Articles tagged with 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.
Malaria eradication remains an elusive goal despite progress in controlling the disease, requiring multiple activities, interventions, and approaches. Scientists must adapt their strategies to address changing parasite behavior and distribution, developing new tools and interventions to keep ahead of emerging challenges.
Research published in the UK-based urology journal BJUI found that women exposed to DDT spraying were more likely to have sons with urogenital birth defects, which can cause missing testicles or problems with their urethra or penis. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to DDT may increase the risk of these defects.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received funding from the Gates Foundation to develop a simple and low-cost diagnostic test for malaria using the coffee ring stain phenomenon. The test has the potential to be more reliable and shelf-stable than existing methods, which require refrigeration and highly trained technicians.
Researchers have charted extreme genetic differences in the malaria parasite, which could make it difficult to develop a broadly protective vaccine. The study found that certain regions of the protein are recognized by the immune response, allowing researchers to narrow their focus and reduce the number of immunologically important types.
Scientists have discovered a gene behind malaria-resistant mosquitoes, which could lead to new tools for controlling malaria transmission in endemic areas. The study found that a single section of one chromosome contains a gene called TEP1 that promotes the killing of malaria parasites in mosquitoes.
A new method of biocontrol using fungal biopesticides may be an effective means of reducing malaria transmission, particularly when used in combination with insecticide-treated bednets. The study suggests that this approach can substantially reduce malaria transmission rates and help manage insecticide resistance.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that older children are least protected by mosquito nets, putting them at high risk of developing life-threatening malaria. The study suggests that ensuring universal coverage for this age demographic is crucial to reduce transmission and impact on the community.
Canada faces a pressing challenge to address the deteriorating progress towards Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Lancet urges Canada to make significant contributions in five key areas: health system strengthening, climate change, peace through health, Indigenous Health, and establishing a Canadian Health Action Network for Glo...
Introduced Japanese white-eyes are depleting food sources, causing stunted growth and higher death rates among native Hawaiian birds. This is leading to increased susceptibility to diseases like malaria and chewing lice, further threatening the already endangered species.
A recent study found that intermittent preventive malaria treatment in African infants is both safe and effective, with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine providing protection for up to 6 weeks. However, the use of this drug is limited by potential resistance and its risks. New long-acting antimalarial drugs are urgently needed for this strategy.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals key laboratory and clinical features of human P. knowlesi infections, confirming the potentially deadly nature of the disease. The research found that P. knowlesi malaria can cause a wide spectrum of disease, including breathing difficulties and kidney problems.
Researchers found that house screening reduced mosquito numbers by 49-59% and malaria-related anaemia in children by half. The authors suggest integrating house screening into vector management programs to combat malaria.
A new analysis reveals that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa cause immense suffering, with helminth infections accounting for approximately 85% of the NTD burden. The study suggests that investing $200-$400 million annually could significantly reduce the burden of these diseases.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have discovered the mechanism by which hemozoin activates the immune system, leading to inflammation and fever in malaria patients. The study provides a new direction for developing vaccine-like treatments to limit the severity of the disease.
Dr. Nicholas J. White receives the sanofi-aventis ICAAC Award for his work on artemisinin-based combination treatments and reduction of malaria transmissibility, leading to a significant decrease in global malaria morbidity.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discover that an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects mice from developing severe forms of malaria. An anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has the same effect on Plasmodium-infected mice.
Researchers believe a parasite found in chimpanzees in equatorial Africa is the original source of malignant malaria, transmitted to humans through a single mosquito around 5,000 years ago. This discovery could aid the development of a vaccine for malaria, which affects 500 million people annually.
Researchers found that daily temperature fluctuations significantly impact malaria parasite growth and transmission rates. In areas with cooler temperatures, a fluctuation of 45 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the parasites' incubation period, making them infectious nearly two weeks earlier.
Scientists developed a novel immunization method that induces complete protection against the life-threatening malaria parasite in humans. The method allowed the human immune system to target the parasite at an earlier stage of its life cycle, resulting in significant improvement over other experimental malaria vaccines.
Researchers found malaria parasites in western Cambodia resistant to artemisinin-based therapies, making them less effective and a potential game-changer for malaria control. The study's findings highlight the need for swift action to contain the spread of resistant parasites.
Scientists have created a weakened strain of the malaria parasite that will be used as a live vaccine against the disease. The vaccine, developed in collaboration with researchers from the US, Japan and Canada, will be trialled in humans from early next year to provide protection against deadly malaria.
Case Western Reserve researchers found that prenatal exposure to Plasmodium falciparum results in parasite tolerance, increasing susceptibility to malaria and anemia in young children. The study identified three groups: sensitized, exposed-not-sensitized, and not-exposed, with the latter group having a higher risk of malaria infection.
A study found that babies exposed to malaria before birth are more susceptible to the disease and anemia, while others develop a tolerant phenotype. This finding has implications for malaria vaccine design and prevention strategies during pregnancy.
Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine that effectively blocks the parasite's sexual development, critical for transmission. The vaccine induced a significant immune response in mice and non-human primates, with a 93% transmission-blocking rate after a single dose.
Researchers at University of Nottingham found that quinine blocks cell's ability to take up tryptophan, a key amino acid. Dietary tryptophan supplements may improve quinine performance and combat side effects.
Researchers found that quinine blocks cells' ability to take up essential amino acid tryptophan, leading to adverse side effects. Dietary tryptophan supplements may help alleviate these issues by improving quinine's effectiveness against malaria parasites.
Researchers at Duke University have found that variation in a single gene influences baboons' susceptibility to a closely related parasite, similar to its impact on humans. The study's findings provide a unique example of how the same genetic mechanism can confer resistance to different parasites.
Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malarial infection, causing over 250 million clinical episodes and one million deaths each year. Researchers identified key challenges in developing a protective malaria vaccine, including identifying which proteins provoke a strong immune response.
A new species of malaria parasite, Plasmodium gaboni, has been discovered in chimpanzees in Central Africa. The parasite is closely related to the human malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum and sequencing its nuclear genome may help discover new potential drug targets.
Honeycreepers' high-altitude refuges are vulnerable to disease invasion and habitat loss as temperatures rise, putting species at risk of extinction. The USGS predicts that climate change will displace these refuge areas, forcing birds to migrate into higher disease transmission zones.
Researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital have discovered that combining methylene blue with newer malaria medications is twice as effective in curbing the spread of malaria parasites than standard therapy. This new approach has significant implications for eradicating the disease, particularly among children under five who are m...
A GIS-driven digital map pinpointed malaria outbreak hotspots in Madhya Pradesh, leading to a 5% reduction in cases. The system enabled timely preventive action and dynamic data updating, highlighting the effectiveness of electronic monitoring and mapping in malaria management.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered a natural compound that can stop malaria parasite growth, interacting with the parasite's MetAP2 protein. The compound, fumarranol, was found to be less toxic than existing medications and showed promise in treating malaria in mice.
A £1.1m grant will lead the development of a Field Applicable Screening Tool (FAST) kit to detect insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, crucial for effective malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to identify genes that render mosquitoes resistant to key insecticides.
Researchers found that bacteria in mosquito's gut inhibit infection with Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite. The study suggests that the microbial flora of mosquitoes stimulates immune activity protecting them from malaria infection.
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has awarded €11 million to the MiP Consortium to investigate new approaches to prevent and treat malaria in pregnancy. Researchers aim to develop more effective interventions that can prevent up to 50 million women at risk every year, saving lives and reducing ma...
A team of Penn State entomologists is searching for an insect disease that will infect mosquitoes and impair their sense of smell. By doing so, they hope to reduce the ability of infected mosquitoes to find human hosts and transmit malaria.
Vanderbilt University has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to target the thermal receptors in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, disrupting their ability to find prey and potentially eradicating malaria. The project aims to identify small molecules that can block or over-stimulate these thermal detectors.
A panel of experts reviewed studies on the link between DDT and human health, expressing concern over high levels of exposure in regions where malaria is endemic. They called for increased efforts to reduce exposure and develop alternatives to using DDT.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have developed a simple blood test that provides accurate results, helping to ensure patients receive the right treatment. The rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are being used in low-income countries to improve healthcare outcomes and combat malaria.
A literature review suggests that global health initiatives and agencies claim to support health system strengthening but often fail to deliver. The study examines the claims made by major global health actors, such as WHO and UNAIDS, and finds a gap between their language and actual activities.
A study in Zanzibar found that rapid malaria tests reduced prescriptions of antimalarial drugs and increased treatment for non-malarial causes, while also lowering reattendance rates due to perceived lack of cure. The results suggest improved health outcomes with routine use of these tests.
The Malaria Elimination Group provides a roadmap for countries pursuing malaria elimination, reviewing operational, technical and financial decisions. The guidance aims to support countries in achieving universal coverage of preventive and treatment measures by 2010.
In the past two years, significant strides have been made in malaria control and elimination, with many countries setting ambitious strategies to achieve low transmission and mortality rates. Research into vaccines, drugs, and other interventions continues to flourish, offering hope for a future malaria-free world.
A subset of immune cells has been found to contribute to the development of severe malaria by suppressing the immune system and allowing parasites to grow uncontrollably. This discovery could lead to new drug targets and immunotherapies against malaria, as well as insights into other inflammatory diseases.
Researchers have discovered different resistance mutations in east and west Africa, suggesting varying effectiveness of sulfadoxine as an antimalarial drug. Coordinating malaria control efforts across socioeconomically linked areas may be more effective in reducing the malaria burden across the continent.
A randomized controlled trial in Kampala showed that home delivery of prepackaged artemether-lumefantrine had little effect on clinical outcomes and led to overuse of the drug. The study suggests that standard care in health facilities is a more effective approach, especially in urban areas with low malaria transmission.
Resistance to the antimalarial drug sulfadoxine has emerged independently in multiple sites across Africa over the past decade. The study suggests that coordinated control campaigns may be more effective in reducing the African malaria burden by addressing regional differences in parasite strains and levels of resistance.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have received a $3.557 million grant from NIAID to develop vector-specific, resistance-breaking insecticides that could render traditional ITNs ineffective. The new compounds are designed to be safer for humans while maintaining significant insecticidal activity against malaria mosquitoes.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to controlling malaria by killing only older mosquitoes, reducing the selection for resistant insects. This method could lead to evolution-proof insecticides that never become obsolete, saving millions of dollars in development costs.