Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host organism and obtain nutrients at the host’s expense, forming a specialized ecological and evolutionary interaction characterized by dependence and often high host specificity. They encompass diverse taxa, including protozoa, helminths, arthropods, fungi, and some plants, and exhibit complex life cycles that may involve multiple hosts and vectors. Research topics on parasites address host–parasite coevolution, immune evasion strategies, transmission dynamics, virulence evolution, and the population genetics and genomics of parasite species, as well as their roles in ecosystems, disease emergence, and the modulation of host physiology and behavior.
A new study has unexpectedly discovered that a common parasite of modern oysters actually started infecting bivalves hundreds of millions of years before the dinosaurs went extinct.
Ecology
Nov 4, 2025
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160
Every cell of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the organism that causes malaria, contains a tiny compartment full of microscopic iron crystals. As long as the parasite is alive, the crystals dance. They spin, jolt, ...
Bio & Medicine
Oct 29, 2025
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Rajshekhar Gaji was staring at something that should not exist. Under his microscope, parasites that should have been thriving were instead dying—completely unable to survive without a protein his lab had managed to switch ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 15, 2025
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52
According to estimates, about a third of the world's population is infected with the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the pathogen of toxoplasmosis. Although harmless for most people, the infection can be dangerous ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 9, 2025
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29
A honeybee hive, with its large stores of pollen, wax, and honey, is like a fortress guarding treasure: with strong defenses, but a bonanza for enemies that can overcome those. More than 30 parasites of honeybees are known, ...
Ecology
Sep 30, 2025
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56
A dangerous parasite once eliminated in the United States has been detected in northern Mexico, close to the U.S. border.
Ecology
Sep 26, 2025
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59
Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease prevalent across 90 countries, affects approximately 12 million people worldwide, with 350 million more at risk of infection. Caused by unicellular parasites known as Leishmania ...
Biotechnology
Sep 24, 2025
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23
A parasitic fly whose maggots can infest living livestock, birds, pets and humans, could threaten California soon.
Plants & Animals
Sep 18, 2025
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28
Meet Heinrichiellus natgeo, a newly discovered species of parasitoid wasp. The species was described by Dr. Ranjith and Dr. Gavin R. Broad (The Natural History Museum, London, UK). Genetic data helped them determine the new ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 16, 2025
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123
A moose in Minnesota stumbles onto the road. She circles, confused and dazed, unable to orient herself or recognize the danger of an oncoming semitruck. What kills her is the impact of 13 tons of steel, but what causes her ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 15, 2025
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