Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
Researchers have characterized two families of molecular odorant sensors in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which mediate critical behaviors like host location. The discovery suggests that these mosquitoes use multiple olfactory signaling pathways to detect human-derived odors.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have identified a second set of olfactory receptors in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, which responds to key human odorants. This discovery may help explain the effectiveness of DEET repellents and provide new insights into developing more effective lures and controls for malaria.
Researchers estimate ITN coverage in 44 African countries between 2000 and 2008, with some countries scaling up coverage to over 60%. However, others, such as Nigeria, remain undercovered. The study suggests increased development assistance for health is related to improved ITN coverage.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have created a synthetic drug for malaria treatment that is more potent than naturally derived artemisinin. The new drug's stability makes it last longer in the body, reducing the chance of parasite re-appearance and making it more cost-effective to mass produce.
A study found that infection with malaria parasites during antibiotic treatment developed a vaccine-like immunity against re-infection. Antibiotics can prevent malaria parasite replication in the liver, allowing the immune system to mount a robust defense against future infections.
A modeling study found that high malaria transmission areas in Africa require additional tools beyond current interventions like artemisinin-combination therapy and bednets. Targeting outdoor-biting mosquitoes with new strategies may be necessary for achieving elimination in these areas.
Researchers have identified a unique metabolic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, which could be targeted with anti-malarial drugs. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the parasite uses a double-branched pathway to generate acetyl-CoA, a crucial molecule for its survival.
A global distribution map of P. vivax malaria identifies regions with extremely low or unstable transmission, where control and elimination are relatively good prospects. The study estimates that 91% of exposed individuals live in Central and South East Asia.
To eradicate malaria, it is essential to comprehend the private lives of mosquitoes beyond their usual habitats. The authors emphasize that current vector control measures are insufficient to break the Plasmodium falciparum transmission cycle in highly endemic areas.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed new techniques to identify drug resistance in malaria, enabling faster detection and saving lives. By using genetic assays and mathematical analysis, they can track drug immunity of the deadliest form of the disease in just days, far cheaper than traditional methods.
Researchers found that administering antibiotics to mice infected with malaria prevents the disease and induces long-term immunity. The treatment targets the apicoplast, a bacterial organ necessary for parasite reproduction, allowing the immune system to develop robust protection.
Researchers found that administering antibiotics during the liver stage of malaria infection generates strong protective immunity in mice. The treatment prevents malaria parasites from infecting red blood cells and builds long-term immunity against subsequent infections.
A team of Duke University researchers and African colleagues will be studying strategies to curb the spread of malaria while protecting human and environmental health. The work aims to refine a model called the Malaria Decision Analysis Support Tool (MDAST) to improve malaria control effectiveness worldwide.
Researchers successfully engineer mosquitoes immune to malaria parasite, rendering them ineffective vectors for human infection. The breakthrough has significant implications for global health, with an estimated 1 million fatalities annually due to the disease.
Penn State's Liwang Cui leads a seven-year, $14.5 million project to combat malaria in Southeast Asia. The center will address research needs in regions with high malaria morbidity and mortality rates.
The University of California, Irvine will lead a groundbreaking malaria field research project in China, Myanmar, and Thailand with $4.7 million federal funding. Researchers aim to develop broader results by working with transient populations and Chinese residents near the Myanmar border.
Case Western Reserve University has been named an International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, a $7.9M seven-year grant to accelerate malaria control and elimination worldwide. The research will focus on regions where malaria is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Latin America.
The University of California, San Diego will lead a seven-year, $9.2 million NIH grant-funded effort to study and understand the complete disease cycle of malaria in the Amazon basin. The goal is to comprehensively address the ongoing public health problem of malaria, which affects over 3 billion people worldwide.
Researchers and graduate students from low-income countries can apply for conference bursaries to attend the Parasite to Prevention conference in Edinburgh, UK. The bursaries cover travel, accommodation, and conference registration costs.
A MSU-led research team will use the grant to create new prevention and control strategies for malaria in Malawi, focusing on identifying factors contributing to the disease's incidence and prevalence. The team aims to tailor strategies to specific seasons and locations.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has funded 10 international centers for excellence in malaria research, with a focus on cutting-edge research in endemic areas. The program aims to generate critical knowledge, tools, and evidence-based strategies to support intervention and control programs in regions most affe...
Tulane University will establish an International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research for West and Central Africa, aiming to achieve malaria control in the region. The seven-year project will involve 48 investigators from 10 institutions, including four African partners.
African children suffer from an estimated 656 million fevers annually, with many cases likely due to non-malarial causes. A new study estimates that only 60-103 million of these fevers are caused by the most dangerous form of malaria.
Scientists are analyzing over 2,500 marine samples from the deep sea for potential malaria treatments. Preliminary tests have identified 300 samples that can kill malaria parasites, with one compound showing promise.
Scientists discovered that adding antioxidant therapy to traditional antimalarial treatment can prevent long-lasting cognitive impairment in cerebral malaria. Oxidative stress is present in the brains of mice infected with cerebral malaria, and treating with antioxidants prevents cognitive damage.
A recent study published in Current Biology reveals that malaria is tens of thousands of years older than previously thought, evolving alongside anatomically modern humans. The research found a clear correlation between the geographic spread of malaria and human migration patterns, suggesting a shared origin and route of spread.
Researchers have identified the complement receptor 1 (CR1) as an alternative protein used by the malaria parasite to invade red blood cells. This finding has significant implications for the development of a vaccine against malaria, and may help prevent the proliferation of parasites that rely on this pathway.
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 by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência has identified the first genetic risk factors for cerebral malaria in Angolan children, a severe form of malaria infection. The research found that variants in two genes, TGFB2 and HMOX, increase susceptibility to cerebral 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 ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.