Episode 267 | From Russia with Parasites

Crab, Head Crab.

00:00:00 - Ryan and Kelly are joined by Mikhail "Misha" Gopko to talk about his latest paper exploring parasites controlling their fish host from inside their eye. Brain-infecting is one thing, but when you can see your parasite inside your own eyeball? That's just creepy.

00:24:44 - Kelly considers fibbing but opts for honesty as she drinks her water. Ryan has a Grolsch because he needs a resealable bottle for some home fermentation projects, and why buy empty beer bottles when you can just empty them yourself?

00:31:42 - Part 2 of our interview with Misha chats about the importance of parasite research, and what future projects Misha has in store.

00:49:51 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like parasites in bird guts, they always come out at the end. First up, we thank Terry R. for being a Patron of the show, which earns them a thesis title. There's is A Bird in the Hand: Mechanisms of manipulation of avian defecation by Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. Thanks, Terry! Kelly has a Facebook message from D Rex who ran half a marathon while enjoying hearing about Kelly's research in episode 259. Way to go! Don't forget to pre-order Kelly's upcoming book Soonish, and check out Ryan's episode of the Out There podcast called "The Reluctant Outdoorsman".

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Music for this week's show:
Something in my eye! - Jay and the Americans
In De Hemel Is Geen Bier - De Stamgasten
Plus Profound - Hooverphonic

Image credit: From Russia with Love + a few tweaks in Photoshop