Several species of flatworms have invaded the West Indies, and some are spectacular. We take stock of the situation with a study published at the same time as this article.
When cats were introduced to Australia, they brought several diseases with them. These diseases are taking a big toll on human health and the economy — but there are things we can do.
Parasites do very well for themselves, which is why they are so common in the animal kingdom.
Geoffrey Read
The predatory flatworm Obama nungara travelled in potted plants from Argentina to Europe, where it’s distrupting soil ecosystems. Now, citizen-scientists are helping map their distribution.
Giardia is an example of a parasite you don’t want to catch. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weakness and weight loss.
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The short answer is that leeches need blood to grow and reproduce. But it’s in their interests to do it carefully, without causing too much pain, and in spots that are hard to find.
Floods of traffic can clog up an internet server and the wires connecting it to other systems.
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The very first cyberattack clogged up the nascent internet, halting digital communications. Now much bigger, the internet is still largely open to – and suffering regularly from – similar attacks.
Down House: the home (and garden) of Charles Darwin.
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Was Darwin inspired by the tropical wildlife of his travels to discover natural selection? Actually, pigeons, worms and barnacles were far more prominent in his thinking.
The “hammerhead” of Diversibipalium multilineatum. This species can reach 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length.
Pierre Gros
Several giant terrestrial Plathelminth species have invaded France and its overseas territories, threatening biodiversity. Thanks to participatory science, the invasion is finally recognized.
Caregivers need to be educated on the importance of routine nutrition screening and interventions.
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South Africa must ensure that healthcare workers understand the importance of nutrition and that they transfer the correct messages to caregivers.
Thelazia gulosa is an eyeworm parasite that infects cows. But an Oregon woman’s discovery of the worms in her own eye has raised concerns about parasites that jump from animals to humans.
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A stomach-churning viral video of an Oregon woman who describes removing cattle eyeworms from her eye has renewed interest in parasites that jump from animals to humans. Here’s all you need to know.
A cure for many tropical diseases was discovered 30 years ago this month. The drug is donated by its manufacturer. Why are we still dealing with neglected tropical diseases?
The Bubonic plague slowed urbanisation, industrial development and economic growth in Europe for many years.
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Despite being so small they can’t be seen with the naked eye, pathogens that cause human disease have greatly affected the way humans live for centuries.
Larvae of longhorn beetle feeding on pine stump.
Michał Filipiak