Scientists explain how an infection can produce genetic diversity

A new study illuminates the way pathogens — and pheromones — alter social behavior in animals.

Alice McCarthy • harvard
March 3, 2023 • ~5 min

Guinea worm: A nasty parasite is nearly eradicated, but the push for zero cases will require patience

After nearly 40 years of effort, Guinea worm disease is on the cusp of being the second human disease – after smallpox – to be eradicated on Earth.

Kimberly Paul, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Clemson University • conversation
Feb. 2, 2023 • ~7 min

Despite Success, More Work to be Done Fighting Guinea Worm
VOA Learning English • voa
Jan. 28, 2023 • ~3 min

Is a Worm the Next Invasive Threat?
VOA Learning English • voa
Oct. 23, 2022 • ~5 min

Filthy habits: medieval monks were more likely to have worms than ordinary people

Despite being cloistered in relative luxury, the holy men suffered from worms far more frequently than the general population.

Tianyi Wang, University of Cambridge • conversation
Aug. 18, 2022 • ~7 min

‘Superworms’ that gobble plastics are like tiny recycling plants

A "superworm" with a taste for polystyrene could act as a secret weapon that could be the key to plastic recycling on a mass scale.

Dominic Jarvis-Queensland • futurity
June 10, 2022 • ~3 min

Watch a tiny marine ‘wormlet’ slurp the guts out of living prey

Tiny marine worm larvae have a survival secret: they turn into carnivores, devouring microscopic crustaceans and other prey living in plankton.

U. Oregon • futurity
March 22, 2022 • ~8 min

Harvard scientists show transgenesis in three-banded panther worm

Harvard-led team is learning secrets of regeneration through a method for manipulating genome, which allows a better view of workings of cells.

Juan Siliezar • harvard
Nov. 12, 2021 • ~6 min

Why do scientists care about worms?

'Worm' is really a catchall term for a huge variety of animals with different characteristics that span the tree of life. They hold clues about our own origins as well as hints about human health.

Helen Robertson, Postdoctoral Scholar of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago • conversation
Dec. 10, 2020 • ~7 min

Parasitic worms in your shellfish lead a creepy but popular lifestyle

Mud blister worms make their homes in the shells of oysters and other shellfish, where they weaken their hosts.

Andrew David, Assistant Professor of Biology, Clarkson University • conversation
June 3, 2020 • ~7 min

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