Attack Of The Zombie Parasites!

Did someone say BRAAAAAINS…?
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Shows like The Walking Dead are full of hungry, mindless, surprisingly fleet-footed armies of brain-eating zombies. Could they actually exist? Are zombies real? Well, maybe if you’re talking aboutzom-bees! This week I introduce you to some of nature’s strangest mind-controlling parasites, who make zombies of the natural world. This one will make your brain tingle. That’s just the awesome science, though… not a parasite. Promise!

Watch the full video clips used in this episode:
KQED zom-bees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdZ3M8C6yhs
BBC cordyceps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8
Jewel wasp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl_9kghmChw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWAV1zj5TXQ
Cricket horsehair worm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df_iGe_JSzI
Red berry ants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Rj89-wuDo
NatGeo zombie snails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_LIz7kTok

LEARN MORE:
Ed Yong’s TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/ed_yong_suicidal_wasps_zombie_roaches_and_other_tales_of_parasites
Biochemistry of parasitic zombies: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/science/parasites-use-sophisticated-biochemistry-to-take-over-their-hosts.html?_r=1&An entire issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology dedicated to parasitic control of hosts: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/216/1.toc


Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below!
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It’s Okay To Be Smart is written and hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
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Produced by PBS Digital Studios: http://www.youtube.com/user/pbsdigitalstudios

Joe Hanson - Creator/Host/Writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen Inc.
Kate Eads - Associate Producer
Andrew Matthews - Editing/Motion Graphics/Animation
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
John Knudsen - Gaffer
Dalton Allen - Post-Production Intern

Theme music:
“Ouroboros” by Kevin MacLeod

Other music via APM

Stock images from Shutterstock

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Last week’s video: Why Does February Have 28 Days? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgKaHTh-_Gs

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The Science of Game of Thrones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utu-LpJn3Is
There Was No First Human - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdWLhXi24Mo