A DNA ‘Parasite’ May Have Fragmented Our Genes

Re:A DNA ‘Parasite’ May Have Fragmented Our Genes by whizzter on Thursday March 30, 2023 @04:55PM (#35378709)

Even more interesting reverse of that, hairworms that infect grasshoppers will once mature cause the hosts to jump into water and drown where the worm then reproduces before starting the cycle again.

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Re:A DNA ‘Parasite’ May Have Fragmented Our Genes by hypertele-Xii on Thursday March 30, 2023 @06:42PM (#35379849)

And cordyceps fungi compel ants to climb to a specific height off ground, at millimeter and 95% accuracy, to a spot of ideal location and humidity for the fungus to spore.

And the craziest thing is, the cordyceps fungus doesn't actually infiltrate the ant's brain! Autopsies found the fungus spreads all over the ant's body, but not its brain!

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Re:A DNA ‘Parasite’ May Have Fragmented Our Genes by borissk on Thursday March 30, 2023 @09:38PM (#35381297)

Have you seen the documentary that came this year, think it's called "Last Of Us" - fungus can turn humans into zombies :)

But yeah, fungus directly controlling ant muscles, while it's brain is helpless is quite terrifying. Also terrifying is the raise of fungus infections in humans recorded in hospitals in India and UK in the recent years. If they do adapt to living in a warm human body we will have a major problem - fungus are killing more trees, bugs and reptiles than viruses and bacteria combined, the air in our cities is full of their spores.

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Re:A DNA ‘Parasite’ May Have Fragmented Our Genes by promptdaddy on Friday March 31, 2023 @10:32AM (#35387716)

More humans is more human food source

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