Ancestral Origins Unveiled: Caterpillar Venom Traces Back to Bacteria
Scientists have found toxins in the venom of asp caterpillars punch holes in cells the same way as toxins produced by disease-causing bacteria such as…
Venom News
Common Origin: Venoms in Snakes and Salivary Protein in Mammals Evolved From the Same Ancestral Gene
A new study has found that a class of toxins found in snake and mammalian venom evolved from the same ancestral gene. A new study…
Primates vs Cobras: How Our Last Common Ancestor Built Venom Resistance After Long Evolutionary Arms Race
The last common ancestor of chimps, gorillas, and humans developed an increased resistance toward cobra venom, according to University of Queensland-led research. Scientists used animal-free…
Angry Bees Produce Better Venom – Effective Treatment for Degenerative and Infectious Diseases
Researchers at Curtin revealed how behavioral and ecological factors influence the quality of bee venom, a product widely known for its effective treatment of degenerative…
First Genetic Sequencing of Brazilian Pit Viper Completed – Reveals Origin of Toxins in Its Venom
In an article published in PNAS, researchers affiliated with Butantan Institute describe the genome of Bothrops jararaca and suggest the origin of genes responsible for…
Venom Contributed to the Extraordinary Species Diversity of Fish and Insects
The extraordinary diversity of insects and fishes, the most species-rich invertebrate and vertebrate groups in the animal kingdom, is partly due to the origin of…
Tarantula Toxin Attacks With Molecular Stinger – May Hold Answers to Better Control of Chronic Pain
Venom immobilizes prey by interfering with sodium channels that generate electrical signals in the animal’s nerve cells. Oversized, hairy tarantulas may be unsightly and venomous,…
Sea Anemones Adapt Their Venom to Accommodate Changing Prey and Sea Conditions
Many animals use venom to protect themselves from predators and to catch prey. Some, like jellyfish, have tentacles, while others, like bees and snakes use…
Brazilian Wasp Venom Kills Cancer Cells Without Harming Normal Cells
A newly published study shows how Brazilian wasp venom selectively kills cancer cells without harming normal cells. The social wasp Polybia paulista protects itself against…
Scorpion Protein Helps Illuminate Brain Tumors
In order to help surgeons come up with a way to distinguish brain tumors from healthy tissue, scientists are trying to use a scorpion protein….
Honeybees Have a Bite That Stuns
Honeybees are well known for their sting, but scientists have discovered that they also have a bite that stuns. Bees resort to biting when faced…
