Ronja A. Frigard

Extended pregnancy during matrotrophy in cockroaches increases progeny survival during dry periods

This study shows that prolonged viviparity in cockroaches improves progeny survival during dry periods by enhancing maternal dehydration resistance and post-birth survival.

Discovery of an Adaptive Neuroimmune Response Driving Itch and Fast Tick Removal with Implications for Preventing Pathogen Transmission

The paper identifies a neuroimmune response that enables rapid tick removal in guinea pigs and humans, independent of antibodies, offering a new strategy for preventing tick-borne diseases.

Daily activity rhythms, sleep, and pregnancy are fundamentally related in the Pacific beetle mimic cockroach, Diploptera punctata

This study investigates the relationship between sleep and pregnancy in the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata, finding that sleep disruption during pregnancy affects embryo development and alters daily activity rhythms.

Multiple bouts of blood feeding in mosquitoes allow prolonged survival and are predicted to increase viral transmission during drought

This study shows that repeated blood feeding during drought increases mosquito survival and viral transmission potential by enhancing activity and CO2 sensing.

Developmental stage and level of submersion in water impact the viability of lone star and winter tick eggs during flooding

This study examines how developmental stage and submersion level affect the viability of tick eggs from two species during flooding.

Impaired humidity sensing reduces tick survival by preventing water homeostasis

This study shows that impaired humidity sensing in ticks reduces survival by disrupting water homeostasis, particularly under variable environmental conditions.

Live-bearing cockroach genome reveals convergent evolutionary mechanisms linked to viviparity in insects and beyond

The paper identifies common genomic pathways involved in viviparity across insects, suggesting convergent evolution mechanisms shared with vertebrates.