Articles tagged with Malaria
Researchers have discovered a potential new approach to combat malaria by disrupting mosquito hormone signaling, reducing transmission and lifespan, and blocking parasite development. The findings suggest that applying DBH to bed nets or spraying it indoors could be an effective alternative to insecticides.
A hormone-disrupting compound could provide a new strategy for controlling the spread of malaria by preventing transmission of malaria parasites in female mosquitoes. The study found that DBH-treated mosquitoes were less likely to be infected and produced fewer eggs, making it an effective alternative to insecticides.
Scientists at the NIH used advanced brain imaging technology to study cerebral malaria, revealing how the disease kills thousands of people each year. The research suggests a potential treatment involving removing CD8+ T cells from blood vessel walls, increasing survival rates.
Researchers have found overwhelming evidence of malaria's existence in ancient Rome dating back to the Roman Empire. The study analyzed human remains from three Italian cemeteries and confirmed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, a parasite responsible for nearly 450,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Immune system cells, specifically cytotoxic T cells, attack blood vessels in the brain, causing fatal swelling and damage. Inhibiting these cells with antibodies prevents the condition, suggesting a potential new approach to treating cerebral malaria.
High school students in Sydney have reproduced essential medicine Daraprim using inexpensive starting materials and the Open Source Malaria platform. The innovative approach challenges the high price of the medicine, which was recently increased by over 5000 percent.
Researchers predict malaria elimination is achievable in southern Africa if vector control measures are implemented aggressively and mass drug campaigns focus on high-risk areas. Human movement within the region should be targeted to prevent importation of infections.
A randomized trial found that preventive antimalarial drugs for children up to 10 years old reduced malaria cases and deaths, especially among older children. The study also showed a significant reduction in severe malaria incidence.
A large randomized study found that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) reduced malaria cases in children above 10 years of age by a quarter, demonstrating its potential to contribute to reducing transmission. The intervention also showed a high degree of protection with no severe side effects.
Researchers found that a gene deletion poses a threat to malaria eradication efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study revealed that one in every 15 infected children has a false-negative result when using rapid diagnostic tests.
Lyndra's technology enables prolonged gastric residence and can deliver small molecule therapies for up to seven days. The study demonstrated the long-acting controlled release of invermectin for up to 14 days, promising a significant dent in the problem of patients not taking their medicines as prescribed.
Researchers have developed a portable, battery-operated device that can quickly and accurately detect malaria in the bloodstream using magnets and lasers. The Magneto-Optical Detector (MOD) has the potential to save $1.2 billion annually on anti-malaria efforts by reducing false positives and negatives.
A five-year WHO investigation found treated bed nets continue to provide significant protection from malaria, despite rising insecticide resistance. The study supports the continued use of long-lasting insecticidal nets and calls for investments in new malaria-fighting tools to accelerate progress towards global elimination goals.
Researchers have developed a new drug capsule that can remain in the stomach for up to two weeks, gradually releasing its payload. This technology could simplify disease treatment and lead to improved efficacy in mass drug administration campaigns.
A new ingestible capsule can deliver drugs for weeks, potentially revolutionizing treatment against malaria and other diseases with poor adherence. The star-shaped capsule was successfully tested in pigs and showed promise in boosting local malaria elimination when combined with standard anti-malarial drugs.
Researchers have developed a long-acting drug delivery capsule that can safely stay in the stomach and deliver medicine for up to two weeks, potentially providing a new way to combat malaria and other infectious diseases.
Kathryn Colborn's project aims to develop an automated early warning system for malaria transmission in Mozambique. The system will use novel statistical models and online tools to predict future monthly case rates, helping the Ministry of Health with prevention planning.
The Origami Diagnostics project aims to detect individuals carrying malaria parasites without symptoms, using a paper microfluidics-based test. The test is 100 times more sensitive and retains low cost and simplicity.
The study highlights progress in reducing child deaths globally, particularly from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and measles. However, progress on newborn deaths has been slower, resulting in an increase in newborn deaths as a proportion of total child deaths.
Researchers found that some mutations enabling chloroquine resistance in malaria parasites also enhance their growth rates, contradicting previous findings. These mutations impact metabolic pathways and digestive processes, contributing to multidrug resistance phenotypes.
Houston Methodist researchers identified a set of immune proteins that facilitate long-lasting immunity against malaria. The study found that elevated production of specific proteins regulating the immune system within 24 hours of infection was required for sustained anti-malaria immunity.
Researchers have identified genetic markers associated with resistance to the antimalarial drug piperaquine, which could help track and contain outbreaks in Southeast Asia. The findings suggest that amplification of plasmepsin genes is linked to piperaquine resistance and may be used to identify patients at risk of treatment failure.
Scientists discovered genetic markers linked with piperaquine resistance in Plasmodium parasites, allowing health officials to monitor the spread of resistance and guide treatment decisions. The emergence of piperaquine resistance in Cambodia threatens global efforts to eliminate malaria.
Scientists have identified two genetic markers associated with piperaquine resistance in malaria parasites, allowing for early detection and alternative treatment options. The markers are linked to increased production of plasmepsin enzymes, which the parasite uses to digest human blood.
A new study published in Neurology challenges a widely held African belief that spinal taps can cause death in cerebral malaria patients. Researchers found that children with severe brain swelling had no change in the likelihood of dying, whether or not they had a spinal tap.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have identified 32 bacterial genes and 38 mouse genes that may help reduce malaria severity. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments, as it provides a limited number of genes to work with.
An international study has revealed that the UK and France experience the highest number of malaria cases imported from other countries. The research found that countries with the highest average number of imported infections per year were France, UK, and USA.
Researchers propose using mathematical models to drive evolution in local mosquito populations, favoring those that stay outside and hindering the spread of malaria. This approach could lead to more effective repellents and slower insecticide resistance.
Researchers propose using insect repellents along with insecticides to drive mosquito evolution that yields greater aversion to repellents, potentially slowing malaria development. This strategy could extend the lifetime of current insecticides and reduce resistance by favoring repelled mosquitoes over those developing resistance.
A two-and-a-half-year study found that children who survived cerebral malaria had indistinguishable cognitive development compared to healthy peers, despite poor overall performance. The results highlight the need to investigate additional factors such as nutrition and environmental conditions.
Researchers have successfully engineered tobacco plants to manufacture therapeutic levels of artemisinin, a plant-derived compound used to treat malaria. The breakthrough could lead to cost-effective delivery methods, such as freeze-dried lettuce powder, to make the drug more accessible to those in need.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a region in the mosquito brain mixing tastes and smells to create unique flavors. The finding advances the possibility of identifying a repellent odorant that makes human flavor unappealing to mosquitoes, reducing malaria transmission.
A new technique using computer 'deep learning' and light-based, holographic scans can spot malaria-infected cells from simple blood samples, offering fast and reliable diagnosis in resource-limited areas. The method was tested on hundreds of cells and accurately identified malaria 97 to 100 percent of the time.
A unique open science project has been developed to address the lack of commercial incentive for industry to develop drugs for neglected diseases like malaria. Over 50 researchers from 21 organizations contributed to the project, sharing data and collaborating on finding new antimalarial compounds.
A University of California, Davis, study published in PLOS Genetics has identified a genetic component contributing to mosquitoes' host choice between humans and animals. Researchers sequenced the genomes of mosquitoes fed on humans and cattle, finding a chromosomal rearrangement called the 3Ra inversion linked to cattle feeding.
A chromosome anomaly in mosquitoes linked to cattle feeding behavior may hold the key to reducing malaria transmission. Researchers identified a specific chromosomal rearrangement associated with cattle feeding in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes.
Experts suggest outsourcing key tasks from WHO to better-placed agencies to improve effectiveness and attract funding. This approach would utilize external expertise more appropriately, allowing the organization to maintain global leadership while increasing the contribution of other actors.
Researchers found that changing the dosing regimen of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine improved its efficacy to approximately 87%, compared to 63% with the current standard regimen. The new regimen was shown to delay infection longer and provide better protection against a second malaria-causing parasite exposure.
A genome-wide CRISPR screen in Toxoplasma identifies essential apicomplexan genes contributing to parasite fitness during human cell infection. The study also reveals a protein called claudin-like apicomplexan microneme protein (CLAMP) with a strong effect on the parasite's invasion of host cells.
Researchers found that bird habitat and parasite interactions significantly impact malaria infection risk, with co-infections occurring in 36% of infected birds. The study advances understanding of parasitic disease in both humans and wildlife.
Mass drug administration in Liberia reduced malaria incidence, but actual treatment compliance was low due to misconceptions about health interventions. The study found a significant decline in monthly malaria fever cases from 4.3% to 1.5% after the intervention.
A new study suggests that cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is linked to malaria and Epstein-Barr virus, particularly in children born to mothers with malaria during pregnancy. This increased risk of infection may lead to early exposure and a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to manage the virus.
Researchers have mapped estimated internal migration in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, providing vital data for combating infectious diseases like malaria. The maps show webs of connectivity within countries, aiding effective disease control planning and resource targeting.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health won Zika challenge grants for groundbreaking ideas on mosquito control and behavior change strategies. The grants aim to develop custom fragrances to bait mosquito traps and improve disease prevention.
A new trap using human odor has reduced malaria mosquito populations by 70% and malaria cases by 30% on the Kenyan island of Rusinga. The combination of the odour-baited trap with nets, anti-malaria drugs, and social strategies effectively combats malaria and improves living conditions.
A study found that plant sugars affect mosquito susceptibility to malaria parasites, with certain plants increasing transmission rates. The researchers used an epidemiological model to predict the relative contribution of different plants to malaria transmission dynamics.
Researchers from around the world collaborated on an open-source drug-discovery project, identifying compounds to treat malaria, other parasites, and even cancer. The successful trial has sparked over a dozen new drug-development projects, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded $400,000 to researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia to assess the potential of a specific sugar molecule as a target for a malaria vaccine. The goal is to prevent Plasmodium transmission and achieve a world free of malaria.
Researchers at ANU have found that changes in the protein enable the parasite to evade some drugs but make it vulnerable to others. This discovery could prolong the use of anti-malarial drugs, including chloroquine, and improve cure rates for people with malaria.
Researchers found that mosquitoes actively avoid feeding on chickens due to their unique odor, which could provide protection for humans at risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases. The study suggests using the odors emitted by chickens and other non-host species as a natural repellent to control malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have created a live, genetically attenuated vaccine for Plasmodium that triggers a potent immune response and provides long-term protection against malaria. The vaccine uses a mutated gene that boosts the production of an IL-6 cytokine, resulting in a strong cellular and humoral response.
Researchers found that viral hepatitis is now a leading cause of death and disability globally, killing at least 1.45 million people annually, surpassing TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. The disease burden is more evenly divided between high- and low-income countries.
Research in mice shows that one type of malaria parasite helps another thrive by exploiting resources, leading to worse health risks. The finding explains why co-infections with two types of malaria parasites often have more severe outcomes than single infections.
Researchers isolated Yob, a gene that determines male sex in African malaria mosquito species, and found it has detrimental effects on females. The discovery may lead to genetic control methods for malaria control, offering an alternative to insecticides.
Researchers have developed paper strips that can detect diseases like cancer and malaria at home using a cost of 50 cents per strip. These tests are accurate even after a month and can be sent via mail, making them ideal for rural communities where access to healthcare is limited.
A 25-year study found that despite decreased malaria transmission in Africa, older children are increasingly contracting the disease due to decreased immunity. The shift is attributed to changes in bednet usage, which may hinder progress toward malaria elimination.
A study on Plasmodium vivax reveals rapid evolution of drug resistance in response to widely-used antimalarial drugs. The genomic data sets will guide effective malaria control and elimination strategies, supporting local public health efforts.
A team of scientists has sequenced approximately 200 DNA samples of Plasmodium vivax collected from patients in 11 countries, revealing its genetic diversity and evolution. The study suggests that P. vivax is adapting to regional differences and anti-malarial drugs, making it challenging to eliminate globally.
Researchers have performed the first large-scale genomic analysis of P. vivax malaria infections, revealing patterns of variation that result from ancient events and recent selection. The study provides valuable information on parasite diversity within individuals and globally, which is essential for understanding how malaria is transm...
A global study has identified four genetically distinct populations of Plasmodium vivax, the parasite responsible for debilitating forms of malaria. The findings provide insights into the movement and adaptation of P. vivax over time, suggesting regional variations in mosquito transmission and human infection.