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243 results for "parasitic wasps"
Scientists discovered a parasitic wasp preserved in amber that caught prey with a movable trap like a Venus flytrap, something never seen before in insects. The 99-million-year-old creature used this bizarre mechanism to capture hosts for its eggs.
Scientists celebrated Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday by naming a tiny Chilean wasp after him. The discovery highlights how millions of species are still waiting to be found, even in museum collections.
Researchers in Brazil discovered how the Chagas disease parasite transforms to infect humans, opening new pathways to combat a disease affecting seven million people worldwide. The breakthrough reveals that chemical changes in specific molecules help the parasite switch from harmless to infectious.
One in three people carry a brain parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, yet most never get sick. Scientists just discovered why: your immune cells have a built-in self-destruct switch that takes the invader down with them.
Researchers discovered how a deadly parasite evades the immune system using a "molecular shredder," solving a puzzle that stumped scientists for four decades. The breakthrough opens new pathways for treating sleeping sickness, which affects communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
A researcher sorting through old spider specimens in Brazil spotted what looked like a pearl necklace on a tiny spider. It turned out to be a brand new parasite species that had been sitting unnoticed in the collection for years.
Researchers discovered that malaria parasites contain tiny spinning crystals powered by the same chemical reaction used in rocket engines. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments and inspire advances in microscopic robotics.
When a flesh-eating parasite returned to US farms after 60 years, animal health companies quickly repurposed existing medications to protect livestock. While officials work on a permanent solution, these emergency treatments are giving farmers hope and buying precious time.
Amateur bug enthusiasts posting shimmering wasp photos on Twitter helped scientists discover a species never before recorded in Japan. The social media posts also allowed researchers to describe the male of this rare parasitoid wasp species for the first time.
When queen wasps vanish, their colonies explode into violent power struggles that should spell disaster. But scientists discovered some wasps quietly become heroes, feeding the young and keeping society alive while others battle for the throne.
Scientists discovered wasps and frogs independently evolved the same pain-causing molecule to defend against predators, challenging what we thought we knew about evolution. The finding shows nature follows more predictable patterns than previously believed.
Scientists discovered that malaria parasites contain spinning crystals powered by the same chemical reaction used in spacecraft engines. This breakthrough could lead to new life-saving drugs and inspire innovations in microscopic robotics.
A company known for bringing back extinct animals is now using its genetic tools to eliminate a dangerous flesh-eating parasite while banking the DNA of every endangered species in America. The dual mission could protect both livestock and wildlife for generations.
Scientists in northern Spain discovered a complete wasp frozen in amber for 105 million years, revealing a brand new species that's rewriting the insect family tree. The tiny time capsule from the age of dinosaurs shows how nature can preserve life in stunning detail.
Scientists in Ecuador discovered a spider that perfectly mimics a parasitic fungus, fooling even researchers at first glance. This first-of-its-kind discovery shows nature's creativity and highlights how citizen scientists are helping unlock rainforest secrets.
Researchers cracked the code on how bean plants detect caterpillars and chemically summon predatory wasps to their rescue. This breakthrough could help farmers protect crops naturally without pesticides.
A newly approved topical solution gives U.S. cattle producers their first effective tool to prevent and treat New World screwworm infestations that threaten the agricultural industry. The pour-on treatment also controls cattle fever tick, offering ranchers multiple protections in one application.
After 60 years, a dangerous livestock parasite returned to Texas, but scientists are fighting back with a brilliant solution that's already worked before. They're releasing hundreds of millions of sterile flies to stop the outbreak without chemicals or harm to the environment.
Losing the ability to make our own vitamin C wasn't a random evolutionary accident. New research shows it became a secret weapon against deadly parasites.
Scientists have cracked a major puzzle in malaria prevention using mRNA vaccine technology to overcome a natural barrier that weakened previous vaccines. The breakthrough could transform protection against a disease that still causes hundreds of millions of infections each year.
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