In a test of this theory, researchers have demonstrated that mice harboring a human SCN1A gene mutation that results in Dravet Syndrome (DS), a severe and intractable genetic epilepsy, have
electrical disturbances in the heart that culminate in ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
Then the researchers tracked instances of lightning using the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN)-- a system of acoustic sensors that
detect electrical disturbances all around the globe.
Indian Point 3 was shut down for a time in July after a water pump problem, and in June because of
an electrical disturbance at a switch yard outside the plant.
The electrical disturbance can occur suddenly due to a heart attack, severe imbalance of electrolytes, or an inherited genetic mutation that predisposes to electric abnormalities.
In lab experiments,
the electrical disturbances associated with those holes diffuse through the surrounding rocks at speeds of about 100 meters per second.