January 31, 2013 | Ling

Imagine a hug in a jug. Or spray-on strokes. Whether you find that convenient or creepy, it’s certainly conceivable.

Scientists at Caltech have identified neurones that activate reward responses in mice that are gently stroked – rather than pinched or poked. We have the same sort of neurones too, which might explain my addiction to massages.

What’s more, these neurones can be manipulated with drugs, at least in laboratory mice. The scientists aren’t sure if this can be exploited therapeutically just yet, but speculate that it would be very useful for giving lonely pets the love they’re missing.

This research appears in the 30 January 2013 issue of the journal Nature.