Perils of pet poop – so much more than just unsightly and smelly, it can spread disease

The signs that remind you to pick up after your pet are not just trying to keep public spaces clean; they’re urging you to help safeguard your community’s health.

Julia Wuerz, Clinical Assistant Professor of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida • conversation
Feb. 6, 2024 ~8 min

How lice twice arrived in the Americas

A new analysis of head lice genetic diversity suggests that the parasites came to the Americas twice.

Jerald Pinson-U. Florida • futurity
Nov. 22, 2023 ~4 min


4 things to know about tick-borne babesiosis

Like Lyme disease, babesiosis is a common tick-borne illness, one that's on the rise in the United States. Here's what you should know.

Tufts University • futurity
Oct. 30, 2023 ~7 min

Mycena fungi are evolving to have living hosts

Mushrooms of the genus Mycena not only live off of dead trees and plants, but also young, healthy trees and plants.

Kristian Bjørn-Hansen-U. Copenhagen • futurity
Oct. 23, 2023 ~7 min

Parasite protects its ‘zombies’ from hot sun

A brain-altering parasite called the liver fluke turns ants into zombies at dawn and dusk, report researchers.

Michael Skov Jensen-Copenhagen • futurity
Sept. 18, 2023 ~6 min

New malaria parasites evade detection and are hard to treat

Newly-detected strains of malaria-causing parasites in Ethiopia are resistant to current treatments and are able to evade detection.

Corrie Pikul-Brown • futurity
Sept. 12, 2023 ~7 min

Team clarifies mystery of Chagas disease progression

Being infected with multiple strains of the parasite that induces Chagas disease may actually hinder its progression, a new study shows.

Andrew Yawn-Tulane • futurity
Sept. 6, 2023 ~3 min

How worms turn gray shrimp into orange zombies

When parasitic trematodes infect amphipods, the tiny crustaceans turn bright orange and lose their tendency to run for cover when exposed.

Corrie Pikul-Brown • futurity
Aug. 24, 2023 ~7 min


Feral cats in busy areas shed more toxoplasmosis parasites

Wild and feral cats in populated areas release more toxoplasmosis parasites, a new study finds.

Kat Kerlin-UC Davis • futurity
June 22, 2023 ~4 min

Parasitic infections hit the health of low-income Black communities where states have neglected sewage systems

Though many Americans believe that parasitic infections exist in poorer countries, research shows that the problem exists in the US and has a higher impact in communities of color.

Theresa E. Gildner, Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
May 19, 2023 ~8 min

/

9