Blog Posts
How the malaria parasite grows and multiplies
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the parasite that causes malaria is able to multiply at such an alarming rate, which could be a vital clue in discovering how it has evolved, and how it can be stopped. For the first time, scientists have shown how certain […]
Genetic variation not an obstacle to gene drive strategy to control mosquitoes
New research from entomologists at UC Davis clears a potential obstacle to using CRISPR-Cas9 “gene drive” technology to control mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika. The idea is to create genetically engineered mosquitoes (GEM) that either fail to reproduce, reducing the mosquito population, or that […]
Novel compound sparks new malaria treatment hope
A novel class of antimalarial compounds that can effectively kill malaria parasites has been developed by Australian and US researchers. In preclinical testing, the compounds were effective against different species of malaria parasites, including the deadly Plasmodium falciparum, and at multiple stages of the parasite lifecycle. The compounds target a […]
Is your coffee contributing to malaria risk?
Researchers at the University of Sydney and University of São Paulo, Brazil, estimate 20 percent of the malaria risk in deforestation hot spots is driven by the international trade of exports including: coffee, timber, soybean, cocoa, wood products, palm oil, tobacco, beef and cotton. “What does this mean for affluent […]
Experimental anti-malarial drug shows promise in first clinical trial
A fast-acting anti-malarial compound discovered at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was well tolerated and showed promising anti-malarial effects in the first study in humans. The findings appear online first this week in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. “The results support further development of the compound SJ733 as a fast-acting […]
Africa: Accelerated Action Will Help End Malaria in Africa, President Kenyatta Says
Nairobi -President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday said accelerated action and new approaches will help the African continent overcome malaria by the year 2030. The President who is the new chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) outlined his agenda for the organization which he will head for the next two […]
Diseases That Cause Most Deaths Among Vulnerable People
London -Diseases like tuberculosis and malaria largely ravage low-income countries, with the situation made worse by poor nutrition and sanitation Deadly viruses and diseases, like tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, have historically hit poorer nations harder as many are treatable or preventable and eliminated in wealthier nations. So-called “poverty diseases” largely […]
WHO urges countries to ensure the continuity of malaria services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resilience of robust health systems around the world. Recognizing the heavy toll that malaria exacts on vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the region’s fragile health infrastructure, WHO underlines the critical importance of sustaining efforts to prevent, detect and treat malaria. “As […]
Africa: Japan Secures $476 Million Contribution to the Global Fund
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria welcomes the Japanese Diet’s passage of the fiscal 2019 supplementary budget and the fiscal 2020 budget, which includes Japan’s contribution of US$476.4 million to the Global Fund in 2020. This is its largest annual contribution to the Global Fund, signaling Japan’s […]
Could Malaria Drugs Effectively & Safely Treat COVID-19 Patients?
In the race to find a treatment for COVID-19, two malaria drugs, chloroquine and its derivative hydroxychloroquine, have reared their heads as promising candidates. Although evidence that these drugs could effectively and safely treat those with COVID-19 is still anecdotal, many health experts and politicians are confident they will work, […]