Collaborate Disseminate
Around one million people every year suffer from a parasitic condition known as cutaneous leishmaniasis. Spread by sandfly bites, the parasite causes nasty skin ulcerations but for many people the wounds are unexpectedly pain-free. For decades scientis… Continue reading Pain-blocking parasite points to non-opioid painkillers
The single-cell parasite Toxoplasma gondii is well known for triggering risky behavior in hosts, in order to facilitate easier transmission, and can cause serious mental and physical conditions. But now this tiny bug that thrives in cats (via rats and … Continue reading Hell-no Kitty: Cat parasite linked to speeding up age-related frailty
Play is an important part of animal behavior, helping diverse species form social structures and bonds, develop cognitive function and enhance physical abilities. Yet human understanding of how other animals play is not well understood. Now, scientists… Continue reading Look out, L’Oréal: Whales play with seaweed to exfoliate their skin
Hijacking the body of a convenient host is nothing new in the opportunistic world of parasitism. Nor are zombie ants, thanks to the fittingly named zombie-ant fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis), which has even claimed top prize in photography competi… Continue reading Parasite turns hapless ants into zombies at sunrise and sunset
The animal kingdom is home to all kinds of stories – adventures, romance, tragedy, and as it turns out, even horror stories. Scientists at Brown University have now uncovered a creepy new zombie story involving worms that propagate by hack their shrimp… Continue reading “Zombie shrimp”: How parasites hack host genes to do their bidding
For many, the idea of having a few dozen hookworms set up shop in your gut sounds more like a Survivor challenge than a beneficial health therapy, but scientists see a bright future in this human worm farm for treating many chronic conditions.Continue … Continue reading Hookworms successfully prevent type 2 diabetes in human trial
In one of the more stomach-churning studies, a team led by the University of Cambridge has probed poo from two ancient toilets in Jerusalem and discovered traces of a microorganism called Giardia duodenalis, which causes diarrhea in humans.Continue Rea… Continue reading Royal flushes shed light on parasites behind ancient tummy troubles
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite in humans, but exactly how it’s so good at spreading has been murky. Now scientists at Stockholm University have uncovered a sneaky Trojan horse technique that allows it to avoid the immune system.Continue Reading… Continue reading Trojan horse trick is key to Toxoplasma parasite infections in humans
Promising results have been published from a Phase 1 human trial testing a novel antibody treatment designed to prevent malaria infection. Almost every volunteer was protected from infection after being deliberately exposed to malaria, indicating the u… Continue reading Antibody to prevent malaria infection aces first human trials
Imagine a parasite has infected you and that parasite needs you to have sex to move to a new host. It would certainly be in that parasite’s interest to help you become more physically attractive to a mate and act more promiscuously.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading Bizarre study finds common parasite can make you more attractive