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#1
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BEWARE !...Cat Owners !..
Title: Danger: Cats could alter your personality
Source: Times Online URL Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...6557_1,00.html Published: Jun 23, 2005 Author: Jonathan Leake, Science Editor THEY may look like lovable pets but Britain's estimated 9m domestic cats are being blamed by scientists for infecting up to half the population with a parasite that can alter people's personalities. The startling figures emerge from studies into Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite carried by almost all the country's feline population. They show that half of Britain's human population carry the parasite in their brains, and that infected people may undergo slow but crucial changes in their behaviour. Infected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more aggressive, scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women, on the other hand, appear to exhibit the "sex kitten" effect, becoming less trustworthy, more desirable, fun- loving and possibly more promiscuous. Interestingly, for those who draw glib conclusions about national stereotypes, the number of people infected in France is much higher than in the UK. The findings will not please cat lovers. The research - conducted at universities in Britain, the Czech Republic and America - was sponsored by the Stanley Research Medical Institute of Maryland, a leading centre for the study of mental illness. The institute has already published research showing that people infected with the Toxoplasma parasite are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia and manic depression. The study into more subtle changes in human personality is being carried out by Professor Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in Prague. In one study he subjected more than 300 volunteers to personality profiling while also testing them for Toxoplasma. He found the women infected with Toxoplasma spent more money on clothes and were consistently rated as more attractive. "We found they were more easy-going, more warm-hearted, had more friends and cared more about how they looked," he said. "However, they were also less trustworthy and had more relationships with men." By contrast, the infected men appeared to suffer from the "alley cat" effect: becoming less well groomed undesirable loners who were more willing to fight. They were more likely to be suspicious and jealous. "They tended to dislike following rules," Flegr said. He also discovered that people infected with Toxoplasma had delayed reaction times - and are at greater risk of being involved in car accidents. "Toxoplasma infection, could represent a serious and highly underestimated economic and public health problem," he said." In Britain, concern over Toxoplasma is growing among health experts - especially as the number of pet cats has grown to about 9m. Roland Salmon, an epidemiologist with the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "The evidence is that cats are the main cause of infection." Toxoplasma moves in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats acquire it from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from hunting infected rats. It has long been known that humans can become infected with the parasite through close contact with cats. Pregnant women are advised to keep clear of the animals because the parasite can damage unborn babies. People with damaged immune systems, such as Aids victims, are also vulnerable. Until now, however, the parasite has always been thought harmless to healthy people because their immune systems could suppress the infection. But this view seems certain to change, especially in the light of research at Oxford University. Scientists there have found that when the parasite invades rats it somehow reprograms their brains, reversing their natural fear of cats. It is this same ability to destroy natural inhibitions that is thought to be at work in humans. Doctors Manuel Berdoy and Joanne Webster at Oxford University are studying how Toxoplasma alters rat behaviour and the chemical weapons it uses to subvert the brain. Berdoy said: "The fact that a single-celled parasite can have such an effect on the mammalian or even human brain is amazing." One startling fact to emerge from research is the great differences in levels of infection. In France and Germany, for example, about 80%-90% of people are infected - nearly twice that in Britain or America. "I am French and I have even wondered if there is an effect on national character," Berdoy said. Dr Dominique Soldati, a researcher at Imperial College in London, is studying ways of blocking Toxoplasma from getting into cells. "Once you are infected you cannot get rid of this parasite and the numbers of them slowly grow over the years," she said. "It's not a nice thought." -- Bigbazza (Barry)..Oz |
#3
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**** me, know I now what happened. LOL.
"Bigbazza" wrote in message ... Title: Danger: Cats could alter your personality Source: Times Online URL Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...6557_1,00.html Published: Jun 23, 2005 Author: Jonathan Leake, Science Editor THEY may look like lovable pets but Britain's estimated 9m domestic cats are being blamed by scientists for infecting up to half the population with a parasite that can alter people's personalities. The startling figures emerge from studies into Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite carried by almost all the country's feline population. They show that half of Britain's human population carry the parasite in their brains, and that infected people may undergo slow but crucial changes in their behaviour. Infected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more aggressive, scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women, on the other hand, appear to exhibit the "sex kitten" effect, becoming less trustworthy, more desirable, fun- loving and possibly more promiscuous. Interestingly, for those who draw glib conclusions about national stereotypes, the number of people infected in France is much higher than in the UK. The findings will not please cat lovers. The research - conducted at universities in Britain, the Czech Republic and America - was sponsored by the Stanley Research Medical Institute of Maryland, a leading centre for the study of mental illness. The institute has already published research showing that people infected with the Toxoplasma parasite are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia and manic depression. The study into more subtle changes in human personality is being carried out by Professor Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in Prague. In one study he subjected more than 300 volunteers to personality profiling while also testing them for Toxoplasma. He found the women infected with Toxoplasma spent more money on clothes and were consistently rated as more attractive. "We found they were more easy-going, more warm-hearted, had more friends and cared more about how they looked," he said. "However, they were also less trustworthy and had more relationships with men." By contrast, the infected men appeared to suffer from the "alley cat" effect: becoming less well groomed undesirable loners who were more willing to fight. They were more likely to be suspicious and jealous. "They tended to dislike following rules," Flegr said. He also discovered that people infected with Toxoplasma had delayed reaction times - and are at greater risk of being involved in car accidents. "Toxoplasma infection, could represent a serious and highly underestimated economic and public health problem," he said." In Britain, concern over Toxoplasma is growing among health experts - especially as the number of pet cats has grown to about 9m. Roland Salmon, an epidemiologist with the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "The evidence is that cats are the main cause of infection." Toxoplasma moves in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats acquire it from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from hunting infected rats. It has long been known that humans can become infected with the parasite through close contact with cats. Pregnant women are advised to keep clear of the animals because the parasite can damage unborn babies. People with damaged immune systems, such as Aids victims, are also vulnerable. Until now, however, the parasite has always been thought harmless to healthy people because their immune systems could suppress the infection. But this view seems certain to change, especially in the light of research at Oxford University. Scientists there have found that when the parasite invades rats it somehow reprograms their brains, reversing their natural fear of cats. It is this same ability to destroy natural inhibitions that is thought to be at work in humans. Doctors Manuel Berdoy and Joanne Webster at Oxford University are studying how Toxoplasma alters rat behaviour and the chemical weapons it uses to subvert the brain. Berdoy said: "The fact that a single-celled parasite can have such an effect on the mammalian or even human brain is amazing." One startling fact to emerge from research is the great differences in levels of infection. In France and Germany, for example, about 80%-90% of people are infected - nearly twice that in Britain or America. "I am French and I have even wondered if there is an effect on national character," Berdoy said. Dr Dominique Soldati, a researcher at Imperial College in London, is studying ways of blocking Toxoplasma from getting into cells. "Once you are infected you cannot get rid of this parasite and the numbers of them slowly grow over the years," she said. "It's not a nice thought." -- Bigbazza (Barry)..Oz |
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"Bill Stock" wrote in message ... **** me, know I now what happened. LOL. now I know what happened. "Bigbazza" wrote in message ... Title: Danger: Cats could alter your personality Source: Times Online URL Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...6557_1,00.html Published: Jun 23, 2005 Author: Jonathan Leake, Science Editor THEY may look like lovable pets but Britain's estimated 9m domestic cats are being blamed by scientists for infecting up to half the population with a parasite that can alter people's personalities. The startling figures emerge from studies into Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite carried by almost all the country's feline population. They show that half of Britain's human population carry the parasite in their brains, and that infected people may undergo slow but crucial changes in their behaviour. Infected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more aggressive, scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women, on the other hand, appear to exhibit the "sex kitten" effect, becoming less trustworthy, more desirable, fun- loving and possibly more promiscuous. Interestingly, for those who draw glib conclusions about national stereotypes, the number of people infected in France is much higher than in the UK. The findings will not please cat lovers. The research - conducted at universities in Britain, the Czech Republic and America - was sponsored by the Stanley Research Medical Institute of Maryland, a leading centre for the study of mental illness. The institute has already published research showing that people infected with the Toxoplasma parasite are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia and manic depression. The study into more subtle changes in human personality is being carried out by Professor Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in Prague. In one study he subjected more than 300 volunteers to personality profiling while also testing them for Toxoplasma. He found the women infected with Toxoplasma spent more money on clothes and were consistently rated as more attractive. "We found they were more easy-going, more warm-hearted, had more friends and cared more about how they looked," he said. "However, they were also less trustworthy and had more relationships with men." By contrast, the infected men appeared to suffer from the "alley cat" effect: becoming less well groomed undesirable loners who were more willing to fight. They were more likely to be suspicious and jealous. "They tended to dislike following rules," Flegr said. He also discovered that people infected with Toxoplasma had delayed reaction times - and are at greater risk of being involved in car accidents. "Toxoplasma infection, could represent a serious and highly underestimated economic and public health problem," he said." In Britain, concern over Toxoplasma is growing among health experts - especially as the number of pet cats has grown to about 9m. Roland Salmon, an epidemiologist with the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "The evidence is that cats are the main cause of infection." Toxoplasma moves in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats acquire it from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from hunting infected rats. It has long been known that humans can become infected with the parasite through close contact with cats. Pregnant women are advised to keep clear of the animals because the parasite can damage unborn babies. People with damaged immune systems, such as Aids victims, are also vulnerable. Until now, however, the parasite has always been thought harmless to healthy people because their immune systems could suppress the infection. But this view seems certain to change, especially in the light of research at Oxford University. Scientists there have found that when the parasite invades rats it somehow reprograms their brains, reversing their natural fear of cats. It is this same ability to destroy natural inhibitions that is thought to be at work in humans. Doctors Manuel Berdoy and Joanne Webster at Oxford University are studying how Toxoplasma alters rat behaviour and the chemical weapons it uses to subvert the brain. Berdoy said: "The fact that a single-celled parasite can have such an effect on the mammalian or even human brain is amazing." One startling fact to emerge from research is the great differences in levels of infection. In France and Germany, for example, about 80%-90% of people are infected - nearly twice that in Britain or America. "I am French and I have even wondered if there is an effect on national character," Berdoy said. Dr Dominique Soldati, a researcher at Imperial College in London, is studying ways of blocking Toxoplasma from getting into cells. "Once you are infected you cannot get rid of this parasite and the numbers of them slowly grow over the years," she said. "It's not a nice thought." -- Bigbazza (Barry)..Oz |
#5
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On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 21:58:42 -0500, Karen wrote:
in article , Bigbazza at wrote on 6/23/05 9:52 PM: Toxoplasma moves in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats acquire it from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from hunting infected rats. It has long been known that humans can become infected with the parasite through close contact with cats. Boy, sounds like a bunch of bunk to me. You can also get it from handling raw meat. Study sounds a little short on facts. Boy oh boy! Imagine me being a "sex kitten". Guess I had better start buying new clothes. MLB |
#6
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"mlbriggs" wrote in message
news Boy oh boy! Imagine me being a "sex kitten". Guess I had better start buying new clothes. MLB Wait a minute, I thought we were all fat and wore muumuus!! Now I'm confused. I wish the trolls would keep to a single story. Diane |
#7
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"pmendhall" wrote in message ... "mlbriggs" wrote in message news Boy oh boy! Imagine me being a "sex kitten". Guess I had better start buying new clothes. MLB Wait a minute, I thought we were all fat and wore muumuus!! Now I'm confused. I wish the trolls would keep to a single story. Diane You aren't accusing me of being a 'Troll' I hope !...Diane .....I do post very occasionally you know !.... I usually post to Senior Groups and am a friend of 'Yoj' (Joy !) -- Bigbazza (Barry)..Oz |
#8
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Nope, didn't mean to offend. It was just a funny change from the toll that
called everyone in the newsgroup fat muumuu wearing women. Diane "Bigbazza" wrote in message ... "pmendhall" wrote in message ... "mlbriggs" wrote in message news Boy oh boy! Imagine me being a "sex kitten". Guess I had better start buying new clothes. MLB Wait a minute, I thought we were all fat and wore muumuus!! Now I'm confused. I wish the trolls would keep to a single story. Diane You aren't accusing me of being a 'Troll' I hope !...Diane .....I do post very occasionally you know !.... I usually post to Senior Groups and am a friend of 'Yoj' (Joy !) -- Bigbazza (Barry)..Oz |
#9
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pmendhall wrote: Nope, didn't mean to offend. It was just a funny change from the toll that called everyone in the newsgroup fat muumuu wearing women. Diane LOL! I missed that one! Hey. I am *proud* to be a muu muu wearing woman. When I was managing the art department and working 12 hours a day, sometimes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on press day, I used to say my goal in life was to be one of those old ladies who stands out in the yard watering flowers in a muu muu with about a dozen cats around her feet. Well, I have achieved that goal, almost. I only have six cats. I'm happier now than I ever was when I was in the rat race. Side note: I did buy a vintage Tahitian muu muu though. Much more stylish than the regular ones. :-) The day I bought my muu muu was a real milestone. Sherry |
#10
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pmendhall wrote:
"mlbriggs" wrote in message news Boy oh boy! Imagine me being a "sex kitten". Guess I had better start buying new clothes. MLB Wait a minute, I thought we were all fat and wore muumuus!! Now I'm confused. I wish the trolls would keep to a single story. Diane ROFL!!! -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album |
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