Sniffer rats to help find quake survivors

Sniffer rescue dogs trained to find explosives or earthquake survivors buried in rubble may soon have some competition: rats.

The rodents can crawl into the tiniest spaces and have a strong sense of smell.

"This combination makes them ideal candidates for sniffing out buried survivors," New Scientist magazine reported Wednesday.

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Scientists in the United States are teaching rats how to track down human scents and have identified the brain signals that are generated when they do.

Electrodes implanted in their brains will send signals to a radio transmitter pack strapped to the animal's back.  Rescuers on the surface will be able to track the signal and locate any survivors.

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"They were also able to train the rats to sniff out the explosives TNT and RDX — key after terrorist attacks that may leave buildings harboring unexploded bombs," the magazine added.

Linda and Ray Hermer-Vazquez of the University of Florida in Gainesville and John Chapin at the State University of New York in Brooklyn are collaborating on the project.

"They hope to create a working system within nine months," according to the magazine.