Articles tagged with Malaria
Researchers developed a genetic editing toolkit for Culex mosquitoes, which transmit devastating diseases like West Nile virus and avian malaria. The new CRISPR tools aim to create gene drives that can disable pathogen transmission in the targeted mosquito population.
Researchers have mapped the genetic changes of malaria parasites in unprecedented detail, revealing new targets to block key stages in the parasite's development. This could lead to new ways to prevent transmission through future drugs or vaccines.
Researchers found that houses with higher floors had significantly fewer female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, with a 84% reduction at 3m. This could lead to comparable reductions in malaria transmission. The study suggests elevating homes may be an effective intervention in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers have designed a new drug compound that effectively blocks a critical step in the malaria parasite life cycle, trapping it in the cell and preventing its replication. The compound works by blocking an enzyme called SUB1, which is crucial for the parasite's exit route from red blood cells.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has shown high efficacy of 77% in a phase IIb trial and is now being assessed in a larger phase III trial across five sites in West and East Africa. The vaccine aims to reduce malaria deaths by at least 90% by 2030, with the potential to provide over 200 million doses annually.
A live vaccine consisting of infectious Plasmodium falciparum parasites has been shown to be highly effective in preventing malaria, with only three immunizations required. The vaccine induces a strong immune response that can recognize both the injected parasites and subsequent liver stage antigens.
Researchers have identified how natural human antibodies can block malaria parasites from entering red blood cells, potentially indicating the development of new protective therapies. This discovery opens up new avenues for developing antibody-based therapies for malaria.
The collection discusses the epidemiology of P. vivax, highlighting its burden on young children in remote areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. Effective drugs are available but come with limitations, prompting a radical cure approach to eliminate the parasite and prevent relapses.
A Phase IIb trial of a candidate malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, demonstrated high-level efficacy of 77% over 12 months. The vaccine has been well-tolerated and is the first to meet the World Health Organization's goal of a vaccine with at least 75% efficacy.
A collaborative research team has discovered compounds with antimalarial activity from a collection of 80,000 drug-like molecules. The most promising candidates are now being further developed towards potential antimalarial drugs.
Researchers found that certain gut microbes, specifically Asaia bogorensis, increase the risk of malaria parasite infection in mosquitoes by raising gut pH levels. Feeding mosquitoes a sugar diet promotes the proliferation of this bacterial species, which enhances parasite infection.
New data reveals that mutations in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum may be gaining a foothold in Africa, linked to delayed parasite clearance. The study finds that these mutations are more prevalent than previously reported, raising concerns about further geographical spread of resistance.
Researchers genetically modified mosquitoes to express antimalarial genes, which were then passed on to their offspring. The approach shows promise in reducing mosquito populations and combating malaria.
A new malaria vaccine aims to stop mosquitoes from transmitting Plasmodium parasites to people by immunizing them against infection. The vaccine, developed by University of Florida researcher Rhoel Dinglasan, has shown promise in laboratory studies and is now set to be tested in humans.
Scientists have discovered that sugars called mannoses play a crucial role in the immune system's response to malaria and sickle cell disease. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating these diseases.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that Ivermectin is as safe and well-tolerated in children under 15kg as it is in heavier individuals. The study suggests that millions of young children are denied access to treatment due to outdated safety data, highlighting the need for equitable access to Ivermectin.
Researchers found Gazelle Malaria test to be highly sensitive and specific, missing only 4 cases of P. vivax infection per 100 people compared to RDTs which missed 16 cases. The test's portability, battery operation, and cold chain-free design make it a promising alternative for field conditions.
Researchers found evidence of malaria in ancient hunter-gatherer skeletons in Vietnam dated to approximately 7000 years ago. This discovery changes the entire understanding of the relationship between humans and malaria, suggesting that the disease was a threat to human groups long before farming.
A study published in Nature Communications found that climate change can directly impact malaria transmission in Africa, particularly in highland regions. The research analyzed data from Ethiopia and showed a strong correlation between regional temperatures and malaria cases.
A new study published in eLife found that deforestation in Southeast Asia can lead to an initial increase in malaria infections before declining over time. The researchers suggest that wider deforestation can drive human behavior changes, increasing exposure to mosquitoes and risk of infection.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,000 bird species to understand malaria ecology. They found that the strains of malaria present in a local area don't always align with the types of birds living there, instead being influenced by weather patterns such as rainfall.
Researchers at WRAIR and Duke University have confirmed the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies against malaria. The study found that certain mAbs showed promise in both culture-based and mouse infection models, suggesting distinct sites on the circumsporozoite protein can be targeted for improved vaccines.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that targeted indoor residual spraying is a non-inferior and cost-effective approach to preventing malaria in low-transmission settings. By focusing on neighborhoods with recent evidence of transmission, this method reduces the need for widespread spraying and saves significant resources.
Researchers found that installing window screening and insecticide-laced screens under eaves can significantly reduce clinical malaria incidence among children. The intervention, called In2Care EaveTube, was effective in areas with highly resistant mosquitoes, with a 38% overall reduction in malaria incidence.
Lauren Childs and her team have developed a mathematical model that shows providing multiple blood meals to female mosquitoes can increase the transmission of malaria. The study suggests reducing mosquito egg production could also accelerate parasite growth, shortening the incubation period.
The world's largest resource of genomic data on malaria parasite evolution and drug resistance has been released, providing benchmark data for new drugs and vaccines. The dataset includes over 7,000 malaria parasites from 28 endemic countries, offering insights into the evolutionary processes of Plasmodium falciparum.
A new test has been developed to detect the magnetic properties of malaria-infected blood, which could help eliminate the disease. The test, called rotating-crystal magneto-optical detection (RMOD), was field-tested on nearly 1000 suspected malaria patients in Papua New Guinea and showed promising results.
Researchers discovered that cone snail venom can disrupt protein-protein interactions contributing to P. falciparum malaria's persistence. The study found six fractions of venom inhibit adhesion of infected erythrocytes to endothelial microvasculature and placenta.
A study published in eLife reveals that humans living in Cabo Verde adapted to malaria over just 500 years, with a genetic mutation spreading rapidly through the population. This finding provides evidence of recent genetic adaptation and highlights the impact of human migration on disease resistance.
A new malaria mosquito species, Anopheles stephensi, has been found in cities and towns in urban settings in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. The invading mosquito is highly susceptible to local malaria strains, increasing the risk of urban malaria in Africa.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery about malaria, showing that the parasite can cross the blood-brain barrier using a mechanism employed by immune cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into the disease process behind cerebral malaria and its severe neurological consequences.
Scientists at Wits University infected mosquitoes with human malaria and identified a new chemical compound that shows promise in treating the disease. The study, published in Nature Communications, aimed to develop a drug that can block both human-to-mosquito transmission and mosquito-to-human transmission.
A new study by ISGlobal has identified six microRNAs that may be used as biomarkers to predict disease severity in children with severe malaria. The findings provide a potential breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms underlying severe malaria and improving treatment outcomes.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that mosquitoes feeding on blood multiple times increase malaria transmission potential, shortening the incubation period and making disease control more challenging. The research suggests that younger mosquitoes with reduced reproductive ability may contribute to infection, undermining curre...
Researchers discover new mutations in malaria parasite that enhance resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, a key preventive drug. These mutations are already widespread in Africa and Asia, threatening efforts to use the drug to prevent malaria in vulnerable groups.
A Convoluted Neural Network was trained on a library of mosquito images to classify species, sex, and strain. The system achieved 99.96% prediction accuracy for class identification.
Researchers used neuroimaging techniques to reveal that severe oxygen deprivation is the biggest cause of malaria deaths in adults. The study found no correlation between brain swelling and death in adult patients, unlike children, who die from respiratory arrest caused by brain swelling.
A study found that amphibian declines due to the amphibian chytrid fungus exacerbated malaria outbreaks in Costa Rica and Panama during the 1990s and 2000s. Preserving biodiversity can benefit humans as well as local ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that severe infections disrupt the processes that form blood cells in mice, causing long-term damage. However, a hormone treatment and antioxidant may reduce this damage. The study found that this treatment can increase HSC function by up to tenfold.
International experts will discuss COVID-19's effects on the human body when combined with other health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The panel aims to provide advice on coping with multimorbidity in high-income countries.
A study in Uganda reveals that school-age children with asymptomatic malaria infections can serve as stealth super spreaders responsible for the majority of malaria parasites circulating in local mosquitoes. This hidden reservoir poses a barrier to long-term efforts to eliminate malaria and an immediate threat for disease resurgence.
Researchers at University of California have made a major advance in controlling malaria parasites by developing a new CRISPR-based gene drive system. The system successfully overcomes the issue of resistance in female mosquitoes, which was a significant challenge in previous attempts.
Researchers created a test device using protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid, detecting malaria in 20 minutes and requiring no medical expertise or equipment. The patches could cost around $1 each and be adapted for other diseases with biomarkers in interstitial fluid.
Research shows malaria parasites can remain dormant in human blood stream during dry season, re-emerging when mosquito populations resurge. The parasite alters gene expression and uses spleen to evade immune system detection.
Researchers found that females can clear asymptomatic malaria infections at a faster rate than males, which could inform epidemiologists and public health strategies. The study, published in eLife, suggests biological sex-based differences play a crucial role in the human response to malaria parasites.
A new study found that malaria-preventive drugs can dramatically reduce infections in school children by half, leading to improved learning and reduced anemia. The analysis included 15,000 schoolchildren across seven African countries and showed a significant association between preventive treatment and better health outcomes.
A meta-analysis of preventive malaria treatments among school-age children found that treatment cuts malaria prevalence by 46% and subsequent cases by 50%. Preventive treatment also improves learning outcomes and reduces anaemia cases.
A new study led by ISGlobal found that blood transfusions can increase the survival of children with severe malaria, even at higher haemoglobin levels than recommended thresholds. In cases with complications, such as impaired consciousness or acidosis, transfusion improved survival even at high haemoglobin levels.
Scientists discovered how deadly parasites from the phylum Apicomplexa, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, glide into human cells using actin and myosin proteins. The study reveals the molecular structure of essential light chains that facilitate gliding movements.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanisms that allow malaria parasites to move and spread disease within their hosts. The glideosome complex is a critical target for future antimalarial treatments, with two novel proteins identified as key players in parasite motility.
Researchers at New York University have developed a new fast-acting form of deltamethrin, a widely used insecticide, that is up to 12 times more effective against mosquitoes than the existing form. The new crystal form remains stable and kills mosquitoes for at least three months.
A study developed a new crystal structure of deltamethrin that kills mosquitoes 12 times faster than the original form. This could lead to more effective malaria control even in areas with high insecticide resistance.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered a new immune evasion strategy used by the Plasmodium parasite, which could help develop novel therapeutic strategies and vaccines for malaria. The study found that microRNAs play a crucial role in regulating genes involved in the immune response.
A new computational model suggests that certain protective mutations against malaria have not become widespread due to rapid immune system adaptation, making it less likely for these mutations to spread among the population. The study highlights the need for further genetic studies of populations living in regions impacted by malaria.
A Duke University-led team has discovered how malaria parasites can survive fevers by producing a special lipid molecule and binding to heat shock proteins. This could lead to new ways to fight resistant strains of the disease. The findings also suggest caution when using fever reducers with artemisinin-based compounds.
A new CRISPR-based assay detects all four major malaria-causing Plasmodium species with high sensitivity and specificity, providing a viable solution to diagnose asymptomatic carriers. The SHERLOCK system enables rapid testing in just 60 minutes, surpassing WHO requirements for low parasite density detection.
A new CRISPR-based diagnostic method has been developed to detect four species of the malarial parasite Plasmodium. The test uses a nucleic acid detection platform called SHERLOCK and is optimized for field conditions, with a cost of $0.61 per test.
Red blood cells in people with Dantu blood variant have a higher surface tension that prevents Plasmodium falciparum from invading. This natural process could be imitated to prevent or reduce malaria infection.
A study suggests that urban mosquito species Anopheles stephensi could spread to dozens of cities across Africa, putting millions at higher risk of contracting malaria. The authors used location data and spatial models to predict the spread of this Asian mosquito species in Africa, identifying 44 highly suitable locations.
Researchers predict a shift toward mosquitoes carrying dengue fever and other diseases, posing a significant threat to public health in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the need for targeted control measures, including diagnostics and community-based interventions, to combat this emerging threat.