Malaria-carrying mosquitoes detect insecticides with their legs
Genetic studies of the West African mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii show that binding proteins on the insects' legs help them to avoid bed nets that have been treated with mosquito-killing chemicals.
Simple mosquito-thwarting panel designed to save lives
Not only do bed nets help protect people against mosquitoes, but if those nets are treated with an insecticide, they also kill insects that touch them. A simple new technology could make such nets more lethal to mosquitoes, yet also safer for humans.
Artificial leaf produces first drugs using sunlight
Researchers from the Eindhoven University of Technology have fine-tuned an artificial leaf design and used it to produce drugs for the first time.
Selective antibiotics target specific bacteria to spare the microbiome
Antibiotics aren't picky, blasting good and bad bacteria alike and messing up the delicate balance of the gut microbiome. But now researchers have developed a more targeted approach, with drugs that are able to zero in on specific species of bacteria.
"Eco-friendly" neurotoxin may find use in malaria-mosquito-specific insecticide
​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.
Genetically modified fungus kills malaria-spreading mosquitos in landmark West African trial
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.
Massive roll out of world's first malaria vaccine commences in Africa
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.
Might medicated nets eliminate malaria in mosquitos?
​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.
Malaria spit-test promises detection up to a week before symptoms appear
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.
Dogs sniff out malaria with 70% accuracy during research trial
​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.
A malaria protein may be the key to a universal blood test for cancer
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.
"Completely different" designer molecule could keep us one step ahead of drug-resistant malaria
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.