I sat today and watched from afar as a group of scientists attempted to open a sliding glass door out to a patio. Scientist #1 approached the door and tugged on the handle. It didn't open. Scientist #1 tugged harder on the door handle. This time the door moved, but it still didn't open. Scientist #1 recruited a collaborator--Scientist #2. Scientist #2 suggested a change in approach--try a different sliding door. More tugging. The door sort of jumped, but wasn't going to open. Scientist #3 volunteered her help and discovered the bar in the track of the door. At last, success! The glass door was open. If only they could have figured out the screen door as well. In the end, they changed their minds about how badly they wanted to go out onto the patio.
At one of the talks I attended this weekend, an experiment was discussed in which mice are placed on a plexiglass wall that is about 4mm wide. Their ability to traverse the wall is assessed (sort of like a mouse balance beam). One mouse was so good on this wall it could support itself on the wall with just its hind legs while at the same time grooming itself. The speaker noted that this experiment doesn't work for mice under 3 months old. I guess the young mice aren't into parlor tricks. When placed on the wall, they simply jump off.
1 comment:
Did you think to ring a bell with each try? Thy may have salivated too....
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