ScienceDaily: Pest and Parasite News

New virus isolated from patients with severe brain infections

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:17:17 EDT

A new study describes a new virus isolated from patients with severe brain infections. Further research is needed to determine whether the virus is responsible for the symptoms of disease.

Treating infection may have sting in the tail, parasite study shows

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:27:27 EDT

Using drugs to treat an infection could allow other co-existing conditions to flourish, a study in wild animals has shown.

Easy and effective therapy to restore sight: Engineered virus will improve gene therapy for blinding eye diseases

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:48:48 EDT

Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus has successfully restored sight to people with a rare inherited retinal degeneration, but current therapy requires injecting the virus directly into the retina. Researchers have now caused AAV to evolve so that it is able to penetrate the retina, allowing doctors to inject the virus and its gene load into the vitreous to reach all cells of the retina. This broadens AAV's potential application to more common types of vision loss.

Do parasites upset food web theory?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:46:46 EDT

Parasites comprise a large proportion of the diversity of species in every ecosystem, but are rarely included in analyses or models of food webs. If parasites play different roles from other predators and prey, however, their inclusion could fundamentally alter our understanding of how food webs are organized. A new article has shown that including parasites does alter the structure of food webs, but most changes occur because of an increase in diversity and complexity.

Potential disease-transmission sources in animals ID'd by calculating risk using social network mathematics

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:20:20 EDT

Scientists have successfully identified animal species that can transmit more diseases to humans by using mathematical tools similar to those applied to the study of social networks like Facebook or Twitter. Their research describes how parasite-primate interactions transmit diseases like malaria, yellow fever or AIDS to humans. Their findings could make an important contribution to predicting the animal species most likely to cause future pandemics.

Blood-sucking deer keds are spreading in Norway

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:20:20 EDT

A high moose population density and mild autumn weather result in a higher prevalence of deer keds (louse fly parasite). A great deal of pine forest in the habitat of the moose has the same effect. These are the results of new research into how deer keds are spreading in Southeast Norway.

Biotech crops vs. pests: Successes and failures from the first billion acres

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:21:21 EDT

A landmark study analyzes why pest resistance to genetically modified crops evolved quickly in some cases, but not others. The global assessment could help to gauge the risk of resistance for new biotech crops before they are commercialized.

Substances from African medicinal plants could help stop tumor growth

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:41:41 EDT

African medicinal plants contain chemicals that may be able to stop the spread of cancer cells. The plant materials will now undergo further analysis in order to evaluate their therapeutic potential.

Wolbachia bacteria evolved to infect stem cell niches through successive generations of their hosts

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EDT

A new study provides evidence that Wolbachia target the ovarian stem cell niches of its hosts -- a strategy previously overlooked to explain how Wolbachia thrive in nature.

Malaria's deadly grip revealed: Severe malaria breakthrough

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:35:35 EDT

Researchers have identified how malaria parasites growing inside red blood cells stick to the sides of blood vessels in severe cases of malaria. The discovery may advance the development of vaccines or drugs to combat severe malaria by stopping the parasites attaching to blood vessels.

Drug resistance may make malaria parasites vulnerable to other substances

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:45:45 EDT

Malaria parasites that develop resistance to the most effective class of anti-malarial drugs may become susceptible to other treatments as a result. The discovery could reveal potential new drug options, which would be essential in the event of resistance to the best anti-malarials.

Stopping the worm from turning

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:45:45 EDT

Almost one in six people worldwide are infected by parasitic worms, while parasitic infections of livestock cause economic losses of billions of Euro per year. Resistance to the few drugs available to treat infections is increasing and there is an urgent need to identify additional strategies to control parasitic diseases. A new study describes a rational approach to identifying proteins that might be involved in the larval development of a particular worm that infects pigs.

Mosquitoes reared in cooler temperatures have weaker immune systems

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:32:32 EDT

Scientists have discovered mosquitoes reared in cooler temperatures have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to dangerous viruses and thus more likely to transmit diseases to people. The finding may have a bearing on urban epidemics resulting from viral diseases, such as West Nile fever and chikungunya fever, which are transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Female moths use olfactory signals to choose the best egg-laying sites

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:36:36 EDT

Researchers have discovered that the ability of Manduca sexta moths to recognize changes in the profile of volatile compounds released by plants being attacked by Manduca caterpillars allows them to lay their eggs on plants that are less likely to be attacked by insects and other predators, and to avoid competing against other caterpillars of the same species for resources.

Genome hints at markers for higher-producing, better-tasting chocolate

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 20:27:27 EDT

The freshly sequenced genome of the most commonly cultivated cacao plant in the world is revealed in a new study. Researchers have utilized high quality DNA sequences to demonstrate the usefulness and quality of the sequence to identify genetic markers that can lead to higher yielding cocoa plants that still produce better tasting cocoa.

Innovative new nanotechnology stops bed bugs in their tracks -- literally

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:58:58 EDT

Bed bugs now need to watch their step. Researchers have developed a safe, non-chemical resource that literally stops bed bugs in their tracks. This innovative new technology acts as a human-made web consisting of microfibers 50 times thinner than a human hair which entangle and trap bed bugs and other insects.

Why female loggerhead sea turtles always return to their place of birth

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:11:11 EDT

For a better protection of marine turtles, scientists are trying to understand why they return to their birthplace in order to reproduce after rather long distance migrations. Using molecular tools applied to turtles from the Cape Verde islands, scientists found females from different islands have different immune genes, suggesting that returning home to reproduce is linked to advantages in parasite resistance.

Scientists find chemical that causes 'kidney' failure in mosquitoes

Wed, 29 May 2013 19:09:09 EDT

Scientists have discovered a chemical that causes "kidney" failure in mosquitoes, which may pave the way to the development of new insecticides to fight deadly mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes' sense of smell

Wed, 29 May 2013 13:31:31 EDT

In one of the first successful attempts at genetically engineering mosquitoes, researchers have altered the way the insects respond to odors, including the smell of humans and the insect repellant DEET. The research not only demonstrates that mosquitoes can be genetically altered using the latest research techniques, but paves the way to understanding why the insect is so attracted to humans, and how to block that attraction.

Malaria protection in chimpanzees

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:27:27 EDT

In malaria regions the parasite prevalence in the human body as well as malaria-related morbidity and mortality decrease with age. This reflects the progressive mounting of a protective immunity. Researchers now present a study which addresses the age distribution of malaria parasite infection in a group of wild chimpanzees.

Study explores 100 year increase in forestry diseases

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:58:58 EDT

A new study places ash dieback disease into its historical context.

Research aims for insecticide that targets malaria mosquitoes

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:35 EDT

A team of scientists is working toward an insecticide that would target malaria-carrying mosquitoes but do no harm to other organisms.

New target to boost plant resistance to insects and pathogens identified

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:33 EDT

Plants have evolved unique and sophisticated immune systems to defend themselves against insects and pathogens. Plant hormones called jasmonates play an important role in this defense, but jasmonates have been found to also be important for plant growth. Now, researchers have discovered a gene in the jasmonate pathway that controls plant defenses but does not play a detectable role in plant development. These findings could be applied to improve crop resistance in agriculture.

Ants and carnivorous plants conspire for mutualistic feeding

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

An insect-eating pitcher plant teams up with ants to prevent mosquito larvae from stealing its nutrients, according to new research.

Mosquito behavior may be immune response, not parasite manipulation

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Malaria-carrying mosquitoes appear to be manipulated by the parasites they carry, but this manipulation may simply be part of the mosquitoes' immune response, according to entomologists.

Small but speedy: Short plants live in the evolutionary fast lane

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:14:14 EDT

Biologists have known for a long time that some creatures evolve more quickly than others. Exactly why isn't well understood, particularly for plants. But it may be that height plays a role. Shorter plants have faster-changing genomes.

'Whodunnit' of Irish potato famine solved

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:12:12 EDT

An international team of scientists reveals that a unique strain of potato blight they call HERB-1 triggered the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century.

Parasitic wasps use calcium pump to block fruit fly immunity

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:37:37 EDT

Parasitic wasps switch off the immune systems of fruit flies by draining calcium from the flies' blood cells, a finding that offers new insight into how pathogens break through a host's defenses. Researchers say their findings have uncovered an important component of cellular immunity, one that parasites have learned to take advantage of.

Asian lady beetles use biological weapons against their European relatives

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:25:25 EDT

Once introduced for biological pest control, Asian lady beetle populations have been increasing uncontrollably. Scientists have now found the reason for the animal's success. Its body fluid contains microsporidia, fungus-like protozoa that parasitize body cells and can cause immense harm to their host. The Asian lady beetle is obviously resistant to these parasites. However, transferred to native species, microsporidia can be lethal.

Malaria infected mosquitoes more attracted to human odor than uninfected mosquitoes

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:44:44 EDT

Female mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites are significantly more attracted to human odor than uninfected mosquitoes, according to new research. Scientists will now attempt to find out how malaria parasites manipulate their mosquito hosts.

Frog once imported for pregnancy testing brought deadly amphibian disease to U.S.

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:43:43 EDT

African frogs, originally imported for early 20th century pregnancy tests, carried a deadly amphibian disease to the US, according to new findings. African Clawed Frogs have long been suspected of spreading a harmful fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The earliest known case of the fungus was found in these frogs in their native South Africa. Now scientists have found the first evidence of the disease among introduced feral populations in the US.

No idle chatter: Malaria parasites 'talk' to each other

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:50:50 EDT

Scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other -- a social behavior to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans. The finding could provide a niche for developing antimalarial drugs and vaccines that prevent or treat the disease by cutting these communication networks.

Flower power fights orchard pests

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Researchers have found they can control one of fruit growers' more severe pests, aphids, with a remarkably benign tool: flowers. The discovery is a boon for organic as well as conventional tree fruit growers. The researchers found that plantings of sweet alyssum attracted a host of spiders and predator bugs that in turn preyed on woolly apple aphids, a pest that growers often control with chemical sprays.

Level of dengue virus needed for transmission defined

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:28:28 EDT

Researchers have identified the dose of dengue virus in human blood that is required to infect mosquitoes when they bite. Mosquitoes are essential for transmitting the virus between people so the findings have important implications for understanding how to slow the spread of the disease.

Global warming trends contribute to spread of West Nile virus to new regions in Europe

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:52:52 EDT

Global warming trends have a significant influence on the spread of West Nile Virus to new regions in Europe and neighboring countries, where the disease wasn’t present before, according to a new study. The study found that rising temperatures have a more considerable contribution than humidity, to the spread of the disease, while the effect of rain was inconclusive.

Invasion of the slugs; Halted by worms

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:16:16 EDT

The gardener’s best friend, the earthworm, is great at protecting leaves from being chomped by slugs, suggests new research. Although they lurk in the soil, they seem to protect the plants above ground. Increasing plant diversity also decreases the amount of damage slugs do to individual plants.

Using bacteria to stop malaria

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:21 EDT

Mosquitoes are deadly efficient disease transmitters. New research however, demonstrates that they also can be part of the solution for preventing diseases such as malaria.

Bacterial infection in mosquitoes renders them immune to malaria parasites

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Scientists have established an inheritable bacterial infection in malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes that renders them immune to malaria parasites. Specifically, the scientists infected the mosquitoes with Wolbachia, a bacterium common among insects that previously has been shown to prevent malaria-inducing Plasmodium parasites from developing in Anopheles mosquitoes.

Plants 'talk' to plants to help them grow

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:08:08 EDT

Having a neighborly chat improves seed germination, finds new research. Even when other known means of communication, such as contact, chemical and light-mediated signals, are blocked, chilli seeds grow better when grown with basil plants. This suggests that plants are talking via nanomechanical vibrations.

New fairyflies or mymarid wasp species named after university

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:17:17 EDT

An entomologist discovered a new wasp species in Russia and named it after the university, commonly abbreviated as UCR. A museum researcher had been sorting wasps from the Russian Far East, when he discovered several tiny female fairyflies, or mymarid wasps, 1.1 to 1.2 millimeters in body length. He named the species Gonatocerus ucri.

Scientists alarmed by rapid spread of brown streak disease in cassava

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:55:55 EDT

Cassava experts are reporting new outbreaks and the increased spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease or CBSD, warning that the rapidly proliferating plant virus could cause a 50 percent drop in production of a crop that provides a significant source of food and income for 300 million Africans.

Flight behavior of hungry malaria mosquitoes analyzed

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:51:51 EDT

Malaria mosquitoes go to work cautiously before landing on human skin and biting. Just before a mosquito lands, it reacts to both odors and heat given off by the human body. Researchers came to this conclusion after studying images made with infrared-sensitive cameras.

Malaria: A vector infecting both apes and humans

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:47:47 EDT

In 2010, a study revealed that the main agent of malaria in humans, called Plasmodium falciparum, arose from the gorilla. Today, the vector which transmitted the parasite from apes to humans has just been identified. Scientists have determined which species of anopheles mosquitoes transfer the disease to apes. Among them is Anopheles moucheti, known for biting humans. Therefore, it appears to be the species which originally infected us through our 'cousins'. And it could do it again today.

Boom in jellyfish: Overfishing called into question

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:47:47 EDT

Will we soon be forced to eat jellyfish? Since the beginning of the 2000s, these gelatinous creatures have invaded many of the world's seas, like the Japan Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, etc. Is it a cyclic phenomenon, caused by changes in marine currents or even global warming? Until now, the causes remained unknown. A new study exposes overfishing as the main factor.

Ecological knowledge offers perspectives for sustainable agriculture

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:24:24 EDT

A smart combination of different crops, such as beans and maize, can significantly cut the use of crop protection agents and at the same time reduce the need for fertilizers. Integrating ecological knowledge from nature with knowledge of crops opens up the prospect of a sustainable strategy that will increase yield per hectare at reduced environmental costs.

Roundworm quells obesity and related metabolic disorders

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:45:45 EDT

Researchers have shown in a mouse model that infection with nematodes (also known as roundworms) can not only combat obesity but ameliorate related metabolic disorders.

First edition of a bookworm's genome

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

The tiny nematode Panagrellus redivivus, often called the beer-mat worm or the microworm, has emerged from relative obscurity with the publication of its complete genetic code. Further study of this worm is expected to shed new light on many aspects of animal biology.

Just what makes that little old ant… change a flower's nectar content?

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:52:52 EDT

Ants play a variety of important roles in many ecosystems. As frequent visitors to flowers, they can benefit plants in their role as pollinators when they forage on sugar-rich nectar. However, a new study reveals that this mutualistic relationship may actually have some hidden costs.

Biogeographic barrier that protects Australia from avian flu does not stop Nipah virus

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:51:51 EDT

An invisible barrier separates land animals in Australia from those in south-east Asia may also restrict the spillover of animal-borne diseases like avian flu, but researchers have found that fruit bats on either side of this line can carry Nipah virus, a pathogen that causes severe human disease.

Malaria parasite protein identified as potential new target for drug treatment

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:13:13 EDT

Scientists have discovered how a protein within the malaria parasite is essential to its survival as it develops inside a mosquito. They believe their findings identify this protein as a potential new target for drug treatments to prevent malaria being passed to humans. The researchers found that when this protein – a transporter responsible for controlling the level of calcium inside cells – is absent during the parasite’s sexual reproduction stages inside a mosquito, the parasite dies before developing fully.

Uncleaned cells mean weak muscles

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:10:10 EDT

The protein complex mTORC1 promotes muscle growth. However, should this complex remain constantly active, it impairs the ability of the cells to self-clean, causing myopathy. Scientists have now described the exact mechanism involved.

Quest for edible malarial vaccine leads to other potential medical uses for algae

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

Can scientists rid malaria from the Third World by simply feeding algae genetically engineered with a vaccine? That's the question biologists sought to answer after they demonstrated last May that algae can be engineered to produce a vaccine that blocks malaria transmission. In a follow up study, they got their answer: Not yet, although the same method may work as a vaccine against a wide variety of viral and bacterial infections.

Plant protein shape puzzle solved by molecular 3-D model

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:25:25 EDT

Researchers believe they have solved a puzzle that has long vexed science. The researchers provide the first three-dimensional model of an enzyme that links a simple sugar, glucose, into long-chain cellulose, the basic building block within plant cell walls that gives plants structure. Cellulose is nature's most abundant renewable biomaterial and an important resource for production of biofuels that represent alternatives to fossil fuels.

Without adequate funding, deadly wheat disease could threaten global food supplies

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:14:14 EDT

Disease-resistant wheat developed over the past half century helped ensure steady world food supplies, but a global team warns in a new article that without increased financial support for disease resistance research, new strains of a deadly fungal disease could leave millions without affordable access to food.

Self-medication in animals much more widespread than believed

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:27:27 EDT

It's been known for decades that animals such as chimpanzees seek out medicinal herbs to treat their diseases. But in recent years, the list of animal pharmacists has grown much longer, and it now appears that the practice of animal self-medication is a lot more widespread than previously thought, according to ecologists.

The Rosette Agent: Monitoring a new threat in Britain's rivers

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:55:55 EDT

There are more than four million anglers in the UK and the sport generates an estimated £3.5 billion for the economy. But research has uncovered a new threat that could put many of the native fish species UK anglers rely on at risk.

War on bugs: New research could lead to better bed bug control

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:13:13 EDT

Genetic analysis of the tiny but tough bloodsuckers reveals a potential biological target for pest control methods.

Fighting disease from within the mosquito: New techniques to help halt the spread of disease

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:39:39 EDT

Scientists have revealed a new technique to introduce disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes, with promising results that may halt the spread of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and potentially malaria.

Bean leaves can trap bedbugs, researchers find

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:19:19 EDT

Inspired by a traditional Balkan bedbug remedy, researchers have documented how microscopic hairs on kidney bean leaves effectively stab and trap the biting insects. Scientists are now developing materials that mimic the geometry of the leaves.

Genetics of life and death in an evolutionary arms-race

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:19:19 EDT

Scientists have found evidence of the genetic basis of the evolutionary arms-race between parasitoids and their aphid hosts.