Articles tagged with Malaria
Researchers have created the most comprehensive tree of life for malaria parasites, revealing diverse evolutionary lineages and proposing that some species should be renamed. The study included DNA sequence data from over 20 genes and sampled 58 malaria species across eight genera, correcting for biased DNA ratios.
A new prototype for a portable instrument capable of early-stage malaria detection has been developed by researchers at the University of Southern California. The device uses magnetic properties of a parasite byproduct to detect all malaria strains, making it suitable for low-resource environments.
A study revealed that Plasmodium falciparum emerged as a human-specific parasite species around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. The researchers sequenced the genomes of all known malaria parasites and discovered a chain of events leading to its emergence.
Researchers have discovered that various stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle are connected to epigenetic features and chromatin structure. The study provides insights into the connection between genome organization, epigenetics, and stage-specific gene expression in the malaria parasite.
A new study found that pregnant women in Colombia incur substantial economic costs due to transportation and time lost while seeking care for malaria. The costs range from $16 to $54, representing 18% of the monthly minimum salary in the country.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified volatile biomarkers that can detect malaria in people with no external symptoms. The study found that changes in human odours are characteristic of both acute and asymptomatic malaria infections, allowing for nearly 100% detection rate even at low pathogen quantities.
Researchers discovered that altered body odor can indicate malaria infection, even when microscopic tests fail. Machine learning models using volatile biomarkers reliably identify asymptomatic infections with 100% sensitivity.
Distinct profiles of volatile skin emissions were found in malaria-infected individuals compared to uninfected ones. Machine learning models successfully identified asymptomatic infections based on skin volatile profiles, even at low parasite loads undetectable by microscopy.
Researchers developed a new method to study liver-stage malaria in vitro, using primary human liver cells on 384-well plates. This technique reduces costs and biomaterials requirements, making it more accessible for screening preclinical drugs and vaccines.
Researchers at USF Health have identified 2,600 essential genes in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate drug and vaccine development, potentially saving millions of lives.
Researchers have identified over 2,600 essential genes in Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite. These genes will help guide future drug development efforts targeting specific genes crucial for parasite survival.
A team of researchers has identified approximately 2,600 genes essential to the growth and survival of Plasmodium falciparum, a deadly malaria parasite. These findings could aid in the development of new or improved antimalarial drugs, highlighting key targets for future research.
A global charity grant will support researchers in Australia and the US to identify 'drug-like' molecules for treating malaria. The new treatments aim to target deadly forms of the disease, such as Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, with a focus on long-term effectiveness.
A large-scale study has revealed two gene variants linked to increased malaria risk and one variant that protects against other childhood diseases. The study found that the Sl2 mutation in the CR1 gene offers protection against cerebral malaria, but only if alpha-thalassaemia is not present.
A study has found that the rapid evolution of resistance to pyrethroid-based indoor residual sprays on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, is driven by metabolic changes in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The enzyme CYP9K1 plays a key role in this process.
A new EU grant of EUR 2.5 million will fund research on the sexual biology of malaria parasites to develop novel intervention targets. The project aims to map the functions of approximately 700 parasite genes involved in sexual reproduction to prevent malaria transmission by mosquitoes.
A large proportion of malaria patients in endemic countries are likely to receive low doses of malaria medicine, leading to poorer treatment outcomes and potentially fueling drug resistance. Vulnerable groups like malnourished children and pregnant women require different treatments due to their unique response to antimalarial drugs.
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center have identified a unique protein in the malaria parasite's mitochondrion that could be targeted for a new vaccine. The protein, known as 'prohibitin,' plays a crucial role in the parasite's survival and is not present in human cells.
Researchers discovered malaria parasites in 21% of white-tailed fawns in Florida, with infected deer more likely to die during the first year. The study's findings suggest that young animals are particularly vulnerable to these parasites.
Researchers present studies on community health workers using mini-malaria clinics and new bednets, finding high treatment success rates. Alternative solutions, such as insecticide-treated housing and blankets, are also being explored to fight malaria in conflict zones.
Two cluster-randomized trials in Africa found that conditional day 3 follow-up for children with uncomplicated fever is non-inferior to universal follow-up, allowing caregivers to return only when symptoms persist. The studies suggest that current WHO guidance may be reconsidered and could lead to more efficient use of resources.
Research found that infected children produce distinctive chemical fingerprints in their skin odors, making them more attractive to malaria mosquitoes. The study identified key volatile chemicals, including aldehydes, which are detected by mosquitoes and increase attractiveness.
A new study finds nearly one in four blood bank supplies contain malaria parasites, putting children and pregnant women at risk. The lack of sensitive diagnostic technology exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for better vigilance and screening practices to keep blood banks safe.
Researchers have identified three aldehydes in the skin of infected children that attract mosquitoes, which could lead to better malaria detection and control. The study's findings provide insight into the parasite's infection route and offer opportunities for developing new biomarkers and insect traps.
A study published in Malaria Journal found that ambient temperature impacts the toxicity of commonly used insecticides against malaria vectors. The researchers explored the effect of temperature on pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides, revealing that temperature affects their efficacy differently for resistant and susceptible strains.
Researchers have developed a web-based application to help on-the-ground decision making about integrating malaria and schistosomiasis control programs. The app models the impact of integrated treatment plans, providing insights into the most effective approaches.
A study aims to understand how innate immunity in young children generates and maintains natural protection against clinical malaria. Researchers will examine epigenetic regulation of monocyte functions using DNA methylation and histone proteins.
A two-year trial showed that a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with piperonyl butoxide reduced malaria prevalence by 44% and 33% compared to standard nets. The study also demonstrated unprecedented control through indoor residual spraying, reducing infection by 48%. WHO has revised its recommendations for the use of these novel n...
Researchers at Yale University have developed a serum that reduces malaria infection in mice by targeting a protein in the saliva of infected mosquitoes. The novel approach could potentially be used to enhance existing malaria vaccines and has implications for other mosquito-borne infections.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new bed net coated with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and pyrethroid insecticide reduced malaria prevalence in children by 44%, compared to standard nets, over one year. The WHO recommends increasing coverage of PBO bed nets in areas where resistance to pyrethroids is developing.
A team of researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute has discovered a human receptor protein on the surface of cells that malaria parasites interact with as they navigate through the body. This finding provides a key clue in understanding how to develop an effective malaria vaccine, potentially saving millions of lives.
A systematic review by ISGlobal found mefloquine to be more effective than SP and cotrimoxazole in reducing parasite levels and anemia in pregnant women. However, it was less well tolerated, with higher risks of adverse events such as vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness
ICAP has partnered with Ethiopia since 2005, providing critical support in combating malaria. The new five-year project aims to strengthen malaria diagnosis and treatment services, with an eye on long-term elimination of the disease.
A follow-up study of infected but asymptomatic individuals reveals parasite levels drop quickly after infection onset. Despite low levels at day 28, the study suggests that these individuals pose a shorter transmission risk to communities aiming for malaria elimination.
A new study finds that kidney dysfunction is a contributing factor to severe malaria cases caused by Plasmodium vivax parasites. Elevated creatinine levels were associated with increased disease severity and mortality, while certain immune molecules could predict outcome in patients.
A promising malaria vaccine candidate, TBV, has shown to completely prevent transmission of the Plasmodium parasite to mosquitoes in Cameroon. The $3.2 million grant will further develop processes for human trials and a clinical treatment.
A NIH study found that extra iron interferes with ferroportin, a protein preventing toxic iron buildup and protecting red blood cells against malaria. The researchers also identified a mutant form of ferroportin, Q248H, which appears to protect against malaria in African populations.
Researchers developed a new antimalarial drug that kills mosquitoes, reducing the spread of malaria. Adding high doses of ivermectin to existing drugs increased mosquito mortality by up to 61%.
Researchers have developed the Malaria Cell Atlas, a reference map that maps malaria parasite development in unprecedented detail. The atlas allows for the identification of weak points in the parasite's lifecycle, paving the way for intervention with drugs and vaccines.
A randomised trial found that high doses of ivermectin can kill mosquitoes feeding on humans for at least 28 days. Adding ivermectin to community-wide antimalarial treatment campaigns could boost impact by up to 61 percent, reducing malaria prevalence in areas with low transmission rates.
A genetic mutation in the PIEZO1 gene may protect people from malaria by dehydrating red blood cells, a condition previously thought to be extremely rare. The mutation is found to be common in African populations, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to malaria.
A study found that triclosan inhibits target genes in the malaria parasite during two crucial stages of its lifecycle in humans. Triclosan also performed well in tests against resistant parasites, making it a potential dual specificity antimalarial.
A team of researchers has identified a 'genetic fingerprint' associated with the most deadly strains of malaria parasites. They found that only 20-30 var gene pieces were being expressed at a higher rate in patients with severe malaria, providing promise for new targets for vaccine design.
Scientists have discovered a human antibody, CIS43, that protects against malaria better than any previous antibody, and identified a unique binding site on the malaria parasite's surface protein. This could lead to new pathways for malaria prevention, potentially offering an effective vaccine or direct infusion therapy.
A newly discovered human antibody called CIS43 has been shown to prevent malaria infection in mice. The research, led by NIAID, may lead to a short-term protective measure against the disease. Further studies are planned to confirm its effectiveness and potential use as part of mass drug administration efforts to eliminate malaria.
Researchers discovered a protein, GDV1, that triggers the switch to gametocyte production in malaria parasites. This could lead to new therapies and tools for controlling malaria transmission.
A new study suggests that managing eating habits, particularly meal times, could help control malaria infections. Researchers found that malaria parasites in infected mice timed their daily multiplication and invasion of red blood cells to match the animal's feeding schedule.
Using CRISPR/Cas9, scientists have shown that inactivating the FREP1 gene reduces mosquitoes' susceptibility to malaria parasite infection. This technique holds promise for preventing malaria transmission to humans, but may require further refinement to balance resistance with fitness costs.
Researchers found that L-arginine supplementation increased blood vessel development in the placenta and reduced low birth weight/preterm birth and stillbirth. The study suggests that L-arginine may be a critical component in regulating blood vessel development, with implications for other conditions linked to poor birth outcomes.
Scientists have developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 system that can delete genes from mosquitoes, making them resistant to the malaria parasite. The FREP1 gene is identified as a malarial host factor and its deletion significantly reduces malaria parasites' ability to survive and multiply.
A new study found that low levels of L-arginine in pregnant women with malaria are associated with worse pregnancy outcomes. Supplementing these women with L-arginine may improve birth weights and viability among their babies, according to research published in Science Translational Medicine.
MIT researchers successfully grow dormant malaria parasites in engineered human liver tissue, allowing them to study the parasite's biology and vulnerabilities. The team also sequenced the parasite's RNA transcriptome, paving the way for new antimalarial drugs.
The Clinical Epidemiology Database aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers by providing a standardized platform for accessing and exploring complex clinical data. The database, launched by the University of Pennsylvania, introduces an intuitive interface and provides documentation of study design and background.
Researchers identified two key proteins crucial for malaria parasites' escape from red blood cells and infection of fresh cells. The discovery offers potential new treatment targets against the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
Researchers found that removing worms allows malaria to grow denser, while worm presence reduces malaria density. Ecological thinking revealed the key to understanding co-infections, offering insights into treating malaria and worm infections.
Researchers have discovered that human antibodies can prevent malaria spread by destroying parasites in mosquitoes and preventing fertilization. This finding holds promise for developing a vaccine to halt the disease's transmission, which could significantly reduce global malaria burden.
Researchers have discovered a safe antimalarial dye that kills malaria parasites at an unprecedented rate, curing patients within two days. The addition of methylene blue to artemisinin-based combination therapies prevents the spread of malaria, with male parasites disappearing from the bloodstream more quickly than female parasites.
Researchers have identified two compounds that can safely block malaria transmission when added to existing treatment regimens, promising progress toward eliminating the disease. The study's findings suggest that these compounds can effectively prevent the spread of P. falciparum malaria, including its drug-resistant forms.
A comprehensive genetic study reveals that multidrug-resistant malaria parasites emerged and spread aggressively in Cambodia, under-reporting for years. Ongoing genomic surveillance is vital to inform public health malaria control strategies and detect patterns of resistance.
A genetic study reveals that multidrug-resistant malaria in southeast Asia originated from a single mutation combination in 2008, which spread rapidly across the region before becoming apparent in 2013. The study highlights the need for close monitoring of genetic mutations to mitigate resistance and prevent further outbreaks.