Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Not so Happy Hour

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease linked to fungus
The scientists discovered that the volatile organic compound 1-octen-3-ol, otherwise known as mushroom alcohol, can cause movement disorders in flies, similar to those observed in the presence of pesticides, such as paraquat and rotenone. Further, they discovered that it attacked two genes that deal with dopamine, degenerating the neurons and causing the Parkinson's-like symptoms.
Many, many fungi produce this compound and they grow on wheat and nuts and in dirt and the damp corners of your house.

1-octen-3-ol is also a mosquito attractant.

Beer Consumption Increases Human Attractiveness to Malaria Mosquitoes
Higher levels of exhaled breath (as measured with a CO2 analyser) were not associated with higher attractiveness and beer consumption did not affect CO2 expiration rate. We postulate that the metabolism of alcohol following beer consumption induces changes in breath and odour markers (i.e. increases the production of kairomones such as 1-octen-3-ol) that increases attractiveness to Anopheles gambiae.
Yeah, that just figures.   Beer and nuts.   My father's favorite things.   He can barely keep the liquid in the glass or swallow the damn peanuts, but will never give them up.

Update- the other person I know with tremors eats peanut butter every day.