Unexplained transient weight gains after death

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a study published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration that reports unexplained weight gain transients in animals at the moment of death, specifically in adult sheep. The weight gain, ranging from 18 to 780 grams, occurs briefly without any permanent change, raising questions about the validity of the findings. Participants express skepticism regarding the research methodology, particularly the humane treatment of animals, as the study involved asphyxiation using plastic bags, which is deemed unethical. Concerns are raised about the lack of replicability and the absence of supporting research, leading to doubts about the legitimacy of the claims made in the study. The conversation highlights broader issues regarding animal research ethics and the treatment of animals in scientific studies.
Isaacsname
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Ok, my apologies if this has been dissected on PF before, I did do a few searches and didn't stumble into anything, there doesn't seem to be much info online. Is it woo-woo or legitimate ?

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Unexplained Weight Gain Transients at the Moment of Death

Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 495–500, 2001

Abstract—Twelve animals (one ram, seven ewes, three lambs and one goat)
were studied. At the moment of death an unexplained weight gain transient of
18 to 780 grams for 1 to 6 seconds was observed with seven adult sheep but
not with the lambs or goat. The transients occurred in a quiet time at the moment
of death when all breathing and movement had ceased. These transient
gains are anomalous in that there is no compensating weight loss as required
by Newton’s Third Law. There was no permanent weight change at death. Dynamic
weight measurements may present a fruitful area of investigation.

http://www.scientificexploration.org/journal/jse_15_4_hollander.pdf

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Try as I might, there's no mechanism I can think of for this to happen, is it possible that there is something fundamentally flawed about this research ?
 
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our bodies just don't gain and lose weight within a closed system. maybe in the few test subjects the weight change occurred in were just undergoing micro seizures. the fact that it doesn't happen with every subject it is tried on leaves too much room for skepticism. i don't think it is plausible at all.
 
Wow... that is some deeply unimpressive researach... I'd remain skeptical of this, and possibly that journal.
 
The researchers brought on death by placing a plastic bag over the head of the animals to cause asphyxiation?

I spent several years in the pharmaceutical animal research area, and that is not compliant with regulations. Death is suppose to be as humane, painless, and quick as possible.
 
Interesting, thanks for the replies, guys.

I thought it was spotty at best since I wasn't able to find any other research on it besides some very questionable sources.
 
That's not questionable, it's immoral and truly screwy in every sense.
 
I know Nim,.. humans can be cruel beyond belief, in many ways. We face no greater threat to our own existence then ourselves. My own personal interests are in the areas of animal cognition and comparitive zoology, so it wasn't an easy paper to read...
 
I understand that animal research is required for some areas of development, including the death of the animals (necropsy, etc), but it should be done in a humane manner. Plastic bag suffocation is not humane.

Its not like a known weight of a lethal compound couldn't be used.

If they ever tried submitting a report to the FDA or such, I am sure the USDA or equivalent agency be on them.

I used to joke with my fellow coworkers that the animals were treated better then the employees.
 
I agree with both you Isaacsname, and you Insantiy... we live at the expense of others, but there's no need to be cruel about it, beyond the inevitable taking of lives, and tolerance trials (LD/50 baby).
 
  • #10
What really bothers me are the unexplained, non-transient weight gains before death.
 
  • #11
Ivan Seeking said:
What really bothers me are the unexplained, non-transient weight gains before death.

Tell me about it... the dead don't have to walk their butts off, and mind theri caloric intake.

Then again they're dead, so maybe it's not such a fantastic trade.
 

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