Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute

15:53

Malaria Advocacy on Capitol Hill: Funding, Research,...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/04/23

The podcast explores the importance of advocacy for malaria research and control. It follows over 120 advocates gathering in Washington, DC, as part of the ‘United to Beat Malaria’ campaign, urging Congress to continue supporting global malaria efforts. Key topics include: The US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), founded in 2005, which provides bed nets, test kits, and treatments to combat malaria The role of global partnerships, including the Global Fund, in distributing resources

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12:48

EXTENDED: AI-Driven Malaria Control – Neural Networks...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/04/22

With a shortage of entomologists in malaria-endemic regions, could AI fill the gap? We explore VectorCam, an offline tool powered by a Convolutional Neural Network that aims to support local vector surveillance. with Dr. Soumya Acharya and Sunny Patel of Johns Hopkins University. About The Podcast The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.

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01:22

VectorCAM: The AI Tool Improving Mosquito Detection

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/04/15

Can AI identify mosquito species? VectorCAM, a pocket-sized device, uses machine learning to differentiate species with 95% accuracy, enhancing malaria surveillance efforts Transcript Not all mosquitoes are created equal. Of the more than three thousand species, only a limited number of the Anopheles genus can transmit malaria. Even within that subset, subtle physiological differences affect how malaria spreads. Some mosquitoes prefer to bite indoors, while others outdoors. Some need large bodies of

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09:21

EXTENDED: Could a Juice Pouch Revolutionize Mosquito...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/03/25

For decades, insecticides have shielded us from malaria—but cracks are showing. Resistance is spreading, and environmental concerns are growing. Could a simple pouch of fruit juice with a powerful secret be the breakthrough we need? with George Dimopoulos of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute About The Podcast The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.

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01:16

Fighting Malaria with Soil Bacteria

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/03/11

One of the main ways of controlling malaria is to reduce mosquito populations through insecticides. But the mosquitoes are developing resistance, making most insecticides less effective. What if the answer lies beneath our feet? Transcript One of the main ways of controlling malaria is to reduce mosquito populations through insecticides. But the mosquitoes are developing resistance, making most insecticides less effective. We need new vector control interventions – what if the answer lies beneath

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12:13

EXTENDED: Mapping Social Networks to Strengthen...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/02/25

The prevention of malaria depends upon multiple layers of interventions that work together to reduce cases and deaths. But what makes someone decide to sleep under a bed net, or apply an insecticidal cream? What makes one person take up more interventions than another? How influential are government-accredited health experts versus friends and family? With András Vörös, an Associate Professor in Quantitative Methods at the University of Birmingham and Elisa Bellotti, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology

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01:25

How Conversations Shape Malaria Prevention Practices

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/02/11

Malaria prevention depends on the adoption of multiple behaviors – like sleeping under a bednet and wearing clothes that cover the skin. Researchers find that conversations with people in one’s own social circle are the strongest factors that influence behavior uptake. Transcript Malaria prevention depends on the adoption of multiple behaviors – like sleeping under a bednet and wearing clothes that cover the skin – to reduce exposure to infectious mosquitoes. Theories of ‘social influence’ are

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08:47

EXTENDED: Discovering New Targets for Malaria...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/01/24

Today, the discovery of antibodies targeting a new region of the malaria parasite that could serve as a promising target for drugs and vaccines.

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01:29

Scientists Uncover 'Site of Vulnerability' in Malaria...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2025/01/14

Scientists discover new antibodies - a promising target for clinical exploration. Transcript The currently licenced malaria vaccines and monoclonal antibodies all target a well-known region of the same malaria protein. That protein – the circumsporozoite protein, commonly known as CSP – covers the surface of the parasite as it enters the human skin through a mosquito bite. By targeting CSP, the vaccines aim to stop each malaria parasite in its tracks. But what about other proteins on the sporozoite

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12:31

EXTENDED: How AI Chatbots Could Help Predict...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/12/20

We focus on drug resistance and the troubling news that the frontline drug against malaria, artemisinin, is failing due to resistant parasites in severe cases of malaria, and how the collective efforts of drug development – and the data produced – could be used to build an AI chatbot capable of predicting resistance before it strikes. With Robert Opoka and Elizabeth Winzeler. About The Podcast The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight

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01:16

How to Predict (And Avert) Antimalarial Drug Resistance

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/12/13

Researchers search for ways to predict antimalarial drug resistance and identify more effective drug combinations. Transcript The front-line treatment for malaria is typically a combination of drugs called artemisinin-based combination therapy. Resistance to treatment has already been reported in mild cases of malaria, but now, for the first time, it’s also being reported in severe cases of malaria. Severe malaria cases are more likely to end in a fatal outcome, so drug resistance in these scenarios

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01:23

‘Big Push’ Needed to Turn Tide on Malaria – WHO

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/12/11

The World Health Organization has today released its annual World Malaria Report. Here are the takeaways. Transcript The World Health Organization has today released its annual World Malaria Report. Here are the takeaways. Since the turn of the century, the global malaria community has averted over 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths, with over a million deaths prevented in 2023 alone. Yet, despite significant progress, major gaps remain. In 2023, there were 263 million malaria cases

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11:43

EXTENDED: Listening to Malaria – How Lasers and...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/11/26

An innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tool that could revolutionize malaria testing, with the potential to be built into wearable devices. In this extended episode of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute, we ask: What are the limitations of current malaria diagnostic methods? How is a 'cytophone' - and what makes it innovative? Why is the detection of hemozoin significant in malaria diagnostics? How does interdisciplinary collaboration contribute to technological innovation? With Sunil Parikh,

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01:10

The Skin-Contact Malaria Test That Could...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/11/12

Using lasers and ultrasound, the ‘cytophone’ detects a key byproduct of all malaria parasites. Transcript Among the most commonly used malaria diagnostic tests is the rapid diagnostic test (RDT), which detects malaria antigens from a drop of blood. Whilst RDTs are small and cheap, they're invasive and new strains of the parasite have evolved that can escape RDT diagnosis. Now, engineers have developed new diagnostic technology – a cytophone – which doesn’t require a blood draw. About the size of a

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08:59

EXTENDED: First Reference Genome Sequence of P. vivax...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/10/29

Today, how DNA from a single patient in Ethiopia can shed light on the big picture of malaria. Why is Plasmodium vivax significant in malaria research, especially in Ethiopia? How does genomic sequencing contribute to understanding and controlling malaria? How are advances in sequencing technology influencing malaria research? With Jane Carlton, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, and Francisco Callejas Hernandez About The Podcast The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research

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01:13

How Comparative Genomics Can Help Find the Best...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/10/15

'Comparative genomics' helps identify genes that can serve as targets for future drugs and vaccines. Transcript Not all parasites are alike. Genetic mutations mean that malaria parasites evolve differently in different regions – and even within the same region. One species thought to be particularly genetically diverse is Plasmodium vivax. It’s the second most common species of malaria, found in South East Asia, South America, and some parts of Africa. In Ethiopia, 20% of malaria cases are thought

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09:22

EXTENDED: The Surprising Advantage of...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/10/01

The World Health Organisation has recommended two licenced malaria vaccines. Those vaccines have been a long time coming - but are they the best? In this extended episode of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute, we ask: Why is developing a malaria vaccine so challenging? How does antigen variation play affect the effectiveness of malaria vaccines? What are transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), and why haven't they gained much interest despite their potential? With Ilinca Ciubotariu, Qixin He and

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01:14

Transmission-Blocking Antigens Show Low Variation,...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/09/17

A key challenge in developing a malaria vaccine is choosing which stage to target. Transcript A key challenge in developing a malaria vaccine is choosing which stage of the infection to target. You can target the parasite when it enters the body, multiplies in the liver and the blood, or is in the sexual stage, preparing to be picked up by a mosquito. Along with selecting the right vaccine target, it’s also important to consider how these targets naturally vary in the population. To identify the

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13:19

EXTENDED: World Mosquito Day - Gene Drives and CRISPR...

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/08/30

We share a special episode of our podcast to mark World Mosqutio Day. World Mosquito Day, observed annually on August 20th, commemorates British doctor Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. More than a century later, major advancements like genetically modifying mosquitoes—AKA gene drives—have the potential to reduce malaria cases and deaths dramatically, but not without hurdles. About The Podcast The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is

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01:15

Gene Drives: A Sharper Tool for the Malaria Toolkit?

Johns Hopkins Mosquito Minute ·

2024/08/13

People often talk about the 'malaria toolkit' - how might gene drives fit? Transcript When people talk about malaria, they often mention the 'malaria toolkit' – a set of tools, like bed nets and indoor residual spraying, that are available to help curb the spread of disease. In the past, these tools were trusty go-to's – thanks to their efficacy, scalability and cost. Like the antimalarial drugs used to prevent and treat the disease, they’re primarily aimed at protecting individuals. Yet, a new

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