about £14.19 ($US20), and while the product description says its suitable for kids over 8, I don’t think anyone over the age of 8 is going be lining up, Hannah Montana tickets style. Your best bet is to hang it by a window and hope your toddler can comprehend “photovoltaic arrays” even though their thoughts will be more, “where’s my DS?” [Select Solar via DVICE]

Chimp in Japan Gets Popcorn Machine for Xmas, Freaks Out

Elaine Chow — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:00:00 +0000

I know some of you might be tempted to get gadgets as Christmas presents for your pets, so here’s a tip: Chimpanzees don’t like popcorn machines. Don’t say we never help you out! [Japanprobe]

Caption Contest: Revenge of the Monkey Wrench

Mark Wilson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:20:00 +0000

“What am I doing here? What are you doing here??” [halbot]

USB Monkey Hand Warmer Is For Your Hands, Not A Monkey’s

Kit Eaton — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:45:00 +0000

So many options to describe this product: “stick your hands up a (USB) monkey for warmth” or “cheat the chills with chimp USB mitts.” I’m sure you can do better. It’s a pair of monkey-shaped USB hand warmers, for when you’re typing in the cold, or you’re a sufferer of chilly hands. They get up to 46 degrees in just five minutes, have a built-in wrist support for “supporting your tired wrist when using Mouse or Keyboard” and they’ll fit hands up to 17 x 11 cm, or thereabouts, and when they’re up to temp you can even disconnected them for freestyle use. [Gadget4All]

Brain Electrode Implants Helps Paralysed Monkey Regain Arm Movement

Adrian Covert — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Scientists at the Washington National Primate Research Centre have found a way to restore movement to paralysed monkeys through the use of brain implants. Equipped with roving electrodes, these implants seek out and restore neural connections between in the brain and the rest of the body necessary for movement. According to the New Scientist, the monkey was able to move its wrist on a paralysed arm.

According to researchers, when someone becomes paralysed, the neurons that control movement remain active, only missing the actual bridge between the brain and the body. These neurons remain alive and emit signals for years after paralysis.

The electrodes are able to detect where the strongest movement signal is coming from, and attach itself to that area of the brain. So far connections only last for about four weeks or so, but researchers hope to improve on this implement the breakthrough on humans. [New Scientist]

Monkey-Controlled Robot Still Going to Act Like an Annoying F’ing Monkey

Adam Frucci — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:00:00 +0000

You may have heard about a monkey controlling a robot arm that was in the news a week or two ago. It’s a pretty incredible story (albeit one that we reported on in 2003, 2005 and 2007). In the above video, Paul Scheer from Human Giant and Best Week Ever demonstrates the down sides to giving a monkey control over a robot. Because really, at the end of the day, a robot controlled by a monkey is really just going to act like a monkey. (Video after the jump) [Funny or Die]

Monkeys Use Thought-Controlled Robot Arm to Feed

Gizmodo US Edition — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:35:00 +0000

In a breakthrough for future human prosthetic limbs, two monkeys at the University of Pittsburgh have successfully thought-operated a robot arm and used it to feed themselves for the first time. The macaques have electrodes implanted in their brains, monitoring about 100 cells, the signals from which drive the robot arm. The trained monkeys can now use the arm to grab food, even if it’s moved around, and often reach for more while still chewing on the first treat. They’d better not show them any cyborg smasher movies though: as the saying goes “monkey see… monkey do”, eh? [New Scientist]