Why Bird Nests Attract Flying Insects and Parasites
Researchers in Spain study how disease vectors such as flying midges sense differences in gas concentration in order to locate their hosts. Flying insects and…
Parasites News
Return of the Zombie Cicadas: Manipulative Qualities of Fungal-Infected Flyers Unearthed
Mind games aren’t exclusive to humans. Cicadas infected with the parasitic fungus Massospora unknowingly engage in trickery with their fellow insects, resulting in effective disease…
Lesions of Doom – How a Parasitic Bacterium Disrupts Blood Vessels in the Human Body
Scientists gain insights into how pathogenic bacteria of the genus Bartonella give rise to lesions in the human body, opening new avenues in modern medicine….
A Rising Tide of Marine Disease? How Parasites Respond to Global Warming
Warming events are increasing in magnitude and severity, threatening many ecosystems worldwide. As the global temperatures continue to climb, it also raises uncertainties as to…
Bizarre New Parasitic Species Discovered… on Twitter
While many of us use social media to be tickled silly by cat videos or wowed by delectable cakes, others use them to discover new…
New Fluorescent Compound Identified in Scorpions Could Help Protect Them From Parasites
Most scorpions glow a blue-green color when illuminated by ultraviolet light or natural moonlight. Scientists aren’t sure how this fluorescence benefits the creatures, but some…
If You Eat Sashimi, Check for Worms: 283-Fold Increase in Sushi Parasites in Past 40 Years
The next time you eat sashimi, nigiri or other forms of raw fish, consider doing a quick check for worms. A new study led by…
Invasion: Parasitic Worms Have Armies – Produce More Soldiers to Meet Threats
Study demonstrates for the first time that animal societies can adjust army size to meet threat levels in the wild. In estuaries around the world,…
Feeding Bluebirds in Your Backyard Helps Fend Off Parasites
If you feed the birds in your backyard, you may be doing more than just making sure they have a source of food: you may…
New Parasitoid Wasp Species Discovered That Can Manipulate Spider’s Behavior
A research group from the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku studies the diversity of parasitoid insects around the world. Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) are…
Zombie-Ant Fungus Faces Its Own Deadly, Specialized Parasites
The zombie-ant fungus is part of the Ophiocordyceps genus, and its strange way of infecting worker ants’ heads and controlling them to distribute more spores…
Microscopic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Linked to Personality Changes
Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, infects about 22.5% of Americans, aged 12 and older. Researchers tested participants for T. gondii…
