Articles tagged with Malaria
A recent study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers links deforestation in the Amazon to a significant increase in malaria cases, with a 48% rise reported in areas with a 4% loss of forest cover. The findings suggest that clearing tropical forests creates ideal habitat for mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that there were approximately 451 million clinical cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria worldwide in 2007. The majority of this burden was attributed to India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar. These findings highlight the need for improved diagnosis and surveillance ...
A new study by UBC researchers has definitively linked the evolutionary histories of malaria and dinoflagellate algae through the genome of Chromera, a symbiotic coral organism. The discovery resolves a long-standing scientific debate and could provide crucial information for tackling diseases.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identify heparin-like carbohydrates that block malaria parasite's attachment to red blood cells, offering new potential for anti-malarial drugs. The study provides hope for developing effective treatments against the disease, which affects millions worldwide.
Scientists have discovered that platelets play a crucial role in cerebral malaria, a fatal form of the disease that ravages the brain. By targeting platelets, researchers hope to develop new treatment options for this devastating condition.
A new study reveals that drains are a significant vector for the development of lymphatic filariasis and malaria in Dar es Salaam. The researchers found that simple environmental management interventions can help reduce mosquito-borne disease transmission and promote a healthier environment.
Research published in PLOS Medicine found that the Mediterranean G6PD variant protects against Plasmodium vivax infection in Afghan refugees. The study suggests that G6PD deficiency may be retained in human populations due to its protective effects against Plasmodium vivax malaria.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified 172 compounds with potential as new anti-malarial drugs, offering a promising tool in combating the disease. The compounds were discovered through high-throughput screening of a vast chemical compound library.
Consuelo De Moraes at Penn State has received a $100,000 grant to investigate the link between malaria infection and odor cues that attract mosquitoes. Her research aims to identify a chemical signature of malaria infection, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools.
A team of scientists finds that global warming is unlikely to expand the range of malaria due to effective control measures, urbanization and economic development. Malaria control efforts have reduced the disease's prevalence over the past century despite a global temperature rise.
A recent study suggests that current malaria interventions could have a more dramatic positive effect on reducing the spread of malaria than negative effects caused by climate change. The research found that disease control measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and modern antimalarial drugs can potentially counteract the effect...
An international team identified over 1,100 new compounds with confirmed activity against the malaria parasite, including two dozen families of molecules that could be candidates for drug development. The researchers launched a public database to share findings and accelerate anti-malarial drug development.
Researchers have discovered a new twist on a potential malaria drug target, which traps malaria parasites within infected red blood cells. This breakthrough identifies an essential step in the biology of the most common and severe malaria parasite and offers a new direction for fighting one of the world's most deadly infections.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an evolution-proof pesticide that could prevent malaria. The project aims to use a virus to instruct the mosquito to die after transmitting the malaria parasite, reducing the risk of resistance.
Eliminating malaria from Hispaniola would demonstrate the feasibility of global eradication efforts. The authors recommend advanced mosquito control methods, diagnosis systems, and community education to combat the parasite. Success requires unwavering political will from both governments.
Researchers developed a novel microscopy technique that reveals the mechanics of blood cell membranes, leading to a better understanding of deformability and its relation to morphology. This discovery has important implications for screening and treatment of blood-cell-morphology diseases such as malaria and sickle-cell disease.
The Lancet Editorial calls for increased public commitment to combat malaria, citing a 20-year development timeline and £500 million investment. A broader public-private partnership is needed to support the development of an effective vaccine, with $20 billion pledged by Bill Gates.
A new antimalarial combination therapy, pyronaridine-artesunate, has been shown to be as effective as the current gold standard treatment, artemether-lumefantrine, but requires only once-daily dosing. The study found high clinical and parasitological response rates and rapid parasite clearance in patients with uncomplicated malaria.
Scientists have confirmed that ovale malaria is caused by two distinct but similar species of parasite. The discovery was made using DNA technology, revealing the parasite's unique characteristics and potential impact on global health.
A new Cochrane Systematic Review reveals a shortage of quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) against malaria. The method has been widely used since the 1950s, but its protective effect cannot be quantified due to limited studies.
Researchers successfully created genetically engineered mosquitoes that can deliver a malaria vaccine through blood feeding, raising hopes for a new strategy in disease control. The study, led by Associate Professor Shigeto Yoshida, targeted the saliva gland of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes and induced protective immune responses.
Researchers found that 10% of Duffy-negative people in Madagascar were infected with P. vivax, contradicting the long-held assumption of resistance. The study suggests that population mixing and disease evolution have led to the emergence of new parasite strains that can infect Duffy-negative red blood cells.
Scientists found that a protein barrier in mosquito midgut prevents disease-causing agents like the Plasmodium malaria parasite from infecting mosquitoes. Disrupting this barrier could trigger immune defenses to protect insects from infection, potentially informing new strategies for blocking malaria transmission.
Researchers found that climate change is one factor contributing to the rise of malaria in highland areas, particularly in East Africa, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. However, they also identified other key factors, such as migration and land-use changes, that are likely driving the spread of the disease.
A research program aimed at understanding malaria infection and developing effective treatments and vaccines has been awarded $12.7 million. The program will investigate the parasite's ability to evade the immune system and develop resistance to existing drugs.
A UCR researcher has identified a mechanism by which the malaria parasite replicates in human red blood cells, intensifying its infectious cycle. The 'histone crash' process involves the massive breakdown of histones, allowing for rapid gene transcription and multiplication.
Researchers linked malaria and bone abnormalities to King Tut's death through DNA analysis and genetic testing. The study also revealed a possible familial relationship between Tutankhamun and other royal mummies.
An international team of researchers has decoded the genomic blueprint of Plasmodium falciparum, a strain of malaria most resistant to drugs. The discovery may lead to advanced pharmaceuticals and help prevent drug resistance among the 250 million people infected by malaria each year.
Researchers at Vanderbilt and Yale universities have successfully transplanted most of the mosquito's 'nose' into frog eggs and fruit flies. The goal is to develop novel ways to inhibit the spread of malaria by targeting specific olfactory receptors.
A team of researchers at Kansas State University has identified genes in mosquito blood cells whose expression changes with malaria infection. Understanding these genes could help develop new prevention strategies for the disease. The study sheds light on the mosquito's immune system and its ability to defend against parasites.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.
Using transcriptional profiling, NTU researchers uncovered the gene functions for almost the entire Plasmodium falciparum genome, better understanding its response to existing compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria, potentially saving millions of lives.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have synthesized the entire protein responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. A protein-based vaccine is planned to trigger antibodies protecting against malaria, saving over 200,000 lives annually.
A new LSTM-led study aims to investigate the effects of long-term weekly iron and folic acid supplementation on anaemia and malaria risk in young women. The research seeks to strengthen adolescent health services and develop effective preventative programmes for anaemia control.
Researchers have discovered a key enzyme that allows the malaria parasite to take over human red blood cells. Plasmepsin V is essential for the parasite's ability to secrete proteins into the host erythrocyte.
Researchers have developed a new malaria vaccine that has shown strong and long-lasting immune responses in young children, surpassing antibody levels found in adults. The vaccine, FMP2.1/AS02A, targets the blood stage of the disease and was tested in 100 Malian children, with all doses proving safe and well-tolerated.
A multinational team of researchers has identified a plan to develop new treatments for malaria by targeting the parasites' digestive enzymes. By blocking these enzymes, the parasites can no longer survive within human red blood cells, offering new hope for millions affected by global spread of drug-resistant parasites.
A University of Central Florida researcher has created a low-cost vaccine against two deadly diseases, malaria and cholera, offering long-lasting immunity to mice. The breakthrough uses genetically engineered plants to produce the vaccine, which could be produced in large quantities at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
A demographic study estimated that 125.2 million women are at risk of malaria each year, with most cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The study found that pregnant women and their unborn babies are highly vulnerable to malaria, leading to thousands of deaths annually.
A new study estimates that over 125 million global pregnancies are at risk from malaria every year, representing 60% of all pregnancies globally. The study provides a reliable estimate of the numbers at risk globally and will inform policy decisions for research and control efforts.
Researchers detect Plasmodium falciparum and two new species of malaria parasites in gorillas, complicating efforts to eradicate the disease. The findings could aid vaccine development and further understanding of infectious disease transmission from animals to humans.
Research synthesizes data from various studies on anti-merozoite antibody responses and their link to protection against clinical malaria. Merozoite antigens are key targets of protective immunity, with antibodies to MSP-3, MSP-119, and AMA1 offering substantial protection.
The article examines the organizations, actors, and arrangements involved in malaria research and delivery, speculating about future directions. The authors analyze the institutional innovations and funding structures that shape the global health system, highlighting the need for effective knowledge-action linkages.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have discovered proteins that could form the basis of an effective vaccine against malaria. The findings support the development of a vaccine against the blood-stage of malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
Scientists at the University of York have created a genetic map for Artemisia annua, which will enable rapid improvement of the species and development of high-yielding crops. The project aims to meet soaring demand for effective malaria treatments by 2012, when production is expected to double.
A nearly $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support research on the potential effects of climate change on infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which annually infect 500 million people worldwide. The project aims to quantify how environmental temperature influences disease transmission and risk.
The program aimed to reduce child mortality by at least 25% in 11 west African countries but found no significant acceleration in child survival. Coverage for effective treatment interventions and nutritional status showed mixed results, with decreases in some areas but not others.
Researchers have identified a set of proteins related to the malaria parasite that can serve as new drug targets. The discovery uses a plant-based model, Arabidopsis, to understand how these proteins normally function, which could lead to the development of more effective antimalarial drugs.
An insecticide-treated net program in Tanzania targets pregnant women and infants but suffers from attrition at each step. Researchers suggest simple changes to improve the program's success rate, which currently stands at 30%.
Professor Alan Cowman's research on Plasmodium falciparum has led to a better understanding of the malaria parasite's evasion of the human immune system and its invasion of red blood cells. He is being recognized for his contributions to identifying vaccine and drug candidates against malaria.
Researchers have found that male and female mosquitoes harmonize with each other to find a compatible mate. The study reveals that different mosquito forms can travel together despite their genetic diversity, which has significant implications for malaria control.
Scientists have discovered a potential new way to combat malaria by disrupting the reproductive process of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Removing or interfering with the 'mating plug' prevents successful reproduction and fertilization.
The La Jolla Institute will receive funding to identify epitopes for developing effective vaccines against these diseases. The study aims to make new inroads toward vaccines that can target the body's immune system to launch an attack, with potential applications for tuberculosis and malaria.
Malaria parasites adapt their molecules to evade the host's immune response, with different approaches used in children and adults. Researchers discovered a limit to severe disease-causing variants and found evidence for a vaccine against this deadly form of malaria.
The journal PLoS Medicine is calling for international action to address the crisis of malaria drug shortages across Africa. The 'third wave' of malaria activism aims to raise awareness of the issue and find solutions.
Stiffer and stickier red blood cells cause anemia and joint pain in malaria patients. Researchers developed models to predict the disease's progression by analyzing temperature fluctuations and cell stiffness.
A new supplement reviews the history and application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in eliminating malaria. SIT involves releasing sterile male mosquitoes to wipe out a pest population, which can be effective against Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria.
Scientists are developing genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to malaria and creating a rapid saliva-based diagnostic test. Researchers are also exploring ways to manipulate bacteria found in mosquito guts to kill the parasite without harming the insect.
The majority of malaria endemic countries adopted effective artemisinin combination therapy more than three years ago, but its availability remains low in public and private sectors. Ineffective monotherapies dominate the market share in many countries, with some products costing up to 65 times the minimum daily wage.
IVCC is showcasing its new Malaria Decision Support System (MDSS), a continuous surveillance system that integrates monitoring and evaluation data for malaria control programmes. The system will be demonstrated at the 5th Pan-African Multilateral Initiative on Malaria conference.