Articles tagged with Malaria
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.
Researchers explored the use of ivermectin in mass drug administration campaigns to reduce malaria infections in Africa and slow down drug resistance in Asia. Preliminary results showed a 16% reduction in childhood malaria episodes in Burkina Faso, where most population members received regular ivermectin doses.
The discovery of artemisinin revolutionized malaria treatment, with approximately 22% of averted clinical cases attributed to artemisinin combination therapies. Artemisinin was discovered in the 1970s and has had a significant impact on public health, human productivity, and scientific research.
A recent NIH study found that artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites can infect diverse mosquito species in Africa, including Anopheles coluzzii. This discovery suggests a higher risk of drug-resistant malaria infections in Africa, posing challenges to efforts to prevent and eliminate the disease.
A Griffith University PhD candidate has discovered that up to 40% of Indian Mynas in eastern Australia carry avian malaria parasites, posing a significant threat to native wildlife. The spread of these invasive birds could expose native birds such as parrots and magpies to new diseases.
Researchers have identified a five amino acid segment of Plasmodium parasite protein with protective antigenic properties, which can be used to develop antibodies and prevent malaria transmission through mosquitoes. The finding has the potential to lead to the development of a powerful malaria vaccine.
Researchers have discovered a protein in malaria that can bind to a sugar molecule found in many types of cancer. This binding enables anti-cancer drugs to be delivered precisely to tumors. The findings offer new potential for treating various cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer.
Researchers have discovered a potential weapon against cancer by harnessing the power of a malaria vaccine. The vaccine targets a specific carbohydrate found in both placenta and cancer cells, resulting in the death of cancer cells. Testing on mice has shown promising results, with over 90% of tumors attacked successfully.
Researchers have discovered that short segments of genes associated with severe malaria are shared across multiple species, including humans, apes, and chimps. This finding suggests an ancient genomic structure underlying human malaria virulence factors, which could aid in developing new treatments and vaccines.
Over 15 years, malaria cases in Africa have decreased by 663 million, mainly due to bednet and ACT interventions. However, growing insecticide and drug resistance threaten these efforts, requiring a proactive approach to develop new antimalarial drugs and insecticides.
Researchers have discovered a new gene locus that explains why some African children develop severe malaria while others do not. The genetic variant, found in Kenyan children, reduces the risk of severe malaria by about 40% and lies within a region of the genome shared with chimpanzees.
Researchers evaluated two alternative strategies to prevent malaria in pregnancy, finding that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine reduced clinical malaria by 84% and risk of anaemia by 22%. The new drug was also associated with lower risks of stillbirths and infant mortality.
A mouse model study published in PLOS Pathogens reports a causal link between prenatal malaria exposure and subsequent neurocognitive impairment in offspring. The research identifies key molecular mechanisms involved, including C5a signaling, which can be targeted to improve cognitive development.
A study published in mBio found that children with cerebral malaria have an accumulation of white blood cells and platelets in the brain, which is more severe in HIV-positive children. This discovery may lead to better treatment algorithms for CM.
A new study finds that African dams are linked to over 1.1 million malaria cases annually, with the risk being particularly high in areas with unstable malaria transmission. The research highlights the need for better disease control measures around dam reservoirs.
A study in a malaria-endemic region found that daily iron supplementation during pregnancy did not increase the risk of malaria, but resulted in increased birth weight and improved fetal outcomes. The authors suggest that universal iron supplementation may outweigh potential risks in low- and middle-income countries.
Research reveals that insecticide-treated bed nets function as human-baited insecticidal traps, delivering insecticide quickly to reduce mosquito activity. The study uses infrared video tracking technology to understand how mosquitoes interact with nets and inform future LLIN designs.
A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that health workers trained to use malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) still prescribe valuable malaria medicines to patients without testing for malaria. The researchers tested 5,000 participants across 40 communities and found that RDT use remained less than 50% desp...
A recent study by Rockefeller University researchers has uncovered the connection between malaria and a deadly blood cancer called Burkitt's lymphoma, which predominantly affects children in equatorial Africa. The research found that the malaria parasite causes DNA damage in B lymphocytes, leading to cancer-promoting changes.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have developed a new class of antimalarial drugs by targeting the critical malaria 'conductor' protein plasmepsin V. The discovery could effectively kill two species of malaria parasites, including the deadliest form Plasmodium falciparum, which causes most malaria-related deaths.
Scientists have uncovered a port of entry for malaria parasites in the liver, highlighting a potential new drug target. The discovery could help prevent the spread of disease and reduce malaria-related deaths worldwide.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that introducing rapid diagnostic tests in registered drug shops in Uganda reduced overdiagnosis of malaria by 73%, improving the use of valuable malaria drugs. The introduction of these tests improved treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies, increasing appropriate treatment by 36%.
A new anti-basigin drug has cured mice of established malaria infection with minimal side effects, offering hope for treating the deadly disease. The drug's development path may be less complex than traditional clinical trials, as it builds on existing knowledge of the protein's role in cancer and graft-versus-host disease.
Scientists have identified a potent agent, DSM265, that thwarts drug resistance in malaria parasites. This breakthrough treatment has the potential to be used for both single-dose and once-weekly doses, offering new hope against the disease.
Researchers found that existing malaria infections in mosquitoes facilitate replication of secondary infections, leading to higher parasite loads. This could disproportionately contribute to malaria transmission, especially if control measures focus on reducing mosquito feedings.
University of Washington chemists have developed a novel drug to fight malaria, DSM265, which targets the critical protein DHODH. The compound has shown promise in laboratory tests and is suitable for clinical trials in humans.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shown that a new drug, DSM265, kills malaria parasites in the blood and liver by targeting their ability to replicate. This could lead to a single-dose cure for malaria, with potential applications as both a treatment and preventive measure.
Scientists have identified a key protein that, if targeted, can stop the disease. The discovery could lead to precise drug design with limited toxicity, making it safe for vulnerable populations.
A new analysis found that over 34 million children's lives have been saved since 2000 due to investments in child health programs at a cost of as little as $4,205 per child. The report, published in The Lancet, also highlights the impact of funding from donor agencies such as the US government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A new mosquito protein has been identified as a key target for a malaria vaccine, with the potential to dramatically reduce cases worldwide. Jun Li's research found that an antibody against this protein blocks parasite invasion in mosquitoes, making vaccination a promising solution.
A new study finds that calcineurin is essential for malaria parasites to invade red blood cells. The protein allows the parasite to recognize and attach to the red blood cell surface, and inhibitors of calcineurin can prevent infection.
Researchers have discovered a new and promising target site for a potential vaccine against malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that kills hundreds of thousands each year. The AnAPN1 protein is believed to be central to the transmission of the malaria parasite through mosquitoes.
Researchers uncover detailed information on AnAPN1 protein shape and antibody binding sites, enabling the design of more effective mosquito-based vaccines. This breakthrough may lead to a reduced number of infected mosquitoes and eventual disease eradication.
The world invested more than $200 billion to improve health in lower-income countries between 2000 and 2014. Despite a significant increase in funding after the Millennium Development Goals were established, global health financing stagnated between 2010 and 2014.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 90 studies found residents of modern homes were 47% less likely to be infected with malaria than those living in traditional houses. Modern housing features, such as closed eaves, ceilings, screened doors and windows, can block mosquitoes from entering homes and prevent transmission of the disease.
Ruth S. Nussenzweig, Victor Nussenzweig and Tu Youyou will share the unrestricted award of $500,000 for their groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry and parasitology that have resulted in treatments saving lives globally.
The March of Dimes Foundation has funded a Portuguese laboratory to study factors that act in the placenta to protect the fetus from malaria. The research focuses on trophoblast cells, which are crucial for maternal-fetal exchanges of nutrients and gases.
Researchers have identified two genetically divergent subpopulations of P. knowlesi in human cases, each associated with a different species of reservoir host. This discovery highlights the complexity of zoonotic malaria transmission and may lead to new possibilities for parasite adaptation to humans.
A study in Nigeria found that 9.3% of antimalarial drugs purchased in Enugu were of poor quality, while 1.2% were falsified and 6.8% substandard. The results highlight the need for improved drug regulation and monitoring to protect patients from receiving ineffective or harmful treatments.