Global Malaria News

New research shows how the cyto-adhesion of plasmodium-infected red blood cells is enhanced at febrile temperatures.

Researchers have documented the permissible limits of a number of chemicals that are often part of anti-malarial efficacy tests. Their results provide a previously undetermined dataset on drug reconstitution conditions at which both the red cell integrity and plasmodium growth and proliferation are not compromised.

Scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that prevents mosquitoes from spreading malaria among humans. This unique approach -- in which immunized humans transfer anti-malarial proteins to mosquitoes when bitten -- is called a transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV). A new biotech advancement moves us closer to this goal.

Malaria-infected red blood cells trigger the immune system's first line of defense by releasing small vesicles that activate a pathogen recognition receptor called MDA5, according to a new study.

A discovery may open up new ways to control steroid hormone-mediated processes, including growth and development in insects, and sexual maturation, immunity, and cancer progression in humans.

Malaria parasites have evolved to be most infectious at the time of day when mosquitoes feed, to maximize their chances of being spread.

Since December 2016, Brazil has been grappling with its worst yellow fever outbreak for several decades. Research has now demonstrated that the yellow fever virus can be transmitted via Aedes albopictus, the tiger mosquito. This opportunistic species is capable of colonizing both urban and forest areas.

Researchers have discovered a way to halt the invasion of the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite into cells, depriving the parasite of a key factor necessary for its growth. The findings are a key step in getting closer to a vaccine to protect pregnant women from the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which carries a serious risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

Researchers have eliminated caged mosquitoes using 'gene drive' technology to spread a genetic modification that blocks female reproduction.

Scientists have found a way to boost the efficacy of the antimalarial drug artemesinin with the help of chemotherapy medicines. Artemisinin works through a 'double whammy' attack on the deadly parasite. The drug damages proteins in malaria parasites and clogs the parasite's waste disposal system, known as the proteasome, which chemo can target.

A study indicates the possibility of using tiny vesicles derived from human immature red blood cell as a vaccine platform.

Researchers have identified compounds that could prevent malaria parasites from being able to infect mosquitoes, halting the spread of disease.

Question: Can we take Dayquil / Nyquil while treating malaria with Coartem?

There are more clinical phenotypes of severe malaria than those defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a new study. The results indicate that heart failure can be a pathogenic mechanism of disease, which has implications in the clinical management of these patients.

A new tool uses a smartphone camera, a small 3D-printed box and a simple chemical test to show whether a dead mosquito belongs to the Aedes aegypti species, which carries Zika and other devastating viruses that afflict an estimated 100 million people worldwide each year.

Heartbeat irregularities connected to brain activity abnormalities may lead to the ability to predict eventual epileptic seizures in subjects who suffered physical or infectious brain insults, according to Penn State researchers who studied mouse models of cerebral malaria, which often causes epilepsy in those who survive.

New drug-resistant strains of the parasite that causes malaria tend to evolve in regions with lower malaria risk; in areas with high transmission rates, they get outcompeted by the more common, drug-sensitive strains inside the human host. In high-transmission settings, it takes a long time for drug-resistant strains to take hold, but once they do, they can spread rapidly, according to a new study.

AMF's net distributions continue to grow and with this comes the need for us to analyse the data we receive to ensure every distribution has the maximum impact. We are now seeking exceptional candidates for the role of Data Analyst.

Reporting to AMF’s Operations Manager, and working closely with all the other members of the AMF team, the successful candidate will have strong technical skills but also be open, collegiate and enjoy working in a small, highly impactful team.

The Data Analyst will have exceptional organisational and analytical skills, together with a bias for identifying and solving issues. They will have strong attention to detail and excel capability, appreciate the importance of visual presentation of material for clarity and an interest in using data to improve health outcomes for the poorest communities. They will be comfortable learning about financial matters, and be willing to examine budgets in detail.

Prior experience in international development is not necessary. For the right candidate AMF would be willing for them to have flexible working arrangements.

The current members of the AMF team are based in their home offices, and it would be ideal if the Data Analyst is able to do the same. The successful candidate is likely to be in the UK/Europe/Africa time zones.

Job description and details of how to apply

Nearly 700 million people suffer from mosquito-borne diseases -- such as malaria, West Nile, Zika and dengue fever -- each year, resulting in more than 1 million deaths. Today, researchers report a new class of mosquito repellents based on naturally occurring compounds that are effective in repelling the bugs, including those that are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides and repellents.

We are delighted to say we have now reached a cumulative total since AMF started of 75 million nets funded or able to be funded!

This has been possible through the support of 111,000 people in 189 countries who have made 348,468 donations. Thank you!

Once all are distributed, these nets, protecting 135 million people, can be expected to prevent the deaths of 50,000 to 70,000 people and avert 50 to 70 million cases of malaria.

Our first net distribution was in 2006 and was of 3,000 nets and our largest distribution to date has been of 12.8m nets in 2017. The total number of nets distributed or planned for distribution is 41.5m nets and distributions totalling more than 30m nets are being assessed now. The net distributions we now fund are multiple millions of nets at a time as this is the way we can best contribute to the fight against malaria.

There is a significant gap between the nets we can fund and the requests we currently have so we will continue to work hard to contribute all we can to close the net gap.