Back in the Saddle

Been gone for awhile, but I'm back for now.

First, a couple really interesting articles in the realm of science.

The NYT has an interesting article on the health benefits of coffee. Holy cow! If half these claims are true I am one certainly healthy person. Especially if the Dark Roast at Burgie's is anywhere near this healthy. Next up Old Style?

Second. Samizdata had a post with a link to this article on Toxoplasma gondii, The same AIDS patient/drug abuser killer featured in the "life changing" movie/book Trainspotting. Toxo is a pretty interesting parasite, and its threat to humans has become more noticable since HIV and other immune system supressing conditions have become more prevalent. Recent research according to the article seems to imply that infections in humans may result in behavioral changes within their host. I think the authors are going a bit far with worrying about "cultural implications" and "cultural diversity" of infected populations, but the larger question is does this explain "cat ladies" and "hoarders"? I think more research needs to be done.