NEWSWEEK - A parasite that could potentially kill your pet dog has been discovered lurking in a section of the Colorado River that runs through Southern California. This parasite is a flatworm named Heterobilharzia americana, also known as a liver fluke, and has previously only been found in Texas and other states on the Gulf...

USA TODAY - A dog-killing parasite that was believed to only exist in Texas and other Gulf Coast states has been discovered as far west as California for the first time, scientists have warned. Experts at the University of California Riverside found the Heterobilharzia americana parasite, a flatworm commonly known as a liver fluke, in...

THE DAILY MAIL - Scientists have discovered dog-killing worms in Southern California for the first time, which have infected at least 11 pets - one of which died. A team at the University of California Riverside (UCR) found Heterobilharzia americana, a flatworm commonly referred to as liver fluke, are being transmitted by snails living along...

KNBC-TV / LOS ANGELES - Researchers in Riverside have pinpointed the cause of a potentially fatal illness in dogs in recent weeks and are warning pet owners to beware of a particular location in Southern California. Adler Dillman, a professor at the University of California Riverside-turned-pet detective, said he researched a mysterious illness that sickened...

KTLA 5 LOS ANGELES - A parasite that can be fatal to dogs has been found in a river that runs through Southern California, according to a new report. The parasite, Heterobilharzia Americana, is a flatworm also known as liver fluke, an article posted by UC Riverside News Thursday states. “Dogs can die from this...

LOS ANGELES TIMES - For five years, an elusive tormentor of animals hid from authorities in east Riverside County as 10 dogs were injured and another killed. The victims hailed from Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties, while the suspect maintained a strong alibi: It had never visited California. It took authorities years to discover...

THE MIRROR - Vapers have been warned of the risks as chemicals in e-cigarettes enhance the chances of catching Covid, a new study found. University of California scientists have shown that two chemicals, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, enhanced Covid infection through different mechanisms. And they found that adding benzoic acid, a chemical compound, to...

POPULAR SCIENCE - We’re used to thunder and lightning here on Earth. But what might they be like on another planet? We know other worlds in the solar system have lightning strikes, for example, high in the clouds of Jupiter or during dust storms on Mars. Now, astronomers are thinking about lightning on planets beyond...

SCIENCE ALERT - Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off, we've been far more aware of our sense of smell. Now, new research shows that odors – like those emanating from ripening fruits or fermented foods – can lead to changes in how genes are expressed inside cells far beyond the nose. "That exposure to...

ABC 10 - Chemical pesticides have come under a lot of scrutiny lately for their potential effects on human health and the environment. In fact, several cities across the country have started taking action to ban the use of some types. Now, researchers in California have made an exciting discovery that's an alternative to chemical...

INTERESTING ENGINEERING - In a recent study, scientists revealed a fluid-filled sac surrounding our lungs that harbors "potent virus-eating cells." Interestingly, these quickly cross into the lungs during flu infections. These virus-eating cells are called macrophages — immune cells that the body naturally produces. "The name macrophage means 'big eater.' They gobble up bacteria, viruses...

TECH TIMES - A recent scientific inquiry has illuminated a novel function of the fluid-filled sac enveloping our lungs, unveiling its involvement in combating influenza infections. Researchers have identified specialized immune cells known as macrophages within this lung cavity, recognized for their role as virus-eating cells. These macrophages swiftly migrate into the lungs during influenza...

SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE - One of the main arguments for studying other planets is for what they can tell us about Earth. Did or do they harbor life? What clues can they offer about our planet’s past? If scientists want to investigate an Earth-like planet, one convenient opportunity is Venus. The similar size and planetary composition...

THE NEW YORK TIMES - Over the summer, Lohit Y.T., a river and wetlands specialist at World Wildlife Fund-India, set off with his friends in the drizzly foothills of the Western Ghats in India. They had one goal: to see amphibians and reptiles. But their herpetology hunt turned into a fungus find. Dozens of Rao’s...

NEWSWEEK - A new species of tiny parasitic worm has been discovered, and it could be used to kill insect pests in place of chemical pesticides. The new species, named Steinernema adamsi, is a type of worm known as a nematode, other species of which have been used for years to control and kill insects...

LAIST.COM - Good news for mosquito haters across Southern California: It's still too early in the year for most mosquito species to thrive, despite all the recent record-setting rain that the pesky insects thrive on. However, UC Riverside biologist Anandasankar Ray said he couldn't rule out the possibility that some mosquitoes will use the wet...

INTERESTING ENGINEERING - In a scientific breakthrough, researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have unveiled a newfound nematode species with extraordinary potential in pest management. This diminutive yet formidable worm, identified as a member of the Steinernema genus, can infiltrate and eradicate insect pests, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides in agricultural...