Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
Australian researchers have visualised a key protein complex in malaria parasites for the first time, uncovering a new target for next-generation vaccines. The discovery has led to the development of a promising mRNA vaccine candidate that stops the malaria parasite from reproducing inside mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of transmission...
Researchers developed a CRISPR-based gene-editing system that changes a single molecule within mosquitoes, halting malaria-parasite transmission. The new system is designed to genetically spread the malaria resistance trait until entire populations of the insects no longer transfer the disease-causing parasites.
The BOHEMIA trial showed a 26% reduction in new malaria infection incidence among children aged 5-15 in Kenya, demonstrating Ivermectin's potential as a complementary tool in malaria control. Ivermectin could complement existing measures and contribute to elimination efforts, particularly in areas with mosquito resistance.
Researchers identified over 250 proteins that change during malaria infection, enabling patients to be grouped according to severity. This allows for quicker identification of high-risk patients and more effective treatment.
Researchers have discovered batzelladins, which rapidly eliminate parasites that cause malaria, including strains resistant to conventional antimalarial drugs. The efficacy of these substances was proven through tests on blood samples from patients and infected mice.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding malaria parasite proteins that could lead to targeted therapies. Two key proteins, PfRAP03 and PfRAP08, regulate gene expression in the apicoplast, a unique organelle found in P. falciparum. The loss of either protein led to parasite death, confirming their essential roles.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified a protein expressed on malaria-infected red blood cells that can hide from the immune system while also activating immune cells to destroy infected cells. This dual function makes the protein an excellent target for vaccine development and treatment.
Researchers at University of Utah reveal the untold story of Black prisoners who participated in malaria experiments, leading to breakthroughs in pharmacogenetics and prevention of adverse drug reactions. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging the contributions of marginalized groups in medical research.
Researchers discovered a potential vulnerability in P. falciparum by inducing protein aggregation, leading to reduced parasite growth. The study may lead to novel antimalarial strategies targeting the parasite's internal protein folding machinery.
Researchers at USTC found that halofuginone increases growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), reducing body weight and improving metabolic health. This dual approach reduces appetite and increases energy expenditure, offering a potential new drug for treating obesity.
Researchers have identified a type of chemical compound that kills malaria-causing parasites in mosquitoes when applied to insecticide-treated bed nets. The breakthrough could significantly blunt malaria transmission and potentially replace traditional prevention methods.
Researchers at SwRI designed netting systems to deliver antimalarial drugs called Endochin-like Quinolones (ELQs) that destroy Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. The findings, published in Nature, show that the two ELQs kill parasites developing within the mosquito, potentially eliminating resistance.
A potent combination of antimalarial compounds blocks parasite transmission in mosquitoes while circumventing insecticide resistance. The new strategy retains activity even after a year and efficiently kills parasites even when applied to the female mosquito up to four days in advance of infection.
Researchers have discovered a family of exported proteins in the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum that may hold promise for identifying new drugs. The proteins, known as FIKK kinases, were found to be necessary for the parasite's survival and likely played a key role in its evolution to infect humans.
A team of researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has discovered that the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can shut down a key set of genes to avoid detection by the immune system. This finding suggests that asymptomatic adults may harbor undetectable parasites, making it more challenging to eliminate malaria.
Researchers develop novel method to combat malaria vector Anopheles stephensi using satellite imagery, machine learning and mobile apps. The strategy targets water sources during dry season to eradicate larvae.
A recent study found significant elevated expression of AID enzyme in B cells during Plasmodium falciparum malaria, linking the parasite to the development of Burkitt lymphoma. Elevated AID levels were also observed in Kenyan children with uncomplicated malaria.
A new study at Stellenbosch University found that blocking the enzymes involved in glycolysis could cut off the malaria parasite's primary energy source and kill it. This approach has shown promise for developing new malaria drugs, particularly against resistant parasites.
A special collection explores China's national strategy and case studies from provinces, detailing the interventions that led to elimination. However, experts warn that funding declines could reverse gains, with malaria cases and deaths predicted to increase if Global Fund and Vaccine Alliance funding declines in 2025.
A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that malaria and meningitis deaths in comatose African children remain high despite decades of research and health interventions. The study highlights the critical need for immediate antibiotics alongside antimalarials, regardless of malaria diagnosis.
Researchers at Aarhus University have mapped the precise structure of CD163 bound to haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex, providing unique insight into its function. This breakthrough connects earlier observations and opens up opportunities for studying the evolution of CD163's structure and interaction with other proteins.
Researchers have identified nitisinone as a medication that can suppress mosquito populations by making human blood toxic to them. The drug, used to treat rare genetic diseases, has been shown to be more effective than ivermectin in killing mosquitoes and has the potential to control malaria spread.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discovered a molecular quality-control system in Anopheles mosquitoes that can be targeted to disrupt malaria parasites. Disrupting the prefoldin chaperonin system reduced mosquitoes' ability to host and transmit malaria parasites, killing about 60% of them.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have discovered a key process where malarial parasites take up human blood cell enzymes, which could provide a new approach for antimalarial treatment. The findings suggest that a human enzyme, acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH), is the major activating enzyme of multiple antimalarial prodrugs.
Researchers have identified novel mosquito repellents with high success rates from natural sources, including food and flavoring materials. The team's machine learning-based cheminformatics approach also pinpointed pyrethroid analogs up to 100 times more effective than existing industry standards.
Researchers at UTEP secured a patent for anti-malarial drug pyronaridine, which slows cancer cell growth and induces programmed cell death, sparing healthy cells.
A multinational research team has identified an epigenetic inhibitor that specifically kills the malaria pathogen by targeting its gene regulation. The study opens up new opportunities for innovative therapeutic approaches to combat 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 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...
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.