Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another host organism, deriving their nutrients at the expense of their hosts. They can belong to various biological categories, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites like fleas and ticks. Parasitic relationships can cause a wide range of illnesses and health complications in their hosts, affecting both humans and animals. Some well-known examples include malaria caused by the Plasmodium species, tapeworms, and lice. Parasites can be transmitted through multiple routes, such as contaminated water, food, or through vector organisms like mosquitoes. The study of parasites and their impact on their hosts is critical in the fields of medicine, veterinary sciences, and biology, as it helps develop better prevention, control, and treatment strategies. The complex life cycles and resilience of parasites make them challenging to eradicate and control, making them a persistent and ubiquitous threat to public health globally.
Oyster sanctuaries in Chesapeake Bay are enhancing oyster populations and marine biodiversity, despite the presence of native parasites. Oyster sanctuaries are among the most hotly…
Research into malaria’s history through ancient DNA reveals its profound impact on human evolution and its global spread due to colonialism, military activity, and travel,…
Scientists have used genome reconstruction to identify a previously “invisible” fish parasite, found globally in numerous marine fish species. This parasite, part of the apicomplexans—a…
Scientists publish footage of Madagascar Chtonobdella leeches jumping, rebutting previous doubts. A study has documented terrestrial leeches jumping from leaves, exhibiting spring-like movements. This newfound…
A new study uncovers ancient nematodes that fed on pseudoscorpions, captured in Baltic amber fossils. The early bird gets the worm, but as fossil research…
Microbiologists from NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, have discovered that certain parasitic microbes, specifically a group known as DPANN archaea, not only…
A study finds that polycystic echinococcosis, a neglected disease with a high mortality rate, is sensitive to climate, making it possible to predict potential infection…
Using canned salmon, scientists studied anisakid roundworms to assess changes in Alaskan marine ecosystems over four decades, revealing insights into ecological health and the impact…
Experts caution dog owners against allowing their pets to swim in the Colorado River. Scientists at UC Riverside have verified for the first time the…
A new species of nematode has the potential to safeguard crops without the need for pesticides. Scientists at UC Riverside have identified a new species…
People with blood trait thought to prevent the disease still became infected; the question now is ‘how?’ For decades, researchers dedicated to finding a cure…
A team of scientists led by Brown University has conducted genomic surveillance, uncovering mutations in parasites that cause malaria, likely to challenge the eradication of…
A herring swimming in the North Sea, a crab scuttling across the Wadden Sea, or an anemone fish nestled among a coral reef… biologists often…
A study in North Carolina has detected the bacterium responsible for scrub typhus, a serious disease, in local chiggers. The findings prompt concerns about the…
Understanding the mechanism of LINE-1 is key to developing potential new treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegeneration, and even aging. Research published on December…
Global genetic study of lice suggests they arrived twice in the New World on human hosts. A new analysis of lice genetic diversity suggests that…
A team led by Tappei Mishina at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) has discovered that parasites manipulate their hosts using stolen genes…
If you happen to come across plants of the Balanophoraceae family in a corner of a forest, you might easily mistake them for fungi growing…