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People often joke that cats control humans: they eat the food we provide them, sleep in the beds we give them, play with us only when it suits them. No one has ever joked about a crap poop parasite that controls humans, but that's because it's not a matter of laughing.
A recently published study by the University of Colorado Boulder shows that toxoplasma gondii, a parasite transmitted by cats, could be responsible for it
The study, a joint project between scientists and professors University who tested the saliva of nearly 1,700 subjects, found that people positive for Toxoplasma gondii were "1.8 times more likely to" This observation corresponds to a phenomenon observed around the world because the National statistics from 42 countries showed that prevalences of Toxoplasma gondii infection were found to be a positive and consistent predictor of entrepreneurial activity. "
Parasitic Infestations An estimated two billion of people around the world. Although pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications from Toxplasma gondii infection, known as toxoplasmosis, most infected humans do not exhibit any external symptoms. ;infection. But toxoplasma gondii "has been correlated with impulsive behaviors and health problems such as the increased risk of car accidents, road rage, mental illness, neurosis, drug abuse and suicide".
"What makes Toxoplasma gondii of such interest, is the assumption that it manipulates behaviors in a more subtle way, rather than going to bed or unable to To go to work, "says Pieter Johnson, a co-author of the study.
Published in scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B the study shows a causal link between a willingness to open a new business and to be infected with the parasite – but does not mean you should open a grocery store if you have a positive test. The parasite can lead to increased risk behavior, but there is no guarantee that these companies will succeed. It is also not known whether people infected with the parasite are more enterprising because of the infection or if they are already inherently enterprising and if more likely to be exposed to cat feces.
Be that as it may, the parasite provides a unique insight into how microorganisms can affect humans in ways that modify their behavior.
For the future, Johnson is collaborating with researchers from the University of Colorado's veterinary school and scientists from the US Department of Agriculture to determine whether or not he is a doctor. There are differences in behavior depending on the source of the infection. In other words, is it possible that cat feces infection makes you more inclined to open a bowling alley, while getting it from uncooked meat can make you more likely to open an alcohol store? Only time, and more research, will tell.
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