Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
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.
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 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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.