The Enigmatic Alliance: Goblins and Their Hidden Helpers
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Introduction to the Series
Science Fictioned is a collection of imaginative tales inspired by scientific research. Each piece begins with an accessible explanation of the science before transitioning into a related story that captures the essence of the topic.
The Inspiration Behind This Article
This narrative draws from the research of Duan, F., & March, J. C. (2010). Engineered bacterial communication prevents Vibrio cholerae virulence in an infant mouse model. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(25), 11260–11264.
Understanding the Science
Bacteria possess an intelligence that often goes unnoticed. While they may appear to wander aimlessly in search of nutrients and respond to chemical cues, their social behavior is quite complex.
Typically, bacteria are perceived as harmful entities that can cause illness, especially when we neglect hygiene. However, numerous bacterial strains are harmless or even beneficial to humans.
The term "pathogenic bacteria" refers to those that lead to diseases. The word "pathogen" originates from Greek and Arabic, suggesting a mystical connection to suffering. In this light, one could consider these bacteria as malevolent spirits that bring about discomfort.
Pathogenic bacteria often rely on hosts for survival, which can range from plants to animals, including humans. When these bacteria invade a host, timing is crucial; an early attack could trigger a swift immune response.
In the bacterial world, "quorum" is a term used to describe the necessary number of bacteria to launch an attack. Rather than roll calls, they communicate through the release of signaling molecules. When these signals accumulate, the bacteria interpret this as a cue to proceed with an attack.
To exploit this communication method, researchers Faping Duan and John C. March engineered a benign strain of bacteria to mimic the signaling molecules of cholera bacteria, hoping to induce a premature bacterial assault.
Interestingly, university science labs are often located in basements, leading to a prevalence of rodent subjects in experiments. This circumstance influenced Duan and March's choice to use mice in their studies.
They began by feeding a group of mice with a harmless bacterial mixture and later injected them with cholera. Another set of mice received a different treatment involving engineered bacteria, while a third group was given no additional bacteria.
After the experiments, the results showed that the engineered bacteria helped bolster the mice's immune response, effectively diminishing the cholera's impact. The scientists published their findings but left their mouse subjects uncredited.
Despite their groundbreaking discovery, the principle of quorum sensing has been known to farmers for centuries, leading to the use of scarecrows to deter goblins.
The Fictional Tale of Grog and Smurg
Grog grinned as he observed the crescent moon. The conditions were perfect for hunting; the moonlight would guide a goblin's path while they hunted the unsuspecting humans.
Peering through the corn stalks, Grog spotted the farmhouse. If everything went according to plan, they would soon feast. A sudden noise startled him, revealing his brother Smurg struggling to keep quiet.
“Shh!” Grog whispered sharply, wary of alerting the humans. He chastised Smurg for his clumsiness, but the younger goblin remained eager to join the hunt.
As they awaited the signal from Brock, Grog's irritation grew with Smurg's fidgeting. The tension escalated until Smurg's blunder nearly compromised their mission.
Suddenly, the expected signal came, and they crept closer to the farmhouse, Grog leading the way. However, as they advanced, danger lurked nearby.
Thwack! An arrow struck, and chaos ensued. Grog watched in horror as his brother fell, and the reality of their peril dawned on him.
In a moment of grief and rage, Grog vowed to avenge Smurg, unleashing a primal scream that echoed through the night, invoking fear in the hearts of humans.
This video explores the dynamics of Goblin presence and tactics in a humorous light, adding depth to our understanding of their nature.
The Aftermath
As dawn broke, the narrative shifted back to the human world, where Thomas awoke to the pungent smell of goblins. He rushed to assist his father, unaware of the night's grim events.
A sense of foreboding filled the air, as Thomas recalled the eerie sounds from the previous night.
The scarecrow stood guard in the field, a reminder of the battles fought and the goblins deterred, as life continued on the farm.