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[Ydahs]

A couple of excerpts:

For one, they're the only mammals with a hive mind, obeying their queen as if they were ants. Also, they feel no pain, an adaptation still not fully understood. But most importantly for us, they are the only animals that don't get cancer.

According to the scientists, the mole rat's cells express a gene that tells cells to stop dividing. The gene, called p16, forms a second ring of defense against cancer. Most mammals, including humans, only have one gene, p27, protecting cells from cancer. And while most cancers know a way around p27, p16 stops them cold.

Read the full article here

 

[Beezy]

I knew it was gonna be those ugly hairless fuckers.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Why does that penis have teeth?

 

[Rebiak]

Awww, that's pretty cute.

 

[Gattsu25]

It's like watching albino porn with far too many penises.

edit: DAMN YOU, Toxic!!! >_<

 

[Cheeto]

 

[Steppenwolf]

 

[fanboi]

^ da fuck?

 

[fistfulofmetal]

i can save you. i can save everyone.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Well... ^^^that was disturbing.

Interesting little creatures they are.

 

[Roders5]

Imagine the price of the first batch of human P16

 

[GDGF]

I read that as Hideous Robot May Provide Cure For Cancer.


That would have been so badass.

 

[SolsticeZero]

So when I blow up those things in Fallout, I'm killing the only cure for cancer?

 

[Darklord]

they're the only mammals with a hive mind

They haven't seen GAF.

 

[so1337]

No matter how ugly they are if they have the cure to cancer in them they're awesome.

 

[GDGF]

No matter how ugly they are if they have the cure to cancer in them they're awesome.

Maybe, but they look like real dicks to me.

 

[Beezy]

They haven't seen GAF.

:lol

 

[so1337]

Maybe, but they look like real dicks to me.

I pity anyone with a dick that looks like that. Urgh.

 

[AnkitT]

It would be good to know the specifics on this, looks very interesting!

 

[Timedog]

I pity anyone with a dick that looks like that. Urgh.

In the annals of history and evolutionary theory, you sir, will be a laughing stock.

 

[News Bot]

What if the p16 gene makes you look like them? Loss of hair (dead cells coincidentally) and terrible skin.

Not so great now is it?

 

[so1337]

In the annals of history and evolutionary theory, you sir, will be a laughing stock.

Oh, shit! Didn't mean to offend you, pal.

 

[dinazimmerman]

I thought cancer couldn't be cured. Where's that depressing comic strip that was posted on here once?

 

[News Bot]

I thought cancer couldn't be cured. Where's that depressing comic strip that was posted on here once?

It can't, not in the traditional "OMFG VACCINE THIS MOTHERFUCKER" sense. The method in the OP though is nothing like that.

Now the issue lies with getting that gene into a human being with no side-effects. I wonder if they'll splice it or just use a vector.

 

[Dyno]

So what do we do to get the cancer medicine? Slam them on a table a few time and suck the goop out the back?

 

[Goldrusher]

the only animals that don't get cancer

That is impressive.

 

[Slightly Live]

I'd be gladly bald if I could never get cancer.

 

[Cheebs]

I thought the title calling them hideous was your view. I can't believe that scientific site would call the animals "hideous". :lol

 

[adamsappel]

Take that, cancer!

 

[-PXG-]

Well, I guess I'm not eating breakfast now :/

 

[BobTheFork]

Bob casts PKFlash on cancer rat of doom!
cancer rat of doom cures cancer!

 

[Timedog]

what happened to using nanoparticles that attach to cancer cells only, then heating those up using radiowaves?

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Sorry but I like my chicks hot. Just say no to p16, baby.

 

[numble]

Yuck. Kill it with fire.

 

[Megadragon15]

That is one ugly rodent. Then again, people could be considered ugly by rodents.

 

[Skittleguy]

Awww...naked mole rats are cute.

 

[ToxicAdam]

So, how long until they are selling Mole Rat pills at GNC?

 

[Vast Inspiration]

Then again, people could be considered ugly by rodents.

:O

 

[Asparagus]

I'd be gladly bald if I could never get cancer.

You'd have no eyebrows!

It's pretty cool that they can do this though, hopefully it can be applied to humans in some way at some point.

 

[soyboy]

if it can prevent cancer I don't give a shit what it looks like. Even if i have to fuck it to extract some of that sweet sweet P16!

 

[Rentahamster]

Some other mole rat facts: their lips are behind their front teeth, they breathe mostly through their skin, and acid doesn't really burn them. I don't know what planet these things are from, but if they're helping cure cancer, I'm glad they're here.

Hot shit.

 

[Danthrax]

Hot shit.

Wow. These things will take over the world right under our feet if we're not careful.

 

[dankir]

Hive mind eh? How does that work in mammals??

 

[Pein]

Take that, cancer!

came in here expecting Rufus

 

[Gospel]

Why does it look like a penis. Why.

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

Hive mind eh? How does that work in mammals??

Not visited the gaming side recently, eh?

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

came in here expecting Rufus

 

[Pseudo_Sam]

Wait, they can't feel pain? That's fucking weird, man.

 

[devilhawk]

Humans do have a p16 gene.

Our p16 gene is deleted/mutated/altered in a lot of cancers.

I bet the mole rats' gene is different and the article is just poorly written.

 

[glistenm]

Also, they feel no pain,

Smells like bullshit that got concocted up to allow experimentation.