Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.