Articles tagged with Parasites
Researchers mapped 14.8 million Kenyan mobile calls to track malaria spread and found a surprising link between travelers and infected residents in Nairobi. The study reveals the potential for using big data from mobile phones to inform malaria control efforts.
Researchers have successfully unraveled the life cycle of Hematodinium, a single-celled parasite affecting blue crabs. The study provides critical information on transmission and development time, enabling better management and handling practices for wild-caught blue crabs and shrimp farms.
Enslaved worker ants kill off parasite offspring to increase chances of survival for their neighbors. Slave workers feed and care for larvae but neglect pupae, resulting in low survival rates. This behavior benefits neighboring colonies by reducing slave-maker colonies' growth and effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered that the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium vivax shares the same genetic variations despite being found on different continents. The sequencing of its genome could help understand how the parasite lives and causes malaria, and may lead to new treatments for drug-resistant strains.
When the malaria parasite infects human red blood cells, it launches a 48-hour remodeling process that enhances cell membrane stiffness through the RESA protein. This increased rigidity impairs microcirculation, especially at fever temperatures.
A rare but deadly infection, similar to malaria in humans, was discovered among a group of horses at the King Ranch in Texas. WSU/USDA scientist Don Knowles developed a reliable diagnostic test and treatment to kill the parasites, containing the outbreak and identifying a new tick species responsible for its spread.
MMV has developed a framework to evaluate the risk of resistance for its antimalarial compounds. The framework includes cross-resistance testing and selection experiments in the laboratory, measuring the likelihood of parasite mutations that confer resistance.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that individuals infected with the T. gondii parasite are seven times more likely to attempt suicide. The researchers also discovered that the parasite can cause inflammation in the brain, leading to changes in brain chemistry and potentially contributing to depression.
Duke scientists discovered that genetic material in red blood cells can alter parasite activity via novel gene regulation mechanisms. This finding could lead to greater understanding of host-parasite interaction and eventually develop into a new malaria therapy.
A new study on malaria genomes reveals significant genetic diversity in Plasmodium vivax, a species of malaria that affects humans outside Africa, making it adept at evading drugs and vaccines. The research also sequenced the genome of Plasmodium cynomolgi, a close relative that infects Asian monkeys.
Researchers at Penn State University found that immunization with a particular type of malaria vaccine can create conditions for the evolution of more severe disease-causing parasites. These parasites evolved in response to vaccination, but the exact mechanism is still unknown.
Researchers have discovered a way to make plants resistant to parasitic dodder vines by attacking the junctions where they tap into their hosts. The technique, using RNA interference, has shown promise in preventing dodder from spreading and can potentially be applied to other parasites like Striga.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a key enzyme in malaria parasites that could lead to new anti-malarial drugs. The team discovered a selective inhibitor, ML276, which stops parasite growth even in resistant strains.
Belgian scientists have developed a simple assay to track 'superparasites', a type of Leishmania parasite that causes deadly visceral leishmaniasis. This breakthrough could help monitor the spread and emergence of these drug-resistant microbes, contributing to better control of the disease.
Two species of single-cell parasites have acquired new genes that work together to make an essential nutrient, allowing them to exploit their hosts more efficiently. This discovery highlights the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the rapid evolution of these tiny organisms.
Researchers from the Zoological Society of London identified the factors influencing the success of malaria parasites in New Zealand bird species, including two previously unknown strains. The study's findings provide insights into the traits that enable parasites to survive and thrive in new environments.
A team of microbiologists at UMass Amherst has made an advance in understanding the replication of parasites like African sleeping sickness and chagas disease. By characterizing key proteins' organization, they discovered a novel mechanism that could lead to the development of new treatments.
A new drug candidate, K11777, has shown promising results in treating hookworm infections with a single oral dose. The compound is under development to enter clinical trials and could provide a new solution for treating the disease if it proves safe and effective in humans.
Researchers confirm indoor insecticide spraying reduces malaria deaths by 62% and finds DDT may be effective in areas with intense disease transmission. However, concerns over health risks must be weighed against its potential to reduce malaria illnesses and deaths.
A large-scale study of over 45,000 Danish women found a predictive association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and later attempted suicides. The risk was highest for violent attempts, with infected women being one and a half times more likely to attempt suicide.
Researchers developed a new method to extract parasite DNA from patient blood samples, allowing for rapid analysis of malaria genomes. The study found unique differences in malaria development between Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with potential hotspots of drug resistance identified.
Researchers at UCI have developed genetically modified mosquitoes that are unable to infect people with malaria. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing the spread of the disease, which affects over 40% of the world's population and kills nearly 1 million people annually.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have identified the function of a series of proteins within the mosquito that transduce a signal to trigger an immune response against the malaria parasite. The study found that manipulating these proteins through genetic engineering can create a malaria-resistant mosquito.
Researchers found that parasitic flowers share large parts of their genome with host vines through horizontal gene transfer, and some borrowed genes are likely functional. The process may convey an evolutionary advantage to the flowers, which have replaced vertically inherited copies.
Researchers discovered that T cells employ a Lévy walk strategy, characterized by short and long movements, to track down parasites like animal predators. This insight into immune-cell movement patterns can inform novel approaches to combat diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Researchers from Seattle BioMed, University of Copenhagen and University of Edinburgh report findings that could lead to new treatments for severe malaria. The studies identified specific parasite proteins associated with the disease, offering potential targets for drugs.
A University of Colorado study found that increases in parasite diversity lead to a decrease in the infection success rate of virulent parasites, including one that causes malformed limbs and premature death. Higher biodiversity can help protect against certain diseases by acting as a buffer against virulent pathogens.
A MU researcher is working on a project to protect soybeans from nematode parasites, which cause significant crop losses in the US. The goal is to develop genetically modified soybean plants with enhanced resistance to these pests.
Researchers found a common protein target among severe malaria strains, which can be blocked by antibodies to prevent rosette formation and severe illness. The discovery may inform the development of new treatments or vaccines against life-threatening cases of malaria.
Researchers identified the most strongly associated strains with premature birth and severe birth defects, using a new blood test developed by NIAID. The study suggests that widespread screening and treatment of pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii could prevent infants from suffering eye and brain damage.
A genetics study identifies key genome region underlying artemisinin resistance in malaria parasite, increasing concern about its spread to India and Africa. The region may provide a tool for mapping resistance, but containing its spread is expected to be challenging.
A new study reveals that artemisinin-resistant malaria has emerged and increased rapidly along the Thailand-Myanmar border, with parasite clearance half-lives lengthening from 2.6 hours in 2001 to 3.7 hours in 2010. The proportion of slow-clearing infections increased from 0.6% in 2001 to 20% in 2010.
A recent study published in the Lancet found a critical point in global efforts to control and eliminate malaria due to artemisinin resistance in western Thailand. Researchers identified a major region of the malaria parasite genome associated with artemisinin resistance, raising hope for effective molecular markers to monitor its spread.
African sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, affects 60 million people in rural sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare access is limited. Researchers studying the parasite's glucose-sensing mechanisms aim to develop new therapeutics and improve understanding of glucose regulation in various organisms.
A study by Spanish researchers confirms ticks' ability to adapt to climate, posing a risk to public health and animal conservation. The parasites carry exotic illnesses and increase the prevalence of endemic pathogens, especially in arid environments.
Research shows that Tsimane men have lower baseline testosterone levels compared to US men, but exhibit similar short-term spikes in response to competition. This finding suggests a unique adaptation to their environment, where parasites and pathogens are more prevalent.
Researchers found that the absence of a single gene in Neospora makes it less able to evade the immune response in mice and other species. This may explain why Neospora has a limited host range compared to Toxoplasma, which has more surface proteins necessary for host adaptation.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Toxoplasma gondii infection suppressed the immune system, leading to a significant decrease in b-amyloid plaque deposition and improved performance in behavior tests like the water maze. This suggests that the parasite may have favorable effects on Alzheimer's disease progression.
American signal crayfish are gaining the upper hand in Britain's waterways, threatening native white-clawed crayfish populations. The invasive species' greater appetite for food and reduced susceptibility to parasites have significant implications for biodiversity.
Researchers found that 38% of kissing bugs in Arizona and California contained human blood, carrying the parasite that causes Chagas disease. The study raises awareness about the potential for transmission in the US, where the disease is currently rare.
Tick populations are spreading across Canada due to changing temperatures, posing a significant risk of Lyme disease. The study predicts that 80% of eastern Canada will be at risk by 2020, with warmer temperatures allowing ticks to colonize new areas.
A new mathematical model reveals that hosts can gain a unique evolutionary advantage when interacting with parasites through multiple traits. This discovery may help explain how humans, plants, and animals evolve to withstand parasite attacks.
Research proposes that parasite evolution plays a key role in host sex-biased parasitism and disease expression. Characteristics like morphology and behavior differ between sexes, posing unique challenges for parasites, which may adapt more to one sex than the other.
A recent study published in EcoHealth found that squirrels and raccoons will abandon food to avoid ticks, indicating they may be aware of the parasite's threat. This new understanding of the ecology of fear extends to parasites and has implications for human health as ticks are vectors of emerging diseases.
Researchers have discovered a vital player in the sexual phase of the malaria parasite's reproduction that could prove an effective target for new treatments. The new protein, CDC20, plays a crucial role in cell division and the development of male sex cells, essential for parasite transmission between humans and mosquitoes.
Researchers discovered that A. ervi lays two eggs in infected hosts and one egg in uninfected hosts, overcoming bacterial symbiont defenses through a compound secreted by developing wasps.
Researchers have completed the first comparative analysis of all available and in-development antimalarials, identifying potential transmission-blocking medicines. The study reveals that some existing antimalarials can target multiple stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle.
Researchers at UGA have developed an animal vaccine that could slow the deadly spread of Chagas disease, which affects millions in Central and South America. The vaccine uses a genetically modified parasite that induces a strong immune response without replicating inside the host.
Fruit flies seek out alcohol to kill off blood-borne parasitic wasps, showing a potential natural remedy for fighting infection. Environmental alcohol protects fruit flies from parasitism, and consuming alcohol leads to death of the wasps.
A recent study by Emory University found that fruit flies infected with blood-borne parasites consume alcohol to increase their survival rate. The researchers discovered that the toxic effects of alcohol can be protective against infectious disease and raise an important question about whether other organisms, including humans, could c...
The malaria parasite changes into a banana shape before sexual reproduction to evade the human immune system and survive in the circulation. This finding provides new targets for vaccine or drug development.
Researchers at New York University's Applied Math Lab found that obstacles can aid worm movement, contrary to common assumptions. The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, used experiments and computer simulations to demonstrate how C. elegans worms navigate through lattice-like environments with ease.
Scientists have discovered a 20-million-year-old fossil of a bat fly, which has been entombed in amber and preserved its details. The find reveals that bat flies have been parasitizing bats for at least half as long as the mammal group has existed.
Scientists have discovered a new gene involved in lipid synthesis of Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of human malaria. This breakthrough technique allows for the mapping of genes in the parasite, which could lead to the discovery of new medications and a better understanding of the disease.
Researchers have identified key genes responsible for drug resistance in African trypanosomes, leading to a better understanding of how effective treatments work. This knowledge could lead to the development of new diagnostics and therapies to tackle the disease.
Researchers identified a novel cellular function that targets proteins to red blood cells, enabling them to stick to and block blood vessels. Strategies that prevent this host-targeting process could lead to new treatments for malaria. The discovery, published in the journal Cell, provides urgent need for innovative therapies.
Scientists have identified a crucial molecule called PfSET10 that instructs malaria parasites to employ their 'invisibility cloak' to hide from the immune system. The research sheds light on how Plasmodium falciparum causes disease and evades the immune response, with implications for developing targeted treatments.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a gene activator, Mef2, crucial to the development of schistosomes in humans. The discovery provides a potential target for a vaccine to prevent the disease, which affects over 200 million people worldwide.
Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered a fly parasite in honey bee hives, which may help explain the mysterious phenomenon of colony collapse disorder. The parasite, found only in California and South Dakota, causes bees to abandon their hives and behave 'zombie-like'.
A new candidate malaria vaccine has been developed to neutralize all strains of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The vaccine induces an antibody response in animal models capable of neutralizing multiple strains, providing a promising target for vaccine development.