Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled parasite, not only messes with the behaviour of animals, but it can also benefit them. A study of wolves in Yellowstone National Park found that infected wolves were more likely to become pack leaders, disperse into other habitats, and take more risks – which gives them more opportunity to reproduce. So while this parasite may mess with the minds of our furry friends, it turns out it can also do them a bit of good! Read full article here
Oddities
Why Do Modern Pop Songs Have So Many Credited Writers?
The music industry has changed dramatically over the last few decades – with the number of songwriters credited on number one hits more than doubling. This is due to a combination of factors, including money, the computer and a changing definition of what songwriting is. For example, if The Beatles’ classic “I Feel Fine” was released today, it would likely have four writers credited instead of two, due to the influence of producers, samples and interpolations. With the rise of lawsuits, artists now preemptively add songwriter credits to their songs, even if the similarities between their song and the source material are coincidental. It all goes to show that the music industry is becoming more complex and competitive. Read full article here
Merv
March 29, 2023
