Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
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A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
Researchers have found that the coevolution between water fleas and a parasitic bacterium has been ongoing for at least 15 million years, preserving genetic diversity. This process, known as balancing selection, ensures that multiple genetic variants for surface molecules are always preserved in the water flea without one ever prevailing.
A team of researchers from Stanford University and Brazil has developed models to predict the impact of environmental changes on schistosomiasis, a disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide. The collaboration has helped epidemiologists prioritize public health interventions and identify new transmission hotspots.
Researchers genetically engineered Toxoplasma gondii to produce and release therapeutic proteins in the human brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The method has potential implications for treating diseases caused by protein deficiencies or abnormal expression.
A recent study by University of California - Riverside researchers has discovered that lice are a significant threat to free-range chicken populations, causing skin lesions and disrupting healthy behaviors. The study's findings have implications for states like California, where all egg production is cage-free.
The study found that spotted fever group rickettsiae are the dominant pathogens in ticks from Yunpan and Menghun areas of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. The prevalence survey revealed a high rate of co-infection with other tick-borne bacteria.
Researchers identified a novel virus in pet trade zebrafish that causes hemorrhaging in laboratory fish, revealing a risk of viral transmission. The study found that viruses circulating in healthy pet trade zebrafish can transmit to laboratory animals and cause severe disease.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is developing an online tool to identify diarrheal disease transmission hotspots and accelerate treatment deployment. The dashboard will provide up-to-date epidemiological estimates and predictions, enabling public health communities to make informed decisions and save lives.
Researchers have found that a parasitic worm, Eleaophora schneideri, is likely contributing to the decline of moose populations in some regions. The study found microfilariae scattered throughout the brains of infected animals, leading to potential increased morbidity and mortality.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a family of natural compounds that stall the unique metabolic process used by parasites to survive in the human gut. The discovery offers potential as new and more effective treatments for parasitic worm infections, which cause debilitating symptoms and developmental defects.
Scientists have discovered a positive relationship between calcium concentrations and potato plant resistance to bacterial wilt. Calcium supplementation can significantly reduce the growth rate of the pathogen and negatively affect its ability to form biofilms and move.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel analysis to explore the impact of parasite virulence and infection probability on species coexistence in a complex system. The study found that stochasticity plays a significant role in determining whether species coexist or go extinct.
A researcher will study how plants defend themselves against nematode infections, which could lead to novel drugs or antibiotics for humans and livestock. The project aims to increase food security in Africa and Asia by understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant resistance.
Researchers mapped the distribution of lone star ticks, a dominant tick species in Georgia, to identify areas with high prevalence. The study found that these regions contain sweet spots for lone star ticks, including forested areas of mid-elevation and soils retaining moisture but not swampy.
A microscopic pathogen found in the Caribbean is causing a devastating die-off of long-spined sea urchin populations and threatening coral reefs worldwide. The USF study reveals the same parasite, identified last year, has spread to new species in the Sea of Oman, putting global sea urchin populations at risk.
Researchers are developing a flexible online tool to navigate information used in the fight against deadly diarrheal diseases. The Plan-EO dashboard will provide real-time data on pathogen dynamics, allowing infectious disease experts and local leaders to make smart decisions and save lives.
A newly developed compound is showing promise as a more effective treatment for human schistosomiasis, an understudied tropical disease caused by parasitic worms. The compound overcomes the limitations of current treatment praziquantel by being effective against the larval stage and resistant strains.
The study highlights the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens due to climate change. The medical community must update their education and training to combat global warming and its impact on disease behavior.
Researchers found that altering the starch, oil, and amino acid content of a broiler diet can help support healthy growth in coccidiosis-challenged birds. The optimal mix consists of 35.8% starch, 8.9% oil, and 101.3% recommended amino acids.
A new study finds that climate change is likely to alter the seasonal profile of disease transmission for parasitic worms, with temperature and humidity playing key roles. The research suggests that infection risk may shift towards northern regions as temperatures rise, while southern regions face more extreme conditions.
Research finds seaports facilitate the spread of MtrBTN2, a rare contagious cancer in mussels, through biofouling. The disease is threatening coastal ecosystems and argues in favor of mitigation policies to stem its spread.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have identified 898 RNA-dependent proteins in the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These findings could lead to novel therapeutic targets against malaria and highlight the importance of RNAs in biological pathways in the parasite.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a tiny worm species that can control crop pests in warm, humid environments. The new Steinernema adamsi nematode is nearly invisible and can kill insects with a low dose, making it a potential alternative to pesticides.
The strongyloidiasis disease, caused by a parasitic worm, affects remote Australian communities with the highest rates globally. The new $5 million grant project focuses on improving sanitation, funding allocation, and training to eliminate the disease.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a novel approach to combat sleeping sickness by damaging the trypanosome parasite's ribosome, which is essential for protein production. The findings suggest that deleting just one pseudouridine from the ribosome impairs its ability to produce proteins and inhibit growth.
Photodynamic action weakens resistance to antibiotics in bacteria that attack airways, reducing the persistence of both standard and clinical strains. The study found that five cycles of PDI were sufficient to break the resistance of resistant bacteria.
A team of international researchers has reported the first high-resolution images and structural details of the human genetic element LINE-1, which is implicated in various diseases. The study provides a target for potential new treatments, particularly for cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegeneration, and even aging.
Researchers have uncovered the intricate molecular mechanism used by parasitic phytoplasma bacteria to manipulate plants. The discovery sheds light on a peculiar phenomenon in nature, where plants exhibit 'zombie-like' effects due to bacterial infection.
Researchers discovered that dietary indoles, such as those found in broccoli, can activate the immune system to fight off Cryptosporidium infection. This protection was seen in mice, including those with weakened immune systems and newborns, suggesting a potential way to prevent recurring infections in children.
A team of scientists developed a technique to rapidly detect genetic changes in malaria parasites using portable MinION sequencers. They demonstrated the first end-to-end, real-time pathogen monitoring from clinical blood samples in rural, resource-limited malaria hotspots.
The Georgetown Global Health Center has launched PHAROS, a first-of-its-kind wildlife disease database that collects records of viruses and bacteria in wild animals. The platform aims to predict pandemics like the weather by allowing scientists to share and manage their data, with the goal of making 'one health' a data-driven field.
A systematic review published in the journal Virulence reveals that introducing more diverse gut bacteria can improve outcomes for people and animals infected with cryptosporidium. This may be achieved through diet, probiotics, or faecal transplant therapy.
A new study suggests that infection with the common cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to frailty in older adults. Among those infected, individuals with higher 'serointensity' or antibody levels to the parasite were more likely to be frail, highlighting a potential link between latent infection and inflammation.
The Klamath River dam removal project is expected to aid salmon populations by restoring habitat and reducing pathogens. However, researchers caution that disease outbreaks may still occur, and thoughtful restoration efforts are necessary.
Research identifies specific gut bacteria that increase risk of severe malaria in humans and mice, sparking new approaches targeting gut microbiota. The study's findings could lead to prevention strategies for severe malaria-related deaths.
A study found that the host's immune response to Trypanosoma brucei infection triggers lipolysis, leading to weight loss and a protective effect against disease progression. This discovery opens up new treatment strategies targeting the infection in adipose tissue.
A novel biomaterial developed at the Federal University of São Paulo can deliver medication directly to the gastrointestinal tract of fish, enhancing the efficacy of conventional drugs. The material is administered orally in powder form and has shown high penetration into epithelial cells without cytotoxic effects.
A new study reveals that changing nutrient use can reprogram immune cells, potentially treating cancer and infections. By blocking choline metabolism, researchers found a 'tremendous reprogramming of the immune profile' in mice, suggesting this knowledge could lead to novel therapies.
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.
New research reveals that the Deformed wing virus DWV-A originated in Asia, contradicting previous European origins. The study found that Varroa mites transmitted the virus to European honey bees after their introduction to Asia, leading to widespread infections and colony declines.
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.
York University researchers found that maternal care significantly impacts the development, microbiome, and health of wild carpenter bees. Without proper care, pathogen loads increase, leading to reduced microbiomes, increased disease susceptibility, and poor overall health.
Ants that leave the nest to forage are more likely to be infected by parasites than their nestmates who take care of the brood. Infections alter gene expression patterns and change the chemical composition of ants' cuticles, reducing desiccation resistance and communication.
A 64-year-old Australian woman was infected with Ophidascaris robertsi, a parasitic roundworm common to carpet pythons, after handling native grass contaminated with the parasite's eggs. The case highlights the risk of zoonotic diseases and the importance of food safety when foraging in areas where wildlife is present.
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.
A study found more than one in five infected shelter dogs with heartworm or Lyme disease, highlighting the importance of preventive medications. The research also showed that climate change is expanding the geographic range of disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes.
Research found that increased biodiversity can either help or hinder disease outbreaks in wildlife, depending on environmental conditions. Environmental pollutants like road salt changed the susceptibility of amphibian species to parasites, with higher biodiversity communities experiencing a dilution effect when exposed to pollutants.
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.
A study found that climate influences the spread of polycystic echinococcosis, a neglected disease with high mortality rates, in the Amazon region. Climate factors can predict potential infection hotspots.
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.
Researchers discovered a protective immune feature lacking in people chronically infected with intestinal worms, leading to potential human vaccines and treatments. The study used animal models and found that blocking the T follicular helper response impaired worm clearance and promoted chronic infection.
A University of Maryland study found that tree species diversity increases spider populations, providing a natural pest regulation service. Spider populations in diverse plots increased by 23-50% compared to single-species plots during late summer months.
Researchers developed a bioinformatic tool that selects parts of proteins to elicit strong immune responses. This approach, grounded in immunological theory, was four times more efficient than current methods, suggesting better vaccine protection against diseases.
A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.
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.
The digitization of Johanna Bonne-Wepster's field notes has filled significant gaps in mosquito research and tropical medicine. The collection contains valuable information on vector-borne diseases and their spread, which can inform current public health issues and future disease modeling.
Researchers detected Orientia bacteria in chiggers at high frequency in North Carolina recreational parks. The bacterium causes a disease similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be fatal if left untreated.
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.