Roundworms are a colloquial designation for nematodes, a highly diverse phylum of unsegmented, bilaterally symmetrical pseudocoelomate animals characterized by a cylindrical body, complete digestive tract, and a chitinous cuticle that undergoes molting. As a research topic, roundworms encompass free-living and parasitic species that serve as models in developmental biology, genetics, neurobiology, ecology, and host–pathogen interactions, with Caenorhabditis elegans being the most extensively studied. Investigations focus on their conserved molecular pathways, reproductive strategies, environmental adaptations, and impact on human, animal, and plant health, including their role in soil ecosystems and as agents of helminthic disease.
A host that sheds an abundance of parasites might seem like an obvious disease-spreading threat. But new research suggests that shedding large volumes of parasites does not dictate transmission efficiency—and "super-shedders" ...
What does it mean when brown patches show up in a perfectly healthy lawn? The truth is, it could be anything from drought to dog urine, fungal diseases, pests or too much fertilizer. But many homeowners automatically blame ...
Ecology
Aug 11, 2026
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374
For an animal to develop normally, cells must not only become the right types but also do so at the right time. In the worm C. elegans, the protein LIN28 has long been known as an important regulator of this timing: It keeps ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 5, 2026
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6
A research team led by Professor Chaogu Zheng from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with scientists from Princeton University and Columbia University, has discovered ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Jul 11, 2026
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14
Cats may be cute and adorable, but stray and feral cats can sometimes pose a risk to human health. Veterinary researchers have discovered that more than 50% of free-roaming cats in New York City carry parasites that could ...
Beneath the surface of soybean fields, an invisible threat is costing farmers billions. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are uncovering how nature itself may hold the key to fighting back. The soybean cyst nematode—a ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Jul 1, 2026
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6
Agricultural scientists are rethinking their battle plans against plant parasites that cause billions of dollars in annual yield losses for American farmers.
Ecology
Jun 25, 2026
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8
Imagine a train parked at the station. Passengers climb aboard and find their seats. Conductors move up and down the aisles, checking tickets. But there's a problem—the engineer's watch is broken. As a result, the doors never ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Jun 7, 2026
0
97
During animal cell division, a highly synchronized and tightly regulated dance of chromosomes takes place, ensuring the chromosomes split correctly into the two cells. Spindle fibers—complex machinery responsible for choreographing ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 27, 2026
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6
Parasitic nematodes (commonly known as roundworms) are a large, diverse and poorly studied group of disease-causing organisms that severely impact the health of humans and animals. They infect almost one-quarter of the global ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 19, 2026
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