Search results for parasite

Parasites are known to infect human cells through a variety of ingenious mechanisms. Many of them have even evolved sophisticated strategies to evade a host’s immune system by avoiding it entirely. One type of parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, has developed a very intriguing way to do this. It rips pieces off human cells and steals the proteins to wear them as a disguise.Continue ReadingCategory:
If you ever travel back in time to the reign of dinosaurs, don’t touch any flowers – it might just be a parasitic wasp in disguise. Analysis of wasps trapped in amber has revealed that the insect ensnared hosts for its larvae with an alluring, Venus flytrap-style butt.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Parasites, Insect, Amber, Fossils, China
Brain parasites are something that most people would naturally want to avoid, but maybe they can be used for good. A new study has found that a common brain parasite could be engineered to deliver drugs past the blood-brain barrier.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Brain, Blood-brain barrier, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, University of Glasgow, Parasites
Researchers have chanced upon a bacteria naturally present in the gut of mosquitoes that inhibits the growth of a parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria. Unlikely to produce resistance, the bacteria could be easily introduced in the field to complement existing malaria eradication strategies.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Mosquito, Malaria, Gut Bacteria, UC3M
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 birds) has been implicated in accelerating age-related frailty.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: University of Colorado, Age-Related,
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 competitions.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: University of Copenhagen, Zombies, Parasites, ANT+, Disease, Evolution, Insect
It’s not often that inflammation gets a good rap. It’s been linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. But a new study may have uncovered a positive use for the body’s natural response to irritants. Researchers have found that inflammation leads to changes in the makeup of blood plasma that slow the growth of the parasites that cause malaria. They hope their discovery may


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