New Atlas

Science Audio available

"Eco-friendly" neurotoxin may find use in malaria-mosquito-specific insecticide

Ben Coxworth June 28, 2019

An estimated 429,000 people die from malaria annually. And while it's tempting to spray heavily for the mosquitoes that spread the disease, conventional insecticides are also toxic to humans and other animals. Now, however, a neurotoxin has been discovered that only kills the offending mosquitoes.

The bacteria that produce the toxin are believed to have evolved alongside the Anopheles mosquito

Biology Audio available

Genetically modified fungus kills malaria-spreading mosquitos in landmark West African trial

Rich Haridy May 30, 2019

A genetically modified fungus designed to safely reduce malaria-spreading mosquito populations has been successfully tested outside of laboratory conditions in a simulated village environment. The trial decimated the mosquito population in 45 days paving the way for more trials in open environments.

Etienne Bilgo, a co-author of the paper, observes one of the breeding pools in MosquitoSphere where ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Massive roll out of world’s first malaria vaccine commences in Africa

Rich Haridy April 23, 2019

The world’s first malaria vaccine is beginning a wide roll out commencing in Malawi before being introduced into Ghana and Kenya over the following weeks. This initial pilot program is aimed at children up to two years of age, with over one million expected to be immunized over the next three years.

After 30 years of development the vaccine is set to be administered to over a million ...

Science Audio available

Might medicated nets eliminate malaria in mosquitos?

Ben Coxworth February 28, 2019

Although killing mosquitos is one way of keeping them from spreading malaria, the pests can develop a resistance to insecticides. Scientists from Harvard University are therefore looking at another approach, in which live mosquitos are made malaria-free simply by landing on a treated surface.

Netting covered with atovaquone, or similar medications, could halt the development of malaria-causing parasites within mosquitos

Medical Audio available

Malaria spit-test promises detection up to a week before symptoms appear

Rich Haridy January 6, 2019

A team of researchers have revealed an innovative new salvia test that promises to quickly and cheaply screen for the presence of malaria parasites up to a week before any symptoms appear.

It's hoped a new saliva test that offers early detection of malaria will reach the market ...

Medical

Dogs sniff out malaria with 70% accuracy during research trial

Ben Coxworth October 29, 2018

Currently, in order to check if someone has malaria but isn't showing any symptoms yet, a blood sample has to be drawn and analyzed. Thanks to an ongoing research project, however, it may soon be possible to detect the disease on the spot within seconds – using sniffer dogs.

Since the initial study a third dog, a springer spaniel called Freya, has also been trained ...

Medical

A malaria protein may be the key to a universal blood test for cancer

Rich Haridy August 21, 2018

Numerous biomarkers are being discovered signaling the presence of different cancers, but it’s a challenge to find a single way to track all kinds of cancer. Researchers may have a solution, discovering a protein produced by malaria parasites that is perfectly engineered to detect most cancer cells.

Malaria may be a deadly disease but it may also unlock the key to a universal ...

Medical

"Completely different" designer molecule could keep us one step ahead of drug-resistant malaria

Nick Lavars July 23, 2018

Scientists have designed a new molecule they say could keep us ahead of the game when it come to drug-resistant malaria parasites, taking the best parts of a human protein to form a potent weapon that takes out the parasite before it gets any bright ideas.

Such is its prevalence, malaria kills a person every 90 seconds

Science

Smells like malaria: Study finds body odor markers can identify infection

Rich Haridy May 14, 2018

Diagnosing symptomatic carriers of malaria is difficult enough, needing careful examination of blood samples, but picking up asymptomatic carriers is even more challenging. A team set out to find a way to diagnose those asymptomatic malaria carriers and the key turned out to be in body odor.

This new method can identify those infected with malaria even when they are not displaying visible ...

Medical

Caffeine catalyst could make for chewable drugs

Michael Irving April 16, 2018

Caffeine may be a “catalyst” that turns us from sleepy zombies into functioning members of society, but now that may be more literal. Scientists have used caffeine to replace the metal catalysts normally used in creating polymer materials, opening the door for drug delivery via chewable gels.

A sample of the new gel, created using caffeine as a catalyst