Leishmaniasis is a parasite that is transmitted by sand flies. Infection causes skin ulcers and severe tissue damage, and currently, there’s no vaccine to protect humans. However, thanks to mice, that may change. By carefully studying mice that had recovered from leishmania infection, researchers found that special T cells were retained in the skin, and […]
Toxoplasmosis infections, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, are estimated to affect about 1/3 of the world’s human population. Treatment can be difficult – but now, thanks to zebrafish, there may be hope on the horizon! Toxoplasmosis is considered to be a leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the U.S., according to […]
Cannibal shrimp? Yes indeed, and there is an explanation why these animals turn on their own kind. They have been infected with a parasite that turns them into constant eaters!! Researchers from University of Leeds, Queens University of Belfast and Stellenbosch University wondered why these aquatic creatures were ingesting other shrimp. What they found was […]