The article talks about a drug that zaps the malaria parasite at many stages of infection. This would be a major breakthrough because parasites have found a way to escape most of the other drugs currently being used. Some scientists like Roland Copper though say that no matter what you do the parasite will find a way to avoid it, but the drug takes a long time to break down, which could last long enough to clear the body of infections. When a person gets malaria the parasite goes through 3 stages, and the drug ELQ-300 would hit the parasite at each of those 3 stages. The drug has been tested on multiple mice, and if it can pass more safety tests it could be out in a couple of years.
Link:http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/349137/description/Experimental_malaria_drug_may_be_a_hot_prospect
NOS Themes:
1) Science is based on evidence: The researchers tested this drug out on mice first to see if it would work on living things.
2) Science is subject to debate: Some researchers think that the parasite will just adapt and be able to avoid the drug.
3) Science is collaborative: Many scientists worked on this project together to make it work.
wow that's really fascinating! I never knew that there could be such a drug that could target every part of what the mosquitoes affect in the human body. What I have known though is the current usage of mosquito netting that traps and prevents mosquitoes, but a drug like this that could stop malaria is quite amazing! I did further research and found that this drug has great "potentiall in preventing transmition of this disease" as noted by Michael Riscoe, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at OHSU. It was also shown that with a lack of research and funding for creating the drug for impoverished nations, a drug like this is very possible if time and money is invested!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2013/03/portland_scientists_new_malari.html
I know that Malaria is a very deadly drug especially when not treated, so I was surprised to hear that cures that were usually used were becoming ineffective. I hope that these findings do lead to an alternative for preventing the spread of malaria. The link that I used lead me to an article that also suggests that a cure for malaria was discovered and will be used in clinics starting in 2013.
ReplyDeleteLink: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/08/29/university-of-cape-town-researchers-believe-they-have-found-a-single-dose-cure-for-malaria/
It would be great if this drug works. It could save a lot of lives. I just read that malaria kills about 655,000 people each year. Malaria also accounts for 24% of the total child deaths in Africa. If they could cure it and stop it from spreading, they could dave a lot of people.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2196377/Scientists-close-creating-single-dose-cure-strains-malaria.html
According to the CDC, approximately 216 million people a year contract malaria. Only 1,500 cases are in the U.S. Of all the worldwide cases, 655,000 result in death, with 91% of the deaths in Africa. If this drug passes safety tests, it would be a huge benefit to the world, especially Africa. If it becomes successful, hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved and economies all over Africa will be greatly helped.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html