Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Gaia on 29/11/2006 11:27:31

Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: Gaia on 29/11/2006 11:27:31
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US military defense scientists have found a way to train the common honey bee to smell explosives used in bombs, a skill they say could help protect American troops abroad.

Scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico said in an online statement published Monday they had developed a method to harness the bee's exceptional olfactory sense.

"The new techniques could become a leading tool in the fight against the use of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, which present a critical vulnerability for American military troops abroad and is an emerging danger for civilians worldwide," the research laboratory said.

more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/28112006/323/military-trains-air-force-bomb-sniffing-bees.html

Title: Re: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: another_someone on 29/11/2006 15:45:00
I had heard they were being considered for mine clearance, but were considered too unreliable; but IED's would seem unlikely because I cannot see bees being trained to follow an armoured column on tour (releasing them into a minefield is one thing, having them fly alongside a patrol is another).
Title: Re: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: neilep on 29/11/2006 17:53:41
Now if only they could get them to diffuse them too !!...and then fly on to sting the nasty people !!....ah..but that would mean death for the Bee !! [:-\]
Title: Re: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: Karen W. on 29/11/2006 18:02:57
I am amazed at this topic.. Had no clue you could do such things with bee's!LOL
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: ChrisDominic on 08/01/2009 01:28:41
I worked in military for 10 years. I am in search of site to share my military experiences.
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: StephenTomz on 08/01/2009 01:35:40
StephenTomz,To share your experience logon to http://www.mymilitaryyears.com/ . I have read so many articles about the experiences of brave men like you on this site.
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 08/01/2009 05:02:13
lame.

ChrisDominic and StephenTomz are the same person.

If you were going to try this kind of spam wouldn't you at least try to do it a bit more convincingly?
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: Chemistry4me on 08/01/2009 05:38:51
Uhhh... was I not supposed to click that link?
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: scigirence on 14/01/2009 23:05:40
Hmmmm....
Title: US military trains 'air force' of bomb-sniffing bees
Post by: Chemistry4me on 16/01/2009 02:18:52
Hmmmm....
[???] [???] [???]
I was only joking about clicking it [;D]