Ruthless parasite plagues monarch butterflies

A debilitating parasite is invading the guts of monarch butterflies, researchers say. "It's a signal that something is not right in the environment."

Carol Clark-Emory • futurity
March 18, 2022 ~10 min

Watering holes in Africa are parasite hotspots

Watering holes in Africa quench the thirst of animals during dry seasons, but they're also hotspots for parasites that infect the animals.

Harrison Tasoff-UC Santa Barbara • futurity
Jan. 13, 2022 ~10 min


Mistletoe – famous for stolen holiday kisses – is a parasite that steals water and nutrients from other plants

This evergreen plant has some tricky ways to get ahead, but it’s a valuable part of the ecosystem.

David Hillock, Associate Extension Specialist Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University • conversation
Dec. 16, 2021 ~6 min

Ivermectin is a Nobel Prize-winning wonder drug – but not for COVID-19

Ivermectin has been a lifesaving drug for people with parasitic infections like river blindness and strongyloidiasis. But taking it for COVID-19 may result in the opposite effect.

Jeffrey R. Aeschlimann, Associate Professor of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut • conversation
Oct. 14, 2021 ~10 min

Malaria vaccine could save thousands of kids every year

WHO's approval of the first-ever malaria vaccine could prevent hundreds of millions of cases of malaria and thousands of deaths in children each year.

Jessica Colarossi-Boston University • futurity
Oct. 13, 2021 ~9 min

Water fleas show surprising hydra effect in action

Scientists propose that ecological systems exhibit something akin to a hydra effect. In other words, what does kill you makes you more abundant.

Talia Ogliore-WUSTL • futurity
Sept. 17, 2021 ~6 min

Water fleas show surprising hydra effect in action

Scientists propose that ecological systems exhibit something akin to a hydra effect. In other words, what does kill you makes you more abundant.

Talia Ogliore-WUSTL • futurity
Sept. 17, 2021 ~6 min

The invasive emerald ash borer has destroyed millions of trees – scientists aim to control it with tiny parasitic wasps

Biological control strategies curb pests using other species that attack the invader. A biologist explains why it can take more than a decade to develop an effective biological control program.

Kristine Grayson, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Richmond • conversation
Aug. 27, 2021 ~8 min


Tick bites: Every year is a bad tick year

How bad are ticks this year? An expert explains why tick-borne diseases are on the rise.

Jory Brinkerhoff, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Richmond • conversation
Aug. 18, 2021 ~7 min

Every year is a bad tick year

How bad are ticks this year? An expert explains why tick-borne diseases are on the rise.

Jory Brinkerhoff, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Richmond • conversation
Aug. 18, 2021 ~7 min

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