Articles tagged with Malaria
The global mapping of artemisinin resistance, led by Institut Pasteur researchers, has confirmed that resistance to the main malaria drug is confined to Southeast Asia. The study identified 70 new mutations, including those in Cambodia and Vietnam-Laos, which were not associated with resistance.
A new plant engineering method has been developed to produce artemisinic acid, the molecule from which artemisinin is derived, in high yields. This technique involves transferring the metabolic pathway of Artemisia annua into tobacco plants, resulting in unprecedented levels of artemisinic acid production.
The International Vector Control Centre (IVCC) has received a $75 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over five years. This funding will support IVCC's work in developing innovative vector control products and tools to prevent malaria transmission from mosquitoes to vulnerable populations.
Researchers discover potent activity of oxaboroles against malaria parasites, highlighting a promising new class of antimalarial drugs. The compounds target the LeuRS enzyme, which is essential for protein synthesis, making them a potential cure for malaria with minimal resistance risk.
The HAMMER project aims to identify host features associated with malaria resilience and develop interventions to enhance it. By studying the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi in humans and non-human primates, researchers hope to create new therapeutic strategies for severe malaria cases.
A recent study by Penn State researchers has revealed how the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exploits the human immune response to infect red blood cells. The parasite uses the complement system, a key part of the immune response, to evade detection and invasion, making it more challenging to develop an effective vaccine.
Researchers will field test breath markers in high-malaria areas Malawi, Bangladesh, and others. The goal is to develop a simple, painless breath test to identify asymptomatic carriers.
A new investigational malaria vaccine has been shown to protect healthy US adults for more than one year. The PfSPZ vaccine demonstrates sterile protection in individuals with no prior infection, paving the way for potential use against future malaria outbreaks.
A new trial suggests treating donated blood with UV radiation and vitamin B2 reduces malaria parasite levels, minimizing transmission risk. The technology shows promise for improving safety in sub-Saharan Africa's blood transfusion industry.
Researchers developed a technique to reduce infectious malaria parasites in whole blood, significantly reducing the risk of transmission through blood transfusion. The Mirasol pathogen reduction technology system has shown promising results in treating whole blood using ultraviolet light energy and riboflavin.
A new study found that parasites resistant to atovaqueone cannot pass this resistance on to their offspring, due to developmental defects and impaired reproduction. The research suggests that these mutations severely impair the parasite's lifecycle in mosquito hosts, preventing transmission.
A new study reveals that a genetic mutation protecting malaria parasites against a key anti-malarial drug eventually kills them by stopping energy production. This discovery could improve malaria treatment and prevent mass drug resistance from spreading.
A new malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, has been developed to combat the disease. Despite waning efficacy in infants and young children, researchers argue that the vaccine could still be used in targeted strategies to interrupt transmission in low-endemic areas.
A new hybrid drug combines parts of chloroquine and a chemoreversal agent to counteract malaria resistance. The dual-acting mechanism kills the parasite by concentrating the drug in its stomach.
A team of scientists has successfully assembled and analyzed the genetic code of the Y chromosome in malaria mosquitoes for the first time. The research reveals that the Y chromosome consists mainly of repetitive sequences with few genes, and may have crossed species boundaries.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health identifies a sugar variant on the surface of human red blood cells that limits the ability of P. knowlesi to invade. The parasite has been shown to evolve and overcome this barrier, potentially leading to enhanced transmission between humans.
Researchers have discovered a long-hypothesized male-determining gene in the mosquito species that carries malaria. The isolated gene, YG2, is exclusive to the Y chromosome and holds promise for developing novel vector control strategies to combat diseases like malaria and Zika virus.
By treating individuals with a combination of drugs having different mechanisms of action, the chances of a malaria parasite developing multiple genetic mutations needed to survive is substantially decreased. This approach prolongs therapy effectiveness and preserves first-line drugs for treating malaria.
A new analysis suggests that malaria evolved in insects over 100 million years ago, with the first vertebrate hosts being reptiles and later dinosaurs. Understanding this ancient history may hold clues to interrupting malaria transmission through its most common vector, the Anopheles mosquito.
A recent study has identified malaria's origins in bird hosts, with the parasite then spreading to bats and other mammals before reaching humans. The research, led by Cornell University's Holly Lutz, provides a comprehensive analysis of malaria's genetic code, offering insights into its adaptability and evolution.
A Field Museum study identifies malaria's evolutionary history in bird hosts, revealing its spread to bats and other mammals. The analysis sheds light on the connection between animals and their parasites, providing insights into the natural environments we share with animals and plants.
The study reveals that Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, has a limited genetic diversity compared to its chimpanzee and gorilla cousins. The team found an expansion of a multi-gene family in Laverania parasites that helps them evade host immune cells and clear the spleen, contributing to severe malaria pathology.
Competition among malaria parasite strains in human hosts can influence the spread of drug resistance, according to a new study. The research found that when hosts are co-infected with drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains, both strains are competitively suppressed, potentially leading to the emergence of resistant strains.
Researchers have developed a technique called QUASR that can detect RNA from West Nile and chikungunya virus in mosquito samples in under half an hour, speeding up disease diagnosis. The method amplifies the positive signal up to 10 times brighter than a negative one, allowing for simultaneous screening of multiple targets.
A study in western Kenya assesses the acceptability of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) as an alternative to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for preventing malaria in pregnancy. The trial found promising results but identified challenges related to adherence and confidence in rapid diagnostic tests.
Researchers found that brain swelling in mice with experimental cerebral malaria starts in the olfactory bulb and spreads along a specific path called the rostral migratory stream. This path is used by immature nerve cells and immune cells, allowing the progression of inflammation into the central nervous system.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) was effective in preventing malaria in pregnancy, with no reported cases among women taking monthly doses. The therapy showed better results than sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), a widely used but ineffective option due to widespread ...
A two-drug preventive treatment reduces the severity of malaria during pregnancy, providing a reliable alternative to standard treatment. The study found that the treatment reduced the risk of adverse birth outcomes and placental malaria.
Rutgers University has developed a promising antimalarial compound, SJ733, which could help fight the long-dreaded disease. The compound works by blocking a malaria parasite protein, causing water to rush in and 'blowing up' the parasite inside human blood cells.
A collection of papers from global health experts argues that investing in new health tools, delivery innovations, and disease control strategies can avert 10 million deaths annually. The collection focuses on five conditions disproportionately affecting the world's poorest people.
A GW chemistry professor is leading a team of researchers to identify enzyme inhibitors as possible medications for devastating diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. The five-year, $2.6 million grant will focus on designing small molecule inhibitors that can stop the production of key enzymes necessary for pathogen survival.
Researchers tested a Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidate in 30 volunteers and found that it significantly delayed parasitemia in 59% of vaccinated subjects. The study also identified limitations to primaquine treatment, highlighting the need for improved vaccines.
A new study found that doses of deltamethrin can interfere with the development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes, reducing transmission. Insecticide-treated nets remain a vital tool in preventing malaria, even in areas with resistant mosquito populations.
A cohort study found no significant differences in growth, psychomotor development, and health outcomes between infants born to mothers treated with mefloquine or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. However, a slight increase in risk of developmental delays was observed at 9 months among those treated with mefloquine.
Scientists have created the first 3D 'map' of a critical protein used by Plasmodium vivax to infect human red blood cells. This discovery could lead to a vaccine targeting both the most prevalent and deadly malaria parasites. Understanding how the parasite enters red blood cells is essential for developing strategies to prevent malaria.
Scientists have developed a new drug targeting the malaria parasite's proteasome, which could combat the growing resistance to first-defence treatments. The innovative approach has shown promising results in killing resistant parasites and may complement existing artemisinin drugs.
Researchers discovered that gut microbiomes play a role in reducing the severity of malaria. Mice fed yogurt with specific bacteria showed decreased malaria pathology. The study provides a potential new approach to developing treatments for malaria.
Researchers estimate that up to 25% of white-tailed deer along the East Coast of the United States are infected with Plasmodium odocoilei, a previously unknown malaria parasite. The discovery fundamentally changes our understanding of malaria distribution and evolutionary history in mammals.
A UTSA researcher has received a $670,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop novel liver-stage antimalarial treatments. The goal is to stop the malaria parasite before it causes disease, which would protect people living in areas with high malaria burden.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have received funding for innovative diagnostic devices targeting three major blood disorders: malaria, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia. The technologies aim to improve diagnosis speed, accuracy, and accessibility in resource-constrained settings.
Researchers at OIST have reconstructed the 3D structure of Plasmodium falciparum protein PfEMP1, which deceives IgM antibodies and facilitates rosette formation. This understanding can aid in designing anti-malaria treatments that target these clusters.
A simplified three-dose intramuscular (i.m.) artesunate regimen has been shown to be non-inferior to the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended five-dose i.m. or i.v. regimen for treating severe malaria in African children. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that 78% of children treated with the simplified regimen had ov...
A recent study found that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine treatment has failed in certain provinces of Cambodia due to parasite resistance. The WHO has reinstated artesunate plus mefloquine as the first-line treatment in these areas. New surveillance and clinical trials are needed to track the spread of piperaquine resistance.
A study develops new methods to detect the onset of critical transitions in infectious disease epidemics, such as malaria. The method identifies the critical slowing-down period in human cases, suggesting that eradicating the disease could be anticipated even without a full understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Scientists reveal that inflammatory molecules driving the immune response in clinical and severe malaria also prevent protective antibodies from developing against the parasite. This discovery could lead to new approaches for boosting key immune cells needed for long-lasting immunity.
A team of NUS researchers discovered over 120 protein targets of artemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum, the most pathogenic malaria parasite. The study found that haem is the main activator of artemisinin, which targets essential biological processes in the parasite.
Research suggests environmental changes are driving an increase in Plasmodium knowlesi malaria cases among people in Malaysia. Deforestation and land use changes are thought to be key drivers of the emergence of this disease, which is usually found only in monkeys.
The Global Health Impact Index ranks pharmaceutical companies based on the impact of their drugs on global health, with Sanofi, Novartis, and Pfizer leading the list. The index considers factors such as drug effectiveness and access, aiming to incentivize companies to focus on impact and save millions of lives
A team of researchers at Penn State has received a $10.2 million grant to study a new malaria-prevention method involving eave tubes with insecticide-laced netting. The approach aims to limit mosquito access to houses and reduce indoor mosquito densities by up to 90 percent.
Researchers at Imperial College London have genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to be infertile, using a gene drive technology that can spread the trait rapidly. The goal is to reduce the spread of malaria parasites, which infect over 200 million people annually and cause 430,000 deaths.
Researchers argue that investing in simple diagnostic tests like pulse oximetry can prevent pneumonia deaths and end disease epidemics in the under-fives. The tests could also detect infected individuals with malaria and Ebola, potentially eliminating these diseases.
A new study finds that malaria risk in Africa is shifting due to climate change, with the highest-risk transmission zone moving eastward and expanding into new areas by 2080.
The study reveals how malaria parasites infect liver cells, a critical step in their lifecycle. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular details of malaria infection and has significant implications for developing new drugs and vaccines.
Researchers at University of California have successfully created a strain of mosquitoes capable of rapidly introducing malaria-blocking genes into its population, potentially eliminating the disease. The breakthrough uses a gene editing technique that allows for efficient creation of large populations of mosquitoes with this trait.
A mass drug administration (MDA) program implemented in Southern Greece eliminated malaria cases for two years, preventing a resurgence of the disease. The MDA covered 87% of an immigrant population and was effective in minimizing the risk of drug resistance.
Researchers from University of Nottingham uncover cyclin's crucial role in malaria parasite development within mosquitoes and mammal hosts. The study identifies three types of cyclin, shedding light on the disease's complex life cycle.
A computer simulation study suggests that treating malaria with a combination of more effective and less effective drugs can slow the spread of drug-resistant parasites. The non-artemisinin therapy, even when only 85% effective, works best in this approach.
A University of South Florida research team developed a novel chemogenomic profiling approach to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria. The study identified six new genes critically involved in P. falciparum's response to artemisinin, providing insights into the drugs' mechanisms of action.
A new study models the considerable public health impact of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. The vaccine could avert up to 1.2 cases of clinical malaria per child and one death for every 200 children vaccinated.
A new study reveals that relapsed malaria infections are a significant obstacle to malaria eradication in the Asia-Pacific region. Most childhood infections in Papua New Guinea are caused by relapsed P. vivax infections, which can hide in the liver and re-emerge after treatment.