Norfolk Island green parrots are self-medicating with pepper tree bark and leaves, to rid themselves of parasites. But is there more to it? Birds are known to indulge in alcohol and take stimulants.
A superb fairy wren foster parent about to feed a Horsfield’s bronze cuckoo chick.
Mark Lethlean
New research on cuckoos suggests the battle between exploiters and victims may be a key reason for life’s enormous diversity.
South West Water handing out emergency rations of bottled water to anyone affected by the cryptosporidium outbreak in Torbay.
nidpor / Alamy Stock Photo
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.
Drooping mistletoe (Amyema pendula) in flower.
John Tann/Flickr
Australia has nearly 100 mistletoe species and they’re the source of plenty of magic and mystery. We even have a couple with their own home-grown associations with Christmas.
We’ve all heard of antibiotic resistance. The same thing is happening with other causes of infections in humans: fungi, viruses and parasites. This is making thrush and other infections hard to treat.
Only two species of the Cryptosporidium parasite cause infections in humans.
Kateryna Kon/ Shutterstock
People have been trying to make malaria vaccines for over 100 years. With the help of the revolutionary new R21/Matrix vaccine the disease could be eradicated by 2040.
AAP Image/Supplied by Emerging Infectious Diseases
Headlines about brain worms can be alarming. There are much more common parasites which can infect your body and brain and ways you can minimise your risks of being infected with one.
Theresa E. Gildner, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis
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.
Nematode larvae belonging to the genus Anisakis can cause the disease anisakiasis, a threat to human health.
Shutterstock / WH_Pics
Raw seafood dishes such as sushi, poke bowls and ceviche are increasingly popular, but can harbour fish-borne parasites. What’s the best way to protect ourselves?
Guinea worms are long, white parasites that emerge from the legs of infected people through painful blisters.
CDC/Wikimedia Commons