Research on malaria and the fight against it. Covers red-blood-cell inflammation, malaria resurgence, drug-resistant parasites, and mosquito-based control.
A new vaccine has shown to protect mothers from malaria during pregnancy and for up to two transmission seasons without booster doses. The vaccine was well-tolerated and safe for both the mothers and their offspring, with no differences in adverse events compared to placebo.
Researchers at Australian National University create a new method to treat deadly diseases caused by parasites, including malaria, by attaching drugs to cholesterol. The method could lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatments, as well as implications for the agricultural industry.
Researchers developed a new antimalarial agent, DIF-1(+3), effective against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. The compound showed stronger growth inhibitory effects than previous derivatives and significantly increased survival time in infected mice, suggesting it may offer more treatment options for malaria-endemic areas.
A new study reviewing the academic literature on indoor pest control reveals that successful mosquito treatments have unintended consequences, including the return of household pests like bed bugs and flies. This has led to community distrust and abandonment of these treatments, contributing to rising rates of malaria.
Researchers at SRI International have developed a novel injectable formulation for malaria treatment that provides months of protection against the disease. The formulation has shown to maintain high concentrations of the anti-malarial drug ELQ-331 in the bloodstream, overcoming issues with resistance and patient compliance.
Researchers analyzed blood plasma samples from 110 patients infected with Plasmodium vivax to understand how metabolisms were affected during initial episodes versus recurrent cases. The study found that patients with recurrence exhibited modulation in lipid pathways involved in immune system production, while those with first-episode ...
A Nigerian study found a significant association between placental malaria and low birth weight among primigravidae. The research used cross-sectional data from 357 women and discovered that non-uptake of intermittent preventive therapy for malaria was independently associated with placental malaria.
Chi-Min Ho, assistant professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, has been awarded the Pew Biomedical Scholars Program for her innovative work on malaria parasite biology. Her team plans to use integrated structural biology approaches to deepen our understanding of malaria parasite biology.
Researchers have identified the spleen as a critical organ in cryptic malaria infections, where over 95% of Plasmodium vivax biomass is stored. Extracellular vesicles facilitate the parasite's adherence to spleen cells, enabling its survival and evasion of immune responses.
Researchers reconstructed ancient genomes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to study their worldwide spread. The analysis revealed that European colonizers introduced P. vivax to the Americas, while military activities in Europe facilitated the spread of P. falciparum.
A recent study reveals that a cellular process called transfer Ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modification influences the malaria parasite’s ability to develop resistance. This breakthrough discovery could help researchers develop new drugs to combat resistance and better tools for studying RNA modifications.
A new compound found in fruit fly testes has the potential to control insect populations by suppressing their ability to reproduce. The enzyme, which is also present in other organisms, can lead to an overload of bromotyrosine that severely inhibits spermatogenesis.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to an overall decrease in areas suitable for malaria transmission from 2025 onwards. The research used several climatic and hydrological models to create a more in-depth picture of malaria-friendly conditions on the African continent.
A recent study found that malaria endemicity is negatively associated with leukocyte telomere length in sub-Saharan African populations. Genetic factors explain roughly half of the variation, but environmental factors like malaria may also play a role.
Researchers have mapped the critical developmental stages of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using single-cell RNA sequencing. This high-resolution approach reveals new insights into the life stages of the parasite, including its transformation from an asexual to sexual state.
A mid-stage trial of an experimental malaria monoclonal antibody found it to be 77% effective in preventing infection and disease in children in Mali. The treatment, administered by subcutaneous injection, was developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is designed to provide long-acting protection against malaria.
Malaria parasite can be transmitted through blood donations, organ transplants, and needle sharing. Dr. Sophie Le Cam highlights the need for more sensitive testing methods to detect asymptomatic infections in donors from malaria-endemic countries.
Researchers have found that temperature can affect mosquito longevity, infection time, and disease transmission. The study suggests that climate warming may increase malaria transmission in some areas but reduce it in others.
A study in southern Mozambique found that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) remains effective for preventing malaria infections in pregnant women, even in areas with high drug resistance. The study showed increased clearance of P. falciparum infections and lower antibodies resulting from parasite colonisation.
A recent study has identified a key component of the malaria parasite's invasion mechanism, revealing that it binds to a specific sugar called sialic acid on red blood cell surfaces. This discovery provides new insights into the parasite's adaptation to humans and offers potential targets for vaccine and drug development.
A team of researchers is using 'pathogen prospecting' to study archived mosquitoes for clues about malaria's history. By analyzing DNA from these specimens, they aim to reconstruct the disease's evolution and distribution, informing efforts to combat its ongoing threat.
The study highlights the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens due to climate change. The medical community must update their education and training to combat global warming and its impact on disease behavior.
Genomic analysis of malaria parasites in pregnant women reveals reduced diversity in areas with elimination interventions implemented. Routine sampling of pregnant women can inform about changes in transmission and complement clinical data.
Researchers identified a mechanism of 'copy-paste' genetics in Plasmodium falciparum that increases genetic diversity of surface proteins, potentially evading the human immune system. This discovery offers valuable insights for vaccine design and could help inform new approaches to preventing malaria.
Researchers found that insecticide paint effectively killed mosquitoes for up to a year in Cabo Verde, with good acceptance from the population. The VESTA formulation met WHO efficiency threshold requirements, making it a promising strategy for preventing vector-borne diseases.
A team of IBEC and ISGlobal scientists developed an innovative compound effective against both malaria and leishmaniasis. The compound, YAT2150, was originally designed as an antimalarial drug but showed high efficacy against leishmaniasis, making it a promising candidate for treating co-infections.
Rice researchers developed a rapid and accurate point-of-care malaria test that is 12 times faster and easier to use than traditional tests. The device can detect asymptomatic infections and predict disease outcomes, leading to early identification and treatment of severe cases.
A new study published in GeoHealth suggests that forests can provide natural protection against disease transmission, including malaria. The research found that deforestation increases the risk of malaria, especially among children from poorer households and communities with certain dominant mosquito species.
A network of African scientists has secured funding to develop new drugs for malaria and TB, two major diseases affecting the continent. The Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator Programme will support leading research efforts on these diseases.
DNA analysis of ancient Bahraini remains shows the presence of a malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three samples, suggesting many people in ancient populations enjoyed protection from malaria. The discovery provides insights into human history and disease progression in the region.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have identified 898 RNA-dependent proteins in the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. These findings could lead to novel therapeutic targets against malaria and highlight the importance of RNAs in biological pathways in the parasite.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that blocking two enzymes in the malaria parasite prevents it from growing, offering a potential new way to fight the disease. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used an in vitro culture dish and discovered compounds that can inhibit parasitic growth.
Researchers propose a novel augmentation regimen, IPIAD, combining five generic non-oncology drugs with standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The IPIAD regimen uses repurposed drugs like irbesartan and azithromycin to potentially slow disease growth and improve outcomes.
Researchers from ANU discovered a new ability of Atypical B cells (ABCs) to fight infectious diseases like malaria. ABCs play a crucial role in developing T follicular helper cells that generate powerful antibodies.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to determine the age of mosquitoes, which could help improve pesticide strategies and reduce the spread of diseases like malaria. The method uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to analyze biomolecules in mosquito water extract.
A new study published in Nature Communications has provided structural insights into a potent antimalarial drug candidate's interaction with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The research suggests that the drug, TDI-8304, can selectively target and kill resistant parasites, offering hope for more effective treatments against ...
The MAMAH trial found that preventive treatment with DHA-PPQ significantly reduces the risk of malaria infection and disease in pregnant women living with HIV. Women in the treatment group had almost eight times lower risk of clinical malaria and half the risk of becoming infected compared to the placebo group.
A recent study in Uganda found that asymptomatic individuals with low-level malaria infections had highly variable parasite dynamics and species present. Frequent sampling every other day or daily was sufficient to detect a proportion of infections similar to daily testing, but less frequent tests may miss up to one-third of cases.
Researchers discovered that only a small proportion of red blood cell precursor cells infected by Plasmodium vivax are likely to produce the parasite, confirming its ability to replicate outside the bloodstream. This finding raises new questions about malaria diagnosis and treatment strategies in Duffy-negative individuals.
A new study published in Cell Host & Microbe concludes that even people with the protective Duffy-silent blood type can still become infected with malaria. The research suggests that the parasite may have found alternative ways to infect red blood cells, raising questions about how to combat this type of malaria.
Anopheles stephensi, a malaria-carrying mosquito, has been found to exploit construction sites and brick-making facilities in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, during the dry season. Targeted control measures, such as stocking construction pits with larvae-eating fish, may help mitigate malarial outbreaks in the city.
A team of scientists developed a technique to rapidly detect genetic changes in malaria parasites using portable MinION sequencers. They demonstrated the first end-to-end, real-time pathogen monitoring from clinical blood samples in rural, resource-limited malaria hotspots.
A team of researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg has combined artemisinin with coumarin to develop an autofluorescent compound that destroys certain malaria pathogens. The new compound is effective against drug-resistant strains and shows promise for treating malaria.
The Malaria Atlas Project has received a $16 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to track and tackle malaria globally. The project will focus on boosting research in Sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is endemic, and strengthening research capacity.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that adding small quantities of liquid soap to some classes of pesticides can boost their potency by more than ten-fold. This discovery is promising news as malaria-carrying mosquitoes display an increasing resistance to current insecticides.
The Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi is spreading drug and diagnostic resistant malaria in Africa, increasing the risk of malaria infections by 270%. Its unique ecology and resistance to insecticides make it challenging for conventional mosquito control tools.
Research identifies specific gut bacteria that increase risk of severe malaria in humans and mice, sparking new approaches targeting gut microbiota. The study's findings could lead to prevention strategies for severe malaria-related deaths.
Researchers discovered a malaria protein, PfAP2-P, that plays a key regulatory role in immune evasion and parasite development. This protein acts as an activator of proteins required for the parasite to exit infected red blood cells and invade new ones.
A species of Asian mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is responsible for a sharp expansion of malaria cases in Africa, particularly in urban areas. The mosquito's ability to thrive in dry conditions and adapt to new breeding sites has made it a significant threat to public health.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that a key mutation rendering malaria parasites resistant to atovaquone also makes them non-transmissible via mosquitoes. Researchers propose an injectable formulation of atovaquone for long-acting protection against malaria, overcoming concerns about resistance.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found endemic malaria in Turkana County, Kenya, with a significant incidence of Plasmodium vivax, a parasite historically rare in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi also poses challenges to the continent's malaria control efforts.
A systematic review by ISGlobal found that malaria parasite prevalence is highest in migrants from the Sub-Saharan region, particularly those from Central Africa. The study included 23 studies with a total of 4,203 participants tested for malaria parasites.
Scientists discovered a key regulator that balances X chromosome genes between male and female mosquitoes, which could help develop new ways to prevent the spread of malaria. The finding sheds light on how mosquitoes compensate for having only one X chromosome, offering potential strategies to reduce blood-sucking female mosquitoes.
In Eritrea, a new artemisinin-resistant variant has been detected, accompanied by gene deletions that render rapid diagnostic tests ineffective. This emergence poses a significant threat to malaria control efforts in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Malaria parasites have developed resistance to artemisinins, a critical treatment for non-severe cases, with devastating consequences. The study found that effectiveness declined by 2025% between 2016 and 2019, highlighting the urgent need for new treatments.
Researchers found that next-generation interventions like triple ACTs resulted in treatment failure counts at least 81% lower than traditional therapies. The study suggests extending treatment courses and using multiple drugs simultaneously may hold treatment failure rates near 10%.
Philip Low, a Purdue University researcher, is working on validating a previously successful malaria treatment by reducing the number of days required for therapy. His goal is to prevent drug-resistant strains from proliferating and save lives in developing countries.
Scientists have detected new strains of malaria-causing parasites in Ethiopia that are resistant to current treatments and escape detection by common diagnostic tests. The prevalence of these double-resistant parasites is a concern for malaria control and elimination efforts in Africa, where the disease remains endemic.
A new study found that snakebites resulted in the loss of 3,000 productive days of work and school, with median financial setbacks of $17 per household. The study highlights the significant disease and economic burden of snakebites in rural Mozambique.
Scientists have identified specific long noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and life cycle progression of the deadly Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies against malaria.