This week, see zombie fungi trapped in an amber fossil, explore the sun’s hidden south pole, meet tool-using whales that groom each other, and more.

Scientists have discovered two new species of ancient parasitic fungi preserved in amber dating back 99 million years.

A remarkable discovery from mid-Cretaceous amber has pushed back the evolutionary timeline of one of nature’s most bizarre ...

Once the liver fluke infects the ant, several hundred parasites invade the insect’s body. Only one of these parasites will make it to the brain where it then influences the ant’s behavior.

Subversion Among the ArtsThe U.S. South knows few worse pests than the tiny fire ant, an uninvited guest that came up from South America nearly 50 years ago and settled down for a long visit.The ...

A parasitic fungus transforms ants into “zombies.” Scientists say that the ant-attacking fungus is infected with fungal parasites of its own, which could be helping to keep ant zombification ...

Then, like flicking a switch, the parasite can let go of the puppet strings and the ant will be roused, dazed, and left to go about its business until the next takeover when conditions cool once more.

Parasite Controls Ants' Minds to Turn Them into 'Zombies' Published Sep 18, 2023 at 10:16 AM EDT Updated Sep 18, 2023 at 11:46 AM EDT. By .

A parasite that notoriously turns ants into “zombies” by infecting and taking control of their brains is “even more cunning” than previously thought, according to scientists.. The lancet ...

The infected ants live a life of luxury as the rest of the colony suffers. Life of Luxury. A team of German scientists has discovered the possible mechanism of how a parasitic tapeworm can allow a ...