Navigation Links
New CU-Boulder study shows diversity decreases chances of parasitic disease
Date:10/21/2008

A new University of Colorado at Boulder study showing that American toads who pal around with gray tree frogs reduce their chances of parasitic infections known to cause limb malformations has strong implications for the benefits of biodiversity on emerging wildlife diseases.

The experiments showed that when the toad tadpoles were raised in tanks with the parasitic trematodes -- tiny worms whose larvae burrow into tadpole limb regions and disrupt normal leg development -- 40 percent of the emerging frogs became deformed, said CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Pieter Johnson. But when the toad tadpoles were joined in the tanks with gray tree frog tadpoles, parasitic infections in the toads dropped by almost half, said Johnson, lead author of the study.

The study showed tree frog tadpoles acted as "sponges" for the trematode parasites, which were subsequently killed by the immune systems of frog tadpoles, said Johnson. As a result, fewer parasites were available to infect and cause malformations in the toads. Both the gray tree frog and American toad are broadly distributed in the Midwest and eastern United States and often occur in the same wetlands, he said.

"This is one of the first experimental studies to definitively show that an increase in diversity of host species actually can reduce parasite transmission and disease," said Johnson of CU-Boulder's ecology and evolutionary biology department. Published in the October issue of Ecology Letters, the study has implications for the declining global diversity of wildlife species that are susceptible to parasitic infections, said Johnson.

Other research has shown that a decrease in diversity in mammal host species for ticks carrying Lyme disease increases the risk of Lyme disease in humans, Johnson said. Similar relationships between wildlife diversity and disease prevalence have been suggested by other researchers to influence other vector-borne diseases, including West
'/>"/>

Contact: Pieter Johnson
pieter.johnson@colorado.edu
303-492-5623
University of Colorado at Boulder
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. CU-Boulder team discovers first ancient manioc fields in Americas
2. Nutrient pollution drives frog deformities by ramping up infections, says CU-Boulder study
3. CU-Boulder worm study sheds light on human aging, inherited diseases
4. CU-Boulder technology used to identify unexpected bacteria in cystic fibrosis patients
5. Conservation strategies must shift with global environmental change, says CU-Boulder study
6. Dust in West up 500 percent in past 2 centuries, says CU-Boulder study
7. Regional nuclear conflict would create near-global ozone hole, says CU-Boulder study
8. Low-gravity training machine reduces joint, muscle impacts, says CU-Boulder study
9. CU-Boulder, biotech firm team up on python project in search for human cardiac therapeutics
10. Biological invasions increasing due to freshwater impoundments, says CU-Boulder study
11. As Andean glacier retreats, tiny life forms swiftly move in, CU-Boulder study shows
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
New CU-Boulder study shows diversity decreases chances of parasitic disease
(Date:6/18/2013)... of breast and ovarian cancers are familial in origin, ... to inherited mutations from the parents in genes such ... PARP inhibitors, which are currently in clinical trials, have ... for personalised cancer treatment, an alternative to standard chemotherapy. ... these patients generate resistance to the drug and, therefore, ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... of internationally recognized feline experts including veterinarians and feline ... of Lincoln, U.K. and Dr Ilona Rodan, Director of ... International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) and the American ... veterinarians, owners and those working with cats on how ... The new guidelines appear in the Journal of ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... high levels of air pollution while pregnant were up to ... women who lived in areas with low pollution, according to ... It is the first large national study to examine links ... findings raise concerns since, depending on the pollutant, 20% to ... where risk of autism was elevated," said lead author Andrea ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):An article in 'Cell' reveals a new resistance mechanism to chemotherapy in breast and ovarian cancer 2Feline behavior experts release guidelines to improve the welfare of cats 2Exposure to high pollution levels during pregnancy may increase risk of having child with autism 2
... team of Chinese and Swedish researchers rediscovered the breeding area ... the Qinling mountains, Shaanxi province, north central China. Seven ... Changqing National Nature Reserves which almost equals the total ... in the late 19th century. Nearly all of the birds ...
...  Today IBM (NYSE: IBM ) formally unveiled the sixth annual ... innovations that have the potential to change the way people work, ... http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111219/NY24596 ) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO ) ... , You will never need a ...
... Philadelphia, PA -- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ... for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand coverage ... hypertension, obesity, and cancer, as part of the CMS ... conditions can be controlled or treated with medical nutrition ...
Cached Biology News:Sensational bird finding in China 2Sensational bird finding in China 3IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years 2IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years 3IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years 4IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years 5IBM Reveals Five Innovations That Will Change Our Lives Within Five Years 6The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advocates for expanded nutritional coverage under Medicare 2The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advocates for expanded nutritional coverage under Medicare 3
(Date:6/19/2013)... A new look at “big glass” and visionary ... highlight technical sessions at SPIE Photomask Technology 2013 ... year, the three-day event is the industry’s largest mask ... 100 technical presentations and numerous networking lunches and receptions. ... and photonics , the meeting will be held at ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... Tabletop SEMs are inexpensive and easy to ... performance and capability such as small sample sizes, lower ... provide better imaging performance and more analytical capability but ... higher cost of maintenance. The Pemtron PS-230 and ... types of SEM product, offering competitive prices compared with ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 In support ... sustainability, the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York ... Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar , to Manhattan. ... its DeepWater Expedition 2013 tour with scientists on board ... Capitain Gérard d’Aboville, runs exclusively on energy from the ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 ... fiber-optic Ball Lenses engineered of synthetic Sapphire and Glass ... stock sizes from Swiss Jewel Company , of ... performance by expanding and collimating the light beams without ... extreme optical clarity and natural durability (9 mohs) make ...
Breaking Biology Technology:‘Big Glass’ and Visions for the Future are on the Program for SPIE Photomask Technology 2‘Big Glass’ and Visions for the Future are on the Program for SPIE Photomask Technology 3Nanounity Introduces the Pemtron Range of Compact Scanning Electron Microscopes 2Nanounity Introduces the Pemtron Range of Compact Scanning Electron Microscopes 3Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the World’s Largest Solar Boat, Arrives in New York City 2Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the World’s Largest Solar Boat, Arrives in New York City 3Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the World’s Largest Solar Boat, Arrives in New York City 4Swiss Jewel Introduces the Crown Jewels of Fiber-Optic Connectors 2
... Incorporated (Nasdaq: SPEX ), an innovator in ... and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and ... the 2009 BIO International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on ... Control Drug" booth will showcase their ongoing global phase ...
... Biomarkers and Non-Invasive Imaging to Demonstrate Mechanism of Action ... May 14 VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ... of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic ... a Phase 2 clinical trial of its lead drug, ...
... manufacturing facility opens with substantially increased capacity, ... Biosystems Inc. (TSX:MBX) announced today robust double digit growth ... for the second quarter ended March 31, 2009. , ... of Microbix said "Our 43% growth in the first ...
Cached Biology Technology:Spherix to Exhibit at the BIO 2009 International Convention 2VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Complete Enrollment in FDG-PET Phase 2 Study of VIA-2291 in Cardiovascular Patients 2VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Complete Enrollment in FDG-PET Phase 2 Study of VIA-2291 in Cardiovascular Patients 3VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Complete Enrollment in FDG-PET Phase 2 Study of VIA-2291 in Cardiovascular Patients 4VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces Complete Enrollment in FDG-PET Phase 2 Study of VIA-2291 in Cardiovascular Patients 5Microbix Sales Grow Over 30% In The Second Quarter; Up 43% In The First Half '09 2Microbix Sales Grow Over 30% In The Second Quarter; Up 43% In The First Half '09 3Microbix Sales Grow Over 30% In The Second Quarter; Up 43% In The First Half '09 4
... offers the same benefits as the VSO valve ... is critical or flow is required below 600 ... of gas in proportion to the input current., ... width modulation; closed loop feedback delivers optimal system ...
... from non-demolished blood that is ... The donors are not medicated ... maintained on an antibiotic free ... : 85 mg/ml (by Refractometry).Strain: ...
... Captiva 96-well Filter Plates are offered in ... 0.45 um depth filter plates are ideal ... analysis. Filtration is simple, versatile, and necessary ... The Captiva 10 um glass fiber and ...
... cDNA Labeling System - dUTP with ... For the generation and purification of ... packaged together for complete cDNA labeling ... be used for performing labeling reactions ...
Biology Products: