Zapping flies' brains with lasers makes them hungry for sex

Scientists have used a laser beam to alter a fly's behavior and make it mate with just about anything - even a ball of wax.

The researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute created an experiment that involves shining an infrared laser directly at the head of a fly whose brain has been altered using heat-activated proteins, the Verge reported.

This alteration allows the laser, dubbed the "Fly Mind-Altering Device" (FlyMAD), to activate specific neurons which are involved in mating.

In the experiment, the fly suddenly started "courting" the closest object in its vicinity - in this case, a ball of wax - by circling it and vibrating its wings.

The resulting behavioral modification was so strong that it persisted for about 15 minutes after the laser had been turned off.