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four wolves cluster together in the snow next to a tree. one wolf at the front looks out into the distance.
Toxoplasma-Infected Wolves More Likely to Lead Packs, Study Finds
The parasite appears to make infected wolves less risk-averse, potentially influencing the behavior of packs.
Toxoplasma-Infected Wolves More Likely to Lead Packs, Study Finds
Toxoplasma-Infected Wolves More Likely to Lead Packs, Study Finds

The parasite appears to make infected wolves less risk-averse, potentially influencing the behavior of packs.

The parasite appears to make infected wolves less risk-averse, potentially influencing the behavior of packs.

pathogen, immunology

Illustration of a red bacteriophage infecting a blue bacterium, with other bacteria in the background.
Prokaryotes Are Capable of Learning to Recognize Phages
Patience Asanga | Aug 17, 2022 | 3 min read
Immune defense genes in bacteria and archaea can identify viral proteins, a study finds, revealing similarities between the immune systems of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Lasts at Least Six Months, Data Show
Ashley Yeager | Nov 23, 2020 | 4 min read
Half a year after infection, people who had recovered from COVID-19 had robust antibodies, along with traces of the virus in their gut, which may drive long-lasting immunity.
For the Greater Good: A Profile of Eva Harris
Diana Kwon | Jul 13, 2020 | 10 min read
Through groundbreaking studies on dengue and efforts to build scientific infrastructure in Latin America, the University of California, Berkeley, professor has bridged research with its benefits to society.
Host Cells Release Exosomes to Sop Up Bacterial Toxins
Rachael Moeller Gorman | Jun 1, 2020 | 3 min read
During bacterial infection, autophagy proteins appear to regulate the release of cell-saving exosomes, which bear the brunt of toxin damage.
Infographic: How Cells Use Decoys to Defend Against Pathogens
Rachael Moeller Gorman | Jun 1, 2020 | 1 min read
Specialized exosomes sop up bacterial toxins, a study finds.
neutrophil extracellular traps NETs coronavirus covid-19 pandemic sars-cov-2 innate immune response immunity pathogen elastase chromatin DNA
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps May Augur Severe COVID-19
Alakananda Dasgupta | May 28, 2020 | 6 min read
These webs of chromatin and proteins, released by immune cells to control microbial infections, could serve as a therapeutic target in coronavirus infections.
Infographic: How NETs Work
Borko Amulic and Gabriel Sollberger | Oct 1, 2019 | 3 min read
While neutrophil extracellular traps help guard the body from infection, they also can contribute to a range of diseases.
Why Immune Cells Extrude Webs of DNA and Protein
Borko Amulic and Gabriel Sollberger | Oct 1, 2019 | 10 min read
Extracellular webs expelled by neutrophils trap invading pathogens, but these newly discovered structures also have ties to autoimmunity and cancer.
taming the beast the scientist
Could Tolerating Disease Be Better than Fighting It?
Ashley Yeager | Jun 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
Quieting immune attacks against pathogens and even providing nutrients to the invaders could improve health, according to a new line of research.
disease tolerance infographic banner
Infographic: Immunity Isn’t the Body’s Only Defense System
Ashley Yeager | Jun 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Symbiotic bacteria, metabolism, and stress pathways can all help animals tolerate, rather than succumb, to disease.
feature infographic
Infographic: Plants Deploy Exosomes to Stop Alien Invaders
Amanda Keener | Feb 1, 2019 | 2 min read
A growing branch of research on how plants use exosomes to interact with their environment is opening up a new field of plant biology.
Exosomes Make Their Debut in Plant Research
Amanda Keener | Feb 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
A growing branch of research on how plants use exosomes to interact with their environment is opening up a new field of plant biology.
Mitochondria Play an Unexpected Role in Killing Bacteria
Katarina Zimmer | Jan 1, 2019 | 3 min read
The energy-producing organelles also send out parcels with antimicrobial compounds to help destroy pathogen invaders in macrophages.
Premature Assault?
Jef Akst | Feb 9, 2016 | 1 min read
Plants may trick bacteria into attacking before the microbial population reaches a critical size, allowing the plants to successfully defend the weak invasion.
When the Flu Vax Fails
Jef Akst | Dec 16, 2015 | 2 min read
The status of a person’s immune system can predict when a seasonal flu vaccination will not provide sufficient protection, according to a study. 
Memory Tools for Plants
Amy Coombs | Jun 4, 2012 | 2 min read
How plants pass defenses to offspring through a complex molecular network
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