[Scorpius]

As a cat lady and biologist, I found this amusing.

Quote:

You like cats because they're beautiful, elegant creatures, right? Or is it because you've been infected by a parasite that influences your brain?
Bizarrely, new research raises that question, finding that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which lives in cats, actually makes cats attractive rather than scary to their natural prey (in this case, rats). Earlier research also suggests that this parasite, which can infect humans, may affect personality and possibly even the risk of schizophrenia.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/1...#ixzz1VPftCeSI

 

[Amy SF]

Uh...okay.

 

[Phoenix Days]

So you can't just love cats now?

 

[Scorpius]

pssst guys, its a joke-type thing.

 

[Envy]

noooo, I can't live on this planet anymore if I don't know if my preference for cats is honest and pure!!1!1

 

[Scorpius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envy

noooo, I can't live on this planet anymore if I don't know if my preference for cats is honest and pure!!1!1

Maybe we should send all the cats on this planet to the moon and let them colonize it so everyone is safe.

 

[Phoenix Days]

NOOOO! D:

I want my kitties to stay here and live with me forever!

 

[SuicideBlonde]

I knew they had some special form of mind control.

 

[Tom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Maybe we should send all the cats on this planet to the moon and let them colonize it so everyone is safe.

"That's one butt-wiggle for a cat... and one giant pounce for catkind..."

Actually, I read this some time ago. The toxoplasma parasite must complete its life cycle in a cat, but the early part of its life cycle is spent in a rodent. The parasite does that to the rodents it infects to increase the odds it will find its next host (a cat)... or more accurately, that its next host will find it.

I suppose the rabies virus does sort of the same thing, infecting an animal and causing him/her to get violently aggressive, biting other creatures.

 

[Ira]

i hope to get more of those parasites. can't love the kitties enough

 

[Scorpius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

"That's one butt-wiggle for a cat... and one giant pounce for catkind..."

Actually, I read this some time ago. The toxoplasma parasite must complete its life cycle in a cat, but the early part of its life cycle is spent in a rodent. The parasite does that to the rodents it infects to increase the odds it will find its next host (a cat)... or more accurately, that its next host will find it.

I suppose the rabies virus does sort of the same thing, infecting an animal and causing him/her to get violently aggressive, biting other creatures.

A parasite wants to live, hence moving to different hosts to complete its life cycle and produce offspring. The rabies virus is a seek and destroy kind of deal, if an animal (cat, bat, cow, human) is infected, fatality is 100% guaranteed.

Did you read Parasite Rex by Zimmer? (it was mentioned in the article) Its a very good book if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ira

i hope to get more of those parasites. can't love the kitties enough

that's the spirit!

 

[Beetlejuice]

deleted

 

[Scorpius]

RadioLab does everything awesome.

 

[Beetlejuice]

deleted

 

[Teresa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix Days

NOOOO! D:

I want my kitties to stay here and live with me forever!

I did too but they died of old age anyway.

That astronaut kitty pic is way too cute!

 

[Werewolf Girl]

I could easily believe my cat is controlling my mind. I love him!

 

[Scorpius]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teresa

That astronaut kitty pic is way too cute!

You would be surprised to see how many hits came up when I googled "Cat in space suit".

 

[peace]

Aha! I KNEW those cats were controlling my brain!