Articles tagged with Parasites
A new study by Duke University researchers has found endemic malaria in Turkana County, Kenya, with a significant incidence of Plasmodium vivax, a parasite historically rare in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi also poses challenges to the continent's malaria control efforts.
A systematic review by ISGlobal found that malaria parasite prevalence is highest in migrants from the Sub-Saharan region, particularly those from Central Africa. The study included 23 studies with a total of 4,203 participants tested for malaria parasites.
In Eritrea, a new artemisinin-resistant variant has been detected, accompanied by gene deletions that render rapid diagnostic tests ineffective. This emergence poses a significant threat to malaria control efforts in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Researchers discovered Leishmania parasites in blood-related stem cells of chronically infected mice, challenging the textbook understanding of the disease. The finding may lead to new treatment options and improve our understanding of why some people develop visceral leishmaniasis despite having immune disorders.
Balanophora and Sapria have lost 38% and 28% of their genomes respectively, evolving into holoparasites with record shrinkages. The parasites shed genes related to photosynthesis, root development, and stress responses, retaining only essential genes.
Researchers have discovered 16 new species of Loboscelidia parasitoid wasps in Vietnam, increasing the global total by 30%. The new species exhibit unique egg-burying behavior similar to solitary hunting wasps.
Researchers discovered that the lancet liver fluke takes over an ant's brain, causing them to cling to blades of grass against their will. The parasite controls the ant's behavior to avoid heat, a strategy also used by cattle and deer.
Philip Low, a Purdue University researcher, is working on validating a previously successful malaria treatment by reducing the number of days required for therapy. His goal is to prevent drug-resistant strains from proliferating and save lives in developing countries.
Scientists have detected new strains of malaria-causing parasites in Ethiopia that are resistant to current treatments and escape detection by common diagnostic tests. The prevalence of these double-resistant parasites is a concern for malaria control and elimination efforts in Africa, where the disease remains endemic.
Researchers argue that considering an animal's entire 'parasitome' is crucial for understanding its place in the food chain. By analyzing stable isotopes, scientists can determine who is eating whom and how parasites affect behavior and metabolism.
Researchers found that infected individuals with multiple strains of the T. cruzi parasite were better able to control the disease, while those with a progressive form had fewer strains. This discovery provides a new framework for developing more effective treatments and vaccines.
Scientists have established the effectiveness of vaccines against leishmaniasis in animal studies, revealing specific molecular-level changes in host cells. The vaccines, created using mutated parasites, prompt distinct immune responses in hosts, offering new insights into their mechanisms and potential applications.
Scientists have identified specific long noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and life cycle progression of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies against malaria.
UC researchers investigate signaling pathway of Trypanosoma cruzi to transform and reproduce, aiming to find better drug targets to kill the parasite. The study reveals crucial proteins involved in the parasite's survival and transmission, highlighting potential strategies for disease control.
A new study reveals how a parasitic worm turns amphipods bright orange and manipulates their behavior to ensure its own transmission. Researchers discovered that trematode infection activates genes related to pigmentation and detection, while suppressing immune responses.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that current methods for measuring malaria parasite multiplication rates vastly overestimate the actual rates, which has significant implications for vaccine efficacy and understanding of drug resistance.
A new malaria vaccine candidate has shown promising results in a cohort of Tanzanian infants, with substantial anti-RH5 immune responses achieved safely through vaccination. The vaccine targets the RH5 protein used by the malaria pathogen to invade red blood cells, providing a second line of defense against disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE has discovered parasite eggs in a 200-million-year-old coprolite from Thailand, providing insight into the life of an ancient aquatic predator. The discovery is significant, as it is one of only a few known examples of nematode eggs preserved within the coprolites of Mesozoic animals.
Research by the Peter Doherty Institute found that inflammation alters plasma composition, hindering parasite maturation. This work reveals a new mechanism slowing down malaria parasite development in the bloodstream.
Researchers from Leicester and Nottingham universities have received £600,000 funding to study sexual development and gene shuffling in the malaria parasite. The study aims to uncover new targets for therapies to control disease transmission.
Removing nuisance aquatic vegetation from waterways reduces parasitic infection prevalence by up to 124%, while generating feed and compost for local farmers. The study's findings suggest a potential solution for schistosomiasis endemic areas, with implications for global health.
A recent study by Dr. Monica Mowery at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that urban habitats provide a safe haven for invasive brown widow spiders, protecting them from parasitism and predation. This allows the species to thrive in high densities, contrary to what is observed in natural desert habitats.
Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.
Molecular biologists Ruslan Afasizhev and Inna Afasizheva have discovered the architecture of molecular machines involved in RNA editing in a disease-causing parasite. This understanding could potentially help treat African sleeping sickness, which is usually fatal and has limited treatment options.
A recent public engagement project uses street theatre to educate audiences on African Sleeping Sickness, a neglected tropical disease prevalent in rural Africa. The performance aims to enhance trust in scientists and public health professionals among affected communities.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology identified ApSigma, a nuclear-encoded apicoplast RNA polymerase σ subunit that coordinates gene expression with the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum and host circadian rhythm. Melatonin is shown to increase apicoplast transcription and expression of the apSig gene.
A Virginia Tech study found that hellbender fathers are more likely to eat their eggs in deforested areas, leading to a drastic increase in filial cannibalism. The research suggests that protecting and re-establishing forest cover around streams is crucial for the species' survival.
Researchers at UCalgary have found that Leishmania parasites exploit immune cells by targeting receptors to gain access and resist elimination, leading to stalled apoptosis and hindered vaccination efforts.
The study found that drug-resistant Leishmania parasites have distinct protein production profiles compared to sensitive parasites, suggesting a global reprogramming of protein synthesis. This pre-emptive adaptation enables the parasite to quickly respond to the presence of the drug and survive when it is absent.
Researchers have identified anti-malarial properties in cancer drugs, offering a potential solution to the growing crisis of drug-resistant malaria. The study found that certain protein kinase inhibitors exhibited strong anti-malarial effects, highlighting a new approach to accelerating drug discovery.
A new study found that wild and feral cats in high-human population density areas release more Toxoplasma gondii parasites. Temperature fluctuations also played a role in parasite shedding from domestic and wild cats. The findings suggest managing feral cat populations could reduce toxoplasmosis transmission risk.
Researchers at UNIGE have identified a new type of molecular sensor that enables the malaria parasite to infect human cells or mosquitoes at just the right moment. By understanding how this sensor works, scientists can potentially scramble its signals to disorientate the parasite and block its multiplication and transmission.
Researchers detected Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest form of malaria, in mummified tissues from Medici family members. The parasite was identified through microscopic and molecular analyses, revealing characteristic ring-shaped structures and Maurer's clefts.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and Duke University reveals that the malaria parasite's biological clock is 'in sync' with its human host's circadian clock. The researchers discovered a 'coupling' mechanism between the parasite and its host, which could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease.
Researchers found that malaria parasites synchronize their gene expression with the host's internal clock, repeating every 24 hours. The study reveals a potential new target for anti-malarial drugs by 'jet-lagging' the parasites' clocks.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a highly reproducible genetic screen to investigate Toxoplasma's survival within hosts. The study identified IFN-γ-dependent and -independent virulence factors that promote parasite fitness, providing potential targets for treatment and prevention of toxoplasmosis.
A new study by Flinders University research team led by Professor Justine Smith has found that women are more likely to experience recurrent cases of toxoplasmosis eye disease. The study also revealed significant differences in the type and characteristics of the disease between men and women.
A new study has identified a second key gene, AAT1, involved in malaria's resistance to the drug chloroquine. The finding, published in Nature Microbiology, has implications for the ongoing battle against malaria.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have determined the first cryo-EM structures of a surface receptor of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in complex with human complement factor C3. This discovery sheds light on how the parasite avoids clearance from the human bloodstream and survives within the immune system.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
A parasite identified as Philaster apodigitiformis has been found responsible for the massive die-off of long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean Sea. The loss of these vital herbivores threatens coral reef health and balance, with devastating consequences for marine ecosystems.
Researchers identified a single-celled organism called a scuticociliate as the cause of a massive die-off event among long-spined sea urchins in the Caribbean and along Florida's east coast. The team used genomic techniques and lab experiments to confirm the source of the die-off, replicating what was observed in the ocean.
A new study found that sunflower pollen's spiny structure reduces infection of a common bee parasite by 81-94% and increases the production of queen bumblebees. The research also suggests that other flowers in the sunflower family may have similar disease-fighting powers.
A recent study has identified a rare strain of Toxoplasma gondii, COUG, in sea otters that caused fatal steatitis and toxoplasmosis. The strain is virulent and can rapidly kill healthy adult otters, posing a health threat to other marine wildlife and humans.
A rare strain of Toxoplasma has been found in California sea otters, killing them with severe inflammation and potentially threatening other marine life. The COUG strain was first detected in Canadian mountain lions, and its impact on humans and other animals is unknown.
A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.
A recent study published in The Science of Nature found that parasites and body condition are crucial factors in determining the vulnerability of fish to angling. The research revealed that fish with high body condition and parasites, as well as those with low body condition but no parasites, were less likely to be caught by anglers.
Researchers at CZ Biohub SF and UCSF create high-resolution map of human immune response to P. falciparum, revealing why durable malaria vaccines have been hard to come by. The study uses sophisticated method to analyze antibodies' binding patterns to parasite proteins, offering insight into how malaria evades the immune system.
A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.
A study found that high winds increased Campylobacter prevalence in outdoor chicken farms, with 26% of individual chickens infected. Farmers are advised to consider windbreaks and monitor weather patterns to reduce exposure.
A study found that malaria parasites invest more in sexual reproduction and less in asexual replication during low-transmission environments. Low LPC levels in human blood plasma are associated with increased gametocyte production and transmission.
Researchers have discovered that mezcal gusanos de maguey are actually the caterpillars of agave redworm moths (Comadia redtenbacheri), not a single type of insect larva. This finding has significant implications for the sustainability of agave production and the potential impact on wild populations of these caterpillars.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have found queen-like mutants among social parasite ants, which can infiltrate and take over host colonies. These unique ants exhibit intermediate traits between worker and queen behavior, allowing them to thrive in the colony while avoiding dangers associated with leaving their nest.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
Research from the University of Cambridge and Cardiff University found that damselfish scare off cleaner fish customers, leading to fewer species receiving vital cleaning treatment. This disruption could contribute to the breakdown of delicate ecosystems supported by coral reefs.
Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.
A team of researchers has identified a molecular switch that regulates autophagy in plants, bridging two quality control pathways. The study reveals that this regulatory mechanism is conserved in eukaryotes and essential for preventing cells from 'eating' healthy cellular components.
A study by researchers from Hosei University and Kyoto University found that the red velvet mite's bright red pigment is primarily composed of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant. This high concentration of antioxidants helps protect the mites from harsh environments caused by UV radiation and heat.
Researchers have identified two new feather mite species associated with the endangered Laysan albatross in Japan. The study provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of these parasites and their impact on the bird population. The findings highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect this species.
Researchers have identified a new class of potent antimalarial compounds that target the parasite's sexual phase, preventing it from infecting mosquitoes and subsequently humans. The compounds inhibit the parasitic protein Pfs16, forming the strongest bond with the drug.