Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
A new study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found that rapid diagnostic tests for malaria are reducing the need for antimalarial medications but may also lead to an increase in antibiotic prescriptions. The research analyzed over 500,000 patient visits across malaria-endemic regions and revealed that ...
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that malaria was already widespread on Sardinia in the Roman period, contradicting previous assumptions. Genetic adaptations, such as thalassemias, played a crucial role in protecting against malaria, with some individuals leading healthy lives while being immune to infections.
A study found that global malaria funding is declining despite its importance in eliminating the disease worldwide. The decrease in external funding, combined with increasing government financing, may lead to malaria resurgence if sustainable financing solutions are not implemented.
A recent study analyzing over half of the malaria parasite's genes found that two thirds are essential for survival, opening up new avenues for antimalarial drug development. The researchers developed a method to decipher gene function by switching off and counting the growth of genetically modified parasites.
Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine identified a key protein involved in malaria parasite escape. Disrupting this protein reduces the efficiency of parasite escape, slowing down infection rate.
Researchers have adapted a diagnostic test for malaria to predict post-treatment anemia risk with 89% sensitivity and 73% specificity. The BinaxNOW malaria kit measures HRP2 remnants on red blood cells, offering a potential alternative to mandatory monitoring for high-risk patients.
A study found that mice eating 30% fewer calories had a lower parasite load and lived longer. The parasite adapts by slowing its replication in response to host's nutritional status.
A new study reveals that malaria parasites actively adapt to a host's nutritional status, with mice eating 30% fewer calories showing significantly lower parasite loads. The parasite's rate of replication depends on the host's calorie intake, potentially dictating the outcome of a malaria infection.
A new study found that removing the flowers of invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora from mosquito-prone areas can decrease local mosquito vector populations by nearly 60%. The removal also reduced the number of older female mosquitoes, which are known to transmit malaria parasites.
A randomized study found that schools providing prevention education, insecticide-treated nets, and antimalarial treatment can dramatically cut malaria infection and reduce the risk of anemia among schoolchildren. The benefits lasted until the end of the school year.
A new study has found significant inequalities in malaria research funding in sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Chad and Central African Republic receiving no investment. The study reveals that Tanzania and Kenya received the most research funding, while Nigeria received the most non-research funding.
Three distinct parasite strains show varying ability to infect human liver cells, with some causing more severe symptoms. Future antimalarial vaccine trials should use multiple strains to accurately predict efficacy.
The UW-led Malaria Evolution in South Asia research center is one of 10 NIH-supported International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research. Researchers are studying the genetic diversity of malaria parasites in India, which shows more variation than elsewhere globally, making standard laboratory tests less accurate.
A recent study by Emory University highlights the importance of insecticide-resistance monitoring in controlling the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases. The research found that applying insecticides like deltamethrin in areas with high resistance can be ineffective, emphasizing the need for targeted control measures.
Exposure to just 10 minutes of light at night suppresses biting behavior and manipulates flight in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The study suggests pulses of light could be an effective tool to complement established control methods for reducing disease transmission.
A new genetic technique developed by Upeksha Rathnapala and colleagues at the University of Melbourne could enhance research into potential drug targets for malaria treatment. By using a novel approach involving fluorescent markers, scientists can identify metabolic processes essential for Plasmodium development in host animals.
A new study reveals that increasing temperatures are eroding the natural buffer against malaria transmission in Ethiopia's highlands. As temperatures rise above 18°C and 15°C, conditions become favorable for the disease to spread, posing a significant threat to the country's population.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that funding from the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in sub-Saharan African countries was associated with a significant reduction in under-five child mortality. The analysis, which controlled for other factors, showed an average risk reduction of 16% in PMI-funded countries.
A new study has identified human factors that could be targeted by elimination interventions for 'monkey malaria', a complex and potentially life-threatening parasite. Adult male farmers in the Sabah region are more likely to contract Plasmodium knowlesi malaria due to their outdoor work on plantations.
Researchers developed a model that uses satellite data to predict malaria outbreaks with one-month lead time, allowing for targeted resource allocation and public health responses.
Long-term malaria infections can cause chronic inflammation in the bone marrow, leading to increased bone resorption and substantial bone loss. Oral supplementation with alfacalcidol may reverse this side effect, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for improving bone health in malaria-infected individuals.
Researchers at LSTM and partners have developed a molecule, E209, effective against parasites with artemisinin resistance. The fully synthetic molecule is designed to be fast-acting and slowly eliminated, offering hope as a single-dose cure.
A new study of malaria medicine quality in sub-Saharan African countries found that up to 42% of the private-sector market is made up of non-quality-assured (QA) treatments, which can impact patient health and safety. The study's findings highlight the need for policy responses to address the growing market for QA medicines.
Dr. Terrie Taylor is using a $8.5 million federal grant to study why previous malaria prevention methods have been unsuccessful and how progress can be made in Malawi. Her team will focus on identifying 'reservoirs of infection' - people who are infected but not sick, and understanding mosquito behavior to develop effective treatments.
Researchers at NIAID developed a new malaria vaccine that protects monkeys against the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies in monkeys and showed improved efficacy compared to previous AMA1 vaccines.
A study by Lehigh University sociologist Dr. Kelly Austin finds a link between deforestation and increasing malaria rates across developing nations due to rural population growth, agricultural specialization, and increased standing water and sunlight favoring Anopheles mosquito species.
A study identified a genetic rearrangement of red blood cell glycophorin receptors that confers a 40% reduced risk from severe malaria. The hybrid GYPB-A Dantu gene is found in some people from East Africa, but not in West African populations.
Researchers identified a gene variant DUP4 that protects against severe malaria by altering receptors used by the malarial parasite. This variant was found to reduce the risk of severe malaria by 40% in certain African populations, particularly those of East African descent.
A non-toxic mixture of chitin-rich crab shell powder and silver nanoparticles effectively inhibits the growth of mosquito larvae and prevents bacterial species from multiplying. The eco-friendly solution shows promise in controlling the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes, including those responsible for malaria.
A study published in Pathogens and Global Health found that maternal education significantly reduces the risk of childhood malaria. Children whose mothers received primary education had a 17% prevalence rate, while those with higher levels of education had even lower rates.
A new study suggests that a mother's cells can directly act as part of her child's immune system, even after birth. Babies born to mothers infected with malaria during pregnancy have higher levels of maternal microchimerism, which may confer some protection against the disease.
The University of California, Irvine is leading a $2 million effort to cultivate new strains of mosquitoes to fight malaria in Africa. A team of experts will develop and test these insects in the field to disrupt malaria transmission.
A study found that malaria parasites in one African village had distinct gene combinations that allowed them to evade the human immune system. This discovery highlights the importance of considering diverse strains of the parasite in malaria-control efforts.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $9.6 million grant to conduct malaria control research in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to assess the impact of environmental changes on malaria epidemiology and transmission.
A new compound, MMV390048, has been discovered and shown to be effective against resistant strains of the malaria parasite across its entire lifecycle. The research holds great promise for a single-dose cure, potentially contributing to the eradication of malaria.
Researchers found that one- and two-legged mosquitoes can bite humans and reproduce after losing multiple legs to insecticides. The study's findings suggest re-evaluating WHO testing guidelines for bed nets.
A new and inexpensive treatment option for drug-resistant malaria has been developed using plant therapy made from dried leaves of the Artemisia annua plant. The treatment, known as DLA, was tested on 18 critically ill patients in a Congo clinic and showed a 100% recovery rate, including a five-year-old child who had lapsed into a coma.
Researchers at Penn State have received a $9 million NIH grant to investigate malaria transmission in Southeast Asia and work toward the disease's elimination. They will examine how environmental changes affect disease transmission, genetic resistance to insecticides, and counterfeit drugs.
A new study finds malaria hospitalizations exceeding dengue fever cases, with average cost per patient at $25,800 and total bill of $555 million from 2000 to 2014. Malaria infections are likely acquired during travel to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Scientists have identified a group of seven genes that show distinct patterns of expression in patients with malaria, distinguishing it from other infectious diseases. This discovery could lead to the development of a fast and accurate blood test for malaria.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $9 million grant to develop new tools against drug-resistant malaria. The research aims to accelerate malaria elimination in Southeast Asia by integrating clinical and field research findings.
The Amazonian Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, led by UC San Diego's Joseph Vinetz, MD, will receive a $8.3 million NIH grant over seven years to tackle malaria in endemic regions. The research aims to develop new antimalarial compounds and improve therapy options.
The NIH has awarded $9 million to seven international centers focused on malaria research, aiming to understand complex interactions between human hosts and mosquito vectors. The 7-year awards will support vital research to control, eliminate, and eventually eradicate malaria, a global health threat that claims millions of lives annually.
Researchers discovered blood-sucking flies can act as 'flying syringes' to detect emerging infectious diseases in wild animals. The method analyzes the origin of the blood and species of malaria parasites present, with potential implications for controlling global outbreaks.
Scientists have identified two parasite proteins that allow Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to quickly traverse human cells and infect liver cells. This discovery could lead to the development of new antimalarial treatments and vaccines to combat the disease.
Researchers from CRAG and Sequentia Biotech have developed transgenic plants that produce twice as much artemisinin as traditional plants. The study identifies the AaMYB1 gene involved in artemisinin synthesis and trichome formation, offering a potential solution to reduce production costs and make antimalarial drugs more accessible.
Researchers developed a comprehensive mathematical model of the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum metabolism. The model accurately integrates genetics and metabolism data, predicting which genes are indispensable for every biological function in the parasite.
A new mathematical model of Plasmodium falciparum's metabolism reveals its essential genes and thermodynamic bottlenecks, enabling potential mechanisms to target with drugs. The model integrates genetics and metabolomics data, allowing for the formulation of testable hypotheses and accelerating novel antimalarial drug discovery.
Researchers created a mouse model to study how cerebral malaria leads to epilepsy in children and develop treatments. The model, developed by Penn State, is the first of its kind and has potential applications for preventing seizures and sudden unexplained death from epilepsy.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that female mosquitoes possess a secondary set of odor sensors, which are specially tuned to detect human-derived chemical signals. This system allows the insects to seek out humans as a preferred host, potentially aiding efforts to combat malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers at Cardiff University have devised a new way of creating the leading anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which could reduce market fluctuations in the supply chain and help study resistance to the drug. The new method bypasses several key steps in the production process, achieving the desired outcome in just four steps.
Researchers have created a detailed atomic map of the frontline antimalarial drug mefloquine, showing how its structure could be tweaked to increase effectiveness. The study aims to create a more targeted and safer treatment by redesigning the drug's molecular machinery.
Bruno Moonen advocates for a global commitment to support regional elimination efforts and sustained investments in research, while Clive Shiff suggests prioritizing the management of health services rather than massive eradication efforts due to funding constraints and resource limitations.
Scientists have discovered a network of chemical conversations between different types of cells that influence T cell specialisation in the immune system. They also identified genes involved in controlling antibody production during malaria infection, such as Galectin 1, which may be targeted by drugs to boost immunity.
Speakers at a University of Arizona summit on science diplomacy and policy emphasized the importance of scientific evidence in setting sound policies. Experts like Nobel laureate Peter Agre and former ambassadors shared stories of their research programs and collaborations with countries with strained diplomatic relations.
Researchers studied Anopheles darlingi mosquitoes in Amazonian Peru revealing that humans are the most common blood source followed by Galliforme birds. The study provides valuable information on malaria transmission and could help track potential changes in mosquito behavior.
Scientists have detected an artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite originating from West Africa for the first time in Africa, posing a significant threat to malaria control efforts. The finding confirms that the parasite carries a new mutation in the Kelch13 gene, which is the primary driver of resistance in Southeast Asia.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that modern houses with metal roofs and finished walls are associated with a reduced risk of malaria in children under age 5. The researchers analyzed data from 29 surveys in 21 African countries and found a significant correlation between improved housing conditions and lower malaria rates.
A Phase 1 clinical trial found that the PfSPZ Vaccine protected 64% of healthy adults from a different malaria strain, while also inducing durable T cell responses. The vaccine showed cross-protection against multiple strains, providing hope for an effective malaria vaccine.
A Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates the PfSPZ Vaccine's ability to protect against at least two strains of malaria. The vaccine activated T cells and induced antibody responses in all recipients, providing some insights into its protective efficacy.