So apparently there are several species of fungi from Brazilian rain forests that can take over an ant’s brain , control it, and then kill it. Now I know what you’re thinking, and no, you really shouldn’t sell this info to a mad scientist. Originally thought to be a single species, called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, the fungus is actually four distinct species–all of which can “mind control” ants–scientists announced Wednesday. The fungus species can infect an ant, take over its brain, and then kill the insect once it moves to a location ideal for the fungi to grow and spread their spores. Some of the fungi species create thin “infection pegs” that stick out from a victim’s body and infect passing ants… Other fungus species develop explosive spores on infected ants’ bodies. When other ants come near the cadavers, the shooting spores can hit the unwitting passersby, turning them too into zombie ants. DAMN MOTHER NATURE — YOU’RE EVEN MORE F***ED UP THAN I THOUGHT! And that’s saying a lot because I haven’t forgotten about seahorses and giraffes. I mean, mind-controlling fungus? You’ve got to admit, that’s a little over the top. Also, me on this swingset. Aaaaaaaaand I’m inside-out. Zombie Fungus Rears Its Ugly Head [nationalgeographic] Thanks to Zombeertroll, Shin, Exebech, Albertboltz, Jonathan and Bill, who aren’t afraid of zombie ants because they always roll with magnifying glasses. BUT WHAT IF IT’S CLOUDY?!

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No Picnic Is Safe!: Ants Get Mind-Controlled By Killer Fungi And Turned Into Zombies

Another day, another deathbot . I didn’t realize just how quickly humanoid robot technology was progressing until I watched the video of HRP4 here in action. I found it frightening to say the least. I found a turd in the back of my pants to probably say too much. The HRP4 is the latest and greatest in helper robot technology. Developed by AIST and Kawada Industries, this five-foot-tall robot weighs in at 86 pounds and is excited to serve you. The HRP4 has full arm articulation and simple hand movements, giving it a grasping force of 1.1 pounds. It has facial recognition built in, so it’ll know who you are, and it also reacts to voice commands. Now I have no idea how strong a grasping force of 1.1 pounds actually is, but I guarantee it’s enough to choke you out in your sleep. Thank God I’m a light sleeper, amirite? Seriously, I haven’t slept without the lights on since I was twelve. And not just because I used to be visited by a ghost, but in hindsight it did look a lot like my uncle wearing a bedsheet. Worthwhile skip-aroundable video of iRobot in action after the jump.

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DO NOT WANT: Creepy Humanoid Robot

This is a short video demonstrating Vecna Robotics’ B.E.A.R. (Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot). It was allegedly designed to help carry wounded soldiers off the battlefield , but the video also shows its adeptness at smashing through doors , breaking car windows , lifting weights, picking up missiles and transforming/rolling out. Truly frightening. Reminds me of that scene in Forrest Gump where Lieutenant Dan gets his legs shot off in Vietnam and tells Forrest to leave him but Forrest won’t because he’s a stupid jerk and can’t even respect a man’s dying wishes. THANK A LOT, MORON. Ooooh, is that shrimp cocktail? Hit the jump for a video of operation Shock ‘n Awe Dismember in action (also available in HD!).

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Not Cool: Frightening Robot Demonstration