Articles tagged with Worms
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Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered that C. elegans worms can exhibit both swimming and crawling behaviors, challenging the long-held assumption that these are distinct gaits. The study's findings suggest that a single underlying nervous system mechanism controls a range of locomotion behaviors.
A new analysis reveals that phyla with the greatest diversity of species also have the largest range of body sizes, including sponges and molluscs. The study suggests that physical limits to size constraints may prevent some body plans from having a full range of sizes.
Researchers at Caltech found that Caenorhabditis elegans worms respond rapidly to better conditions and develop optimistic genetic strategies. The worms' quick response is controlled by a vital cellular protein called RNA Polymerase II, which accumulates on genes involved in growth and energy metabolism.
A three-year study funded by the MS Society is investigating whether infection with hookworms can lead to an improvement in the severity of multiple sclerosis. The trial, which involves 72 patients, aims to determine if the worms can provide a simple, cheap, natural treatment for the condition.
Scientists studied how mice fight off intestinal worm infections to discover the immune system's versatility. They found that B cells produce cytokines, presenting proteins from invaders to T cells, which are crucial for a successful response.
Researchers at McGill University found that disabling the ability to clean cells of toxic molecules can lead to longer lifespan in some organisms. Oxidative stress theory is called into question, with evidence suggesting it may be a result of aging rather than its cause.
A hardy Antarctic worm produces antifreeze to withstand cold temperatures and can survive in a dormant state until water becomes available. The study provides insight into the genetic response of the worm to its environment and its potential implications for understanding climate change's impact on complex ecosystems.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a gene that controls protein translation in microscopic worms, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments. This discovery has implications for conditions like stroke, heart attack, and cancer, and may lead to new therapies for preventing cell death from hypoxia.
Scientists at the University of Utah identified a worm gene crucial for damaged nerve cells to regenerate and showed that over-activating it can speed up nerve regeneration. The study's findings offer hope for new treatments for nerves injured by trauma or disease.
Researchers are sending worms to the International Space Station to study muscle atrophy in zero gravity. The goal is to understand why astronauts experience dramatic muscle loss and potentially develop new treatments for muscle wasting diseases.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that odors boost synthesis of a protein by acting on RNA in sensory neurons, altering gene expression. This finding has implications for understanding memory formation and higher-order learning in humans.
Researchers at University of California, Davis have developed a 2-pronged approach to ward off self-propagating infectious programs known as worms. The strategy enables computers to share information about anomalous activity and use an algorithm to weigh the cost of infection against the benefit of staying online.
The worm Caenhorabditis elegans becomes resistant to pesticide Levamisole in 20 generations, adapting its population in just 80 days. This resistance allows the worms to survive and reproduce despite the pesticide's effects on mobility and fertility.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a genetic mutation in worms that causes them to burn lipids instead of storing them, leading to a potential new treatment for obesity. The enzyme involved in this process may also play a role in humans, where it could help block the accumulation of fat in fatty tissue
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a synthetic version of sandcastle worm glue, which has shown promise in repairing shattered bone fragments. The glue performs 37% as well as commercial superglue in lab tests and may be used to align small bone fragments in joints and the face before they heal.
Scientists have discovered biomarkers predicting chronological and physiological age in nematode worms, with implications for human anti-aging therapies. The study's findings, published in Aging Cell, suggest that examining biomarkers over time can provide a scientific baseline for clinical trials.
A team of scientists discovered that parasitic nematode worms, Steinernema longicaudum, do not produce sperm when females are absent. This unusual behavior is thought to be related to the worms' life history and social circumstances, where males may need to wait for a mate to mature before reproducing.
Researchers found that blocking worms' sense of smell extends their lifespan by up to 29% with the anticonvulsant drug ethosuximide. This suggests a link between sensory perception and metabolic regulation, potentially applicable to human aging.
Researchers discovered that worm grunters inadvertently imitate mole sounds, driving earthworms to the surface. The technique, practiced in the southeastern US, has been linked to an innate reaction in worms to escape moles.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the nervous system of the minuscule worm Caenorhabditis elegans induces a change in its susceptibility to bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By manipulating the secretion patterns of nerve cells, they identified a particular molecule that binds to receptors i...
The Pristionchus pacificus worm genome is substantially larger and more complex than C. elegans, containing nearly 170,000 chemical bases and 23,500 protein-coding genes. The genome supports the theory that P. pacificus might be a precursor to parasitic worms.
Researchers discovered a genetic connection between neurons and immune response cells in roundworms, showing that specific neurons can regulate immune responses. This finding could lead to new approaches to boost innate immunity against different pathogens.
Researchers found that egg P bodies lack degradation proteins Pat1 and DCAP-2 to safeguard maternally-derived gene messages until fertilization. The specialized P bodies interact with each other, suggesting they exchange mRNAs.
Researchers have discovered a new way that organisms sense light, which may lead to insights into human sensory perception. The study found that exposing paralyzed worms to ultraviolet light restored normal movement levels in the animals.
A new study has identified a key molecular sensor in worms that allows them to respond to ultraviolet light, which may provide insights into nerve cell communication and learning. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for conditions such as depression and sleep disorders.
Researchers at Caltech have found a signaling molecule in nematode worms that serves as both a population-control mechanism and a sexual attractant. The discovery could lead to new strategies to control parasitic nematodes, which affect the health of over a billion people.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that specific genetic instructions drive aging in worms, shifting the focus away from tissue damage accumulation. The study found age-related changes in transcription factors that regulate genes, triggering pathways that transform young worms into older ones.
Scientists have discovered the first mating pheromone in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm that sends signals to mate or hibernate. The newly found compound changes its behavior depending on concentration levels, affecting both reproductive and survival traits.
Researchers discovered that a family of ascarosides controls both sexual attraction and long-lived dauer larva stages in C. elegans worms. This finding represents the first direct link between reproduction and lifespan through small molecules.
Dan Shain's expeditions aim to study the reproductive behavior of giant earthworms and ice worms, shedding light on their unique adaptations. His research seeks to understand complex processes like cocoon secretion and movement patterns over geological time.
A recent study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that parasitic worm infections can increase the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. The study showed that rhesus macaques with acute schistosomiasis were more susceptible to an HIV-like virus, with higher peak viral loads and memory cell concentrations.
A team of Oregon researchers discovered a computational mechanism in roundworms that enables them to find food and avoid poisons. The study used imaging and molecular tools to identify two chemosensory neurons that act like on/off switches, regulating behavior.
A new microfluidic device developed by Georgia Tech engineers can automatically position, image, determine the phenotype of and sort small animals such as Caenorhabditis elegans for genetic studies. The device achieves high accuracy at a rate of several hundred animals per hour, greatly reducing processing time and increasing throughput.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new way to protect computer networks from Internet worms by automatically detecting infections within minutes. The method involves monitoring the number of scans sent out by machines on a network and isolating infected machines in quarantine for repairs.
Using C. elegans, researchers identified previously unknown proteins key to transporting heme in human blood and discovered genes involved in heme transport, which could lead to new treatments for iron deficiency. The findings suggest that understanding heme absorption is crucial for effective iron delivery in humans.
Researchers have identified chemical compounds, oxadiazoles, that inhibit a crucial enzyme vital to the survival of Schistosoma parasites causing schistosomiasis. The compounds showed promise in killing the parasite in all stages and were active against major species.
Researchers discovered that roundworms use both G and C motifs to protect chromosomes, each uniquely attached to the DNA
Researchers discovered a new mechanism in worm defecation that could be applicable to humans, involving pH signaling and potential therapeutic implications. The study found that positively charged hydrogen ions are used to send signals between cells, which may be involved in cell-to-cell communication.
Researchers have developed two nanotech-driven tools using soft lithography to study brain-behavior connections and screen new pharmaceuticals for parasitic infections in humans. The devices provide a near-natural environment for nematode movement, enabling the monitoring of individual fluorescent-injected neurons in real-time.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that Nigerian children attending government-owned schools have a higher prevalence of intestinal worms than those attending private schools. The water supply and sanitation conditions were also poorer in the government schools.
A powerful new gene-networking model has been developed to identify disease-causing genes, allowing for faster and more efficient discovery. The technique was tested in nematode worms, where it identified new genes involved in tumor development and extended life span by 55 percent.
Scientists used a transgenic system to monitor developmental regulated alternative mRNA splicing in live C. elegans worms, revealing conserved molecular mechanisms across metazoan evolution. The study enables experimental analysis of regulation mechanisms underlying alternative splicing patterns.
Researchers at Queen's University discovered a genetic link between the nervous system and obesity, shedding new light on the condition's causes. The study found that deleting a specific nerve receptor in worms leads to increased fat accumulation and altered behavior.
Scientists discovered that bare subatomic protons can act like neurotransmitters, making gut muscles contract in round worms. The researchers identified genes and proteins involved in the process and found proton pumps and receptors in human intestinal cells and brains.
The discovery of a 480-million-year-old machaeridian fossil has provided new insights into the evolution of annelid worms. The specimen's soft tissues have revealed an elongate body with paired limb-like extensions and stiff bristles, confirming its classification as an annelid worm.
Travelers to tropical regions are at risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases, including filarial infections that can cause elephantiasis and river blindness. The GeoSentinel Surveillance Network collected data on traveler diagnoses, revealing immigrants from endemic regions were most likely to acquire these infections.
A new study found that treating worms in people with HIV does not significantly slow down the progression to AIDS. While some studies suggested a beneficial effect on viral load, there was no improvement in immune status or clinical condition.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered that hydrogen sulfide increases the life span of nematode worms by 70 percent and makes them more tolerant to heat. The compound is believed to regulate a gene called SIR-2.1, which influences life span in many organisms.
A £1.7 million project led by the University of Leeds seeks to fully sequence the DNA of G. pallida, a parasitic worm attacking potato crops worldwide. The research aims to understand its mechanisms and lead to sustainable management methods.
Researchers used C. elegans to study sex differences in brain function, finding that hermaphrodites prefer buttery smells while males prefer fresh vegetables. The team's genetic modification revealed that even few neurons can influence behavior, challenging the idea that all sex differences result from neuron-specific differences.
Researchers genetically manipulated nematode worms to be attracted to the same sex, revealing that sexual attraction is derived from a shared nervous system. The study suggests that sexual orientation may be wired in the brain and not solely caused by extra nerve cells.
A new study suggests that avoiding sweets may spell a longer life. Researchers found that worms lived up to 20% longer when unable to process glucose, increasing mitochondrial activity and oxidative stress. This finding raises questions about the effects of sugar on human lifespan and treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found a metabolic state that enables worms to slow their rate of aging despite cellular defects. The study's findings could contribute to the creation of gene therapies to reverse or lessen the effects of mitochondrial diseases.
A team of researchers funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has solved the complete genome of Brugia malayi, a parasite that causes elephantiasis. This breakthrough reveals dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines, offering new opportunities for understanding, treating and preventing the disease.
Researchers found an antiobesity gene that has kept critters lean since ancient times. Increased activity in fat tissue leads to a slimmer animal and better metabolic function.
Researchers at the University of Oregon discovered a fundamental genetic mechanism in a marine worm that determines cell diversity and plays a role in cancer. The beta-catenin signaling pathway was found to be highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom.
Researchers have discovered that modern brain centers containing hormones show similarities to those found in marine worm-like ancestors. These hormone-secreting cells are multifunctional and have sensory properties, suggesting they played a key role in conveying environmental cues to the body.
A woman's symptoms of colitis emerged 27 years after she left the country where she was infected with a parasitic worm. Analysis revealed larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis caused her digestive issues, highlighting the importance of considering this rare disease in patients with cellular immune defects.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have identified a key player in the development of left-right asymmetry in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. A gene involved in gap junctions establishes communication between neurons on opposite sides, allowing them to coordinate their activity and create permanent differences. This discovery p...
A recent study published in Nature reveals the discovery of over 700 new species in the Antarctic deep sea, including carnivorous sponges and crustaceans. The research suggests that the glacial cycle led to an intermingling of species from shallow and deep water habitats, redefining our understanding of ocean evolution.