A comprehensive analysis of human geophagy reveals that eating dirt is a widespread behavior that provides protection against intestinal parasites and pathogens. The study found that people are more likely to consume earth during vulnerable life stages or in environments with high levels of foodborne microbes.
A study of 161 marine mammal tissue samples reveals an association between severe illness and co-infection with two parasites, Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. The infections caused more severe disease symptoms in animals infected with both parasites.
Researchers found that a pre-existing malaria infection restricts iron availability in the liver, preventing a second infection. This discovery has implications for managing and preventing malaria, which affects millions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that anti-HIV inhibitors can kill Leishmania parasites by targeting the Ddi 1 protein. This finding suggests a potential new class of drugs for treating parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis and malaria, which could one day become lifesaving treatments.
Feral pigs in eastern North Carolina have been found to host significant numbers of parasites that can be transmitted to humans, including Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella. The study's findings highlight the potential health risk posed by feral pigs to both domestic swine and humans.
Researchers have identified several genes that may contribute to the malaria parasite's ability to evade antimalarial drugs. One of these genes, PF10_0355, was found to render drug-sensitive parasites more resistant to three standard antimalarial agents when introduced into them.
Researchers found that the parasite balances infection and spread through careful form transformation. The study provides fresh insight into the parasite's survival strategy, which could lead to new treatment approaches.
Scientists have discovered how nifurtimox kills parasites by converting it into a toxic form through an enzyme in the parasite. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-parasitic medicines with fewer side effects and improved efficacy.
Researchers have found that monkeys infected with an emerging malaria strain are providing a reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia. The study confirms that the species has not yet adapted to humans and that monkeys are the main source of infection.
Researchers studied malaria parasite reproduction, finding damaging male and female forms can prevent disease transmission without killing them entirely.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers has developed genetically modified fungi that can kill malaria-causing parasites in mosquitoes, significantly reducing parasite development. The transgenic fungi block the development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes, preventing transmission to humans.
Researchers have developed a method to profile malaria-causing parasite P. falciparum, identifying genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children. The study aims to provide new understanding of childhood malaria severity.
Researchers have developed an approach to identify parasite genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children, offering new understanding of childhood malaria. Additionally, studies found that niacin can inhibit progression of atherosclerosis in mice through its receptor GPR109A expressed by immune cells.
Researchers use OMX 3D SIM super resolution microscopy to visualize malaria parasite invasion, revealing key molecular and cellular events. This technology may pave the way for developing new treatments for malaria.
The study found that a specific protein called GRA15 triggers inflammation in the host, leading to brain damage. Researchers hope to develop new drugs or vaccines to block this process and prevent chronic infections.
Researchers found a genetic difference in TEP1 gene conferring resistance to human malaria parasites in one of two emerging Anopheles gambiae species, M and S. The study suggests that this resistance could impact malaria transmission efforts.
Researchers discovered that Trypanosoma brucei parasites can sense their environment, exchange messages, and coordinate movements when seeded onto a surface. This social behavior opens up new avenues for understanding other supposedly solitary parasites like those responsible for malaria and epidemic diarrhea.
Researchers discover parasites within the fungus help it adapt and overcome plant defenses, leading to rapid evolution and devastating impact on agricultural yield. The study could lead to significant advances in developing new agricultural techniques for protecting cereal crops from infection.
Research finds that dominant animals in primate societies have higher parasite loads due to suppressed immune systems. Frequent aggression and contact with other animals may contribute to the risk of infection.
Scientists have discovered how ivermectin kills parasitic worms that cause river blindness and elephantiasis, enabling the development of new treatment avenues. The drug works by blocking parasite secretions, allowing the host's immune system to attack and kill the parasites.
Researchers found that parasites can adjust their survival strategy in response to the host's immune system, leading to faster growth rates and increased reproduction. This insight may help inform the design of future vaccines against parasitic diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness.
Researchers have identified a gene that enables malaria parasites to resist artemisinin treatment, leading to potential development of new drugs and control strategies.
A WCS study found that higher temperatures and rainfall in Argentina result in more parasitic fly larvae, leading to increased mortality and impaired growth for chicks. The researchers also found a positive correlation between climate variables and parasite loads on nestlings.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are investigating different aspects of parasite biology, with a focus on developing new treatments. Dr Chris Tonkin is studying Apicomplexan parasites to understand their invasion mechanisms and identify potential targets for drugs.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that confers resistance to the antibiotic clindamycin in malaria parasites. The findings suggest that current diagnostic tests may be inadequate and highlight the need for new treatment strategies. This study contributes to our understanding of the genetic basis of drug resistance in malaria.
A chemical compound, NITD609, has shown promising results in clearing malaria parasites from mice after a single oral dose. The compound targets a parasite protein not attacked by existing malaria drugs and has desirable features for a new malaria therapy.
Researchers have found that African trypanosomes avoid human immune systems by mutating surface protein receptors, reducing TLF-1 uptake. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapies against the disease-causing parasites.
A 48-million-year-old fossilized leaf has revealed evidence of a fungus taking control of ants to turn them into zombies. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of parasitic manipulation in animals.
A study found that infection with malaria parasites during antibiotic treatment developed a vaccine-like immunity against re-infection. Antibiotics can prevent malaria parasite replication in the liver, allowing the immune system to mount a robust defense against future infections.
Researchers found that administering antibiotics during the liver stage of malaria infection generates strong protective immunity in mice. The treatment prevents malaria parasites from infecting red blood cells and builds long-term immunity against subsequent infections.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to reveal that parasites infecting freshwater fish mostly specialize on specific hosts, except for those targeting the eyes which can infect many different species and even frogs. This discovery may have practical benefits for wildlife managers and fish farmers.
Parasites in invasive species can cause significant harm to local invertebrates, fish stocks, and ecosystem services. The discovery challenges previous thinking that parasites-free invaders do well in new locations.
Scientists found that M. tuberculosis antigens remain unchanged and homogenous, unlike many viruses and parasites, allowing the bacteria to be transmitted from person to person.
A signaling protein in parasites has been identified as a key regulator of movement and infectivity. By disabling this protein, scientists may be able to prevent parasite infections and develop new treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new twist on a potential malaria drug target, which traps malaria parasites within infected red blood cells. This breakthrough identifies an essential step in the biology of the most common and severe malaria parasite and offers a new direction for fighting one of the world's most deadly infections.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy using the Giardia parasite's surface proteins to prevent or mitigate future infections. The engineered parasites work as effective vaccines when given orally to gerbils, offering a promising approach for delivering oral vaccinations in developing countries.
Researchers discovered that birds use complex patterns and color to detect foreign eggs, but surprisingly, they don't rely on the unique scribbles found only on host eggs. This finding offers insights into a 20 million-year-old evolutionary arms race between cuckoo parasites and their hosts.
A new three-in-one test can detect Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness in under an hour. The low-cost test uses special dyes that reveal the presence of parasite markers.
Researchers at Penn identified a previously unidentified cell population, termed multipotent progenitor cells, which may be the body's double-edged sword, fighting off parasitic infections but also causing harmful immune responses. This discovery may lead to new targets for treatment of infection and allergic inflammation.
A new oral treatment has been shown to be effective in 95% of cases against head lice, providing a real therapeutic alternative to conventional anti-lice lotions. The study used oral Ivermectin administered at 400 μg per kilogram and found significant improvements compared to traditional malathion lotion treatments.
Researchers have discovered a Bt protein that is highly effective at curing intestinal parasitic roundworm infections in humans. The Cry5B protein produced by the Bt bacterium is three times better than tribendimidine and shows promise as an alternative to existing treatments.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have synthesized the entire protein responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. A protein-based vaccine is planned to trigger antibodies protecting against malaria, saving over 200,000 lives annually.
A multinational team of researchers has identified a plan to develop new treatments for malaria by targeting the parasites' digestive enzymes. By blocking these enzymes, the parasites can no longer survive within human red blood cells, offering new hope for millions affected by global spread of drug-resistant parasites.
Bdelloid rotifers have evolved to avoid parasites and pathogens by desiccating and drifting away on the wind. This mechanism allows them to establish new, uninfected populations and evade biotic enemies without sex.
Researchers detect Plasmodium falciparum and two new species of malaria parasites in gorillas, complicating efforts to eradicate the disease. The findings could aid vaccine development and further understanding of infectious disease transmission from animals to humans.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have discovered proteins that could form the basis of an effective vaccine against malaria. The findings support the development of a vaccine against the blood-stage of malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
Researchers have discovered a compound that can obstruct the enzyme protecting a deadly parasite causing sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. The findings provide new hope for developing effective treatments against these incurable diseases.
Galapagos finches develop antibodies against two parasites that invaded the islands, suggesting they can fight off alien invaders. The immune system recognizes these parasites and produces specific antibodies, which may help the birds resist the threats.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital discovered that malaria parasites alternate between phases of rapid gliding and firm adhesion to surface. This 'stick-slip' mechanism enables the parasite to move rapidly over a long time, necessary for successful transmission of the disease.
Malaria parasites adapt their molecules to evade the host's immune response, with different approaches used in children and adults. Researchers discovered a limit to severe disease-causing variants and found evidence for a vaccine against this deadly form of malaria.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals key laboratory and clinical features of human P. knowlesi infections, confirming the potentially deadly nature of the disease. The research found that P. knowlesi malaria can cause a wide spectrum of disease, including breathing difficulties and kidney problems.
A new study published in PLOS Pathogens shows that Leishmania parasites use a gel to persuade immune cells called macrophages to feed them instead of killing them. This trick enables the parasites to establish an infection and infect the skin, highlighting a crucial step in leishmaniasis transmission.
Researchers found that daily temperature fluctuations significantly impact malaria parasite growth and transmission rates. In areas with cooler temperatures, a fluctuation of 45 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the parasites' incubation period, making them infectious nearly two weeks earlier.
Researchers found malaria parasites in western Cambodia resistant to artemisinin-based therapies, making them less effective and a potential game-changer for malaria control. The study's findings highlight the need for swift action to contain the spread of resistant parasites.
Research finds freshwater snails reproduce more when infected with trematode parasites in shallows, supporting the Red Queen hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory. Parasites enhance sexual reproduction by increasing selection on species interactions over small spatial scales.
Biologists discovered that parasites drive snails to reproduce sexually, increasing genetic diversity and resistance to infection. The study supports the Red Queen Hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory, showing that host species can adapt to avoid parasite coevolution by producing genetically variable offspring.
The genomes of two parasitic flatworm species causing schistosomiasis have been sequenced, revealing potential drug targets and enzymes that can be targeted with drugs. The research may lead to new treatments for the debilitating disease.
Researchers found that inexperienced reed warblers learn to defend themselves by observing the mobbing behavior of other members of their species. This social learning enables them to fine-tune their defenses against cuckoo parasites, a mechanism that responds rapidly to changes in parasitism.
A new study found that parasites evolve to be less aggressive when scattered among isolated clusters of hosts, favoring the survival of the group. This discovery suggests that as human activity makes the world more connected, natural selection will favor more virulent and dangerous parasites.