Articles tagged with Malaria
Researchers found that infected mosquito saliva contains molecules called sfRNAs that can blunt the body's immune response. These molecules are injected during the mosquito bite, making it more likely for people to become infected with dengue virus.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.
A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.
A 16-year analysis of Brazilian research funding reveals stagnant funding for neglected tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Systematic underfunding is observed even among these diseases, which are considered neglected tropical diseases.
Researchers at CZ Biohub SF and UCSF create high-resolution map of human immune response to P. falciparum, revealing why durable malaria vaccines have been hard to come by. The study uses sophisticated method to analyze antibodies' binding patterns to parasite proteins, offering insight into how malaria evades the immune system.
A community-based approach using health workers increased IPTp coverage by up to 473% in Nigeria, but did not reduce antenatal care attendance. The TIPTOP project shows that community health workers play a critical role in supporting the health of women and can save thousands of maternal and infant lives.
A study found that malaria parasites invest more in sexual reproduction and less in asexual replication during low-transmission environments. Low LPC levels in human blood plasma are associated with increased gametocyte production and transmission.
A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
A new Stanford-led study uses satellite and land use data to predict malaria outbreaks in Madagascar, providing insights into the disease's distribution and burden. The research identifies rural areas with flooded rice fields as high-risk zones for malaria transmission.
Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that Anopheles mosquito populations are gaining an average of 6.5 meters per year in elevation and moving south by 4.7 kilometers annually. Climate change is helping these species reach colder parts of the continent, potentially explaining recent changes in malaria transmission.
A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência reveals that when acute kidney injury and anemia occur simultaneously, they substantially increase a patient's risk of death. The research shows healthy kidneys can alter their genetic program to absorb and store iron, re-establishing the development of red blood cells.
A new biomaterial platform mimics human skin to analyze mosquito feeding behavior, using machine learning models and video monitoring. The results show an average precision of 92.5%, with potential applications for developing more effective repellents to combat diseases.
Rice University researchers have developed an innovative system to study mosquito feeding behavior using fake skin made with a 3D printer, eliminating the need for live volunteers. The system was tested on various mosquito repellents and showed promising results, suggesting it could be scaled up for future studies.
A new diagnostic test can detect people with dormant Plasmodium vivax parasites, which are difficult to treat due to their ability to remain dormant in the liver for years. The test has the potential to improve malaria control programs and accelerate eradication efforts.
Researchers have identified a new class of potent antimalarial compounds that target the parasite's sexual phase, preventing it from infecting mosquitoes and subsequently humans. The compounds inhibit the parasitic protein Pfs16, forming the strongest bond with the drug.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that monoclonal antibody CIS43LS provided high levels of protection against controlled human malaria infection. The study's findings suggest that this treatment could be a potential game changer for deploying monoclonal antibody therapies in African countries.
A new study found that using two insecticides on bed nets can prevent malaria by killing off resistant mosquito variants. The trial showed a significant reduction in malaria cases among people sleeping under dual-ingredient net treated with one pyrethroid and another active ingredient.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered that volatile repellents containing ammonia and amines can be used to combat insect-borne diseases by disrupting their sense of smell and taste. The research found that these compounds can silence olfactory neurons in mosquitoes, preventing them from detecting human skin odor.
A new study suggests that chronic dysentery is unlikely to have been the cause of Edward the Black Prince's death. Instead, experts point to alternative causes such as malaria, inflammatory bowel disease, and brucellosis, which could have contributed to his fluctuating illness.
A new, non-invasive malaria detection tool developed by a University of Queensland-led team can quickly identify entire villages or towns suffering from the disease. The device uses infrared-light and is chemical-free, needle-free, and detects malaria through the skin.
A team from Tohoku University has developed an efficient synthesis of (-)-quinine, a key compound in malaria treatment, enabling further medication development. The new method uses organocatalyst-mediated reactions, reducing the number of steps and chemical waste.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in producing infectious Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites without the need for mosquitoes, paving the way for more effective malaria vaccines. This achievement accelerates the ability to study the parasite's biology and develop new tools for vaccine development.
A new antimalarial drug, tafenoquine, is found to require a higher dose of 450mg to achieve cure rates of 85% compared to the current 300mg dose of 70%. The study suggests that the single-dose tafenoquine is not as effective as optimal primaquine treatment in preventing vivax malaria relapses in all endemic regions.
Research suggests that long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets lost their effectiveness after just one year in Burundi, contradicting the recommended replacement every 3 years. The study found that malaria incidence rose again after two years, highlighting the need for continued epidemiological monitoring and improved resource allocation.
Researchers at George Washington University developed two mRNA vaccine candidates that are highly effective in reducing both malaria infection and transmission. The vaccines induce a powerful immune response regardless of whether they are given individually or in combination.
Researchers develop a new method to track disease-carrying mosquitoes by ingesting harmless DNA particles, providing unique fingerprints of information. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance and tracking, offering insights into mosquito movement and hotspots.
A new meta-analysis commissioned by WHO informs updated treatment guidelines for uncomplicated malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study finds that artemether-lumefantrine is as safe and possibly more effective than non-artemisinin-based treatments, including quinine, with significant reductions in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A three-year study in Mozambique shows that parasite density and detectability in primigravid women decline as disease transmission decreases, despite stable antibody levels. This suggests non-immunological factors control infections in pregnant women.
Between 2000 and 2020, malaria infections fell globally, but a significant increase occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with 52.4 million pregnancies at risk from Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection. Control initiatives failed to mitigate this trend.
Researchers created an atlas of the malaria infection by Plasmodium parasites in the liver, revealing differences in infected cell localization and immune response. The study's findings hold promise for developing treatments targeting the asymptomatic liver stage of the disease.
Researchers have identified a parasitic protein unique to hypnozoites, which could serve as a potential biomarker of latent malaria vivax infections. The findings lay the groundwork for eliminating the disease by detecting its presence.
A monoclonal antibody was found to be up to 88.2% effective at preventing malaria infection in healthy, non-pregnant adults during a six-month malaria season in Mali, Africa. The study suggests that this antibody could complement other measures to protect vulnerable groups from seasonal malaria.
Researchers found that sapanisertib can kill the malaria parasite at several stages during its life cycle, including in the liver and red blood cells. The study's findings offer new hope against a disease that kills over half a million people annually.
A new study from the University of Bergen found that prophylactic anti-malarials can save money and reduce hospital readmissions for severely anaemic children in malaria-endemic areas. The research showed a 70% reduction in readmissions and deaths among these children.
Researchers developed a novel 3D microfluidic device to study complicated processes within the placenta, including placental malaria. The model demonstrates that CSA-binding infected erythrocytes add resistance to the simulated placental barrier for glucose perfusion and decrease glucose transfer across this barrier.
Researchers engineered mosquitoes to produce compounds that stunt malaria parasite growth, reducing the risk of disease transmission. The technique could be combined with gene drive technology to drastically cut malaria transmission in real-world settings.
A study from the University of California, Davis found a clear connection between an amphibian die-off and a spike in malaria cases in Costa Rica and Panama. The research suggests that stable ecosystems are crucial for disease prevention and health, and massive ecosystem disruptions can have significant consequences for human well-being.
Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine candidate that is safe and immunogenic in adults, offering improved protection against the disease. The vaccine combines FMP013 antigen with ALFQ adjuvant, which displays promising immune-enhancing effects.
A new study reveals that partner-drug resistance facilitates artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites. The research collaboration found a 10-fold increase in partner-drug resistant genotypes led to earlier artemisinin resistance establishment among these parasites, resulting in significant treatment failures globally.
Researchers have found that human antibodies can incorporate foreign genetic material from the mitochondria and ends of chromosomes, leading to increased immune diversity. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that antibody diversity results solely from gene mutations.
A study published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas found that malaria in pregnancy is still a major public health problem in the North of Brazil, with younger women being most at risk. The researchers believe that expansion of healthcare services and inclusion of artemisinin in therapeutic schemes contributed to the decline in cases.
Researchers developed a statistical mapping tool to predict genetic markers of resistance to Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. The model uses data from the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network and fills in gaps by making continuous predictions in space and time.
A new drug, TB31F, has been shown to block the transmission of malaria parasites by mosquitoes, preventing further malaria cases. The antibody was tested in humans and found safe with no important side effects.
A Phase 1 clinical trial found a monoclonal antibody to be highly protective against malaria in US adults. L9LS was administered subcutaneously and fully protected 88% of participants from infection.
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals the significance of kinesins in basic cellular processes needed for malaria parasite development, multiplication and invasion. Researchers found that eight out of nine kinesins present in the parasite genome are required for cell proliferation to cell movement in mosquito hosts.
Researchers used Plasmodium falciparum 7G8 challenge trials to test the PfNF54-based PfSPZ Vaccine, providing conservative predictions of its efficacy in Africa. The study found that VE over 24 weeks was as good as or better than VE against Pf7G8 CHMI at 24 weeks.
A new machine learning-based AI tool has been developed to aid doctors in distinguishing between tropical diseases such as dengue and malaria. The tool has shown promising results in improving diagnosis accuracy.
A new digital PCR technique helps identify mutations in malaria parasites that evade detection by rapid tests, reducing false negatives. This allows for more accurate selection of diagnostic tests tailored to specific regions.
Researchers found that increasing serotonin levels in mosquito blood reduces their flight speed and motivation to seek second blood meals, making them less efficient vectors of malaria parasites. This discovery provides a promising new avenue for insect-targeted interventions to prevent malaria transmission.
Research in western Amazonia found that at least 150 minutes of exercise per week correlated with lower birth weight and reduced risk of childhood obesity and diabetes. The study also showed that physical activity during pregnancy may help prevent excessive weight gain, contributing to a reduced birth weight.
Researchers have identified an anti-malarial compound, ML901, that inhibits the malaria parasite without harming mammalian cells. The compound works by hijacking a reaction to make the parasite self-destruct, showing rapid and prolonged action against resistant strains.
A WHO-supported series has collected 13,700 new database records on mosquito-borne diseases, providing valuable resource for studying and containing infectious diseases. The data can be used to train machine-learning models for vector detection and classification, improving global human health.
Researchers have captured the first 3D images of malaria parasites and how anti-malarial compounds like PMIX and PMX work to stop their spread. The findings will enable the design of new compounds that can effectively block Plasmepsins, preventing malaria parasite replication.
Researchers from Australian National University have discovered how malaria parasites evade treatment by transporting drugs to 'safe zones', which can lead to new and longer-lasting treatments. The discovery could also inform cancer treatment development.
Researchers discovered that mosquito brains use a surprisingly simple mechanism to recognize human odor, involving just two nerve centers. The team identified the specific compounds decanal and undecanal as key components of human scent, which are also present in other mammal odors.
Asymptomatic malaria infections have been found to suppress the immune system, preventing it from eradicating parasites from the bloodstream. This new information provides a framework for considering new policies supporting screening and treatment of asymptomatic malaria in endemic areas.
Two fatal cases of airport malaria were reported in Belgium, highlighting the need for healthcare awareness near airports. The most likely route of transmission was through an imported infectious exotic Anopheles mosquito that was possibly brought via the international airport or military airport.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center scientists found that geoengineering the climate could shift malaria transmission regions, increasing the risk of infection in some areas. The research used climate models to simulate malaria transmission under different warming scenarios with and without geoengineering.