Articles tagged with Parasites
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Researchers found that hot spring bathing in Japanese macaques subtly reshapes their relationships with parasites and gut microbes. The study suggests that behavior can shape the animal holobiont and act as an important driver of animal health.
New research reveals that the immune system has a potent weapon against the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii: an enzyme called caspase-8. This discovery offers new insights into how our bodies control the parasite and may lead to better treatments for patients with compromised immune systems.
A team of researchers from Yokohama National University has discovered a previously unknown species of marine fungus that can kill harmful, bloom-forming algae. The new species, Algophthora mediterranea, was found to be a destructive parasite in a species of algae known to cause toxic blooms with adverse health effects on humans.
Two new studies show how climate shapes the behavior, communication, and genome evolution of ants and their social parasites, leading to adaptation in this long-standing conflict. Climate influences aggression, chemical profiles, and genetic strategies in both hosts and parasites, with varying responses across different climates.
Researchers are tracking the New World screwworm's potential return to California, deploying traps baited with a lure that attracts the fly. Early detection is critical to preventing an outbreak, particularly among farm animals vulnerable to wounds. The project aims to raise awareness and prevent infestations if the fly were to reappear.
Researchers discover a new parasitic strategy where an invading ant queen uses a chemical spray to manipulate host workers into killing their own mother. The study details two species of parasitic ants that use formic acid as a chemical camouflage to get past the colony's defenses.
Researchers discovered a common parasite of modern oysters has been infecting bivalves for hundreds of millions of years. The parasite, belonging to the spionid group, has remained largely unchanged despite multiple mass extinction events.
Researchers found river otter scat containing parasites that infect prey, indicating otters may play a crucial role in shaping their ecosystems. The study also discovered diverse diets and invasive species among the otters' meals.
A new study found that river otters in Chesapeake Bay eat diverse prey and parasites, including flukes, dinoflagellates, and invasive fish. The researchers suggest that otters may be helping to clean up polluted environments by consuming parasite-infected animals.
A UCLA research team has discovered a key mechanism that allows parasitic worms to penetrate human skin and is now exploring a topical preparation to disrupt this pathway. The therapy aims to prevent infection by targeting the same molecule associated with pleasure in humans, but which drives parasite entry.
Researchers have found a way to rearrange atoms in a new generation of malaria drugs to make them more soluble, maintaining their effectiveness against drug-resistant parasites. This breakthrough could lead to an effective successor to artemisinin-based combination therapy.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has shown that combining country-level information with individual-level variables can improve the identification of soil-transmitted helminth infections among migrant populations. Researchers found that country-level indicators are stronger predictors than individual-level variable...
Researchers have discovered batzelladins, which rapidly eliminate parasites that cause malaria, including strains resistant to conventional antimalarial drugs. The efficacy of these substances was proven through tests on blood samples from patients and infected mice.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified a protein expressed on malaria-infected red blood cells that can hide from the immune system while also activating immune cells to destroy infected cells. This dual function makes the protein an excellent target for vaccine development and treatment.
A global study has uncovered greater diversity and flexibility in mosquito feeding patterns, challenging old ideas about how they choose their hosts. The research highlights the need for better tracking and prediction of mosquito-driven disease transmission in a changing climate.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has identified four species of snail parasites in Japanese sea cucumbers, including two previously unknown species. The study provides insights into the geographic distribution and invasion routes of these tiny parasites, which have a significant impact on the health of their host species.
A new study found that heatwaves can increase disease burden by up to 13 times, driven by complex interactions between temperature attributes and baseline temperatures. This knowledge is crucial for predicting the impact of heatwaves on disease spread and highlights the need for more detailed models.
A Kobe University team has identified a new molecule, solanoeclepin C, that plants secrete to attract soil microbes. This newly found compound is converted into hatching factors that cause potato cyst nematodes to hatch prematurely, potentially offering a novel approach to parasite control.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, nanotechnology-based praziquantel formulation that increases efficacy and reduces dosage for treating worms. The new formulation, requiring only half the usual dose, demonstrates greater efficacy in eliminating schistosomes than the active ingredient alone.
A research team at the California NanoSystems Institute has created the most detailed 3D map yet of the flagellum on Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness. The study identified 154 different proteins that make up the flagellum, including 40 unique to the parasite.
A mysterious parasite is devastating fish farms globally, causing £50 million in losses annually. Researchers have discovered a new gene regulation process that could lead to the development of gene-based vaccines.
Researchers found that fruit flies that successfully evade mite attacks at night lose valuable sleep, sacrificing energy and nutrients. The study's lead author noted that sleep deprivation can have detrimental effects on animal health and behavior.
Bumblebees closer to honeybee hives are more likely to attract voracious wax moths, resulting in lower reproductive output and weaker immune response. Conservationists and beekeepers should avoid placing apiaries in areas with high pollinator biodiversity or declining bumblebee populations.
Research reveals that infected starlings have limited access to high-quality foraging habitats, leading to poorer physical condition and lower chances of survival in their young. Infected birds spent less time foraging and were more picky in their choice of habitats, resulting in 12% lighter offspring.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has made a groundbreaking discovery about the immune system's response to the latent stage of Toxoplasma gondii. The study found that certain T cells can target neurons containing cysts, promoting parasite control. However, this process also poses a...
Researchers discovered a fossilized wasp from the mid-Cretaceous period with a Venus flytrap-like abdomen, indicating it was a parasitoid insect. The species, Sirenobethylus charybdis, had a unique grasping apparatus that likely targeted highly mobile prey.
UTEP researchers have developed a new diagnostic method that significantly enhances the sensitivity of parasite detection in blood samples, making it a more reliable indicator of parasites in the blood. The method uses magnetic beads to extract parasitic DNA from blood samples, outperforming traditional silica columns.
A new parasite introduced from Mainland China is infecting native fish in the Tone River system. Non-native fish such as bluegill and channel catfish help sustain the parasite's life cycle.
A new test, developed by Universitat Rovira i Virgili, can detect the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite causing trichomoniasis in just 15 minutes and for less than one euro. The test is as reliable as traditional methods and has been shown to be accurate even at very small concentrations of the parasite.
A landmark study led by ISGlobal found that combining rapid diagnostic tests with conventional serology improves access to diagnosis for Chagas disease. The prevalence of Chagas is six times higher in an indigenous community in Paraguay compared to the capital.
A comprehensive map of Plasmodium knowlesi genes essential for blood infections has been generated, providing insights into drug resistance and informing the development of new therapeutics. The study identified molecular requirements for parasite growth and pinpointed specific genes causing resistance to current antimalarials.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble identified significant differences between the trypanosomal and human nuclear cap-binding complex, a key player in cellular RNA metabolism. The study reveals major differences that could serve as a potential drug target for treating neglected tropical diseases.
New research reveals widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers among canine hookworms in Australia. This increases the risk of gastrointestinal parasites, anaemia, diarrhea, and malnutrition in dogs, as well as cutaneous larva migrans disease in humans.
Researchers at NIH have identified a novel class of anti-malaria antibodies that target previously untargeted regions of the parasite. These antibodies have shown promise in providing protection against malaria parasites in animal models and could lead to new prevention methods.
Researchers found that fruit flies have stolen a toxin-producing gene from bacteria to defend against parasitic wasps, which can turn fly larvae into surrogate wombs for baby wasps. This discovery highlights the importance of horizontal gene transfer in animal evolution and suggests it may be more common than previously thought.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania parasites, paving the way for more effective antiparasitic drugs. The discovery reveals that azole antifungals targeting a specific enzyme can be highly effective against leishmaniasis.
Researchers have discovered that climate change and tsetse fly control measures can drive molecular changes in African trypanosomes, enabling them to infect animals without flies. New strains with reduced life cycles have been detected in Asia, South America, and southern Europe.
Researchers found that antibodies targeting a specific site on the malaria parasite's virulence protein bind to the human host's endothelial protein C receptor, neutralizing the parasite. The discovery provides new insights into prevention and treatment of severe malaria.
Researchers discovered a species of damselfish actively eating gnathiid isopods, which are common reef parasites, to protect their young. This unique 'great fish parenting' behavior increased the survival rate of juvenile fish by three times.
Researchers found that Toxoplasma gondii parasites lacking the protein MYR1 can survive and proliferate when co-infected with normal parasites, thanks to supportive secreted proteins. This study highlights a limitation of pooled CRISPR screens in studying parasite biology in live hosts.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers reveals that Toxoplasma gondii parasites use cap-independent translation to make proteins for dormant stages, evading drug treatment. This unconventional method has been found in both the parasite and human cells, making it a potential target for new treatments.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a tissue-anchoring mechanism for medical devices, inspired by the circular hook-like attachment organ found in intestinal tapeworms. The device can be deployed in under 1 millisecond and anchors into soft tissue with minimal damage.
Researchers at Kobe University have discovered that ants and camel crickets are crucial in the pollination and seed dispersal of rare parasitic plants. These tiny arthropods play a unique dual role, visiting flowers for pollen and nectar while later feeding on leaves carrying seeds.
Researchers designed a millimeter-scale mechanism inspired by tapeworms to anchor small medical devices to soft tissues. The device, made of stainless steel and polyimide film, can be used in various medical applications and has potential for affixing sensors to marine organisms.
A new gene-editing tool enables precise study of variable proteins that allow malaria parasites to stick to red blood cells and evade the immune system. The study introduces a platform to explore how malaria causes disease and identifies new proteins involved in the cytoadhesion process.
A study published in JAMA found evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives in young children with severe malaria, raising questions about the need for new treatments. The study also showed that 10% of children returned within 28 days with an infection from the same strain they had during their original admission.
Swallow populations infected with parasites exhibit altered movement patterns, including reduced home ranges and foraging activity. This can lead to decreased foraging success and increased mortality rates.
Scientists have discovered a crucial protein called DMT1 that enables single-celled malaria parasites to use iron, essential for survival and reproduction. Blocking this protein may lead to effective antimalarial drugs.
Researchers from Penn Vet discovered that a species of parasitic worms can evade the mammalian urge to scratch an itch by blocking the sensation, allowing it to enter the body undetected. The study found that activating specific neurons can block the entry of these parasites, preventing their dissemination through the body.
A new parasite, Pachysentis canicola, has been discovered on the Channel Island fox, causing severe intestinal damage and inflammation in infected individuals. The study highlights the importance of biosecurity in the Channel Islands National Park and underscores the impact of human activity on isolated ecosystems.
A recent study by Imperial College London has found that dogs swimming in contaminated ponds are releasing harmful levels of two pesticide medications. The chemicals, imidacloprid and fipronil, were used as flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs, posing a significant threat to aquatic life.
A new study published in Journal of Biogeography finds that malaria-like blood parasites increase in prevalence with the number of bird species present, highlighting the importance of host diversity. The research also shows that parasites can spread more rapidly when they specialize in closely related or functionally similar bird species.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham uncover key regulators of malaria parasites' cell division, revealing NEK1 as a potential drug target. The study aims to find new therapeutic targets for controlling malaria transmission.
A team of researchers has designed a new antimalarial drug called MED6-189, which is effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites. The compound works by targeting the apicoplast organelle and vesicular trafficking pathways, making it a promising lead in the fight against malaria.
Researchers at Mississippi State University have discovered a new parasitic wasp species that attacks and infects adult flies, revealing a 'spectacular example of undescribed biology hidden in plain sight'. The study highlights the importance of ongoing research investment in insect biodiversity and systematics.
Scientists have mapped the global repertoire of genes that determine the male or female sexual fates in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. This study reveals key regulators of gene expression during development and identifies novel candidate 'driver' genes, shedding light on the complex biology of malaria transmission.
A new study by MLU and UG found that organic farming, flower strips, and semi-natural habitats improve bee health. Organic fields had the greatest impact, reducing parasite infestation and boosting colony growth.
Researchers have created the first spatial map of malaria infection in the mouse liver using Spatial Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing. This discovery sheds light on the parasite's lifecycle, revealing changes in host cell gene expression near infected areas.
A study by McGill University researchers found that the timing of malaria parasite infection affects disease severity and host response. Circadian rhythms influence vulnerability to malaria parasites, with night-time infections resulting in less severe symptoms and slower parasite spread.
Researchers found a Leishmania amazonensis strain resistant to amphotericin B, a widely used treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study highlights the urgent need for alternative drugs to combat the disease, which affects over 15,000 people in Brazil annually.