What with military suicides up...

[4est_4est_Gump]

Local cuisine on the road?

(Reuters Health) - Women who are infected with a common parasite may be more likely to hurt themselves or attempt suicide, a new study of over 45,000 new moms in Denmark suggests.

The infection, known as toxoplasmosis, is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Humans can become chronically infected by eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables or by handling cat litter, as the parasite is known to multiply in the gut of infected cats.

Toxoplasmosis is often symptom-free, but can be dangerous in people with weak immune systems or during pregnancy, since the parasite may be passed to babies.

Some studies have linked the parasite to a higher chance of developing schizophrenia, and researchers believe because the T. gondii parasite lives in the brain, it could have an effect on emotions and behavior.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012...to-self-harm-suicide-at-idUSBRE8650YL20120706

I'm not making a link, that would run the risk of Post hoc ergo propter hoc like the CO2 crowd, but it makes for some interesting speculation, like team meals in the NFL, could they be as damaging to the brain as concussion...?

Based on the study, they also can't say for sure whether toxoplasmosis infection caused women to hurt themselves or attempt suicide. It could be, for example, that women with underlying mental problems were more likely to pick up the parasite because they cooked their meat or washed their vegetables improperly.

But it's reasonable, Postolache added, that the parasite could directly affect the brain, such as by making cells produce more or less of certain neurotransmitters that control mood and behavior.

"It's (also) possible that the immune system containing Toxoplasma gondii does it at the cost of affecting brain function," he told Reuters Health.

Underlying infection could trigger inflammation, Weiss explained, which might subtly alter brain chemistry.

Postolache said more studies will be needed to further understand the link between toxoplasmosis and suicidal tendencies, including whether certain people with the infection are more prone to mood and behavior issues than others - because of the genetic factors, for example.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I blame T-Ball trophies and school breakfasts.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

lol



The 'Participation Award' State...

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Self-Esteem Merit Badges???

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

The Order of the "I Tried!"

 

[mercury14]

Almost everyone who lives anywhere near the Ohio River valley (among other places) has been exposed to toxoplasmosis. It's in the soil so if you do any gardening you've been exposed most likely. I haven't heard of the suicide rates in these areas being elevated. Interesting study though.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

I will motivate you, Private Pyle, if it short-dicks every cannibal on the Congo!!!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Several years ago my son comes home on leave with a chest fulla ribbons from the military. I looked them over. His top most ribbon was the National Defense Service Medal (my bottom ribbon in the 60s). I asked about the other ribbons he had: Basic Training, Student Leadership School, Distinguished KP Service Medal, etc.

In 1968 we had ONE kid who tried to suicide, outta 1000s at Basic Training. He wanted Mama.

In 1943 my old man enlisted when he was 13 years old, saw some action in the Pacific, and was 15 when the war ended. He was kinda huge for his age. Lil Abner or Tiny Yokum huge.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I will motivate you, Private Pyle, if it short-dicks every cannibal on the Congo!!!

Oh gawd, Sgt. Carter...


lol

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Get the fuck down offa my obstacle!!!

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

What is your major malfunction!



Toxoplasmosis?

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Several years ago my son comes home on leave with a chest fulla ribbons from the military. I looked them over. His top most ribbon was the National Defense Service Medal (my bottom ribbon in the 60s). I asked about the other ribbons he had: Basic Training, Student Leadership School, Distinguished KP Service Medal, etc.

In 1968 we had ONE kid who tried to suicide, outta 1000s at Basic Training. He wanted Mama.

In 1943 my old man enlisted when he was 13 years old, saw some action in the Pacific, and was 15 when the war ended. He was kinda huge for his age. Lil Abner or Tiny Yokum huge.

Jean Francis Kerry got three purple hearts...



A relative of B. Pusser was my roommate for a while. 16 and as big as a Samoan...

 

[Wat_Tyler]

Mommy and Daddy didn't show me enough love when I was small.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Daddy didn't give affection
And the boy was something that mommy wouldn't wear
King Jeremy the wicked
Ruled his world

 

[BotanyBoy]

In 1968 we had ONE kid who tried to suicide, outta 1000s at Basic Training. He wanted Mama.

Oh those mother fuckers....I never hated anyone so much as the blubbering bitch boy buddy fucker that tried to hang himself in basic.

As I'm sure you know sleep is a precious if not the most precious of commodities in basic, and drill had the platoon on 50% security for 2 weeks watching him while he processed out.

He wasn't looking very good after 2 weeks of no sleep....and I assure you he didn't get a wink.

 

[RobDownSouth]

The Order of the "I Tried!"

Interesting how that award has your picture on the obverse.

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

I remember my first real deterrent patrol. We were on our first quest to win the 'Battle E' award. As we were securing from the maneuvering watch, someone played a joke on some cowardly whiner by telling him he had a phone call in the Control Room. Amazingly, the kid bought into it and ran to the now useless shoreline phone. No one was there and he started crying about how cruel that joke was.

I remember standing there wondering if he was really that stupid or just a great actor. I turned to my department CPO and asking, "How the fuck did that idiot get aboard our ship?" My CPO replied,"These days it is considered inhumane treatment to walk the plank for cowardness. No worries though, a backup plan is in the works"

The next day that kid was helo lifted back to shore. And promptly discharged.

 

[BotanyBoy]

Are you quitting on me? Well, are you? Then quit, you slimy fucking walrus-looking piece of shit! Get the fuck off of my obstacle! Get the fuck down off of my obstacle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNQPLewGR9k

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Oh those mother fuckers....I never hated anyone so much as the blubbering bitch boy buddy fucker that tried to hang himself in basic.

As I'm sure you know sleep is a precious if not the most precious of commodities in basic, and drill had the platoon on 50% security for 2 weeks watching him while he processed out.

He wasn't looking very good after 2 weeks of no sleep....and I assure you he didn't get a wink.

In the old days we stored the blubber boys in the jail barracks till momma came for them. But we never had many.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I don't remember any cowards in the Marines...



Now, sociopaths, those we had a full compliment of!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I don't remember any cowards in the Marines...



Now, sociopaths, those we had a full compliment of!

A coward is a guy who's clueless about what to do, they get thrown in the tank and panic. The Marines are marvels at training you what to do.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I don't remember any cowards in the Marines...

....that's right...you didn't meet Vetty or Miles until much much later.

 

[tactful]

When you can't find the enemy and are getting tired of waiting to get the fuck outa there, well, can you say permanent short cut.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

A coward is a guy who's clueless about what to do, they get thrown in the tank and panic. The Marines are marvels at training you what to do.

Every Sergeant a Patton!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Every Sergeant a Patton!

I just read a book that interviewed many of Hitlers generals who survived the war. They didnt have much to say about Patton. A couple of Russian commanders impressed them but they seemed to think that Hitler was the real terror in the West. Patton and Monty pretty much scooted thru the doors Hitler kept opening for them.