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Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Science
- Mail & Guardian
Newly discovered parasite named after Prof Louis du Preez
Naming species after scientists is a long-standing tradition in biology. Taxonomic immortality can take many forms. For Prof Louis du Preez of North-West University (NWU), it comes with a twist of humour and a splash of irony: a newly discovered parasite, Latergator louisdupreezi, now bears his name. The organism, identified by American researchers, belongs to a group of ocular parasites that inhabit the eyes of freshwater turtles and the hippopotamus. Prof du Preez knows this family well, perhaps too well. 'I did my post-graduate studies on this group of parasites,' he says. 'I've been searching for a parasite on the eye of a crocodilian for 30 years. I always suspected that one day it would be found on the eye of a crocodile.' His quest was nothing if not thorough. 'I've personally examined about 20 crocodiles, whether dissected or butchered on crocodile farms, looking for this parasite,' he recalls. The search extended beyond Africa. 'In the USA, I was part of a team that examined 105 alligators following an annual alligator hunt to control the numbers, to see if we could find this parasite, but we couldn't find any.' The breakthrough came elsewhere. A team in the United States finally found the elusive creature, lodged, as suspected, on the eye of an alligator. In recognition of his decades-long pursuit, they named the species after him. 'We always suspected they would be found on the eye of an alligator. So I feel very honoured by this. But I think the public might sympathise with me for this honour,' he says with his tongue firmly in his cheek. Naming species after scientists is a long-standing tradition in biology, both as a mark of respect and, occasionally, gentle mischief. In Prof du Preez's case, Latergator louisdupreezi is both a tribute to a lifetime spent studying the wriggling, often overlooked creatures that make their living in or on other animals, and a wink at the peculiar intimacy between parasite and parasitologist. For Prof du Preez, the find is a reminder of science's patient grind and the serendipity that occasionally rewards it. For the rest of us, it is an insight into the strange corners of zoology where a decades-long search can end, not in a cure or a grand theory, but in a microscopic squatter with an illustrious new name. * This is not the first time a new species has been named after Prof Du Preez. In 2023, he was honoured by having a newly discovered Malagasy frog species named after him. The honour was bestowed by a group of German scientists from the University of Braunschweig, Landesmuseum in Darmstadt, and the Zoological Museum in München, in recognition of Prof Du Preez's substantial contributions to understanding the flatworm parasites of Malagasy anurans. The new species is now formally named and described as Blommersia dupreezi.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts reveal 60-second writing task that can reveal earliest signs of dementia - how do you perform?
A simple 60-second test can help uncover if you are at risk of memory robbing dementia, research suggests. The test, which only requires a pen, paper and timer, can pick up early signs of cognitive decline considered a precursor to dementia. It involves picking a large category, with common examples being types of fruit, species of animal, or TV shows. A person then tries to write down as many examples they can think of within the allotted time. Experts say that you should be able to name at least 15 items and ideally more than 21. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry, said that: 'If he or she cannot name 15 or more objects, the patient is likely to be cognitively impaired and the likelihood that he or she has Alzheimer's disease may be 20 times higher than if a patient can name 15 animals or more. A 2022 study of 69 adults by American researchers found that scores in the test did get lower as people aged. But crucially worse performance was related to the levels of amyloid-β in the body, which is considered a sign of Alzheimer's. Other similar tests can also be used to identify potential signs of dementia. One of the most famous is the analogue clock drawing test. It involves asking a person to draw a clock face on a blank piece of paper. They must add all the numbers from one to 12 and then set the hands to a specific time, for example 11.10 (ten past 11). The task relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like—a skill known as executive function, which involves how we plan, organise and complete tasks. Executive function is one of the cognitive skills that first begins to falter when dementia develops. Used by the NHS for decades, a skewed circle and incorrectly placed numbers on this clock can indicate early signs of the condition. If the patient manages to draw a clock correctly it 'virtually excludes' dementia because the task requires a wide range of cognitive skills, the NHS says. However, if they struggle they should seek further advice from a GP. Dementia affects an estimated one million people in the UK, with Alzheimer's being the most common cause of the disorder. Recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimated the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt. An ageing population means these costs—which include lost earnings of unpaid carers—are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years. A separate Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer. Previous studies have estimated that around 40 per cent of all dementia cases could be prevented with lifestyle changes. This includes healthier diets, increased exercise, drinking less alcohol, preventing head injury and using hearing aids.
