Articles tagged with Worms
A new technique uses inexpensive components from LCD projectors to activate specific neurons and muscles in freely moving worms, allowing for precise control over brain circuits. This advancement in optogenetics enables researchers to explore complex behaviors and functions of these tiny organisms.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that slowing mitochondrial function in specific cells can extend the lifespan of an entire organism. The key finding is that a unique signal emanating from damaged mitochondria in nerve or gut cells extends lifespan, while disrupting this signal has no effect.
A study published in The Lancet found that deworming treatment during pregnancy does not affect infant immune responses to vaccines or infectious disease incidence. The authors suggest that the value of this intervention should be re-examined, and policy recommendations be reviewed.
A team of researchers from Brandeis University and University of Nevada, Reno has discovered genes in C. elegans that exhibit gene expression oscillations with 24-hour cycles, shedding light on the mammalian circadian clock. This finding has significant implications for studying human disease genes through corresponding worm genes.
Researchers use earthworms to treat wastewater and soil contaminated with nickel, chromium, vanadium, lead, arsenic, and mercury. The method shows promise as an inexpensive alternative to industrial cleanup methods.
Researchers found that changes in cellular energy balance can lead to increased lifespans in worms, providing a proof-of-concept for human aging. The study discovered a novel metabolic state associated with long-lived mitochondrial mutants, suggesting a potential approach to extending human lifespan.
Researchers discover that infection with Trichuris trichiura eggs increases mucus production in the colon, providing symptomatic relief from ulcerative colitis. The study identifies a shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory immune cells, paving the way for potential helminth therapy.
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 discovered that dendritic cells trigger the immune system's defence against invading parasites in mice infected with snail fever. The breakthrough could lead to new treatments for chronic illness caused by this condition.
Researchers found that plugged females mated just as often and were more attractive than unplugged ones. Plugging improved female fitness by increasing egg production, suggesting a male's act may be beneficial to its partner. The study reveals new insights into the reproductive behavior of nematode worms.
Researchers have identified key genes controlling reproductive lifespan in roundworms, which may lead to the development of fertility-preserving treatments for women. The study's findings suggest that quality over quantity is a limiting factor in human reproduction, and that similar genes are shared between humans and worms.
Researchers found that worms and humans have similar genetic mechanisms controlling reproductive aging, which can inform fertility preservation therapies. Oocytes in both species degrade functionally and morphologically with age, but TGF-?? Sma/Mab and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways delay aging by maintaining oocyte quality.
Researchers discover that CD4+ T cells release interleukin-21, instructing B cells to produce antibodies targeting helminth-derived products. This signaling pathway is specific to worm infections and may hold key to treating diseases like asthma and allergies.
Julie Dunning Hotopp, a UM School of Medicine Institute for Genome Sciences researcher, received a $2.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health's New Innovator program. She will study DNA transfers between the microbiome and the human genome to understand how certain infections can lead to cancer years later.
Researchers found that gut-invading worms produce a protein that generates regulatory T cells in mice, allowing the worms to establish a foothold. This mechanism also suppresses allergic responses, which may contribute to reduced allergy symptoms in humans infected with intestinal worms.
The new atlas identifies areas with urgent need for mass treatment and predicts infection risk in data-lacking areas. The Global Atlas of Helminth Infections aims to improve sanitation and health education to control worm infections.
A study by the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service found that rotational grazing and checking a lamb's eye color can minimize deworming. The researchers tested 71 lambs with the barber pole worm, finding that gel capsules filled with copper oxide wire particles eliminated the need for conventional dewormers in ...
A new study published in Genetics found that mutations in 10 different genes of worms can extend lifespan without reducing oxidative stress. This discovery challenges the long-held notion that oxidative stress is responsible for aging and suggests a slow rate of metabolism may be key to increasing longevity.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology have discovered a control mechanism behind the development of Pristionchus' mouthparts. The organism's mouth dimorphism is triggered by environmental factors such as food scarcity and high population density, resulting in the development of strong teeth-like denticles.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a group of proteins that regulate the life span of laboratory roundworms. By inhibiting one protein, Ash-2, they found that it extends the worm's life span by up to 30%. The study suggests an intriguing link between longevity and fertility, highlighting the importanc...
Research at Princeton University found that caloric restriction impairs long-term memory in early adulthood but does not further decline it with age. In contrast, reducing insulin signaling improves learning ability and maintains it better with age. The study has implications for treating cognitive decline associated with aging.
Researchers have successfully imaged the internal tissues of a soft-bodied marine worm using micro-computed x-ray tomography (micro-CT) without dissection or destructive methods. This technique allows for high-definition images and three-dimensional rotating views, enabling detailed study of functional anatomy.
Researchers found that the level of arrestin protein determines how long C. elegans lives, with worms having triple the amount living one-third less than normal. Arrestin interacts with several proteins to regulate longevity and has relevance to human biology and cancer development.
A recent University of Southampton study found that small doses of alcohol can relieve withdrawal symptoms in C. elegans worms, which exhibit similar behaviors to humans. This treatment approach may also worsen dependency, highlighting the need for new ideas in treating alcoholism.
Researchers at the Trudeau Institute discovered that cytokines can influence immune responses to subsequent infections and vaccination procedures. This knowledge provides a potential explanation for why chronic infections can alter immune responses to vaccines. Needle vaccinations may be more effective in regions where people are alrea...
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a procedure to delete specific genes from nematode worms, allowing them to infer the function of each gene and thereby understand human gene regulation. The technique, called MosDel, uses a transposon to cut out genes and exploit cell DNA repair mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have identified a key gene, Smed-prep, essential for regenerating a planarian worm's head and brain after amputation. This discovery could one day lead to understanding human organ regeneration and tissue repair.
Researchers found that human brains, nematode worms and computer chips have a Russian doll-like architecture and exhibit Rentian scaling. This discovery challenges the notion that the human brain is unique and highlights the importance of studying simple organisms like the worm to gain insights into our own evolution.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered fossil whale bones with 0.5mm circular boreholes matching those of living Osedax worms, dating to 30 million years ago. The findings confirm that boneworms are at least 30 million years old and were feeding on whale bones during this period.
Researchers found genes in yeast that help form veins and arteries in humans, while also fixing cell walls in response to stress. They identified eight genes that contribute to blood vessel formation in animals and several of these genes are also linked to human breast cancer.
Scientists have unearthed a rare, 450-million-year-old fossil of an armor-plated creature, known as Plumulitid machaeridian, in downtown Ottawa. The discovery provides important evidence of how annelid worms evolved and sheds light on their unique body armor.
A new combination drug treatment has been found to be effective in controlling parasitic worms, reducing the need for repeated treatments and minimizing drug resistance. The dual therapy uses a protein crystal made by bacteria, which works by a different mechanism than existing levamisole-like drugs.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that worm-derived proteins attenuate intestinal inflammation and normalize gastrointestinal motility disturbances in mice with colitis. The results suggest that worm proteins may provide an attractive option for managing gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD patients.
Dr. Andrew Fraser's research focuses on using worms to identify how genetic background affects disease risk, with implications for human health. By studying natural isolates of the worms, researchers can look at how genetic mutations affect phenotypes within a species, providing insights into predictability and variability.
A new study of nematode worms with identical genes and environments found that chance played a role in the development of their gut, defying traditional explanations. Researchers attribute variations among organisms to differences in genes or environment, but this study adds random variation to the mix.
Researchers found that random fluctuations in gene expression can cause some individuals to express a trait even if they have the mutated gene. This phenomenon is controlled by specific fluctuations in mRNA production and appears to be influenced by environmental factors.
Researchers found that mescal contains DNA of the agave butterfly caterpillar, despite only using 40% ethanol. The discovery enables the development of inexpensive and non-invasive genetic analysis protocols for preserved specimens.
Scientists have discovered DNA from the agave butterfly caterpillar in mescal liquor, confirming their theory that preserved specimens can leak into preservative liquids. This breakthrough allows for non-invasive genetic analysis protocols, reducing the need for tissue samples or DNA extraction.
MSU researcher Charles Mackenzie is working on reformulating flubendazole, a drug that targets adult parasitic worms causing elephantiasis and river blindness. The goal is to develop a safe administration method to eradicate filarial diseases globally by 2020.
Researchers create photoswitch composed of dithienylethene, which paralyzes C. elegans worms with ultraviolet light and reverses paralysis with visible light
Researchers developed an algorithm to target local scanning worms, which can evade worm defenses. The algorithm estimates susceptible host population size and quarantines the worm if scans exceed a threshold value.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have identified genetic mechanisms behind the loss of deadliness in lab-raised nematode worms, which are used as a natural insecticide. The study's findings also shed light on how to defeat parasites that harm beneficial plants and animals, and could lead to new targets for pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a molecular worm algorithm to automatically analyze structures, speeding up material screening. The algorithm provides a realistic depiction of molecule geometry, allowing for more accurate predictions of catalysis and chemical reactions.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a way to propel microscopic worms using an electric field, enabling high-throughput micro-screening devices for drug discovery. The technique demonstrates movement of worms forward and in reverse guided by the direction of the electric field, allowing for rapid screening of chemicals an...
Researchers identify key molecular switches controlling GABA transport, which could prevent seizure onset. The study uses C. elegans worms to reveal genetic factors contributing to epilepsy susceptibility.
A team of researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute has developed a new model system to study fungal infections. The system can be used to identify promising targets for anti-fungal drugs, potentially leading to effective treatments for conditions like thrush and athlete's foot.
Researchers create photoswitch that triggers and reverses paralysis in C. elegans worms using ultraviolet and visible light. The study demonstrates the potential of such 'photoswitches' in medicine and research applications.
Researchers have discovered up to 15 species of boneworms in Monterey Bay, which feed on dead whales and exhibit unique life cycles. The worms' ability to adapt to different environments and find food sources has led scientists to estimate their evolutionary origins, suggesting they may date back to the time of dinosaurs.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a significant connection between two genes involved in human cancer formation by studying their behavior in worms. Increasing Eph receptor levels in worms led to decreased PTEN levels and premature death, highlighting the potential for targeted cancer therapy.
Osedax marine worms feast on submerged bones using symbiotic bacteria, with unique sexual and digestive habits and diverse habitats across the world's oceans. Recent research discovered up to twelve further distinct evolutionary lineages exist beyond the five species already described.
Scientists discovered that adding glucose to worms' diet reduces their life span by 20%, suggesting a possible link between sugar and human aging. The study highlights the importance of insulin signaling pathways in regulating life-extending molecular players.
A research team has found the first evolutionary branching for bilateral animals, resolving a long-standing debate about a group of ancient flatworms called Acoelomorpha. The study reveals that Acoelomorpha is a sister clade to other bilateral animals, providing key insights into the most recent common ancestor.
Research reveals that parasitic worm infections are prevalent in Northern Rwanda, with those infected more likely to be underweight. The study also found a link between parasite infections and anemia, but not significant growth stunting.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered that fasting can trigger the regeneration of fertility in nematode worms, which may have implications for human reproduction. The study found that starvation stops ovulation and kills germline cells, but stem cells can produce new sex cells once normal food conditions resume.
A Texas A&M-Galveston professor has discovered two new species of marine life, a tiny worm and a poisonous crustacean, in an underwater cave off the coast of North Africa. The team found the creatures deep inside the dark cave, which is believed to have been formed by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago.
Researchers discovered seven new species of swimming worms in the deep sea, including 'green bombers' that release bioluminescent displays for defense. The discovery sheds light on evolutionary adaptations and challenges faced by these unique organisms.
Researchers have copied the sandcastle worm's natural glue to create a synthetic adhesive for repairing bones, which could revolutionize fracture treatment. The new adhesive is biocompatible and twice as strong as the natural glue it mimics.
Researchers found that rooks can learn to use stones to raise the level of water, bringing a floating worm within reach. The birds demonstrated impressive accuracy and problem-solving skills.
A new study demonstrates that rooks can solve complex problems using tools, including raising water levels to reach a floating worm. The birds' ability to estimate the number of stones needed and adapt to different stone sizes shows remarkable intelligence.
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.