![UC Professor Joshua Benoit holds up a container of beetle-mimic cockroaches in his biology lab.](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/11/n21208492/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1699367807364.jpg)
Deseret News: What traits do pregnant women and roaches have in common?
UC study uses insects to examine how pregnancy affects body's immune system
The Deseret News highlighted a study by biologists at the University of Cincinnati that looked at how the immune system of a live-bearing insect changes to prepare for giving birth.
UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Joshua Benoit led the study that sequenced the genome of the Pacific beetle-mimic cockroach. Unlike many cockroaches, this insect does not lay eggs but gives birth to more developed babies as a survival strategy.
“The class of predators really narrows when you give birth to live young,” Benoit said.
But live births require a far bigger parental commitment.
“It’s a pretty big investment. They can produce 10 juveniles per reproductive cycle compared to 70 to 150 eggs for other roaches,” Benoit said. “So their strategy is to produce fewer higher-quality individuals compared to more individuals with less investment.”
UC's study found that pregnant roaches undergo profound physical and physiological changes to accommodate their brood.
The findings could help shed light on fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders in people, Benoit said.
The study was published in the journal iScience.
Featured image at top: UC Professor Joshua Benoit holds a container of beetle-mimic cockroaches in his biology lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Related Stories
Designing the next generation of drug delivery
July 18, 2024
UC Assistant Professor Briana Simms talks to PhRMA about using nanoparticles to deliver medicine.
Mural by UC grad honors U.S. military history
July 17, 2024
![Local 12 logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wkrc-logo-dark.png)
Local 12 highlighted a new mural by University of Cincinnati graduate and artist Brandon Hawkins that pays tribute to U.S. military history.
Social media fuels extreme political rhetoric
July 17, 2024
![Local 12 logo.](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wkrc-logo-dark.png)
UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Jeffrey Blevins tells Local 12 that online algorithms fuel political polarization on social media.
NIS program opens new horizons for international student
July 17, 2024
In his pursuit of physics and a taste for research, Akash Khanikor ventured from his hometown in India's Assam to the University of Cincinnati, drawn by the promise of hands-on exploration early in his undergraduate career as a NEXT Innovation Scholar.
UC archivist explores Troy’s invisible workers
July 17, 2024
UC Classics archivist Jeff Kramer examined the unheralded and largely uncredited role laborers played in the 1930s excavation at Troy in Turkey.
From intern to full-time: Recent Lighting Design grad joins Bandit Lites
July 16, 2024
![Lighting & Sound America](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/LSA-bw-logo.png)
Lighting & Sound America spotlights recent graduate Riley Rowan's new position at Bandit Lites, a full-service design, management and producer of live events and entertainment.
CCM alum Donald Lawrence to be inducted into Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
July 16, 2024
![The Cincinnati Herald](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/cincinnati-herald.png)
UC College-Conservatory of Music alumnus Donald Lawrence is part of the 2024 class of Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame inductees. Located at the Banks in downtown Cincinnati, the induction ceremony on July 27 will feature a parade of stars and a free concert by the Zapp Band.
U.S. stroke survival is improving, but race still plays role
July 16, 2024
![U.S. News & World Report logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/us-news.png)
U.S. News & World Report, HealthDay and Real Health covered new research from the University of Cincinnati that found overall rates of long-term survival following stroke are improving, but Black individuals experience worse long-term outcomes compared to white individuals.
Presidential challenge to UC: Join Ride Cincinnati to fight cancer
July 16, 2024
UC President Neville Pinto has again challenged every UC college and unit to send at least one rider to the September 14 Ride Cincinnati event to help fundraise for cancer research and cancer care. UC students ride free. Signup by July 31 for free UC-branded cycling jersey.
Pediatric ICU rates linked to housing quality, income, education
July 16, 2024
![Healio logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/healio.png)
Healio highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital's Carlie Myers that found a link between pediatric ICU admission rates and housing quality, household income and education.