Articles tagged with Malaria
A study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers found that children from the Fulani group have a distinct immune response to malaria, with key differences in immune cell activity offering greater protection. The study highlights the impact of genetics and lifestyle on immune responses.
A single-dose breakthrough: PfSPZ-LARC vaccines offer high-level protection against malaria. By leveraging genetic engineering, the vaccine harnesses weakened parasites that replicate in the liver but halt progression to the blood stage.
A new retrospective study found that nearly half of patients with fever of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa had a detectable pathogen, including bacterial strains and hemorrhagic fever viruses. The study highlights the need for strengthened laboratory capacity to improve diagnosis and treatment.
A comprehensive map of Plasmodium knowlesi genes essential for blood infections has been generated, providing insights into drug resistance and informing the development of new therapeutics. The study identified molecular requirements for parasite growth and pinpointed specific genes causing resistance to current antimalarials.
Children with severe malaria are at risk of serious health complications, higher mortality rates, and long-term cognitive impairment due to elevated uric acid levels. The study suggests that lowering uric acid may reduce hospital deaths and improve treatment strategies.
Researchers found genetic variants that confer a benefit to chimpanzees in specific habitats, particularly those related to malaria. The study suggests that climate and land use changes will impact different chimpanzee groups differently.
Researchers at NIH have identified a novel class of anti-malaria antibodies that target previously untargeted regions of the parasite. These antibodies have shown promise in providing protection against malaria parasites in animal models and could lead to new prevention methods.
A UC Riverside-led team, funded by the NIH, aims to uncover molecular factors governing gene regulation and chromatin organization in P. falciparum. The project focuses on long non-coding RNAs, which play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and influencing disease progression.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a potential target for treating drug-resistant malaria, PfNCR1, a cholesterol-managing protein. A compound known as MMV009108 can physically block the transporter, preventing it from doing its job and potentially killing the parasite.
Researchers found that antibodies targeting a specific site on the malaria parasite's virulence protein bind to the human host's endothelial protein C receptor, neutralizing the parasite. The discovery provides new insights into prevention and treatment of severe malaria.
A global study found that deforestation reduces the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets in controlling malaria. Bed net use was associated with up to 32% lower malaria rates in children, but only in areas where forests remained over 50% intact.
A new biopesticide made from dead bacterial cells has shown promise in killing malaria-carrying mosquitoes and reducing disease transmission. The powder, which retains the bacterium's mosquitocidal properties, also inhibits malaria transmission at sub-lethal doses.
Researchers analyzed hundreds of malaria parasite genomes to identify genetic variants associated with drug resistance. The study's findings can help scientists predict antimalarial drug resistance and prioritize experimental treatments.
A new gene-editing tool enables precise study of variable proteins that allow malaria parasites to stick to red blood cells and evade the immune system. The study introduces a platform to explore how malaria causes disease and identifies new proteins involved in the cytoadhesion process.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how protective antibodies can target malaria parasites. By analyzing the structure of these antibodies and their interaction with the parasite's protein, the team has identified a weak spot that could be targeted by vaccines to prevent severe disease.
Researchers have discovered two human antibodies that can recognize and target proteins causing severe malaria. These broadly reactive antibodies may represent a common mechanism of acquired immunity to severe malaria, offering insights for the design of a PfEMP1-based vaccine or treatment targeting severe malaria. The breakthrough cou...
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) has established a new research fellowship in malaria genomic epidemiology, honoring the late Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski. The fellowship aims to support early- to mid-career researchers from low- or middle-income countries in advancing malaria research.
A study published in JAMA found evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives in young children with severe malaria, raising questions about the need for new treatments. The study also showed that 10% of children returned within 28 days with an infection from the same strain they had during their original admission.
A new study from Uganda documents partial resistance to artemisinin in 11 out of 100 African children with severe malaria, suggesting a growing concern for the efficacy of lifesaving malaria treatments. The study also reveals that 10 patients who were thought to have been cured suffered repeat malaria attacks within 28 days.
Researchers discovered artemisinin partial resistance in Ugandan children with complicated malaria linked to the Pfkelch13 A675V genetic variation. This finding also highlights concerns over suboptimal treatment efficacy of parenteral artesunate followed by oral artemether/lumefantrine therapy.
A new noninvasive test using a device called the Cytophone can detect malaria without taking a single drop of blood, showing 90% sensitivity and 69% specificity in tests with adult patients diagnosed with symptomatic malaria. The technology has potential to improve detection of malaria cases and help initiate treatment.
Scientists have discovered a crucial protein called DMT1 that enables single-celled malaria parasites to use iron, essential for survival and reproduction. Blocking this protein may lead to effective antimalarial drugs.
Research led by ISGlobal reveals that children younger than five months of age may benefit from the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines if they live in areas with low malaria transmission, where mothers have less antibodies to the parasite. The study analyzed blood samples from over 600 children and infants and found that high levels of mat...
Increased malaria cases from mosquitoes transported by air have been reported in France and a European systematic review, highlighting the risk of Odyssean malaria. Locally-acquired infections remain constant, with more cases being reported since 2011.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham uncover key regulators of malaria parasites' cell division, revealing NEK1 as a potential drug target. The study aims to find new therapeutic targets for controlling malaria transmission.
A team of researchers has designed a new antimalarial drug called MED6-189, which is effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites. The compound works by targeting the apicoplast organelle and vesicular trafficking pathways, making it a promising lead in the fight against malaria.
Researchers at the University of Washington have uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, revealing that males can visually lock on to female targets in a crowded swarm. The team's findings could lead to the development of new mosquito traps specific to malaria-carrying species.
Scientists have mapped the global repertoire of genes that determine the male or female sexual fates in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. This study reveals key regulators of gene expression during development and identifies novel candidate 'driver' genes, shedding light on the complex biology of malaria transmission.
A study by McGill University researchers found that the timing of malaria parasite infection affects disease severity and host response. Circadian rhythms influence vulnerability to malaria parasites, with night-time infections resulting in less severe symptoms and slower parasite spread.
Researchers have created the first spatial map of malaria infection in the mouse liver using Spatial Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing. This discovery sheds light on the parasite's lifecycle, revealing changes in host cell gene expression near infected areas.
A study analyzing 5.5 million EU/EEA infectious disease cases over 10 years found significant sex differences in notified male versus female cases for several diseases. The proportion of males ranged from 40-45% for pertussis and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections to 75-80% for HIV/AIDS.
A new vaccine has shown to protect mothers from malaria during pregnancy and for up to two transmission seasons without booster doses. The vaccine was well-tolerated and safe for both the mothers and their offspring, with no differences in adverse events compared to placebo.
A malaria vaccine candidate has demonstrated sustained protection against parasite infection and clinical malaria over two years without a booster dose. The vaccine significantly protected women from malaria in pregnancy, offering new strategies to prevent the disease in vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Australian National University create a new method to treat deadly diseases caused by parasites, including malaria, by attaching drugs to cholesterol. The method could lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatments, as well as implications for the agricultural industry.
A new study reviewing the academic literature on indoor pest control reveals that successful mosquito treatments have unintended consequences, including the return of household pests like bed bugs and flies. This has led to community distrust and abandonment of these treatments, contributing to rising rates of malaria.
Researchers developed a new antimalarial agent, DIF-1(+3), effective against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. The compound showed stronger growth inhibitory effects than previous derivatives and significantly increased survival time in infected mice, suggesting it may offer more treatment options for malaria-endemic areas.
Researchers at SRI International have developed a novel injectable formulation for malaria treatment that provides months of protection against the disease. The formulation has shown to maintain high concentrations of the anti-malarial drug ELQ-331 in the bloodstream, overcoming issues with resistance and patient compliance.
Researchers analyzed blood plasma samples from 110 patients infected with Plasmodium vivax to understand how metabolisms were affected during initial episodes versus recurrent cases. The study found that patients with recurrence exhibited modulation in lipid pathways involved in immune system production, while those with first-episode ...
A Nigerian study found a significant association between placental malaria and low birth weight among primigravidae. The research used cross-sectional data from 357 women and discovered that non-uptake of intermittent preventive therapy for malaria was independently associated with placental malaria.
Chi-Min Ho, assistant professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, has been awarded the Pew Biomedical Scholars Program for her innovative work on malaria parasite biology. Her team plans to use integrated structural biology approaches to deepen our understanding of malaria parasite biology.
Researchers reconstructed ancient genomes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to study their worldwide spread. The analysis revealed that European colonizers introduced P. vivax to the Americas, while military activities in Europe facilitated the spread of P. falciparum.
Researchers have identified the spleen as a critical organ in cryptic malaria infections, where over 95% of Plasmodium vivax biomass is stored. Extracellular vesicles facilitate the parasite's adherence to spleen cells, enabling its survival and evasion of immune responses.
A recent study reveals that a cellular process called transfer Ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modification influences the malaria parasite’s ability to develop resistance. This breakthrough discovery could help researchers develop new drugs to combat resistance and better tools for studying RNA modifications.
A new compound found in fruit fly testes has the potential to control insect populations by suppressing their ability to reproduce. The enzyme, which is also present in other organisms, can lead to an overload of bromotyrosine that severely inhibits spermatogenesis.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to an overall decrease in areas suitable for malaria transmission from 2025 onwards. The research used several climatic and hydrological models to create a more in-depth picture of malaria-friendly conditions on the African continent.
A recent study found that malaria endemicity is negatively associated with leukocyte telomere length in sub-Saharan African populations. Genetic factors explain roughly half of the variation, but environmental factors like malaria may also play a role.
Researchers have mapped the critical developmental stages of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using single-cell RNA sequencing. This high-resolution approach reveals new insights into the life stages of the parasite, including its transformation from an asexual to sexual state.
Malaria parasite can be transmitted through blood donations, organ transplants, and needle sharing. Dr. Sophie Le Cam highlights the need for more sensitive testing methods to detect asymptomatic infections in donors from malaria-endemic countries.
A mid-stage trial of an experimental malaria monoclonal antibody found it to be 77% effective in preventing infection and disease in children in Mali. The treatment, administered by subcutaneous injection, was developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is designed to provide long-acting protection against malaria.
Researchers have found that temperature can affect mosquito longevity, infection time, and disease transmission. The study suggests that climate warming may increase malaria transmission in some areas but reduce it in others.
A study in southern Mozambique found that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) remains effective for preventing malaria infections in pregnant women, even in areas with high drug resistance. The study showed increased clearance of P. falciparum infections and lower antibodies resulting from parasite colonisation.
A recent study has identified a key component of the malaria parasite's invasion mechanism, revealing that it binds to a specific sugar called sialic acid on red blood cell surfaces. This discovery provides new insights into the parasite's adaptation to humans and offers potential targets for vaccine and drug development.
A team of researchers is using 'pathogen prospecting' to study archived mosquitoes for clues about malaria's history. By analyzing DNA from these specimens, they aim to reconstruct the disease's evolution and distribution, informing efforts to combat its ongoing threat.
The study highlights the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens due to climate change. The medical community must update their education and training to combat global warming and its impact on disease behavior.
Genomic analysis of malaria parasites in pregnant women reveals reduced diversity in areas with elimination interventions implemented. Routine sampling of pregnant women can inform about changes in transmission and complement clinical data.
Researchers identified a mechanism of 'copy-paste' genetics in Plasmodium falciparum that increases genetic diversity of surface proteins, potentially evading the human immune system. This discovery offers valuable insights for vaccine design and could help inform new approaches to preventing malaria.
Researchers found that insecticide paint effectively killed mosquitoes for up to a year in Cabo Verde, with good acceptance from the population. The VESTA formulation met WHO efficiency threshold requirements, making it a promising strategy for preventing vector-borne diseases.
Rice researchers developed a rapid and accurate point-of-care malaria test that is 12 times faster and easier to use than traditional tests. The device can detect asymptomatic infections and predict disease outcomes, leading to early identification and treatment of severe cases.
A new study published in GeoHealth suggests that forests can provide natural protection against disease transmission, including malaria. The research found that deforestation increases the risk of malaria, especially among children from poorer households and communities with certain dominant mosquito species.
A team of IBEC and ISGlobal scientists developed an innovative compound effective against both malaria and leishmaniasis. The compound, YAT2150, was originally designed as an antimalarial drug but showed high efficacy against leishmaniasis, making it a promising candidate for treating co-infections.