Articles tagged with Malaria
Researchers at Notre Dame have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding the mechanism of artemisinin resistance in malaria. They found that a specific lipid called phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P) is produced by an enzyme called PfPI3K, and its levels are linked to artemisinin resistance.
Researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine discovered a genetic mutation in the ap2mu gene that makes Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites less susceptible to artemisinin and quinine. This finding suggests a different route to drug resistance may be developing independently in Africa.
A new study found that 79% of southeast African birds were infected with haemosporidian parasites, including novel malaria parasite lineages. The study's findings indicate that lifestyle characteristics of birds can influence their association with different parasite genera.
A new study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers found that offering purchase subsidies to retailers can increase the availability and affordability of malaria drugs. This approach is particularly effective for long-shelf life products, such as ACTs, which are considered the best anti-malarial drugs.
Researchers found that certain red blood cell variants, such as HbAS, correlated with protection from malaria in early childhood. Additionally, a genetic condition known as homozygous X-linked G6PD deficiency reduced malaria risk in girls, while HbC-trait increased risk.
Research finds that malaria-infected cells produce specific terpenes attractive to mosquitoes, which can be detected in breath or sweat. This discovery may lead to new diagnostic tests and improve malaria control by understanding mosquito attraction.
Researchers have discovered a naturally occurring chemical, cedrol, that attracts pregnant malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, offering a new way to control mosquitoes. The team found that the chemical increased the likelihood of female mosquitoes laying eggs in treated water by two to three times.
A new genetic method called MCR enables biologists to rapidly generate mutations in both copies of a gene, accelerating genetic research on diverse species. This method has the potential to control insect-borne diseases such as malaria and animal/plant pests by disseminating genetic elements with high efficiency.
A groundbreaking study by MSU doctors discovered that brain swelling is the cause of death in children with cerebral malaria. This breakthrough knowledge will help develop new treatments targeting the swelling, which may save lives by using ventilators to keep children breathing until the swelling subsides.
Researchers discovered that brain swelling is the cause of death in children with cerebral malaria, which may lead to new treatments targeting the swelling. The study's findings could help reduce mortality rates from malaria in Africa, where the disease still claims thousands of lives each year.
A two-year study found malaria incidence on the rise in rural Uganda, defying global trend of decline, due to inadequate current interventions. The study suggests a need for scaling up bednet distribution and considering new prevention measures.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet identified the key role of RIFIN protein in protecting blood type O individuals from severe malaria. The protein binds strongly to A blood cells but weakly to O, explaining why O individuals are less susceptible to the disease.
Researchers from the University of South Florida have discovered how malaria parasites replicate their chromosomes up to thousands of times before spinning off into daughter cells. This understanding could lead to a powerful new treatment for malaria-caused illnesses, which kill over 600,000 people annually.
Researchers developed ultra-sensitive detection methods for malaria parasites, detecting 58% of infections in human blood samples at low concentrations. The new assays surpass current standards, identifying 16% more cases and reducing false negatives.
A study by University of Miami researchers found dengue virus circulating in urban areas of Ghana, with 21.6% of malaria patients tested positive for long-lasting dengue IgG antibodies, indicating lifetime exposure. The findings suggest that up to one-third of all outpatient visits could be misdiagnosed as malaria.
Researchers found that male mosquitoes' reproductive traits evolved with their capacity to transmit malaria, leading to new targets for control. The study reveals key factors driving mosquito ability to spread the Plasmodium parasite.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discover that parasites in the apicomplexan family evolved to become parasites earlier than thought, with some relatives being photosynthetic algae. Advanced genomic analysis and observations of cell structure and behavior reveal a more complex evolutionary history.
A study confirmed artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites in Homalin, Sagaing Region, Myanmar, just 25km from the Indian border. This finding poses a significant threat to global control and eradication of malaria, as drug resistance spreads from Asia to Africa and potentially emerges independently.
Scientists at University of California - San Diego School of Medicine developed a malaria parasite protein produced by algae, generating antibodies in mice that nearly eliminated mosquito infection. The method uses an affordable and environmentally friendly approach to prevent malaria transmission from host to mosquito.
Researchers are using satellite data to target deadly parasites by identifying areas where disease flourishes. The project combines skills from various scientists to create maps accessible to countries with limited capacity for managing disease data.
A study by University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna researchers has identified avian malaria in 15% of examined wild birds in Austria, showing that native bird populations are susceptible to the disease. Three different Plasmodium species were also found, with one new species still requiring analysis and classification.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that mosquitoes increase production of immune system proteins called leucine-rich repeat immune proteins (LRIMs) after feeding on blood, which helps fight off parasites that may be present in the blood.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a way to grow liver-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells that can be infected with several strains of the malaria parasite. These cells offer a plentiful source for testing potential malaria drugs, which are badly needed due to emerging drug resistance.
Eve, an AI robot scientist, has demonstrated the success of its approach to speed up drug discovery and make it more economical. It discovered a compound that has anti-cancer and malaria properties, which could potentially improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.
A large study in sub-Saharan Africa found that vitamin A supplementation reduced malaria risk in children by 54% if administered during the wet season and to older children. The researchers suspect vitamin A boosts immunity and helps clear out the malaria parasite more quickly.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered a link between food intake during early infection stages and disease outcome. Reducing leptin levels or using pharmacologic inhibitors protected against cerebral malaria in mouse models.
Researchers discovered that mild malaria infections in birds accelerated telomere shortening, leading to premature death. Infected individuals produced fewer offspring despite no visible symptoms.
A University of Michigan-led research team found that combining bed nets and certain malaria vaccines can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in older age classes. The study suggests that the joint use of bed nets and some malaria vaccines may make the problem worse, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers estimate best times for mass drug treatment and house spraying to combat malaria, finding optimal seasons to target mass drug administration during the low season and house spraying just before the high season. The study's findings can help optimize combination of existing interventions and inform novel control measures.
A hybrid of two malaria mosquito species has been found to be highly resistant to insecticide-treated bed nets, threatening efforts to control malaria in Africa. The discovery highlights the urgent need for new and effective vector control strategies.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found a whole plant therapy more effective than purified drug artemisinin in killing malaria parasites, even those resistant to the pharmaceutical treatment. The study suggests using the whole plant may be a sustainable alternative for treating human malaria.
Researchers found that a new malaria treatment combination of artemisinin-naphthoquine was non-inferior to existing therapy for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, but more effective against another species. The study suggests this regimen could be considered for children in settings with multiple parasite species.
A research team has sequenced the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquitoes, revealing new insights into how they adapt to humans as primary hosts of malaria. The findings suggest an underlying genetic/genomic plasticity that enables variation in key traits determining transmission capacity within the genus.
A study revealed that malaria parasites change surface proteins every 48 hours to hide from the immune system, creating millions of new variants. This rapid evolution makes it difficult to develop an effective vaccine against the disease.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease has awarded a new contract to develop the Eukaryotic Pathogen Genomics Database, providing free access to genomic data related to pathogens important to human health. The database encompasses disease-causing eukaryotes and includes over 3,000 genomes from more than 300 species.
NTU scientists have identified two major ways malaria parasites become resistant to Artemisinin, a key front-line drug. The breakthrough findings will help doctors design new treatment cocktails and monitor drug resistance more effectively.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have identified two derivatives of borrelidin that completely remove the parasite load from mice and confer immunological memory to fight future infections. These compounds act on the protein production machinery of the parasite, making them efficient in all phases of infection.
Researchers at Texas Biomed are using new genomic tools to analyze individual malaria parasites, allowing for more effective treatment and vaccine design.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed nanomimics of host cell membranes that trick malaria parasites. These nanomimics effectively disrupt the parasite's cycle, blocking its invasion of new red blood cells while exposing it to the immune system.
A new study in The Lancet has found that combining insecticide spraying with bed nets offers no additional protection against malaria. In fact, the researchers suggest that investing more resources into providing bed nets may be a more effective solution to tackle malaria, as it is a low-cost and cost-effective method.
A study published in The Lancet found that using insecticide-treated bed nets alone is sufficient to protect children from malaria in areas with low or moderate transmission. Researchers led by Durham University concluded that combining wall sprays and bed nets does not offer additional protection against the disease.
A promising anti-malarial compound, (+)-SJ733, has been identified that rapidly destroys malaria-infected red blood cells by recruiting the immune system. The compound's mechanism of action is expected to slow and suppress development of drug-resistant parasites, making it a potential addition to global malaria eradication efforts.
Research team led by Miguel Soares discovered that specific bacterial components in the human gut microbiota can trigger a natural defense mechanism against malaria. High levels of circulating anti-alpha-gal antibodies induced by vaccination are highly protective against malaria transmission.
A study reveals that white blood cells can cause increased blood pressure and impaired blood flow in the brain, leading to death from cerebral malaria in mice. The researchers used a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei ANKA-induced cerebral malaria to investigate the role of white blood cells in this disease.
Scientists have identified a range of new chemicals with potent anti-malarial properties that could lead to new treatments for the disease. The compounds block a molecular salt pump at the surface of the parasite, causing it to swell and burst.
Canada has awarded $1.2 million in grants to 11 new global health innovations in La Francophonie member states, aiming to address pressing health challenges such as malaria, malnutrition and sanitation. The projects focus on improving maternal, newborn and child health, with a particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 16 mosquito species found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to understand how they transmit malaria. The study found that some species have varying capabilities for transmitting the disease and adapting to new environments.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellowship to study the effects of mercury contamination on red-winged blackbird populations. Her research aims to investigate how stress hormones and disease are connected in birds, with potential implications for understanding avian malaria infections.
The ASMQ FDC has shown non-inferior efficacy to AL FDC in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children under 5 years old. No significant concerns of tolerability were observed with either treatment.
A new study reveals that monkey-borne Plasmodium knowlesi is the leading cause of malaria hospitalizations in Malaysia, with 68% of cases attributed to this parasite. Deforestation and increased human interactions with macaques are potential culprits behind this rise in infections.
Researchers are developing two types of malaria vaccines: anti-infection vaccines that prevent people from becoming infected, and transmission-blocking vaccines that prevent mosquitoes from being infected. The goal is to induce an unnatural immunity in humans and mosquitoes, reducing the human parasite reservoir.
Researchers found that simple text messages can help patients complete their full malaria medication regimen, boosting rates of treatment completion and reducing the risk of drug-resistant diseases. The study used SMS reminders in Ghana and showed a significant impact on treatment adherence.
Genetics expert Muntaser Ibrahim's research on human genetic variation and population structure sheds light on disease susceptibility, offering potential insights into novel vaccines. His studies have identified key gene variants that can protect against malaria and other infectious diseases.
A study found that a gut bacterium, Csp_P, can reduce infection of mosquitoes by malaria parasites and dengue virus. The bacterium directly inhibits these pathogens in test tubes and shortens the life span of mosquitoes that transmit both diseases.
A new skin patch has successfully detected malaria proteins in live mice, paving the way for a less painful and more accessible diagnostic method. The patch, designed by Simon R. Corrie's team, captures multiple biomarkers for diseases like malaria, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.
Malaria causes over 200 million cases annually, with P. falciparum responsible for most deaths; researchers seek inhibitors of sugar metabolism enzyme to fight the disease.
A recent study found that mefloquine, an antimalarial drug, was not effective as an alternative to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for malaria prevention during pregnancy. Despite its safety profile, the drug showed poor tolerability and limited benefits for fetal health in HIV-positive women.
Grand Challenges Canada announces $2.4 million in grants for 22 innovative projects addressing maternal, newborn and child health globally. These projects include programs improving infant nutrition, malaria diagnosis, and vaccine storage, as well as initiatives to combat iron deficiency and improve access to healthcare.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new technique called vectored immunoprophylaxis (VIP) to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV, malaria, and influenza. This method provides specific antibodies that can neutralize pathogens, offering a potential solution for widespread use in the less developed world.
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) has awarded $15.3 million in grants to support the development of promising vaccines and drugs against three insect-borne diseases: malaria, dengue, and Chagas disease. These investments aim to tackle diseases that disproportionately affect the world's poorest populations.