Science News Roundup: Study reveals secrets of parasitic worms; Bill Gates lauds futuristic toilets

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Gene study reveals secrets of parasitic worms, possible treatments

The largest study to date of the genetic makeup of parasitic worms has found hundreds of new clues about how they invade the human body, evade its immune system and cause disease. The results point to potential de-worming treatments to help fight some of the most neglected tropical diseases - including river blindness, schistosomiasis and hookworm disease - which affect around a billion people worldwide.

Bill Gates, on China trip, lauds free trade - and futuristic toilets

U.S. billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates unveiled on Tuesday in Beijing a futuristic toilet that doesn't need water or sewers and uses chemicals to turn human waste into fertilizer. The Microsoft Corp co-founder, who a day earlier was one of the high profile guests at a major trade event in Shanghai, also lauded the globalized and free trade systems that made the toilet technology possible.

(With inputs from agencies.)