Articles tagged with Malaria
Rice bioengineer Omid Veiseh has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to develop implantable cell factory platforms that can deliver therapeutic antibodies over extended periods. The platform aims to reduce dosing frequency and improve access to biologic therapies in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers have identified a unique protein named Aurora-related kinase 1 (ARK1) essential for the malaria parasite's survival and transmission. Turning off ARK1 in the lab causes replication to fail, preventing disease progression and transmission.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation antimalarial drugs, with a focus on global access and affordability. Calibr-Skaggs and Kainomyx will jointly advance promising hits through the drug discovery pipeline, with a shared commitment to open publication.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Sudanese Copts have acquired a genetic variant that protects them from contracting malaria after mixing with other Sudanese populations. The acquisition of this variant took place over 1,500 years and has led to an evolutionary adaptation to the disease.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown stage, nicknamed the 'Crown' stage, crucial for malaria parasite reproduction. This stage helps ensure proper internal structure passage to daughter cells.
Researchers develop a synthetic compound that acts on all three stages of the disease cycle, eliminating parasites from human blood and liver, and preventing transmission to mosquitoes. The molecule has shown effectiveness against P. vivax and P. falciparum species.
A new rapid test using a mobile phone has been developed to identify the most severe cases of imported malaria within minutes. The test uses video analysis and two biomarkers to predict which patients are at risk of developing severe disease.
Researchers found that methylene blue can reverse brain damage caused by cerebral malaria and identified a nine-gene blood signature to diagnose the disease. The study's findings offer new clues on immune processes involved in brain injury and suggest potential for early intervention and clearer treatment decisions.
Public Health Alerts provide concise, data-driven information on disease outbreaks and urgent health events. The new series, launched by NEJM Evidence and CIDRAP, offers expert-reviewed reports to support public health evidence-based care.
Researchers have developed a new antimalarial drug candidate, MK-7602, which targets the malaria parasite at multiple stages of its life cycle. The compound has shown potent activity against both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, two common malaria parasites affecting humans.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen predicts that climate change could create more favorable conditions for malaria mosquitoes, exposing millions to increased risk of infection. The researchers warn that if left unchecked, this could put between 200 million and up to 1 billion people at additional risk.
Malaria messaging has been shown to increase the use of insecticide-treated nets, particularly among women in Uganda. The study used propensity score matching to isolate the effect of messaging, finding a 5.1% increase in net use among exposed women and a 4.3% increase among caregivers of children.
Researchers from Heidelberg University discovered that malaria parasites use right-handed helices to navigate through tissues, a key finding with implications for improving drug and vaccine testing. The parasite's asymmetrical body plan enables it to control its motion and transition between compartments more efficiently.
A clinical trial in Africa has discovered a single-dose treatment combining sulfadoxine, pyrimethamine, artesunate, and pyronaridine (SPAP) that is as effective as traditional multi-day treatments in curing uncomplicated malaria. The study addresses the growing threat of drug-resistant malaria parasites and improves treatment adherence.
Researchers have created a model that can handle complex mosquito behavior and its impact on human diseases. The study reveals surprising findings, such as it may be better to let a mosquito bite you in terms of overall transmission.
Researchers find that malaria parasites use a chemical reaction powered by hydrogen peroxide decomposition to make their iron crystals spin. This motion may be crucial for the parasite's survival, helping it to eliminate excess toxic chemicals and efficiently store essential heme.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have used artificial intelligence and citizen science to identify what may be the first specimen of Anopheles stephensi — an invasive and deadly malaria-carrying mosquito — ever detected in Madagascar. The study demonstrates how AI-powered image recognition and public participation can t...
Research in the Amazon reveals that regions with intermediate forest degradation are more prone to malaria transmission due to increased contact between mosquitoes and humans. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions integrating vector control with forest conservation.
Researchers engineered a new strain of Metarhizium fungus that mimics flower scents to attract and kill mosquitoes. The floral-scented fungus is harmless to humans and breaks down naturally, making it a promising alternative to chemical pesticides.
A 30-year study in southern Sweden finds that rising spring temperatures have doubled the incidence of avian malaria, with a specific period from May 9 to June 24 being particularly critical. The researchers believe that warmer years trigger blood-sucking insects to seek out nests, allowing parasites to thrive and spread disease.
Researchers at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research have identified a new drug candidate, Substance 31, that prevents the production of new proteins in malaria parasites. This approach has the potential to break through existing resistances and develop new therapeutic strategies against malaria infections.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered new vulnerabilities in the malaria parasite's PfATP4 sodium pump, which could lead to more effective treatments. The study also identified a previously unknown binding partner essential for parasite survival.
A new monoclonal antibody has shown dose-dependent full protection against the malaria parasite with minimal side effects. Researchers found that a single injection of the antibody could provide months-long protection, offering a fundamentally different way to prevent infection before it starts.
A £2 million Wellcome Discovery Award will fund a five-year project to study the molecular interaction between Plasmodium falciparum and the placenta. The research aims to catalogue disrupted molecular and cellular pathways that could be targeted for intervention, contributing to the development of diagnostics and vaccines.
Researchers have unraveled the structure of two key malaria parasite proteins, offering opportunities for new vaccines that block mosquito transmission. The discovery is a significant step towards eradicating the deadly disease.
Researchers sequenced hundreds of Anopheles funestus mosquitoes to explore genetic variation and adaptation to control methods. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary patterns of this important human malaria-transmitting species.
Stefan Kappe, a leading expert in genetic engineering of parasites, has been appointed as the new Director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at UM School of Medicine. He will focus on developing genetically engineered live-attenuated pathogens to combat malaria infection.
A new class of insecticide, called spatial emanators, provides protection for up to a year against mosquitoes that spread malaria, as well as dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika. The breakthrough offers lasting protection in areas where malaria is prevalent and can be used day and night without heating or electricity.
Researchers developed a new method to identify functional plasma antibodies against malaria using mass spectrometry sequencing, providing valuable insight into protective antibody responses. The study identified a broadly neutralizing antibody with broad inhibitory activity against diverse PfEMP1 variants.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine generates nearly identical antibodies to those following a natural infection, providing strong protection against the earliest life stage of malaria parasites. This long-lasting immunity is effective without requiring further adaptation.
Researchers have found a way to rearrange atoms in a new generation of malaria drugs to make them more soluble, maintaining their effectiveness against drug-resistant parasites. This breakthrough could lead to an effective successor to artemisinin-based combination therapy.
A new network aims to improve malaria prevention among school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa by uniting researchers, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners. The initiative will help fill knowledge gaps and develop guidance to support countries in addressing the burden of malaria in this age group.
Australian researchers have visualised a key protein complex in malaria parasites for the first time, uncovering a new target for next-generation vaccines. The discovery has led to the development of a promising mRNA vaccine candidate that stops the malaria parasite from reproducing inside mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of transmission...
The BOHEMIA trial showed a 26% reduction in new malaria infection incidence among children aged 5-15 in Kenya, demonstrating Ivermectin's potential as a complementary tool in malaria control. Ivermectin could complement existing measures and contribute to elimination efforts, particularly in areas with mosquito resistance.
Researchers developed a CRISPR-based gene-editing system that changes a single molecule within mosquitoes, halting malaria-parasite transmission. The new system is designed to genetically spread the malaria resistance trait until entire populations of the insects no longer transfer the disease-causing parasites.
Researchers identified over 250 proteins that change during malaria infection, enabling patients to be grouped according to severity. This allows for quicker identification of high-risk patients and more effective treatment.
Researchers have discovered batzelladins, which rapidly eliminate parasites that cause malaria, including strains resistant to conventional antimalarial drugs. The efficacy of these substances was proven through tests on blood samples from patients and infected mice.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding malaria parasite proteins that could lead to targeted therapies. Two key proteins, PfRAP03 and PfRAP08, regulate gene expression in the apicoplast, a unique organelle found in P. falciparum. The loss of either protein led to parasite death, confirming their essential roles.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified a protein expressed on malaria-infected red blood cells that can hide from the immune system while also activating immune cells to destroy infected cells. This dual function makes the protein an excellent target for vaccine development and treatment.
Researchers at University of Utah reveal the untold story of Black prisoners who participated in malaria experiments, leading to breakthroughs in pharmacogenetics and prevention of adverse drug reactions. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging the contributions of marginalized groups in medical research.
Researchers discovered a potential vulnerability in P. falciparum by inducing protein aggregation, leading to reduced parasite growth. The study may lead to novel antimalarial strategies targeting the parasite's internal protein folding machinery.
Researchers at USTC found that halofuginone increases growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), reducing body weight and improving metabolic health. This dual approach reduces appetite and increases energy expenditure, offering a potential new drug for treating obesity.
A potent combination of antimalarial compounds blocks parasite transmission in mosquitoes while circumventing insecticide resistance. The new strategy retains activity even after a year and efficiently kills parasites even when applied to the female mosquito up to four days in advance of infection.
Researchers have identified a type of chemical compound that kills malaria-causing parasites in mosquitoes when applied to insecticide-treated bed nets. The breakthrough could significantly blunt malaria transmission and potentially replace traditional prevention methods.
Researchers at SwRI designed netting systems to deliver antimalarial drugs called Endochin-like Quinolones (ELQs) that destroy Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. The findings, published in Nature, show that the two ELQs kill parasites developing within the mosquito, potentially eliminating resistance.
Researchers have discovered a family of exported proteins in the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum that may hold promise for identifying new drugs. The proteins, known as FIKK kinases, were found to be necessary for the parasite's survival and likely played a key role in its evolution to infect humans.
A team of researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has discovered that the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can shut down a key set of genes to avoid detection by the immune system. This finding suggests that asymptomatic adults may harbor undetectable parasites, making it more challenging to eliminate malaria.
Researchers develop novel method to combat malaria vector Anopheles stephensi using satellite imagery, machine learning and mobile apps. The strategy targets water sources during dry season to eradicate larvae.
A recent study found significant elevated expression of AID enzyme in B cells during Plasmodium falciparum malaria, linking the parasite to the development of Burkitt lymphoma. Elevated AID levels were also observed in Kenyan children with uncomplicated malaria.
A new study at Stellenbosch University found that blocking the enzymes involved in glycolysis could cut off the malaria parasite's primary energy source and kill it. This approach has shown promise for developing new malaria drugs, particularly against resistant parasites.
A special collection explores China's national strategy and case studies from provinces, detailing the interventions that led to elimination. However, experts warn that funding declines could reverse gains, with malaria cases and deaths predicted to increase if Global Fund and Vaccine Alliance funding declines in 2025.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that malaria and meningitis deaths in comatose African children remain high despite decades of research and health interventions. The study highlights the critical need for immediate antibiotics alongside antimalarials, regardless of malaria diagnosis.
Researchers at Aarhus University have mapped the precise structure of CD163 bound to haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex, providing unique insight into its function. This breakthrough connects earlier observations and opens up opportunities for studying the evolution of CD163's structure and interaction with other proteins.
Researchers have identified nitisinone as a medication that can suppress mosquito populations by making human blood toxic to them. The drug, used to treat rare genetic diseases, has been shown to be more effective than ivermectin in killing mosquitoes and has the potential to control malaria spread.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discovered a molecular quality-control system in Anopheles mosquitoes that can be targeted to disrupt malaria parasites. Disrupting the prefoldin chaperonin system reduced mosquitoes' ability to host and transmit malaria parasites, killing about 60% of them.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have discovered a key process where malarial parasites take up human blood cell enzymes, which could provide a new approach for antimalarial treatment. The findings suggest that a human enzyme, acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH), is the major activating enzyme of multiple antimalarial prodrugs.
Researchers have identified novel mosquito repellents with high success rates from natural sources, including food and flavoring materials. The team's machine learning-based cheminformatics approach also pinpointed pyrethroid analogs up to 100 times more effective than existing industry standards.
Researchers at UTEP secured a patent for anti-malarial drug pyronaridine, which slows cancer cell growth and induces programmed cell death, sparing healthy cells.
A multinational research team has identified an epigenetic inhibitor that specifically kills the malaria pathogen by targeting its gene regulation. The study opens up new opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches to combat malaria.