Friday, June 29, 2007
Botox Emergency
Photo taken 6/29: 3:00 A.M. Bloomberg HQ, New York
Photo taken 6/29: 3:00 A.M. Bloomberg HQ, New York
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
News of the Week
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tetrodotoxin
Many species of animals use paralyzing toxins in order to capture prey, evade predation, or both.
One famous example is the tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) of fish species such as Takifugu rubripes, the famously lethal pufferfish of Japanese fugu. This toxin works by binding to sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing the cells' proper function. A non-lethal dose of this toxin results in temporary paralysis. This toxin is also present in many other species ranging from toads to nemerteans.
Another interesting use of paralysis in the natural world is the behavior of some species of wasp. In order to complete the reproductive cycle, the female wasp first paralyzes a prey item such as a grasshopper and then places it into her nest. Eggs are then laid in the paralyzed insect, which is devoured by the larvae after they hatch.
I can’t be sure but I think my pet rock has been injected with tetrodotoxin. He's not moving...
...or he's just stoned. Either way I sure do hope he's being eaten from the inside out by wasp larvae…
One famous example is the tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) of fish species such as Takifugu rubripes, the famously lethal pufferfish of Japanese fugu. This toxin works by binding to sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing the cells' proper function. A non-lethal dose of this toxin results in temporary paralysis. This toxin is also present in many other species ranging from toads to nemerteans.
Another interesting use of paralysis in the natural world is the behavior of some species of wasp. In order to complete the reproductive cycle, the female wasp first paralyzes a prey item such as a grasshopper and then places it into her nest. Eggs are then laid in the paralyzed insect, which is devoured by the larvae after they hatch.
I can’t be sure but I think my pet rock has been injected with tetrodotoxin. He's not moving...
...or he's just stoned. Either way I sure do hope he's being eaten from the inside out by wasp larvae…