Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
A new research published in The Lancet reveals that coordinated efforts across multiple sectors in Millennium Village sites in sub-Saharan Africa have led to a third reduction in child mortality rates under 5 years old. The study found that integrated interventions, including agricultural inputs and basic improvements in water and sani...
Researchers from UCLA created a crowd-sourced online gaming system where players distinguish malaria-infected red blood cells from healthy ones, achieving accuracy within 1.25% of medical professionals. The platform has potential to overcome limitations in malaria diagnosis, affecting 210 million people annually.
Michigan State University researchers are leading a clinical trial in Malawi to test the safety and feasibility of levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medication, to control seizures in children with cerebral malaria. The trial aims to improve neurologic outcomes for survivors, who often develop epilepsy or other neurologic disorders.
The Domino technology, developed at the University of Alberta, enables fast and accurate genetic testing using a miniaturized plastic chip. The innovation has the potential to transform point-of-care medicine, making it possible to screen large populations in a short time.
A new report identifies strategies to improve the marketplace for malaria bed nets, aiming to save up to $630 million for the global community. The report suggests modifying policies to reduce costs and create market incentives for private enterprises to produce better-performing nets.
A new study links malaria resurgence to funding cuts, with 91% of episodes tied to weakened control programs. The research highlights the need for sustained financial support to maintain gains in malaria control.
A recent study found that 91% of documented malaria resurgence events were attributed to weakened control programs, highlighting the need for sustained funding. The researchers emphasize the importance of continued investment in successful malaria control and elimination programs to maintain progress and save thousands of lives.
Researchers found a common protein target among severe malaria strains, which can be blocked by antibodies to prevent rosette formation and severe illness. The discovery may inform the development of new treatments or vaccines against life-threatening cases of malaria.
A new optical imaging system uses speckle imaging to measure differences in light bouncing off red blood cells, identifying cells infected with malaria parasites. The technique delivers results in under 30 minutes with high accuracy and low cost, promising to revolutionize malaria diagnosis.
A recent study published in the Lancet found a critical point in global efforts to control and eliminate malaria due to artemisinin resistance in western Thailand. Researchers identified a major region of the malaria parasite genome associated with artemisinin resistance, raising hope for effective molecular markers to monitor its spread.
A genetics study identifies key genome region underlying artemisinin resistance in malaria parasite, increasing concern about its spread to India and Africa. The region may provide a tool for mapping resistance, but containing its spread is expected to be challenging.
A new study reveals that artemisinin-resistant malaria has emerged and increased rapidly along the Thailand-Myanmar border, with parasite clearance half-lives lengthening from 2.6 hours in 2001 to 3.7 hours in 2010. The proportion of slow-clearing infections increased from 0.6% in 2001 to 20% in 2010.
Researchers from Notre Dame's Eck Institute for Global Health have developed a novel method using a gene chip to identify malaria drug resistance. This technology enables real-time response and modification of treatment strategies to combat emerging resistance.
Researchers at Yale University have created a compound that prevents the growth of the malaria parasite within red blood cells. The compound, developed by Sidney Altman and his team, shows promise in combating drug-resistant strains of the disease, which kills over 1 million people annually.
Researchers are developing a climate model to predict malaria outbreaks in India by identifying areas at risk of heavy monsoon rainfall. The model aims to inform early intervention methods and prevent the spread of malaria, reducing economic and health impacts.
A three-year clinical trial found that intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) reduced malaria infections among infants by up to 30%. The treatment regime protected against malaria for at least six weeks after treatment, showing an ongoing protective effect.
A randomized trial found IPTi to be an effective preventive measure against malaria episodes in infants exposed to both falciparum and vivax malaria. The study showed a significant reduction in malaria cases with regular IPTi treatment during infancy.
A new study published in Malaria Journal found that malaria prevention measures saved 850,000 child deaths in Africa between 2001 and 2010. The Lives Saved Tool model used by researchers estimated the impact of interventions such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and pregnant women's malaria prevention.
A UBC researcher has developed a 'lab on a chip' device to measure red blood cell deformability caused by Plasmodium falciparum, a key step in treating malaria. The device enables precise measurement of stiffening red cells at various stages of infection.
Researchers have discovered a modified bone drug that can effectively kill the malaria parasite in infected mice, working at very low concentrations with no toxicity observed. The new compound, BPH-703, targets a key enzyme essential for the parasite's survival and immune evasion.
Researchers have discovered a vital player in the sexual phase of the malaria parasite's reproduction that could prove an effective target for new treatments. The new protein, CDC20, plays a crucial role in cell division and the development of male sex cells, essential for parasite transmission between humans and mosquitoes.
Researchers have completed the first comparative analysis of all available and in-development antimalarials, identifying potential transmission-blocking medicines. The study reveals that some existing antimalarials can target multiple stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle.
Researchers compared 50 antimalarials against liver, sexual blood, and mosquito stages of human and nonhuman parasite species. The study provides a guide to help researchers identify promising antimalarial drugs for future treatments.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that text messaging can improve malaria control in Africa by transmitting information from the periphery to health managers, as well as supporting patient management. The authors highlight six areas where text messaging interventions can have a significant impact.
A research team led by Brandeis Professor Donald Shepard is investigating the cost-effectiveness of a new malaria prevention strategy involving a wallpaper-like liner technology. The technology has shown promising results in reducing malaria infections by 38 percent in Kenya.
The malaria parasite changes into a banana shape before sexual reproduction to evade the human immune system and survive in the circulation. This finding provides new targets for vaccine or drug development.
A study of 3,800 pregnancies has provided the most accurate evidence to date that malaria infection reduces early fetal growth. The research found that even single episodes of treated malaria can affect fetal head size at mid-pregnancy, but may not have a lasting impact on birth weight.
Researchers found a proactive test-and-treat strategy significantly reduced malaria prevalence, with a sixfold decrease in 2008-2009. The strategy also provided indirect protection to household members and could be targeted to hot spots for further reductions.
A combined public health campaign in Kenya successfully tackled HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea by distributing bed nets, water filters, condoms, and educational materials. This approach saved over $16,000 per 1,000 people reached, resulting in 16 lives saved and hundreds of years of healthy life.
Scientists have discovered a 20-million-year-old fossil of a bat fly, which has been entombed in amber and preserved its details. The find reveals that bat flies have been parasitizing bats for at least half as long as the mammal group has existed.
New research published in The Lancet reveals that malaria kills an estimated 1.2 million people globally each year, nearly twice as many as previously thought. Most malaria deaths occur in children over 5 years old, but the study also shows a significant number of deaths among adults in Africa and other parts of the world.
New research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reveals that more than 1.2 million people died from malaria worldwide in 2010, with 42% of those deaths occurring in older children and adults. The study found that anti-malaria drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets have driven a rapid decline in mortality rates.
Researchers argue that focusing on small groups of households at high risk of malaria transmission is an efficient way to reduce transmission. This approach prioritizes the most infected and diseased households, benefiting the entire community.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have discovered the atomic structures of malarial enzymes responsible for vitamin B6 biosynthesis, paving the way for the development of new antimalarial chemotherapeutics. This research could lead to a breakthrough in combating malaria, which affects nearly 250 million people worldwide.
Scientists have discovered a new gene involved in lipid synthesis of Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of human malaria. This breakthrough technique allows for the mapping of genes in the parasite, which could lead to the discovery of new medications and a better understanding of the disease.
A new MSU project aims to collect local data on preventable bacterial infections and spurs vaccine use and development in Nigeria and neighboring countries. The research focuses on diseases like pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, with the goal of increasing vaccine uptake and monitoring their impact.
The new malaria maps provide unprecedented detail on the current global pattern of the disease, allowing researchers to track changes over time. The maps reveal complex variations in malaria risk across the globe, highlighting the need for targeted resources and tailored approaches to controlling the disease.
Researchers identified a novel cellular function that targets proteins to red blood cells, enabling them to stick to and block blood vessels. Strategies that prevent this host-targeting process could lead to new treatments for malaria. The discovery, published in the journal Cell, provides urgent need for innovative therapies.
Scientists have identified a crucial molecule called PfSET10 that instructs malaria parasites to employ their 'invisibility cloak' to hide from the immune system. The research sheds light on how Plasmodium falciparum causes disease and evades the immune response, with implications for developing targeted treatments.
A new study suggests that targeted mass vaccination with RTS,S in low transmission settings may be more efficient than national-level introduction via EPI programs. In high transmission areas, distributing the vaccine to three-month old infants is the most efficient strategy.
A recent study warns that counterfeit and substandard anti-malarial medicines are circulating in Africa, posing a significant threat to public health. The medicines may contain wrong active pharmaceutical ingredients or artemisinin derivatives at low levels, leading to drug resistance and increased mortality.
Researchers from Boston College have discovered a protein called DOC2.1 that plays a pivotal role in the progression of toxoplasmosis and malaria. The team found that the function of this protein could be genetically blocked, potentially leading to the development of new drugs that target it.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that microbial communities on the skin influence attractiveness to mosquitoes. Individuals with lower diversity and higher abundance of bacteria were more attractive to Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquito, which plays a key role in malaria transmission.
Researchers engineered Anopheles mosquitoes to produce higher levels of Rel2, an immune system protein that attacks malaria parasites. The study suggests that this approach could lead to the development of malaria-resistant mosquito populations.
A new candidate malaria vaccine has been developed to neutralize all strains of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The vaccine induces an antibody response in animal models capable of neutralizing multiple strains, providing a promising target for vaccine development.
A study estimates global malaria incidence to be 225 million episodes worldwide in 2009, using routine surveillance data. The authors find that accurate surveillance is essential for monitoring progress towards the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and controlling malaria outbreaks.
Researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine discover that malaria patients' immune system is selectively weakened, making them more susceptible to fatal salmonella infections. The team identifies Tin Protoporphyrin as a potential candidate for prevention, but further testing is needed.
Researchers develop affordable, easy-to-use devices for rapid disease diagnosis in rural communities. Innovative projects include a handheld analyser capable of identifying malaria from DNA fingerprint and a piece of woven fabric that tests blood or urine for disease.
A comprehensive supply chain map reveals challenges in accessing anti-malarial drugs in Africa due to economic, political and infrastructural barriers. Local transport options like donkey carts and bicycles should be considered for rural areas.
University of Iowa researchers have found a way to cure mice of bloodstream malaria infections by rescuing an immune system pathway. The study's findings suggest that blocking the action of inhibitory receptor molecules could be an effective strategy for treating existing malaria infections.
Research reveals that most seabirds are free of malaria parasites, but certain groups like frigatebirds and birds with longer fledgling periods are more susceptible. Climate conditions do play a role, but not as expected, with warmer temperatures increasing rates of infection.
A new study assesses the effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy, revealing that the disease increases the risk of miscarriage. However, treating with standard antimalarial drugs reduces this risk significantly.
Researchers will scan 25 children using a four-time stronger MRI machine to validate initial evidence about brain damage and disease progression. The findings could lead to significant new approaches to prevent or minimize cerebral malaria's destructive effects.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel antimalarial agent, BCX4945, which kills the deadliest malaria parasite by starving it of vital building blocks. The study shows promising results in non-human primates, paving the way for more potent therapies against this deadly disease.
A new map reveals substantial parts of South Asia and Latin America are home to a deadly form of malaria, Plasmodium vivax. Vivax is harder to detect and cure than falciparum malaria, with limited treatment options available.
A mutation on the surface of human red blood cells provides protection against malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. Research found that the parasite binds less easily to cells expressing a specific variant of the Duffy blood group antigen, reducing the risk of infection.
Researchers have identified new ways to target and kill the malaria parasite in human bloodstreams, which could lead to the development of new anti-malarial drugs. The discovery provides a promising avenue for combating the disease, but also highlights the need for continued efforts to address growing resistance to current treatments.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that zinc supplementation does not protect young Tanzanian children against malaria. The research suggested that multi-nutrient supplementation may even increase the risk of malaria in children with iron deficiency.
Researchers discovered that a degradation product of defective hemoglobin blocks the establishment of a trafficking system used by the malaria parasite, preventing circulatory disorders and neurological complications. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism behind the protective effect of sickle-cell anemia against...
Researchers at Novartis have discovered a new class of dual-acting antimalarial compounds, the imidazolopiperazines (IZPs), which target both liver and blood infections. These compounds attack the Plasmodium parasite at both stages in its reproduction cycle, showing promise as a next-generation treatment for malaria.