Articles tagged with Parasites
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A previously unrecognized species of medicinal leech has been discovered in North America, with specimens found in freshwater wetlands from Georgia to New York. The new species, Macrobdella mimicus, is less than 50 miles from the National Museum of Natural History and is closely related to other native leeches.
A study reveals that mosquitoes' salivary glands contain a barrier that blocks most malaria-causing parasites from being transmitted during a bite. Researchers found that only a few parasites can pass through a narrow opening in the 'chitin wall', potentially leading to new strategies for preventing malarial infection.
Researchers have developed nanovectors that can transport two drugs with different properties, improving their efficacy and delivery. The strategy targets the sexual phase of the parasite, reducing the emergence of antimalarial resistance.
Researchers identified key genes involved in parasite adherence using a non-disease-causing species Crithidia fasciculata. The study found significant transcriptional differences between the swimming and adherent forms of the parasite.
The study provides key insight into the parasites' lifestyle, which is more complex than previously thought. Dicyemids eliminate genes to conserve energy and change their reproductive methods, highlighting their unique genetic organization.
Researchers used parasitic bat flies to study buffy flower bat populations in the Bahamas, finding a single population of bats but two populations of their flies. The study suggests that ocean channels may not be universal barriers for bats, with limited gene flow over two years.
A new study reveals that American robins have a preference for using one eye over the other when looking at decoy eggs, with those who exhibit this bias being more successful at ejecting foreign eggs. This specialized ability is thought to be an adaptation to avoid brood parasites.
A study by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative found that nearly 60% of patients with PKDL passed on parasites to sandflies, which can then infect others. Early treatment of PKDL patients is crucial to prevent transmission of leishmaniasis in South Asia.
A study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals that a multidrug-resistant malaria strain has spread aggressively across Southeast Asia, replacing local parasite populations in Vietnam, Laos, and northeastern Thailand. The resistant strain has picked up additional genetic changes, enhancing its resistance to treatment.
A multi-country randomized trial found that half of patients in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam were not cured by first-line malaria treatment. The authors call for abandoning widely used drug combinations and adopting alternative treatments to prevent further development of multidrug-resistant malaria.
Research by UC Berkeley scientists shows that raising prawns in aquaculture systems can minimize tradeoffs between profit and disease reduction. Prawns feed on snails that transmit the parasite, reducing its burden to nearly zero after 10 years.
Research suggests that avian malaria may be behind London's dramatic decline in house sparrow populations, with nearly all birds carrying the parasite. Infection intensity varied significantly among colonies, with higher rates linked to younger birds and declining populations.
A recent study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases reveals that female Anopheles mosquitoes bite more often and have varied diets than previously assumed. The study also found that certain species of Anopheles mosquitoes, typically considered less important for malaria transmission, are infected with the Plasmodium parasite.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that mosquitoes employ a multi-stage immune response to combat malaria parasites, involving a complement-like pathway and phenoloxidases. This understanding could lead to opportunities to eliminate malaria parasites in the mosquito, reducing human cases.
Researchers at LMU discovered that Toxoplasma gondii utilizes a previously unrecognized mode of motility, where it secretes membrane material and recycles it into the cell membrane through endocytosis. This process generates a 'fountain-like' flow of membrane material that contributes to the parasite's propulsion along the substrate.
A team of researchers has discovered a new way to target the unique metabolism of drug-resistant parasites, using a molecule called rhodoquinone. This approach could lead to the development of new drugs that selectively kill parasites without harming humans.
A Duke University study identifies over 100 human genes co-opted by malaria parasites during the silent earlier stages of infection. This finding could lead to new treatments and prevent the disease from spreading.
Researchers found that malaria parasites develop faster in mosquitoes at lower temperatures than previously thought, increasing the risk of transmission to millions of people worldwide. The study suggests that even slight climate warming could lead to greater increases in transmission risk.
Toxoplasma gondii parasites replicate by hijacking the host cell's starvation response, extracting essential amino acids like arginine. This discovery suggests promising new drug targets to treat intracellular pathogens.
A new assay has been developed to detect patients' resistance to antimalarial drugs using whole blood, providing critical information quickly and efficiently in resource-limited settings. The technique eliminates DNA extraction steps, allowing for faster and more accurate assessment of genetic data associated with drug resistance.
A study by the University of Exeter found that Varroa destructor mites indirectly increase infection rates among wild bumblebees by spreading deformed wing virus (DWV) through honeybee colonies. This highlights the need for beekeepers to treat their affected colonies.
A human liver cell protein called CXCR4 helps Plasmodium parasites develop into forms capable of infecting red blood cells. Targeting this protein may be a way to block the parasite's life cycle and prevent malaria development.
Researchers at Clemson University have made significant progress in understanding the biology of Toxoplasma parasites, a human pathogen with high infection rates. By disrupting a key transporter, they were able to reduce the parasite's infectivity and provide insights into new targets for treatment.
Researchers from Université Laval synthesized molecules discovered in a microscopic fungus from Nunavut, demonstrating their efficacy against malaria. The study found that the synthesized molecules, called mortiamides, stopped the growth of both parasite strains within 72 hours.
Researchers have identified novel antigens on infected red blood cells that trigger natural human antibody responses, reducing malaria transmission. The discovery provides a promising alternative route for preventing disease spread and offers new leads for developing effective vaccines.
Klemens Engelberg has been awarded a $65,000 grant by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation to research the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The funding will support his study of how the parasite divides and causes damage in human cells.
Research from Binghamton University finds that exposure to light at night can decrease hatching success in tadpoles and make them more susceptible to additional stressors like road salt pollution and parasites. The study suggests that combining light pollution with other stressors may have negative impacts on amphibian populations.
Beetles infected with intestinal parasites exhibit reduced aggressive behavior during simulated attacks from predators and rival males. Larger beetles tend to fight back more than smaller ones, while parasitized beetles produce fewer squeaks as a defensive behavior.
A new mathematical model developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that large collective of parasitic worms can kick-start a self-perpetuating cycle ensuring their survival. The study found that quantity of parasites alone determines whether they persist in a host, contrary to previous approaches.
Researchers found that sharing waters with an invasive Asian rockpool mosquito species reduces parasitism in native eastern tree-hole mosquito species, known as a dilution effect. The presence of the invasive species decreases parasite prevalence by 13-27% compared to 72-90% when kept alone.
Research reveals that pups with high hookworm infection rates spend more time in the water, whereas those with lower rates rest or avoid it. Climate change is thought to be a contributing factor, as warmer ocean temperatures lead to scarce fish supplies, forcing mothers to dedicate more time to searching for food.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that inactivating the mosquito salivary protein AAPP significantly reduces mosquito feeding behavior, prolonging probing times and fluid excretion. This reduces egg production but does not affect malarial parasite development.
A new study sheds light on the metabolic shifts that occur during chronic asymptomatic malaria infection, which can help develop more effective detection and treatment methods.
Research found that nematode-infected horned passalus beetles process wood 15% faster than uninfected ones, leading to increased decomposition rates. The parasites are beneficial to the forest ecosystem, enabling the beetles to provide a more effective service
Researchers have identified a drug that can reverse hyperactivity induced by Toxoplasma gondii infection, reducing inflammation rather than parasite reduction. The study suggests the immune system plays a key role in behavioral changes caused by the parasite.
A new University of Connecticut study found that human activity influences the gut microbiota and body mass of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos. Researchers studied over 100 female finches and discovered that those living near humans had different gut bacteria communities, leading to changes in their physical characteristics.
A team of researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute identified a parasite with functional mitochondria that produce energy without its own genetic material. The Amoebophrya ceratii parasite has nearly all metabolic processes working, allowing it to thrive on its own with significantly reduced genetic material.
Scientists at Lancaster University discovered that a late-acting T-helper 17 response helps eliminate Trichinella spiralis, a round worm and causative agent of Trichinosis. This response increases intestinal contraction and restoring IL-17 levels rescues mice's ability to expel the parasite.
Researchers have identified phosphodiesterase-B1 as a critical gene for the transmission of African sleeping sickness, a disease transmitted by tsetse flies. The study reveals that the parasite's movement from the fly's midgut to the salivary gland is controlled by this gene, providing new insights into the disease-causing mechanism.
A recent study found that invasive lizard populations can undergo significant biological changes, such as diverging morphology and increased forelimb length, to adapt to new territories. The researchers also discovered lower levels of parasite prevalence and higher body condition in introduced populations compared to native populations.
A new species of coral-dwelling parasite has been discovered, producing chlorophyll but not engaging in photosynthesis. The finding raises questions about the evolution and biology of this organism, which may hold clues to protecting coral reefs.
Researchers discovered an unconventional signaling pathway in Trypanosoma brucei, a parasite that causes sleeping sickness. The study identifies a new compound activator for protein kinase A (PKA), potentially leading to targeted therapies.
The study found that the widely used antimalarial sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is no longer effective in preventing malaria in areas with high levels of resistance. In areas where more than 37% of parasites carry six mutations, the effectiveness of SP appears to be fully compromised. The researchers are calling for further investiga...
Researchers detected Cryptosporidium parasites in 40% of surveyed wells in Minnesota's public water systems, even those not influenced by surface water. The findings suggest soil may not completely filter out the parasite, prompting consideration for monitoring and treatment measures.
The study demonstrated that DSM265 can clear low-level Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia with a single oral dose. A companion drug is needed to prevent development of resistance and advance the goal of eradicating malaria.
A study in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases analyzed gene expression in patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, revealing a heightened presence of B cell transcripts and unique patterns of macrophage activation. The research also identified new targets for vaccine development against this rare and neglected tropical disease.
Feather lice on rock pigeons evolved divergent camouflage in response to preening, a key driver of adaptive radiation. Over four years and 60 generations, the lice developed heritable color differences spanning the full range of the genus.
Researchers at ISGlobal and ITM discovered that P. falciparum populations can develop resistance to certain antimalarial compounds by epigenetic changes in the expression of clag3 genes. This finding is significant because resistance acquired through epigenetic mechanisms can arise quickly, even during a single infection.
Researchers discovered a recently evolved, human specialised subspecies of the Cryptosporidium parasite, which can spread more easily between people. This finding will help public health interventions aimed at preventing the spread of diarrheal disease.
Gene activity in defenders reflects origin of attacking slavemakers, with successful invaders triggering weaker defenses. Researchers found that host ants react aggressively to rare slave-makers and not to common ones, highlighting the complex co-evolutionary relationship between parasites and their hosts.
A study from Binghamton University highlights the importance of considering cold-temperature variability when evaluating climate change impacts. Researchers found that cold temperatures make amphibians more susceptible to road salt but less prone to parasites.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have identified a promising strategy to develop an agent against African sleeping sickness. The team discovered a small inhibitor molecule that binds to and deactivates a vital protein of the parasite, rendering it harmless.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles of P. vivax malaria patients to understand transmission and treatment response. The study revealed complex transmission dynamics and differences in how the parasite responds to chloroquine treatment.
A study from McGill University reveals that a virus infecting the Leishmania parasite exploits cell-to-cell communication to spread and evade detection. This discovery could lead to effective vaccines against leishmaniasis, a disease causing severe disfiguration in tropical areas.
The study reveals that malaria parasite genomes are shaped by parasite-specific gene families and strongly correlate with virulence. The researchers identified unique features in the organization of gene families involved in antigenic variation, which enables high virulence in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a complex of proteins crucial for the maturation of the malaria parasite's sexual stage, which is required for transmission to mosquitoes. Disrupting this complex inhibits the parasite's ability to mature and infect mosquitoes, offering a new tool in the fight against malaria.
ERADA's Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic and Asexual Rapid Test (SMAART) detects a unique biomarker from female parasites circulating in an infected individual. Early detection of malaria is crucial to eradication, as carriers are the reservoir that leads to infection and transmission.
Researchers developed a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system to efficiently edit the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum's gene expression. By altering histone acetylation near invasion-related genes, they increased or decreased erythrocyte invasion efficiency.
Researchers at SUTD and NTU developed ferrocene-based molecules that impair malaria parasite's metabolic function, leading to parasite death. G3, a gold complexed ferrocinyl phosphine derivative, demonstrated potent antimalarial activity against standard and drug-resistant strains.
A URI researcher found that oyster aquaculture can limit the spread of disease among wild oysters. Aquaculture operations can reduce disease by filtering parasites from the water and holding oysters long enough to prevent their development. Intensive oyster aquaculture, when done correctly, can be beneficial for wild populations.