All stories
16 August 2024
Trojan horse method gives malaria parasites a taste of their own medicine
Cholesterol is the key to tricking malaria parasites into ingesting a fatal dose of drugs and ridding patients of the potentially fatal disease, new ANU research has found.
9 February 2024
ANU scientists debunk role of ‘junk cells’ in fight against malaria
The discovery of a previously unknown ability of a group of cells, known as ABCs, to fight infections could open doors for longer lasting malaria treatments.
6 May 2022
Scientists closer to outsmarting malaria parasites
ANU researchers have discovered why malaria parasites are vulnerable to some drug therapies but resistant to others.
4 March 2021
The fatal chink in malaria parasite’s armour
Researchers from ANU have exposed a fatal flaw in the deadly parasite that causes malaria - one of the world's biggest killers.
7 August 2020
Discovery could lead to new malaria treatments
A study led by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) could lead to new treatments for combating drug-resistant malaria, as well as boost existing drugs. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. According to the lead authors, Dr Rowena Martin and PhD student Sarah Shafik, the ongoing evolution of parasites that are resistant to existing drugs is a significant threat to the control and elimination of malaria. Dr Martin’s team looked at PfCRT, a protein that is pivotal to multidrug resistance in the malaria parasite and is also itself a promising drug target. “For 20 years, researchers around the world have been trying to understand the function of PfCRT and why it is essential for…
22 July 2020
Malaria breakthrough set to change vaccine design
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a vital clue as to why malaria vaccines keep failing, which could potentially change how vaccines for the deadly disease and others are made. Malaria is a major global killer. But the parasitic disease which is spread to people by mosquitos does not currently have an effective vaccine. The ANU experts from the John Curtin School of Medical Research have now found a way for a vaccine to better target the disease. Their finding, published in Cell Host & Microbe, shows where malaria vaccines are going wrong. Effective vaccines work by generating antibodies against infectious diseases, allowing the immune system to successfully provide long-term protection. However, current malaria vaccines have been failing to produce enough protection. “We have found that antibody based protection…
27 February 2024
Parasite insights: the award-winning scientist teaching the world about deadly diseases
They may be small, but parasites can cause large-scale damage. Award-winning researcher and teacher Professor Alexander Maier wants to change that.
26 November 2024
What are quaaludes? Should you be worried they’ve been detected in Canberra?
Working alongside ANU scientists, we detected a recreational sedative – methylmethaqualone – circulating in Canberra for the first time. But a novel street drug is rarely as new as it seems.
12 March 2024
ANU researcher awarded $8m to develop next-generation life-saving medical therapies
A chemist from ANU has been awarded a prestigious $8 million fellowship to help tackle some of the globe’s most pressing health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance and cancer, and advance new life-saving medical therapies.
27 February 2024
ANU parasite expert named science teacher of the year
A professor from ANU helping humanity deal with the deadly consequences of parasites, including malaria, has been named one of Australia’s best science teachers.
4 July 2022
Here’s what you need to know about the Varroa mite
The Varroa mite parasite is threatening bee populations in Australia, however it's not all bad news.
14 September 2021
ANU heroes to vaccinate and fight against disease
Researchers from ANU conquering viruses, cancer and malaria have been backed in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council funding.