RelentlesslyOptimistic

What it is - sperm on a human egg

Via Bits & Pieces

More likely to be eaten by cats

 

The New York Times Magazine reports that:

"...more than 60 million people in the United States are infected with a parasite that may migrate into their brains and alter their behavior in a way that -- among other things -- may leave them more likely to be eaten by cats. " The parasite "causes rats to become attracted to the smell of cat urine."

One researcher found that people infected by the parasite have "have slower reflexes and are 2.5 times as likely to get into car accidents." Some suggest that infection with the parasite might explain the "Crazy Cat Lady" syndrome.

Via callalillie. Image from ratterrell

Understanding

From monochrom

Pot prevents Alzheimer's

A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology.

..."the active component of marijuana, ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), competitively inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid -peptide (A) aggregation, the key pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease...Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of A aggregation."

Is science great, or what?

What's That Bug?

Here's a great resource: What's That Bug? will identify bugs from the photos you send in. Their gallery of reader-submitted photos is huge, and the "Carnage" section shows bugs killed for no good reason. This photo is the Royal Walnut Moth.

Via BoingBoing

You can swim as fast in snot as in water. If you want to.

Isaac Newton argued with other scientists in the 17th century about whether a person swimming in syrup would be slower than a swimmer in water. University of Minnesota scientists have finally answered the question.

They filled a swimming pool with guar gum, which the lead scientist Edward Cussler said "looked like snot," and then timed 19 swimmers using a variety of strokes in both water and the snot syrup. The result: "you experience more 'viscous drag'...as the water gets thicker, [but] generate more forward force from every stroke." They won an IgNobel Prize in 2005 for their efforts. More photos (big page).

via Digg

What are we doing when we look away during a conversation?

Cognitive Daily reports on a fascinating study testing the theory that at least one reason we look away from faces in conversations is to free up cognitive resources. The commenters point out that there are many variables, and suggest that testing this on adults might dramatically change the results.

Via elearningpost.

Knitted Digestive System

My craft skills peaked in second grade with a macaroni mosiac, but I can still appreciate beautiful and ingenious work like this Knitted Digestive System:

Milk has anti-inflammatory ingredient

Science geekiness alert! This story: "Milk ingredient may help control inflammatory diseases" begins with the phrase "One of the isomers of conjugated linoleic acid." If that turns you off, don't follow the link. If that turns you on, you know that's weird, right?

Anyway, one of the naturally occurring fatty acids in milk inhibits the COX-2 protein. Inhibiting COX-2 was the basis for new pain relievers like Vioxx until they were pulled off the market due to safety issues. Scientists hope this discovery will lead the way to preventing the damage to the body that can result from autoimmune diseases where it attacks parts of the body.

Image ©2004 CFA Properties, Inc.

'Zombie worms' found off Sweden

BBC NEWS: Zombie worms' found off Sweden, named bone-eating snot-flower

The BBC reports that "A new species of marine worm that lives off whale bones on the sea floor has been described by scientists....Such "zombie worms"...are known from the deep waters of the Pacific but their presence in the North Sea is a major surprise." The scientists who discovered the worms have named them "Osedax mucofloris, which literally means "bone-eating snot-flower."[emphasis added]

What other job allows you to make up names like that? Maybe video game designer or divorce attorney, but that's about it. In light of this discovery, today's release of this study is even more disturbing: Study Reveals Pittsburgh Unprepared For Full-Scale Zombie Attack. From the article it appears that they didn't even consider the zombie worm possibility. I know! Unbelievable!