ASTRONASTY: Half the world's population is infected by cats!: "2 to 3 billion people, about half the world's population, have a brain parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which causes a disease called toxoplasmosis. A vaccine is being developed and is showing great potential thus far.
The parasite's main host are cats, but infects many warm blooded animals. Cats get it from ingestion of infected meat, contamination of food infected with (or direct ingestion of) cat feces, or passed down from mother to unborn offspring. Humans in contact with cats often get infected via slip ups in sanitation at home, or even a cat's unclean claws scratching its owner.
There are some interesting behavior changes that are caused by the disease. Infected rats are less afraid of cats. They also, when infected, are attracted to cat urine. Correlations between infected humans and their changed behavior are (taken from wikipedia)
*Decreased novelty seeking behaviour
* Slower reactions
* Lower rule-consciousness and greater jealousy (in men)
* Promiscuity and greater conscientiousness (in women)
What's interesting here is that the promiscuity in women and jealousy in men actually assists the spread of the parasite through it's effects on our social behavior.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
No comments:
Post a Comment