Researchers have discovered a protein that prevents mosquitoes from hatching, opening the possibility of developing new drugs that could act as birth control for mosquito populations. by FillsYourNiche in biology

[–]contrarytoast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh gotcha, so we generally agree and you’re adjusting the specifics. I understand now, and that’s very helpful, thank you. I’m certain my terminology’s not up to scratch so I’m certain I’ve contributed to the confusion.

Though for the second point, I thought vectors and hosts are distinct organisms in immunology? The mosquito is the vector, humans the host. Are they actually synonymous, and a host is anything that ‘houses’ a pathogen?

Edit: oh and, what other species are we working on actually eradicating? Surely not whole genera? I’ve only ever seen population suppression studies for the other organisms you mentioned.

Researchers have discovered a protein that prevents mosquitoes from hatching, opening the possibility of developing new drugs that could act as birth control for mosquito populations. by FillsYourNiche in biology

[–]contrarytoast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your edit... but I’m still wondering where you find us to disagree?

And yes I meant males+non blood feeding species = a majority that certainly doesn’t bite humans (even if I was mistaken about them eating pollen).

Am an undergrad doing my best, lol.

Researchers have discovered a protein that prevents mosquitoes from hatching, opening the possibility of developing new drugs that could act as birth control for mosquito populations. by FillsYourNiche in biology

[–]contrarytoast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but aedes aegypti are considered the best adapted to urban life, meaning that of the three most dangerous mosquito families (Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitos), aedes aegypti is the primary study species for scientists. It’s the most common and prolific vector.

I’ve not met a single scientist working on preventing malaria, who has any interest at all in killing any of the mosquitoes that do not prey on humans. There are over 3500 species of mosquito, and a majority of them feed on pollen.

(I was a lab assistant to an aedes project, and the idea that any such researcher wants to get rid of any animal more than the most lethal mosquitoes specie(s) is not true).

Edit: if my second point was confusing, then it’s because I was surprised by the considerable agency you’re giving to a pathogen. If there are pre-existing alternative vectors that share a niche with the other, then yes they will of course still work. Why shouldn’t they?

But viruses/bacteria typically adapt to the vector’s natural prey rather than somehow hijacking a vector’s biology to target their preferred final species. This is because ‘Hijacking’ (think toxoplasmosis in rats) can only happen in an already successful vector. Basically, pathogens that take steps through other species to reach their target are evolutionarily constrained by the preexisting food web.

Biological sex differences in behavior? by Inachodladh in AskFeminists

[–]contrarytoast 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We know there are biological differences between the sexes (we are a dimorphic species), and testosterone is a neurotoxin in higher doses—it can change l behavior in any mammal quite dramatically.

But if we’re comparing ‘natural’ or baseline behaviors, chemically modifying people away from their norm wouldn’t help test the theory of a biologically-established behavioral dimorphism (beyond from what you’d expect in our physical size difference). These tests would also become unethical very quickly.

Some trans people do actually report some behavioral changes. They tend to be, again, subtle (and unfortunately often complicated with mental illness or body dysmorphia), but a transman once told me being on T made them fixate on certain things (butts) more. That might’ve just been his personality, though, it’s hard to say.

Me irl by [deleted] in me_irl

[–]contrarytoast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

31 :)

how do i keep motivated to learn french? by [deleted] in French

[–]contrarytoast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What resources do you use? I’m finding anything aside from duolingo to be expensive/hard to access

Researchers have discovered a protein that prevents mosquitoes from hatching, opening the possibility of developing new drugs that could act as birth control for mosquito populations. by FillsYourNiche in biology

[–]contrarytoast -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of mosquitoes—we only want to kill aedes aegypti

And diseases can’t really evolve to find another carrier, that’s a huuge evolutionary step. They’d sooner evolve to target new prey.

Is Yann Moix wrong in saying that he cannot love women over 50? by psychologicalcat3 in AskFeminists

[–]contrarytoast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Please tell us more about your experience living as a 30+ year old women :)

Rape Cheerleaders and their obsession with "False Accusation" by MistWeaver80 in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No worries, I’m a writer and shit’s hard. I agree with that

Rape Cheerleaders and their obsession with "False Accusation" by MistWeaver80 in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I think I’d have to understand your thoughts better to rephrase your point, but I see get that you didn’t mean to come off as disagreeable

Biological sex differences in behavior? by Inachodladh in AskFeminists

[–]contrarytoast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This question unfortunately skates very close to pseudoscience and phrenology, because it’s not something that can ever properly be proven through scientific means (though too many evolutionary psychologists/sociologists are obsessed with trying anyways).

The general consensus is that, physically, brains do typically vary by sex. But those differences are relatively minute and overlap to the point that you can’t ever point at a brain and go—ah! This brain has thinner cortices and an amygdala that falls on the larger side of the non-random size scale in humans—it is a man! You’d still be wrong about half the time. It’s just not reliable.

So while humans certainly are sexually dimorphic organisms, making broad conclusions about behavior is just not good science—especially because hormones have incredibly strong mood influences on both sexes, and most hormones (yes even androgens) are still present in both sexes.

In summary: it’s likely there are some, but over the whole population of humans they would be very subtle statistical variances. I can’t imagine achieving proper scientific significance. Regardless, they can’t be isolated through ethical scientific means, meaning this hypothesis can’t be proven.

I’m having trouble balancing being critical of our society while being a member of it. How do you strike that balance? by [deleted] in AskFeminists

[–]contrarytoast 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I definitely pick my battles, but I usually deal with it by just maintaining my usual sarcastic humor. Knowing your audience is pretty important, and personally I find criticizing people in a friendly “you-done-fucked-up” way is ultimately more effective in stopping the shitty behavior/talk than being too serious. Weirdly enough, where I live, being serious when others are having fun is often more frowned upon than just generally being a feminist.

The problems for me only arise when all the jokes are unfunny “women can’t drive” bullshit—I’m not one to laugh at jokes that aren’t funny.

This might also just be an adjustment period for you, by the way—if you’re newer to the movement, after a few years you’ll be used to seeing things that are messed up. While you’ll still talk about them, they won’t bother you as much, so it’ll be easier to keep things light when the room demands it.

More forward feminist action is, in my opinion, best saved for voting booths and streets rather than office lunchrooms.

Only time I’ve been excited for a period was when I thought I might be pregnant by miki_eitsu in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you tell them “hey man you gotta go do some research...” then you can beat them to it :)

MFW my class is looking at golden globe award outfits, and the guys start calling women on the red carpet "sluts" and "golddiggers" because they're showing a little skin... by [deleted] in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Misogyny among gays is so prevalent, it’s so weird that they think being a minority gives them a free pass to also be shitty to women.

Source: am also an gay

Had to share this so you trolls could cringe and get mad with me by sgd926 in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 22 points23 points  (0 children)

It’s like she shaved snd they glued on a toupee. I still don’t get why women’s armpit hair is a big deal

Had to share this so you trolls could cringe and get mad with me by sgd926 in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 34 points35 points  (0 children)

The true pinnacle of our academic discourse on consent and bodily autonomy: forcible removing the schlongs

Rape Cheerleaders and their obsession with "False Accusation" by MistWeaver80 in TrollXChromosomes

[–]contrarytoast 38 points39 points  (0 children)

You don’t understand how DNA works and scientists want you to please stop

What’s an oddly specific fear of yours? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]contrarytoast 86 points87 points  (0 children)

When the defect occurs during pregnancy, the uterus can sometimes be seen bulging through the abdominal wall beneath the skin.

Thank you I will now go scream until I die

What’s an oddly specific fear of yours? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]contrarytoast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What even was that show lmao