Articles tagged with Malaria
Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of mosquito in Myanmar amber dating back 100 million years, indicating that anopheline mosquitoes were present during this time period. This finding sheds light on the history of malaria and may offer clues on how its modern-day life cycle evolved.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles of P. vivax malaria patients to understand transmission and treatment response. The study revealed complex transmission dynamics and differences in how the parasite responds to chloroquine treatment.
The ESSENTIALS project aims to develop robust entomological indicators for assessing the public health value of new vector control tools, reducing the need for lengthy trials.
The study reveals that malaria parasite genomes are shaped by parasite-specific gene families and strongly correlate with virulence. The researchers identified unique features in the organization of gene families involved in antigenic variation, which enables high virulence in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a complex of proteins crucial for the maturation of the malaria parasite's sexual stage, which is required for transmission to mosquitoes. Disrupting this complex inhibits the parasite's ability to mature and infect mosquitoes, offering a new tool in the fight against malaria.
A new malaria vaccine using a cytomegalovirus-based platform has shown promising results, reducing the parasite's release by 75-80% in infected rhesus macaques. The vaccine could offer lifelong protection against malaria, a disease that claims hundreds of millions of lives each year.
A recent review article suggests that understanding human behavior is crucial to preventing malaria transmission. Researchers found that while bed nets have been effective, they only work when people sleep under them, and there are gaps in knowledge about when and where people are exposed to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes at night.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet reveal altered mosquito behavior and parasite selection as major obstacles to malaria eradication. The study shows a 96% decline in malaria incidence in Zanzibar, but highlights the need for new strategies to overcome challenges and achieve elimination.
A type of mosquito known to transmit malaria has been detected in Ethiopia for the first time, posing a public health concern. The Anopheles stephensi species was identified in Kebri Dehar, an eastern Ethiopian city, and its presence may lead to an emergence of malaria in new regions.
A new report highlights the need for effective communication in addressing 'post-normal' science technologies, such as gene drives, which pose a challenge to science journalists. The technology has the potential to reduce malaria deaths but also raises concerns about safety and regulation.
Researchers found that infected red blood cells from cerebral malaria patients bind more strongly to brain-derived cells than those from uncomplicated malaria patients. This suggests that specific PfEMP1 proteins on the infected red blood cells allow for efficient binding to brain vessels, a key feature of cerebral malaria.
A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has successfully completed a phase one clinical trial of their malaria vaccine, demonstrating its safety and ability to induce the desired antibody response in humans. The vaccine is now poised for further testing and potential use in vulnerable populations.
Researchers found pyronaridine-artesunate to be as effective as currently used artemisinin-based combination therapies for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Mild liver injuries were observed in some patients but no severe damage was reported. The treatment holds promise for areas with rising artemisinin resistance.
ERADA's Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic and Asexual Rapid Test (SMAART) detects a unique biomarker from female parasites circulating in an infected individual. Early detection of malaria is crucial to eradication, as carriers are the reservoir that leads to infection and transmission.
Researchers at SUTD and NTU developed ferrocene-based molecules that impair malaria parasite's metabolic function, leading to parasite death. G3, a gold complexed ferrocinyl phosphine derivative, demonstrated potent antimalarial activity against standard and drug-resistant strains.
A new Ebola diagnostic test developed by David Sebba and colleagues offers a simple solution for detecting the disease in low-resource settings. The point-of-care test can distinguish between Ebola and other endemic diseases like Lassa fever and malaria within 30 minutes.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have discovered that a baculovirus can completely eliminate liver-stage malaria parasites in mice. The study suggests a new approach to developing non-haemolytic single-dose alternative drugs for P. vivax treatment, potentially reducing the risk of infection and side effects.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs finds that pregnant women and young children in sub-Saharan Africa are the most likely family members to sleep under bed nets to prevent malaria. The study suggests that providing enough bed nets can reduce age and gender disparities in net use, but highlights concerns abou...
Researchers developed a new approach to prevent malaria by targeting the parasite at an earlier stage in its lifecycle. They tested over 500,000 chemical compounds and identified 631 promising candidates that could form the basis for new drugs.
Researchers discovered that derivatives of amodiaquine can effectively block Ebola virus infection, with modified compounds showing improved potency and reduced toxicity. The findings offer a new therapeutic approach to treating patients infected with Ebola.
A new study reveals that Plasmodium falciparum parasites can directly convert from their asexual to sexual form without an additional replication cycle, increasing the parasite's survival and transmission capabilities. This finding provides important information on the malaria parasite's lifecycle and its transmission to mosquitoes.
A recent study of amber-preserved blood-sucking insects and ticks reveals that malaria-causing microorganisms date back at least 100 million years, with evidence of pathogens carried by ancient vectors found in fossilized amber from around the world.
A balanced pro and anti-inflammatory cytokine signature is associated with lower clinical malaria risk between ages 3-4. Early parasite exposure does not affect the risk, but may impact long-term immunity.
A new study published by Insilico Medicine using artificial intelligence has identified potential FP2 blockers, which could lead to the development of new antimalarial drugs. The research provides insights into the properties of E64 approaches and their interaction with falcipain-2, a key target for malaria treatment.
A study by ISGlobal and partners found that prenatal exposure to malaria significantly alters a newborn's innate immune response, particularly if the placenta is infected. This type of exposure may affect a baby's risk of developing malaria during their first year of life.
Karine Le Roch, a UC Riverside professor, is awarded two NIH grants totaling $6.6 million to study Plasmodium falciparum parasites and develop novel therapeutics. The research aims to target RNA-binding proteins, or RAPs, which are essential to parasite development.
A new study has successfully trained sniffer dogs to detect malaria infections in socks worn by African children, with an accuracy rate of 70% and a potential to assist in malaria elimination campaigns. The dogs were able to identify the distinctive odor emitted by malaria parasites, which was not present in uninfected individuals.
Researchers found that sniffer dogs could scent malaria in samples of socks worn by infected children, with an accuracy rate of 70% for malaria-infected samples. The trained dogs could distinguish between the scent of malaria parasites and uninfected individuals, providing a non-invasive way to screen for the disease at ports of entry.
Exposure to malaria during pregnancy can trigger an immune response in the fetus, leading to higher levels of memory T cells and reduced clinical malaria incidence in childhood. Infants born to mothers with placental malaria have a lower risk of contracting malaria as children.
A study published in Parasites & Vectors found that host decoy traps baited with human or cattle odour can effectively collect outdoor-biting mosquitoes, including the main malaria vector species Anopheles arabiensis. The traps outperformed traditional methods such as human landing catch and caught more mosquitoes than expected.
University of Otago researchers have discovered a way to culture cynomolgi malaria parasites, which are almost identical to vivax malaria. This breakthrough could help eliminate the relapsing form of human malaria, a major public health concern worldwide.
Research reveals that malaria parasites exhibit elevated cyto-adhesion during fever, which contributes to microvasculature obstruction and splenic clearance issues. The study found a significant increase in phosphatidylserine expression on infected red blood cells at febrile temperatures.
Researchers from MIT, SMART, and NTU have discovered a new molecular pathway that could boost the body's Natural Killer cells to fight malaria infection. The treatment targets MDA5, a receptor used by NK cells to identify infected red blood cells.
A new biotechnology advancement may boost the efficacy of a transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) that prevents mosquitoes from spreading malaria. The vaccine, which induces humans to make malaria-attacking antibodies, could reduce malaria spread in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease kills over 400,000 people annually.
Malaria parasites have evolved to replicate in sync with mosquitoes' feeding cycles, causing regular bouts of fever. Scientists discovered that these parasites are more infectious to mosquitoes during the day, and their replication patterns likely evolved to optimize transmission.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how malaria infection triggers the immune system's first line of defense by activating natural killer cells through the MDA5 receptor. Treatment with a small molecule that activates MDA5 restores the ability of non-responder natural killer cells to clear infected red blood cells.
Researchers found that natural killer cells fail to respond to malaria infection in some patients, leading to more severe disease outcomes. By identifying key genes involved, they discovered a potential therapeutic target using poly I:C treatment.
Nicholas Stephanopoulos and Rizal Hariadi, researchers at the Biodesign Center, received a $2.3 million grant to explore peptide DNA nanotechnology and its applications in biomedicine. The award supports exceptionally creative early career investigators with high-impact projects.
Researchers Colin Carlson and Christopher Trisos call for caution on climate engineering, citing the need for quantitative evidence and solid data. They hope to shed light on potential health consequences over the next two years, as climate change and geoengineering become increasingly intertwined.
A team from Imperial College London used gene drive to completely block the reproductive capacity of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae. The technology successfully transmitted genetic modifications that caused female infertility and population collapse.
A new study identifies 360 proteins in human reticulocyte exosomes that may work as a vaccine against vivax malaria. The findings support further studies on using reticulocyte exosomes and HuRex as a potential vaccine delivery platform.
The enVision platform detects diseases in 30 minutes to an hour, with costs under S$1 per test. The technology uses enzyme-assisted nanocomplexes to identify nucleic acids and has demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity compared to clinical gold standard.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified six compounds that can prevent malaria parasites from maturing inside mosquitoes, reducing disease transmission. These compounds, which target the parasite's sexual forms, could be used to develop new antimalarial drugs that not only cure individuals but also protect communities.
Human clinical trials for DesignMedix and Portland State's anti-malarial drug DM1157 have begun, assessing the drug's safety and absorption in healthy volunteers. The Phase I study aims to overcome growing resistance among malaria medicines, with potential approval for treatment of millions.
A new antimalarial drug called DM1157 is being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial for its safety and efficacy. The trial aims to enroll up to 104 healthy volunteers and assess the drug's impact on the human body.
Researchers at ISGlobal and Oxford University found that heart failure is a pathogenic mechanism in severe malaria, leading to higher mortality rates. The study identified four clusters of patients with respiratory distress and severe anaemia, where liver size increase was associated with higher mortality.
A mathematical model for malaria shows that competition between parasite strains within a human host reduces the odds of drug resistance developing in high-transmission settings. The model reveals how once a drug-resistant strain becomes established, it will spread faster in high-transmission areas than in low-transmission areas.
Researchers discovered a brain-heart biomarker that can identify mice at risk of developing post-cerebral malaria epilepsy. This finding could translate to humans and improve therapeutic approaches for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury or stroke, which are estimated to develop epilepsy in up to 15 percent of survivors.
A new study published in EClinicalMedicine found that the loss of treated bed nets between mass campaigns significantly increases malaria transmission. Continuous distribution approaches can help maintain access to effective nets.
A new study reveals that lower-risk malaria regions are breeding grounds for drug-resistant strains of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The research suggests that emerging resistant strains spread rapidly in areas with high transmission rates, making it crucial to tailor malaria response strategies for local conditions.
Researchers analyzed ape parasite genomes related to Plasmodium vivax, the main source of mosquito-borne malaria outside Africa. They found near-identical genomes between ape and human parasites, differing by only two percent within gene sequences that code for proteins.
Researchers have developed a new class of mosquito repellents based on naturally occurring compounds that are effective in repelling mosquitoes. The compounds mimic the mechanism of nature, which could provide additional protection against mosquitoes, while having fewer environmental side effects.
A new type of bed net showed a 12% reduction in clinical malaria cases compared to conventional nets, and children sleeping under it were 52% less likely to be anaemic. The study also found a 51% reduction in risk of malaria-infective mosquito bites.
A novel laboratory-synthesized molecule based on natural compounds found in marine gliding bacteria is capable of killing even the strain that resists conventional antimalarials. In tests, it displays low toxicity and high selectivity, acting only on the parasite and not on other cells of the host organism.
Researchers have sequenced the first complete mitochondrial genome of Anopheles funestus, a major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa. The study reveals significant genetic diversity and ancient lineage differences that could inform new strategies to prevent malaria transmission.
Researchers found no evidence that a single mosquito species is vital to the ecosystem, reducing its removal would not significantly impact local animals. Locally eliminating this mosquito could drastically cut cases of malaria, but more research is needed.
A team of malaria experts has published results supporting the need for a radical cure strategy to tackle Plasmodium vivax, a debilitating form of malaria. The study found that chloroquine is currently given in lower doses than recommended, leading to higher rates of treatment failure.
Scientists found that malaria parasites are ten times nimbler than the fastest of our immune cells and literally outrun our immune defences. This difference is due to a key issue in how actin filaments are formed and broken down, which could lead to new drugs targeting parasite actin.
A cluster-randomized trial in Western Kenya found that coupling free diagnostic tests with discounts on artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) boosted testing rates and improved the rational use of ACTs. The intervention increased malaria diagnostic testing by 50.5% and reduced misuse of antimalarial drugs.
Researchers have identified a critical protein produced by malaria parasites that can be targeted to elicit protection against re-infection. The vaccine, which targets the protein PMIF, has shown promise in mouse models and could potentially prevent transmission of the disease.