Before we mock “shrimp on treadmills” or “marbles in cats,” remember: we once studied Gila monster spit and it led a drug that’s now reshaping modern medicine.
How many influencers & politicians perpetuating memes actually read the studies? Probably none.
So I’ll do it for you.
How many influencers & politicians perpetuating memes actually read the studies? Probably none.
So I’ll do it for you.
Let’s start with the shrimp.
Yes, scientists really put shrimp on a tiny treadmill and no it wasn’t to see how fast a shrimp can run.
The science behind it is surprisingly important.
Yes, scientists really put shrimp on a tiny treadmill and no it wasn’t to see how fast a shrimp can run.
The science behind it is surprisingly important.
The study looked at how shrimp respond to environmental stress and infection - key concerns in marine biology and aquaculture.
The treadmill was a way to let scientists measure how oxygen use and immune function changed when shrimp experienced stress.
The treadmill was a way to let scientists measure how oxygen use and immune function changed when shrimp experienced stress.
The NSF grants led to 20+ publications - with the treadmill used in just 4. However they provided important insights to help safeguard aquaculture, protect ecosystem health, and adapt to climate-driven changes in our oceans.
Now the cats.
This one made major headlines: “The government put marbles up cats’ rear ends and electroshocked them.” And yes - it sounds awful.
But let’s break down the real science that had a legitimate goal: restoring bowel control after spinal cord injury.
This one made major headlines: “The government put marbles up cats’ rear ends and electroshocked them.” And yes - it sounds awful.
But let’s break down the real science that had a legitimate goal: restoring bowel control after spinal cord injury.
Funded by the Department of Defense, this research aimed to help veterans with paralysis - many of whom struggle with bowel dysfunction after spinal cord injury.
In the peer-reviewed study, anesthetized cats had small glass marbles placed in their rectums.
Researchers then stimulated spinal nerves (S2 sacral roots) to induce defecation to explore neuromodulation therapies for people with paralysis.
Researchers then stimulated spinal nerves (S2 sacral roots) to induce defecation to explore neuromodulation therapies for people with paralysis.
And it worked.
They found that stimulating at 7 Hz reliably activated bowel movement - proof-of-concept for spinal stimulation devices that could one day help patients regain control of basic functions.
They found that stimulating at 7 Hz reliably activated bowel movement - proof-of-concept for spinal stimulation devices that could one day help patients regain control of basic functions.
Like many medical breakthroughs, it starts with animal studies - all under carefully controlled, ethically reviewed protocols.
Bottom line is this: whether or not you agree with the projects: sound bites are easy, understanding the science takes time and effort.
But if we keep mocking what we don’t understand, we risk defunding the very discoveries that could save lives.
But if we keep mocking what we don’t understand, we risk defunding the very discoveries that could save lives.
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