My understanding of the phenomenon, (full disclosure, I haven't actually done the experiment nor know anyone who has, GASP!) is that the act of observing is absorbing or altering photons in the process of measuring which affects the measurement.  Yes we are part of the universe, but i believe only in a measuring kind of way and not the transcendental way.  but you never know for sure... "it is thee that hath made us and not we ourselves" (not to discount the participatory nature of being)...