Fatal Attractions: Sex, Death, Parasites, and Cats
More mind-controlling parasites, this one in rats. Toxoplasma, a single-cell parasite, infects the brains of rats and changes their behavior. Rats are normally afraid of cats, and will avoid their urine. Infected rats, however, do not avoid cat urine sprayed areas, and may even be attracted to it.
You Can Be a Citizen Scientist
Great chance for people to become more involved in science, and help out researchers. The protein and RNA folding "games" look pretty interesting, I will probably check those out.
46 comments:
Toxoplasma is a beast! I spent a large portion of last month discovering the classical conditioning experiments performed by Ledoux, Pavlov, and other neuroscientists/psychologists/physiologists and appreciated this article far more than I would have without that knowledge.
Fear conditioning is essentially when an organism (the rat) associates an aversive stimulus (being eaten by the cat) with a neutral stimulus (the cat’s urine), resulting in an expression of fear to the neutral stimulus (anxiety; going away from the urine). This fear is essential for rats to avoid cats and thus, save their lives.
The extinction of this conditioned fear would be highly advantages to the toxoplasma, which is what I thought they found a way to do when originally skimming through this article. But to deactivate the amygdala and prevent both the learning and expression of fear is just genius! Then to go further and alter neurons geared towards sexual arousal and deactivate a circuit that produces defensive behaviors – again, toxoplasma is a beast!!
I don’t think I’ve ever known of a more manipulative organism, doing everything it can to increase its population: attacking the host and the food of the host and then forcing that food to reproduce.
It was also quite interesting learning about the c-Fos examination. Never heard of it, but it seems quite similar to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which also investigates neural activity but by means of measuring changes in blood flow instead of c-Fos protein production. I would be interested in knowing which method is more effective and precise in measuring neural activity.
For the first article, i thought of a trojan horse. Toxoplasma seems to be a VERY smart parasite. It reminds me of a trojan horse because it seems to hide use the rat as a sort of vehicle to get near the cat so the cat can eat it and therefore it is transferred into a cat. Its survivial techniques are quite amazing, especially for a single-celled parasite. The fact that it triggers sexual arousal is even more astonishing because it knows exactly what to do to bring the rat closer to the cat. Such parasites are frightening and amazing at the same as they are in a way, "intelligent" but the thought of them becoming even more smarter might result in life becoming something liek a sci-fi movie.
The second article was pretty cool too. It showed how people can be brought into the grasp of science by playing these cool "games" which allow the useers to identify which type of science is best for them. This is good because in a tough economy like this, we need more scientists to help and boost our maufucturing procees. This is a good idea for up and coming students who are confused about science.
Yet another article about how dangerous parasites can be!
I got kinda bothered after reading "perhaps a quarter or a third of all people on Earth carry thousands of Toxoplasma cysts in their heads" because then the probability of me having this parasite in my head would be about 25%-33% (if i did the math correctly?). But then I realized that my immune system's pretty healthy so there's really no need for me to worry…
I have a feeling that parasites will exist much much longer than humans will because of their slickness and efficiency; they get spread so easily and it doesn't even take them much effort to do so. In this case, all the rat had to do was ingest the eggs and boom! the prey, Rat, gets eaten by the bigger species, Cat, and consequently the Cat gets infected. All the parasite, Toxoplasma, needed to do was have sex and produce offspring. In a matter of weeks or months the parasite spread to two different species without much effort.
And now this parasite, Toxoplasma, could apparently remove natural, innate fears of Rats; so Rats could approach Cats without much fear, thus making it easier for the parasite to get to the cat. Now I'm really wondering what other hidden powers parasites have!
This article really blew my mind; the fact that a parasite has evolved so much that it can use other animals to spread itself is truly amazing. The Toxoplasma is like the cupid of the animal world. It takes the cat and the mouse which have been rivals since the beginning and played with their minds to create an attraction between them. Since the mouse is no longer afraid of the cat, the cat will have a much easier time hunting and eating it. After the mouse is eaten by the cat the cat now can create droppings that can be eaten by rats and continue the cycle. What I found to be even more amazing is that the rats only became attracted to mice, but dogs where still a fear. Imagine the possibilities if humans where able to harness this power and use it on other animals.
This is a cool concept but in my opinion it isn’t going to lead to any new discoveries. Allowing people without any idea what they’re doing to mess around with some scientific tool may be fun, but it isn’t going to help out in the scientific world. What I can say that is good about this is that it will allow people to understand what scientist really do and help you pick if that field is really for you. All in all it looks like something to do more for fun and less for scientific breakthroughs.
I used to think it was a midwives’ tale when people told me that pregnant women shouldn’t be around cats. After reading this article, I am more convinced that it isn’t just some unfounded warning; the Toxoplasma parasite proliferates in cats and can seriously harm fetuses. The extent to which it can alter the behavior of its prey hosts is so particular that it challenges the preconceived idea that size is linked to the level of harm and ability an organism is capable of. Not only does it disable the rat’s fear and caution towards the smell of cat urine, but it manipulates them to the point where they are actually deeply attracted to the smell which lures them closer to the cat, completing the cycle. I Wikipedia-d toxoplasmosis and the info that came up shows that it has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia; it’s interesting to see the effects toxoplasma may have on human brains compared to rats’ brains.
After reading the second article, I downloaded the WildLab Bird app from the app store to try to see if I could help locate rare birds. It’s really cool because the app lets you listen to a specific bird’s calls and it is location specific so you can keep track of where you spot the birds. So far, I have only seen robins frequent my area (they like to make nests in the small trees in my front lawn) but I’ll keep an eye out for birds that are listed!
The first article, on toxoplasma, I found particularly interesting since I have a cat and dog that live with me, and I've seen their behaviors change around various animals. Although we don't have any rats for them to encounter, neither the cat nor dog seem very fond of squirrels. Regardless, I feel like the effect the toxoplasma has on a rat's brain is almost like the desire salmon have to return to where they hatched to create more eggs. Perhaps the toxoplasma is trying to return to a cat, where they begin their lives and have to shut off the rat's fear to do so. Perhaps the parasite is trying to get the rat killed in these situations.
As for the second article, I am actually so glad that someone came up with the idea to make useful science into an app, since so many people spend so much time on their phones these days. With so much technology and media in your face at all times, no one has any desire to do anything science-y, so making these games that can produce actual results is pretty cool. Almost like hiring mercenary scientists for free, curious people could actually end up finding something incredible on the surface of Mars, or whatever else these apps evolve into.
The effects of the brain-infecting parasite, Toxoplasma, are pretty scary, but oddly fascinating to be honest. In the experiment by Robert Sapolsky and his colleagues, they tested the parasite on rats. The rats infected with Toxoplasma were manipulated into no longer having a fear of cats. This is due to the parasite invading the amygdala or the part of the brain that influences fear. I wonder how the Toxoplasma managed to only cancel the fear of cats and not dogs. Also, instead, the fear was replaced with sexual arousal. What exactly does the Toxoplasma do to humans? Surely it does not alter emotions and cause sexual arousal? Regardless, parasites are probably the most intelligent and interesting, but highly dangerous species that exist!
The applications of the "citizen scientist" are pretty cool! They seem kind of fun and since it would be educational and helpful to science, why not?
1st Article: It kind of bothered me when it said that "perhaps a quarter or a third of all people on Earth carry thousands of Toxoplasma cysts in their heads. Most never become aware of their living cargo." We could have this parasite living in our bodies and we wouldn't even know about. That's not a good thing to think about. However, the article overall was interesting to read. It amazes me how the life cycle of Toxoplasma starts in cats and then returns to the cat, infecting them. The Toxoplasma parasite is able to manipulate the a certain region of the rats brain. The result is that the rat isn't fearful of cat urine and tends to stick around more. This is not good news for both cats and rats because infected rats end up being eaten and the cats get infected. The infected rats actually felt a desire for the cat, which is bad news for the rats. The ability of going into a rats brain and altering its sexual arousal and fear of other animals is amazing and at the same time creepy.
2nd Article: I think it is a great idea to let people get involved in the world of science. It's a really great way for people to be exposed to different fields of science and they can actually help scientists out in the process. I personally like the HiWish app because you get an in-depth look at Mars. I also like the WildLab app because people who want to pursue a career in Ornithology can get a feel for it. Not only are scientists recieving help from people, they are also helping people who want to pursue careers in those certain fields of science.
Article 1:
I would have never thought that parasites could be that intelligent and misleading. I was surprised when I read this article because I didn’t know that parasites had the ability to take charge of a brain and change the host’s senses. Because of the parasite, Toxoplasma, rats are walking towards death. I was surprised to find out that the parasite forms in a cat’s body and then lay eggs on the ground for rats to eat. Once rats eat those eggs they get infected, the infection in the brain causes the rats to jumble up smells. Rats usually run away from cats, but the parasite makes them want to go towards the smell of cat urine. What was the most interesting part was the fact that they use rats to get more cats and that way the parasites could reproduce.
Article 2:
This article was pretty cool because of all the apps that can connect you with science. I think it is interesting how there is a WildLab Bird app that can track birds. I also find the HiWish app interesting because you can look at pictures of Mar’s surface.
The first article about the Toxoplasma immediately made me think back to the article about the parasitic wasp a few weeks back. Once again I found it horrifying and fascinating how a parasite could essentially inflict mind control on its host organism, though this case was particularly disturbing, as toxoplasma are single celled organism. With the wasps, I found the case easier to understand, as, being multicellular organisms, I reasoned that they’d be able to synthesize whatever proteins, enzymes, or chemicals would needed to achieve their unique brand of brainwashing because of their more complex forms. However, the toxoplasma lack have the diverse cell tissue that multicelluar organisms have for their specialized biological processes, making their feat even more impressive, especially considering that they’re able to manipulate the rat’s concept of fear as well as sexual desire. Being so small, but still able to manipulate a creature so that it’s virtually attracted to its natural enemy, overriding its instincts for survival, makes toxaplasmas a truly frightening lifeform.
The citizen scientist idea is really innovative. It allows for the scientific community to advance by making it easy for everyday people to help with research, computers, archaeology and more. Since it’s also diverse, it can appeal to a wide variety of people as well. I think the concept that the program is trying to promote is that it doesn’t matter if you only help a little, every contribution counts. It’s smart and it makes me think about something I recently heard on a college tour, that many of us entering college will probably have a large variety of careers, some of which haven’t even been invented yet. It’s possible that programs like this will be what creates these new, undiscovered careers in the future.
I have read this before in Scott Westerfield's book Peeps. I highly suggest it now more than ever! It creates a cool story based on all these studies. On one of the articles of the summer assignment: 7.26, I commented before how the article closely relates to the Peeps book about parasites controlling their hosts. In that same book, it mentions how the toxoplasma-infected rats become attracted to cats and that is the main reason that the virus spreads. Here's a video in a blog about Peeps that shows a toxoplasma-positive rat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks&feature=player_embedded#! Since rats travel everywhere, they are the perfect animals to spread the infection. The book actually talks about how the infected humans would behave as well. Similar to the article, the infection triggers sexual arousal and that is how it spreads among the human population. Oh and the humans become vampires! That's what the infection does to them. It sounds pretty interesting in the book but I would not like to see it actually happen. We already have enough STD's out there, vampires would be too much.
The advancements in technology have greatly helped and improved the science industry. It has also created the opportunity for the younger population to get more involved and informed about science.
It's fascinating (and kinda creepy) how parasites like the Toxoplasma can easily manipulate their hosts for their own benefits. Just knowing that it can infect humans is unnerving, but at least it doesn't affect us the way it affects rats. The Toxoplasma has the ability to make a rat fearless to stimuli (cat urine) that once made it aware that danger may be nearby. Instead of following their instincts when they smell the cat urine, infected rats become indifferent to the scent, therefore leaving them more vulnerable to being eaten by a cat. The Toxoplasma basically draws their host closer to their enemy so that they can finally complete the cycle and increase their population. The extremely manipulative Toxoplasma only helps prove that parasites can be dangerous. Who knows that they can be capable of in the future? It's definitely a scary thought.
What I found most interesting in this article is that Toxoplasma can only change the rats' innate fear of cat urine. Other smells have no affect on the rats, though they can still be conditioned to fear new stimuli. Classical conditioning really fascinated me when I first learned about it in psychology last year!
As for the second article, I found the use of games and apps a creative way to introduce science to common people. It's great that people would be able to learn from them and even help scientists out a little. However, I'm not sure about how effective they would actually be overall. I guess it would depend on how many people use the apps and if they use them proficiently.
Toxoplasma seems very similar to the parasite which infects an ant's brain in order to get eaten by a grass eating mammal. The key, prominent difference between the two seems to be the area of the brain that the parasite infects. In the case of the ant, its' brain is attacked at the control nervous system in order to force the ant to remain still on a grass blade's edge. In this case, Toxoplasma shuts off the "fear factor" within the rats brain so that it doesn't shy from cats, thus being eaten. Parasites seem like they have an intelligent mind of their own!
The second article about the civilian scientists seems like a fun, interactive way for average people to be educated about various fields of science. I figure that this could be a fantastic way for everyone to spend a portion of their day aside from t.v, texting, and facebook!
Erm. That first article is intriguing but rather fatal for the rats involved. I'm aware of the fact that rats don't consciously think (unless you consider the book "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh" where they've been injected with a serum that makes them smarter and gain the ability to think logically, grow stronger, and think of other things than survival) however, they do observe their surroundings and learn from the mistakes of other rats don't they? Wouldn't they learn to stay away from the rats that constantly ate the eggs which would eventually cause them to be eaten by cats because their fear receptors have been tampered with?
Umm. oops. i hit the enter button instead of the preview button.
so. my comment (continued)
The way that the Toxoplasma affected the rats is different than the way we would expect. Before finishing the article, i just assumed that the Toxoplasma would have just completely eradicated their fear (and all other types of emotion, which has been done in science fiction movies, but that's besides the point) but it's actually very specific, choosing only to change the fear factor towards cats to more of an attraction to the cats. I found the specificty of the Toxoplasma interesting, but the attraction (and subsequent death) to cats was just bizarre and disturbing.
It's awesome that normal people can help with ongoing research. And there's something for everyone. We can do stuff with Mars or birds or any range of things. But i will admit that i am interested in the RNA folding algorithms. :D However, i find the Mars imaging thing a bit complicated, and i'm guessing if you're not that tech savvy it may be a bit hard, but it's cool that we can participate. (and it's also free labor for those scientists)
The first article was really interesting. I instantly compared Toxoplasma parasites to people with mind controlling powers. Although it didn't really control the rats minds, it did alter them in order to get closer to a new host. For a single-celled parasite, that alone is insane. I few questions come to mind after reading this article though. How do these small parasites alter the rats' behavior? They don't have brains to be thinking. Although I'm asking the question I think that the parasites just have genes that make them infect the rats and ultimately infect the cats. It really is mind blowing that something so small can do so much damage.
The second article was also interesting. The apps created benefit certain organizations as well as the people interested. It's a win-win situation for both sides. The people that are either interested in a certain type of science or just bored help organizations for free while filling up their boredom or learning more about the things that interest them.
I find it astounding that a parasite can change the basic instinctual behavior of a rat. Taxoplasma's need for survival as a species compromises that need in another species. It is kind of scary the way that something so small can control something several times its size. The way that a parasite has figured out the rats brain chemistry shows so much potential for scientists. As to the second article the way scientists have found to use the general population to help figure things out our put out programs to allow people to educate themselves is amazing. The wonders of the internet is amazing the way it reaches people really. It is hard to imagine what people might be doing next.
Toxoplasma is a very creepy parasite! Toxoplasma is normally found in cat guts and it is there that the parasite produces offspring that is released with cat droppings. The cat’s prey eats the droppings and then the cat eats the prey, evidently allowing the cat to get infected again. Scientists at Stanford University investigated how Toxoplasma cysts in the brains of rats affected their natural fear of cats. They discovered that the part of the brain involved in producing defensive behavior was less active and that there was increased activity in the part that triggers sexual arousal. This is another article that describes the dangerous yet amazing things that some parasites are capable of. It is frightening how parasites like Toxoplasma are capable of changing how animals react in a particular situation and can even lead an animal to their death.
I really liked the second article which discussed multiple ways in which people without an extensive knowledge in science can contribute to science breakthroughs! Since people are spending more and more hours on their cell phones and computers, the various programs seem like a great way for people to have fun and learn something in the process! The WildLab Bird app seemed really cool and I also liked the games for improving protein algorithms as well. I am interested to see if some great discoveries will result from these games!
Toxoplasma are extremely interesting parasites. Not only do they affect their host's brain, they can also manipulate it. Sapolsky tested this parasite on rats. He found that the toxoplasma clumped to the amygdala portion of the rat's brain. This portion of the brain controls fear and emotions, and as a result of the parastite's presence, the rat no longer had a fear of cats. I don't understand how only the fear of cats was turned off, and not the fear of other animals, such as snakes. Does toxoplasma affect humans in a similar way, by controlling our fear of something? I believe our brains are more complex than a rat's brain, so this may not be possible.
Creating "citizen scientist" applications are cool. Now ordinary people can browse the surface of Mars or search for Genghis Khan's tomb in Mongolia. They can also track birds or discover RNA folding. These apps would be educational, but may not result in any new discoveries in science. Nevertheless, it will provide people with something beneficial to occupy their spare time with.
I definitely agree with you, Vicky. It's slightly frightening to think that microscopic parasites like Toxoplasma have the potential to alter behavior of hosts in such a profound way. Earlier on this blog, we read an article that discussed how parasites are often at the basis of several evolutionary adaptations, but we did not really go into what parasites can actually do to individual organisms and not just to a species over time. Here we read that parasites can control an organism's brain and lead it to its own death! D:
Toxoplasma plays with fear--an important part of daily functioning. Emotions are extremely important because organisms often attach with them certain instinctive reactions, certain precautions and actions organisms are "conditioned" to take, as Deepa mentioned. To think that an organism can be stripped of its fear by a small parasite that forms cyst in the amygdala area of the brain is harrowing! The mice no longer associate cat urine with fear and defensiveness, giving them a huge disadvantage in sensing the threat of a predator. Even worse is the fact that the mice do not only fail to avoid cat urine but also are attracted to those areas. In essence, the mice are walking blankly into death traps. Scary indeed.
It's interesting to know that ordinary citizens can get involved in science. I think it's a great opportunity for high school students like me to learn about current research and to participate in it in even the smallest way possible. I don't know if I'm overly romanticizing this, but I think it goes to emphasize that science is something that implicates all of us, and that it's a field everyone regardless of background should know about or be involved in because it has the potential to affect and give back to everyone.
To be honest, the first article on Toxoplasma terrified me. A quarter to a third of all humans possibly carrying the parasite in their heads? Yikes. But as others have pointed out, it's amazing how Toxoplasma not only has the ability to change the brain regarding fear and desire, but can alter the brain in desiring what it fears.. maybe I can learn to love horror movies after all then?
It's great how new technology is helping science and research to reach out to more and more people. With new apps and computer "games," maybe it'll give students more options on what to do with their electronics instead of just Angry Birds and Facebook.
1st article:
I thought this article was pretty interesting. It is amazing how this one parasite could change the way rats react to the smells of cats. It is also interesting that only the rats fear of cats seem to change. Some of its other fears, like the fear of dogs, remain as its always been. Scientists found out that toxoplasma clump themselves in a region of the brain that involves fear and other emotions. This is yet another article that shows us how parasites are slowly evolving to grow "bigger and better".
2nd article:
I think that it is a really good idea to make these science apps. The majority of the people in the world, especially the younger generations, spend a lot of time on their phones, laptops, and other electronic devises. Many of the things we do on these electronics are just pass times and not something that would make us think and use our brain. By creating an app for science, a lot more people would probably be interested in seeing what it is all about. It would expose more people to the world of science and might even make them like it and look more into the subject. The key thing is to expose people to the ideas of science and the best way to do that, in my opinion, is to go to something that is used by almost everyone. Creating an app for electronics, like the iPhone, is a good way to expose people, especially young people, to science.
Neurological disorders truly do fascinate me. After reading this article I was freaked out yet intrigued at the same time. Toxoplasma shows how harmful parasites can be and how greatly they have evolved. Toxoplasma clumps around the amygdala, which controls the brain’s fears to created an attraction between cats and rats so that rats no longer fear cats. This was proven in Sapolsky’s experiment how the infected rats still lingered around the smell of cats.
As for the second article, those citizen apps are really cool! They expose people to different fields of science that they thought they would never be interested in. It’s a fun way to be actively involved in scientific discoveries without even having previous knowledge.
The way Toxoplasma changes the rats behavior is a stunning effect because their instincts are thought to be innate and absolute. I never would have thought that something, such as a parasite would have had such notable effects on it's host. The rat's sudden lack of fear when in the presence of cat urine makes me wonder if the same possible effect can be shown in humans. It would take a lot to change our emotions and levels of arousal but if the parasites were able to do so, it would definitely raise the question of who is acting of their own bravery versus who is actually unable to distinguish between danger and safety. It's an interesting notion that makes us all question the actual effects of such organisms that could possibly lie within our brains. Most likely the Toxoplasma wouldn't cause such an effect that would compromise the use of one's amygdala, making it something that you would find only in multiple science fiction novels.
The new ways that the science community continues to utilize in order to get people involved is great, since it helps lead to new advances in science as well as educating the masses. Considering all the time people waste due to boredom, this new venture creates something for people to do in their spare time, especially those in high school and college. Maybe these apps could even be brought into classrooms to further expand on the topic or discover more than what is presented in just textbooks. It helps the general public get a hands-on experience on what scientists and researchers are currently developing.
It is a scary thought to have such small parasites such as the Toxoplasma to have so much control over the desires of cats and rats. It is really weird to think that the parasites can transfer from cats to rats through its droppings. Not only is it dangerous to rats by making them immune to the scents of cats. But it also poses a threat to humans by causing malaria. It is scaring to think that we carry so many of these dangerous parasites and they can cause so much damage.
I loved the idea in the second article about how ordinary people can be help to major scientific projects. The prospect of finding Genghis Khan's tomb and mapping out Mars sound so exciting. It is also very cool how we can use our electronics to help in major scientific researches.
When I read the first article I really got a a fear of toxoplasma. It's very scary to see what the parasite has done and will continue to do. It can destroyed many animals and the way their brains work. I find it quite interesting that rats is afraid of cats and will do whatever it takes to not come near their urine. The article also mentions how rat's brains gets affected when they start sniffing the cat's urine. Scientists then examine the rat's brain to see if the c-Fos (telltale protein) is in there.
Something so small can be so dangerous. The more I learn about species that cause disease, the more this statement becomes true. The interesting part that I found about this parasite was that it ensures that it will infect another victim, thus allowing it to survive longer. I find how it changes the normal reaction of a rat to cat urine. But seeing that the parasite does go into the brain of the victim, it must control the various impulses that are emitted from the nerves. I wonder how exactly the parasite knows which nerve is carrying the message that will warn the rat to stay away from the urine. Furthermore, how does it create the chemicals that will tell the animal to go towards the urine. I also wonder how the parasite will be able to differentiate between the various urine samples.
The second article left me totally blank. I believe the the people that actually do this for a living will be somewhat offended by these stay at home scientists. (They are getting paid to do this as their living, while someone else is sitting on the couch putting pictures together.) However, these programs will be useful to teach students. It will give the chance for a somewhat hands on approach to an area of great interest. These various technology will allow science to be a hobby for a lot of people, a luxury that was not afforded in the past. However, having a lab like Dexter's will not hurt, even if we are just doing this for fun,
I found the first article very interesting. Toxoplasma is a very smart and dangerous parasite. It can cause malaria and harm to humans who are pregnant and with weak immune systems. It can also live of a host and reproduce and then those spread to other hosts and infect the host's brain. For example, the tomoplasma was able to live and reproduce in the digestive system of the cat, and when the cat would shed its droppings, it would spread to rats and other mammals. it would eventually go back to the cat because rats and other mammals would be considered prey for the cat and when it would ingest the prey, the cat would get infected. It is interesting how to the toxoplamsa is intelligent enough to do that. It is also surprising that the toxoplasma is able to infect the host's brain and change the way the host think, for example, toxoplasma is able to change the rat's fear for cats, which can lead to the host's death, and make the parasite live on.
I think the suggestions in the second article are great ideas. People spend so many hours on the cell phone and computers, Making apps and programs that will help them learn in a fun way will appeal to many people. For example, the Wildlab Bird app can appeal to people who are interested in wildlife or are going camping and what to explore nature.
When I first read that maybe a third or fourth of humans carry this parasite that can cause malaria without even knowing it, I was sort of creeped out. However, as I read on, I was amazed at precision of the Toxoplasma parasite. It affected the fear region of the rat's brain, but it only changed the rat's fear of the cat and nothing else. The thing that made it even more spectacular was that this parasite also affected the rat's sexual feelings. This parasite might cause the rat to fall in love with its enemy. This way the Toxoplasma parasite always cycles back to the cat.
For the second article, it's great that we can broaden a topic of science and instead of having only specifically qualified scientists work on problems, we can have several other people work on it who are just as interested but maybe not as qualified (although that does not mean they are not smarter). This would be great to look into for students like us who are not regarding science as their job, but rather as a fun hobby. People who actually like science can now have the chance to feel like they are actually taking part and contributing to the world of science.
Like many others I also found the first article a bit frightening when it said, "perhaps a quarter or a third of all people on Earth carry thousands of Toxoplasma cysts in their heads. Most never become aware of their living cargo." But hopefully I have a good immune system so I don't have to worry about that. These articles about parasites basically controlling minds of other animals sort of creeps me out to be honest. It is definitely interesting but in a creepy way. It still fazes me how a parasite can go into the brain and affect it and manipulate it to do things it would not normally do.
As for the second article it is a great idea to get anyone who is interested in different fields of science involved, even if they aren't qualified. People every day spend hours on the computer or their smart phones, now they can educate themselves in fields they are interested in. They can help scientists in different experiments and find their own discoveries. Very cool indeed.
The first article definitely proves how scary parasites can be. Toxoplasma’s life cycle takes place inside the guts of a cat, where they have sex and the eggs are later shed. They can survive in soil and then the preys of the cat eat it and become infected with brain cysts. The cat then eats the prey and they get infected. This parasite is truly destructive. I thought it was amazing how a quarter or a third of people on Earth carry these cysts in their head. That’s a large portion of the population. I was curious if human’s are infected with this what symptoms they might experience. If humans are infected it could lead to encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain. This parasite can also affect the heart, liver, inner ear, or eyes. All of these affects could be fatal.
For the second article I thought that the apps are such a great way to expand on science. Even thought someone might not be a trained scientist, they can still enjoy and experience science and might even think of going to college and pursuing a career.
Before reading this article I had very little knowledge about the parasite, Toxoplasma. This parasite is not only shocking but quite scary because about a quarter of all people carry a Toxoplasma cyst in their head. However it is somewhat comforting to know that due to healthy immune systems that many are not aware that they carry the cysts. Another part of this article that was beyond belief was the fact the Toxoplasma begins and ends in cats. It starts its life cycle in the guts of a cat and produces eggs that are expelled in the feces of the cat. The next part of the cycle is when rats and other mammals intake those eggs which will force a cysts to form in the brain of the rat or mammal. If a cat were to attack and consume the infected prey they too would become infected. This article was also interesting and a little intimidating to know that Toxoplasma is able to maneuver its host for its own gain. For example this parasite it able to make the rat unafraid of the cat urine, and more susceptible to danger, in this case the cat. This parasite it scary for rats at least because it basically turns off its ability to recognize danger. The Toxoplasma wants its host to be unaware of danger, so that the predator is able to eat the host, thus multiplying the parasite population. This conniving parasite is a scary thought because it stops its host from reacting to natural instincts. In the future is this type of parasite is able to affect humans, there is no telling what could happen to the future.
I thought that reading this article was interesting to say the least. It’s fascinating to know that anyone can help contribute to science whether is being from your laptop or even your iphone. I also find it amazing that anyone can help the world of science without having the traditional background in science. I thought that the science app was a smart idea because it allows everyday citizens to get a feel of what the world of science is really all about.
The first article proves why parasites are a danger to many animal species including ourselves. This idea of toxoplasmic cysts existing in our brain is so horrifying and the worst part is that we may not even be aware they're even in there. I guess the one thing we can do to prevent its harmful effects is abstain from sex, since people with damaged immune systems are vulnerable to its effects. We're lucky that toxoplasma can only maximize its power if we're sick. On the other hand, if the parasite gets inside a rats brain, they're in full control of its host. By replacing their fear for cats with attraction they're prone to get eaten by their predators completing the parasite's life cycle.
The second article provides helpful information to those seeking careers in science but lack the professional training required. Technology can help shape the world of science and that's how they can get involved.
i thought the first article was very informative. i was really shocked and slightly frightened to read that a third of humans have this parasite. The fact that i could be carrying Toxoplasm in my brain scares me a lot. It was also very interesting to read about how the parasite affects different diseases like AIDs along with mental disorders
I found the second article really awesome for several reasons. It was cool to see such a wide spectrum of subjects all in the category of science. It was also especially interesting to see how specific qualifications are needed.
Article 1:
Alright, so I have a serious question. Do you think some older women become the infamous cat lady down the street because of the Toxoplasma? If you think about it, all they need is that one infested cat then after the Toxoplasma transfers, they gain the desire to buy more and more cats, and they would most likely fall prey to the effects of Toxoplasma because of their compromised immune system from old age. It sounds plausible but I could be wrong, maybe older women just love the company of cats.
Article 2:
I think its great how citizen science is trying to get more and more people involved with science, seems really cool.
The first article really made me realize how invasive parasites can be. I was particularly creeped out by the power that Toxoplasma parasites are capable of exerting over their host. The fact that microscopic organisms are capable of mind control is not very pleasant, especially when said microscopic organisms are believed to be present in a quarter to a third of the human population.
Some of the opportunities presented in the second article were actually pretty interesting! I think it's great that anyone can try their hand at scientific research, regardless of their qualifications (or lack thereof.) A lot of brilliant ideas have undeniably been overlooked simply because they were presented by someone without "proper" credentials. The existence of equal-opportunity research projects, like the ones discussed in the second article, will hopefully inspire more individuals to take a more active role in the advancement of the society in which they live.
Wow…
After reading this article the first thing that arose in my mind was the idea of Toxoplasma having the same effect on humans as it does to mice. Not likely, or even possible, however just imagine the disaster!
I hate mice or any such creature of such low life, however I felt some pity for the things. They seem to be helpless if seized by the malicious Toxoplasma. Since Toxoplasma alters the natural dynamic of fear in mice, these powerless creatures are left to the influence of the manipulative parasite. By not being able to depend on their innate association of cat urine with fear they are lead by the small creatures straight to their predator’s plate. On top of it all, not only are the mice the ones who are manipulated by Toxoplasma to death, but the cat’s themselves are infected with the same parasites from the mice and threatened!
It’s great to see the opportunities an ordinary citizen can have in regards to the scientific community. It’s a privilege and honor for students like myself to be a part of advancing research, projects or just participate as part of an online audience. Science is applicable in everyone’s daily life, regardless of age or level of knowledge. I definitely agree with Christine; apps like those advertised in this article should be definitely brought into the classroom. Since science is changing and advancing by the day, we as students should be in tune with the contemporary progress. Textbooks are educational and necessary however following or subscribing to an online blog or app would never harm. I personally feel that it is more convenient, especially for students who practically do all research on the computer, to get involved in science through online means.
I thought it was pretty creepy that nearly a third of humans may have toxoplasma but then I remembered reading somewhere that nearly a quarter of humans also have a worms in their digestive tracts. I feel that this parasite has planned out everything it needs for survival. I am still amazed at how it influences the rats behavior such that it spends more time near the areas sprayed with cat urine. By doing this the parasite increases the chance of the rat being killed and the parasite being transported to the cat.
I found the second article to be a blast as many times people who show an interest in science may not help with research because they believe they have no knowledge. These websites allow average people the convenience to help with age old mysteries and new puzzles. What would make this a hit would be if a average person found the tomb of the great Genghis Khan.
The idea that parasites could actually manipulate prey into wanting the predator is incredible. With the rat experiment explained in the article, the fact that a rat would be even remotely attracted to a cat is crazy. The parasite has developed so much that it has literally developed a form of mind control in organisms it inhabits. Toxoplasma, the parasite in question, actually draws the rat to the cat. Since it wants to get back to its host, it controls the rat’s mind into wanting to be with the cat. Crazy stuff. This article really got me thinking, since 25- 30% of humans have Toxoplasma inside them, are we being controlled into thinking certain things? The idea that something so manipulative could actually be living inside me kind of freaks me out.
The second article really seemed like a way to get average everyday people involved in science. With easy to use games and activities to do, it looked like a great way to become familiar with different things in the scientific field. The “citizen scientist” article could really help people get in touch with what their interested in.
Wow, yet another article that demonstrates the scary intelligence of parasites! Seriously… I’m just waiting for the day that they ultimately take over the world. The cunning of the Toxoplasma virus is really fascinating. I just can’t believe the effect that it has over rats! What I find very interesting is that when the Toxoplasma affected the amygdala region of the rat’s brain, it targeted the rat’s specific fear of cats alone. This still allowed the rat to fear the smell of dog urine, but turned off the rat’s defensive mechanism to the odor stimuli of cat urine. And if that wasn’t enough, the Toxoplasma even managed to trigger sexual arousal in the rat and make it attracted to its cat enemy! Manipulating the rat host proves to be a very smart tactic for the Toxoplasma, whose main goal is to get back into a cat and complete it’s life cycle.
Some of those apps looked pretty interesting! I might check out the bird app. I’ve always been interested in sighting different birds in our area, but have never been the avid bird watcher. Maybe I’ll take it more seriously from now on. I really like the idea of employing young minds to be “citizen scientists.” It’s nice to think that, at this stage, it is still possible to contribute to the scientific community!
That Toxoplasma is more manipulative than say a lawyer or a housewife. It creeps me out knowing that there is a possibility that this parasite could be in my head since reportedly, a quarter or a third of all people have them. It is fascinating how this parasite can manage to actually alter the decisions and behaviors of an animal. The fact that this parasite can desensitize fear and actually reward this behavior makes the rat extremely vulnerable to it's predator, the cat. I can only imagine the implications should someone find a way to have this same effect on humans. Mind control! It would definitely be a case in which science would have gone too far. Conversely, this could also be an invaluable therapeutic discovery for trauma patients or people with life affecting phobias. If this parasite isn't harmful in any other ways, maybe carefully placed Toxoplasma cysts can prove helpful.
I had no idea that there were apps that could do something other than distract you from doing work. It's insane how much technology and it's (haha) applications has changed within the past ten years. Everything is be becoming more and more interconnected, interactive and user friendly that even some Trekkie in his mom's basement can contribute in some small way to science. The problem with this is that many people have to use the app in order to have any significant research made and information collected. Personally, my guilty pleasure is space and astronomy, so the HiWish app seems like a good fit for me.
LOL that was some CSI detective work in the cats/rats article. I thought that their experiment was brilliantly designed in it's simplicity alone, and allowed for clear, telltale results. It was already pretty cool learning that rats were inherently afraid of cats, but I was REALLY intrigued when I read the effects Toxoplasma had on rats. The rats not only lose their inhibitions of fearing cat urine, but are actually...sexually aroused. Thus, the rats become more vulnerable to cats, allowing the disease to spread. sneaky sneaky ;D
that second article was cool! A few years ago, I had set up an old computer to be constantly running Folding@home. after a while my parents decided the electrical bill was more important than protein research :P I think it's cool that ordinary people can help out.
Finally, I'm back from Canada. I actually saw some stray cats, but I didn't wonder if they contained some seually arousing parasite in their urine until I read this article. The article was interesting to me because this was the first time I heard of a parasite that affected brain cells. I find it very cool these can now control certain aspects of our brain. I was also surprised about the amont of people who contain cysts of these. Maybe using the techniques of this parasite we could find out ways to get rid of fear completely in rats or find ways to make endangered species want to procreate.
The second article was interesting. I think it is pretty smart to allow people who have a genuine interest in science to be allowed to research. Certain circumstances that dissallow these people from obtaining formal degrees now don't have to be considered. It will further progress in research programs as more new ideas become available from new people. The convenience from an laptop makes it even better. Hopefully, scientists will benefit from this.
I was astonished and at the same time a bit frightened about the possibility of becoming infected with Toxoplasma. I guess the best thing to do is to stay away from cats. I wonder if this would grow to be a major parasite that can affect millions of people who have a weakened immune system.
As for the second article, it is very cool that we can have the opportunity to contribute to science. Todays technology has gone so far to the point now that we can scan images of Mars all within our web browser. The apps, especially the RNA one is very cool because it gives us the opportunity to fold RNA even if you are not in a lab.
This article, once again, made me think about zombie movies. Much like the rats are drawn to cat urine when carrying Toxoplasma (usually, cat urine respells them), humans who turn into zombies are drawn to eating organs and blood, which usually is disgusting! (Well, hopefully people aren't into eating human parts). It's crazy how about a quarter of all people carry Toxoplasma. Scary to think about, isn't it?
I found it cool that there are all those apps connecting to science - since smart phones are becoming insanely popular (not just to youth, but to all ages!)
This article is definetelty both interesting and gross. The fact that parasites use rat and cat droppings to accompish their goals is quite disgusting. For that same reason though it is very interesting and unique in a big way. Toxoplasma being able to manipulate a rat to make go against common sense and stay away from a cat is incredible. This article shows that you shouldn't anything by its size. Someone could begin to wonder if they are being forced to do certain actions that would otherwise be unthought of by one's own thoughts.
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