Latest news with #KayvanEtebari
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Incredible truth behind 'unsettling' find in woman's bathroom
An Aussie woman's strange find in her bathroom has led to a fascinating – and rather creepy – discovery that sounds like something straight out of a horror movie. In central Victoria last week, the woman found a long, brown 'string' next to her bath that appeared to be moving. Curling up on itself, no apparent head or tail can be seen. Next to the worm was a dead huntsman spider, and while it may not have seemed like an important detail at the time, advice from a local field naturalists Facebook page soon revealed the astounding relationship between the two creatures. The worm is likely a parasitic worm – a mermithid nematode or horsehair worm – using the spider as a host, University of Queensland entomologist Dr Kayvan Etebari told Yahoo News. As part of its gruesome lifecycle, the worms take over the host's body, literally eating it alive from the inside out. "Inside the host, both mermithids and horsehair worms develop over time by absorbing nutrients from the internal fluids of the insect or spider. They do this in a way that allows the host to remain alive and active for most of the parasite's development," Dr Etebari said. "This survival of the host is crucial to the worm's life cycle. The host continues its normal activities until the worm is ready to emerge, at which point it often kills or severely weakens the host in the process of exiting, usually near a moist environment." The parasites typically infect crickets, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers and spiders and are – thankfully – not harmful to humans or pets. Birds and reptiles are also safe. A similar case from the 90s, which was featured at the Australian Museum, involved another dead huntsman next to a coffee cup with a long writhing worm inside the leftover coffee. You may have heard of cordyceps, a fungus that infects a host and alters its behaviour with often lethal consequences (it was the concept behind the popular zombie series The Last of Us). Dr Etebari noted some similarities between the two. "Both types of parasites also exhibit a fascinating ability to manipulate the host's behaviour — most notably driving them to seek out water, which is essential for the worm's emergence and continued survival," he said. "While the mechanism is not as well understood as in fungi like cordyceps, the manipulation is still notable. This behavioural change benefits the worm by ensuring it exits the host in a suitable habitat. Although Mermithids and horsehair worms are different taxonomically, their manipulation strategies are quite similar in outcome." Mermithids and horsehair worms are most likely to be seen after rainfall or in damp areas where their insect hosts thrive. If you happen to find one in your home, Dr Etebari insists there's no need to panic. "The worm can be gently removed using a tissue or gloves and placed outside in a shady, damp area. They are harmless to humans and pets, cannot reproduce indoors, and won't infest your home. Seeing one may be a little unsettling, but it's a rare glimpse into a remarkable ecological interaction between parasites and their arthropod hosts," he said. Interestingly, scientists are now using microscopic nematodes as an environmentally friendly pest management tool. The worms seek out and infect pests in the soil, before releasing bacteria that kills the insect and allows the nematodes to reproduce. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cost of supermarket staple could rise if highly-contagious virus spreads
A devastating virus affecting tomato farms in South Australia and Victoria is threatening to raise the price of the popular fruit if it's not controlled, experts have warned. The tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is harmless to humans but it can can affect 100 per cent of plants and cause crop losses of up to 70 per cent. The highly contagious virus affects tomato, capsicum and chilli and poses a 'significant biosecurity risk' to Australia's vegetable industry, Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador Dr Kayvan Etebari told Yahoo News. After being detected in South Australia five months ago, it spread to a tomato glasshouse in northern Victoria via a shipment of tomato seedlings earlier this month. One hundred workers were laid off this week, and quarantine measures have been put in place at the farm. Etebari said biosecurity threats can have a huge socioeconomic impact. 'Pest and disease outbreaks can lead to job losses and reduced workforce demand, posing a significant risk to household economies,' he said. And in a further hit to households, the virus could also increase the cost of tomatoes if it continues to spread. 'Since the virus spreads systemically, all parts of an infected plant can serve as a source of inoculum, posing a significant risk to healthy crops. This loss of plants can lead to a shortage of fresh produce in the market. As a fundamental economic principle, reduced supply often results in higher prices, impacting both consumers and the agricultural industry.' ToBRFV first emerged in Israel in 2014 before spreading to Europe four years later. Since then, Turkey, the US and China have all had outbreaks. It was first detected in South Australia in August 2024, and is believed to have been present in two seed lines imported from Turkey earlier in the year. 'This highlights the critical importance of biosecurity awareness when traveling internationally,' Etebari said. 'When returning from overseas, it is essential to carefully read and accurately answer the questions on the Incoming Passenger Card. Carrying plant material, seeds, or soil—even unintentionally—can introduce devastating plant viruses and pose a serious risk to Australia's agricultural industry and environment.' In September last year, an estimated 500 workers lost their jobs when three tomato farms in South Australia were shut down because of the virus. Growers were forced to destroy thousands of plants and reportedly suffered more than $20m in losses. The farm in Victoria has been placed under biosecurity control until further investigations are completed. Thankfully, the affected seedlings were kept in glasshouses away from other plants on the property. South Australia's Department of Primary Industries said they are "confident" the virus is not spreading, despite the recent transmission to Victoria. 🐊 Aussies warned of danger lurking in floodwaters: 'Always an issue' ♻️ Photo capturing brazen recycling act sparks debate: 'Could be charged' 🚘 Obscure '3D' road markings appear on roads Etebari encourages all Australians to help protect the country from exotic pests and diseases by regularly checking their gardens for both, and reporting anything suspicious to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. 'Even if the suspected pest or disease turns out not to be exotic or a major concern, this simple practice helps safeguard our environment and agricultural industry,' he said. 'Early detection and reporting are crucial in preventing outbreaks and protecting Australia's biodiversity and food security.' Fruits affected by ToBRFV will show yellow spotting or marbling, uneven ripening, deformation and wrinkled patches. Symptoms in leaves include yellowing, mottling or a mosaic pattern on the leaves, crumpling and deformation, and a blister-like appearance on the top surface of the leaves. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
