Articles tagged with Parasites
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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 at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discover that an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects mice from developing severe forms of malaria. An anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has the same effect on Plasmodium-infected mice.
Researchers believe a parasite found in chimpanzees in equatorial Africa is the original source of malignant malaria, transmitted to humans through a single mosquito around 5,000 years ago. This discovery could aid the development of a vaccine for malaria, which affects 500 million people annually.
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.
Scientists developed a novel immunization method that induces complete protection against the life-threatening malaria parasite in humans. The method allowed the human immune system to target the parasite at an earlier stage of its life cycle, resulting in significant improvement over other experimental malaria vaccines.
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.
Scientists have created a weakened strain of the malaria parasite that will be used as a live vaccine against the disease. The vaccine, developed in collaboration with researchers from the US, Japan and Canada, will be trialled in humans from early next year to provide protection against deadly malaria.
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 complete genome sequence of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm causing devastating disease, has been published. Researchers have identified potential new drug targets and explored ways to treat and eradicate the disease.
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 at Duke University have found that variation in a single gene influences baboons' susceptibility to a closely related parasite, similar to its impact on humans. The study's findings provide a unique example of how the same genetic mechanism can confer resistance to different parasites.
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.
UT Southwestern researchers accelerate efforts to eradicate worm infections by targeting a biochemical system that controls development and reproduction in parasitic nematodes. The compound dafachronic acid sends signals for the worms to mature from infective to feeding stages, making hosts sick.
Researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital have discovered that combining methylene blue with newer malaria medications is twice as effective in curbing the spread of malaria parasites than standard therapy. This new approach has significant implications for eradicating the disease, particularly among children under five who are m...
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed chemicals that kill the deadliest malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and those resistant to existing drugs. These compounds work by preventing an enzyme essential to the parasite's growth, resulting in its death.
Researchers discover that Trypanosoma brucei breaks its DNA to change its surface coat, a key strategy for avoiding immune cells. This finding suggests a common mechanism for DNA rearrangement in parasites and humans.
Researchers have found a way to induce sex in the disease-causing parasite Leishmania by cramming enough parasites into the gut of an insect, potentially leading to new treatments for deadly infections.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found a new way to combat malaria by trapping parasites inside host cells. They identified an enzyme called calpain-1, which parasites use to break out of infected cells, and developed a method to block it, leaving parasites trapped.
The study provides a comprehensive map of global malaria endemicity, revealing areas where malaria control can be improved and areas where elimination may be possible. The map uses model-based geostatistics to incorporate data from local surveys, providing an important resource for policymakers and researchers.
Researchers identified a molecular pathway that triggers an immune response in multiple mosquito species, blocking the development of malaria-causing parasites. By activating transcription factor Rel 2, mosquitoes were able to mount an efficient defense against Plasmodium falciparum.
Scientists at the University of Leeds have discovered a link between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia, suggesting that the parasite affects dopamine production in the brain. The study provides new insights into the development of schizophrenia and its potential connections to other neurological disorders.
Researchers have discovered a new way the malaria parasite interacts with human red blood cells, identifying the EBL-1 molecule as the attachment site. This finding could lead to the development of a vaccine cocktail to combat malaria.
Researchers discovered that mosquitoes use proteins called LRIM1 and APL1C to detect and destroy malaria parasites. The study found that 80-90% of parasites are killed, but only a few manage to evade detection, allowing the disease to be transmitted to humans.
A team of researchers found that the malaria parasite breaks down essential amino acid arginine to trigger a more deadly phase of the disease. By depleting this substance, the parasite may be able to 'switch off' human immune functions that threaten its survival.
Climate change is altering malaria patterns due to daily temperature fluctuations, which can affect the incubation period of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. This can lead to changes in transmission rates, with warmer temperatures potentially increasing the risk of infection.
Researchers at UGA have discovered a protein essential for Toxoplasma gondii's growth and division. The study reveals that disrupting this protein leads to the death of the parasite, providing a new working model for understanding parasitic diseases.
Researchers at Monash University have made a breakthrough in treating malaria by deactivating the parasite's digestive machinery. The discovery could provide treatment for millions of people worldwide and offers hope against drug-resistant malaria.
Researchers found that reed warblers employ a defense-in-depth strategy by mobbing model cuckoos at high-risk nests, reducing parasitism rates. Mobbing is adaptive in contexts where brood parasitism varies spatially and temporally.
Researchers found that Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on the Pcalp protein, which is essential for its cell cycle progression. By manipulating Pcalp levels, they revealed the parasite's vulnerability to inhibition.
Research reveals that California sea otters living in coastal areas with limited resources are more susceptible to diseases caused by parasites. The study found that diet diversity among individual otters can lead to higher infection rates, highlighting the importance of habitat quality for maintaining healthy populations.
Researchers study how Toxoplasma gondii infects mice and finds that infected cells fuse with endoplasmic reticulum to present parasitic peptides. This process, called cross-presentation, helps the parasite evade immune detection.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute identified saglin and TRAP as essential proteins for Plasmodium's invasion of the Anopheles mosquito salivary gland, a critical step in transmitting malaria to humans. This discovery could lead to novel approaches for disrupting the parasite's lifecycle and preventing malaria spread.
Researchers at American Museum of Natural History found a close evolutionary relationship between malarial parasites in rats and humans, including Plasmodium falciparum. The study suggests that the most deadly form of malaria may have originated from rodents.
Aphids leave behind their old exoskeletons, called exuviae, to act as decoys for parasitoid wasps. This behavior helps aphids escape from parasitic attacks by giving other aphids time to flee while the wasps investigate the empty shells.
Researchers at Centenary Institute in Australia used high-powered multi-photon microscopy to visualize the spread of a parasite through the body, gaining insights into how pathogens are recognized by the immune system. This discovery has potential to improve current vaccinations and inform vaccine design.
Researchers have developed nematode-resistant varieties of bell peppers, such as Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder, which can be used as viable alternatives to methyl bromide for managing southern root-knot nematode. These varieties are stable in sub-tropical climates and can increase the availability of parasite-resistant vegetables.
A team of researchers has characterized a large number of parasite proteins that may prove useful in the development of a human malaria vaccine. These proteins are essential for sporozoite development, which can be genetically inactivated to stimulate an immune response.
Data from Kenya shows a delay between decreased malaria transmission and mortality rates. The study found that when transmission is high, the disease burden falls mainly on small children, but when transmission decreases, the burden spreads throughout childhood, leading to an increased proportion of children with severe cerebral malaria.
A team of ASU researchers will investigate the ecology, evolution, and genetic mysteries behind malaria and retroviral diseases in humans and nonhuman primates. The studies aim to understand malaria drug resistance and host shifts in parasites.
The study reveals that Plasmodium vivax has a distinct genome with only 150 genes, raising new questions about its biology and infection mechanisms. Alternative routes of infection have been identified, highlighting the need for further research to combat this parasite.
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center have successfully decoded the genome of Plasmodium vivax, a species responsible for up to 40% of annual malaria infections worldwide. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments and vaccines against this deadly disease.
Researchers have deciphered the complete genetic sequence of Plasmodium vivax, the leading cause of relapsing malaria. The findings provide new insights into the biology of vivax malaria and may lead to new tools for prevention and treatment.
Researchers have discovered unique genes in the genome of Plasmodium vivax, a parasite responsible for 25% of global malaria cases. The findings could lead to the development of new drugs and vaccines against this debilitating disease.
The genome sequence of Plasmodium knowlesi has been defined, providing new research opportunities for comparisons with P. vivax. Establishing similarities and differences between the parasites' genomes will assist in the selection of genetic targets for vaccine and drug development.
The genome of Plasmodium knowlesi, a mosquito-human malaria parasite, has been decoded, revealing unique genetic features that enable it to evade host immune systems. The study found that the parasite's genes are scattered throughout its genome, unlike other malaria parasites, and that it uses molecular mimicry to survive and propagate.
A beetle uses a bacterium to protect its fungus from a competing mite, producing a novel antibiotic with potential for treating fungal diseases and cancer. The discovery highlights the importance of symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes in their survival.
A team of researchers has developed a method to separate parasitic organisms from their host cells using fluorescent proteins, allowing for more detailed studies. The approach yielded the identification of 509 proteins in the parasites, providing valuable characteristics such as fatty acid degrading enzymes.
Platelet activation plays a key role in the development of cerebral malaria by triggering an immune response and obstructing blood vessels in the brain. Researchers found that treating mice with aspirin or Plavix improved survival rates when administered soon after infection.
Researchers discovered that a parasitic plant can intercept host RNA molecules up to a foot from the point of infection, allowing it to synchronize its lifecycle with the host. This finding could lead to new ways to combat parasites that attack crop plants.
A study published in Nature shows that parasites have substantial biomass in ecosystems, sometimes exceeding that of top predators by a factor of 20. This challenges the long-held assumption that free-living organisms like fish and birds dominate biomass in habitats.
According to a report by Professor Bob Snow, funding for malaria control is severely inadequate, with many countries receiving less than $0.50 per person at risk. The research highlights regional disparities and shortfalls in funding, particularly in South East Asia and the Western Pacific regions.
Researchers have identified eight new proteins that transport the Plasmodium falciparum parasite's 'glue' to the surface of infected red blood cells. Removing one of these proteins prevents infected red blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls, suggesting a potential target for new anti-malarial treatments.
The DOT1B enzyme helps epigenetically regulate VSG genes, allowing parasites to switch between coat variants. In its absence, silent genes become active, slowing down the switching process.
A research study found that extreme weather events can alter normal host-pathogen relationships, leading to catastrophic mortality from multiple infectious outbreaks in wildlife. Climate extremes can trigger mass die-offs of livestock and wildlife by creating a perfect storm of infectious diseases.
Indiana University scientists have identified a cellular signaling system that enables the toxoplasmosis parasite to transform into a cyst form, resisting drugs and the immune system. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies and a preventative vaccine for animals.
Maternal malaria researcher Professor François Nosten has won a prestigious international prize for his groundbreaking work on treating infections in pregnant women. His research has led to a revision of guidelines and improved treatment options for millions of people worldwide.
Scientists have disrupted malaria parasite transmission in animal tests by blocking potassium channels, preventing the formation of new infectious parasites. This breakthrough could pave the way for new anti-malaria treatments and counteracting the spread of the disease.
Researchers have found a way to prevent malaria parasites from becoming sexually mature, a crucial step in transmission. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this stage of the life cycle, helping to control the spread of drug resistance.
A University of South Florida study found that protein MAEBL is essential for malaria parasites to invade mosquito salivary glands, allowing transmission to humans. By silencing the receptor for MAEBL, researchers hope to block passage of the parasite through mosquitoes.