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posted by chromas on Friday October 25 2019, @02:56AM   Printer-friendly
from the mouse-rat-and-the-motorcycle dept.

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels

Learning to drive small cars helps rats feel less stressed, scientists found.

Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.

Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.

The rats were not required to take a driving test at the end of the study.

Also at CNN, New Scientist, The Verge, and Boing Boing.

Enriched Environment Exposure Accelerates Rodent Driving Skills[$] (DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112309) (DX)


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  • (Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Friday October 25 2019, @06:46AM

    by maxwell demon (1608) on Friday October 25 2019, @06:46AM (#911538) Journal

    Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.

    So in future the health insurance might pay your car?

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