Substances isolated from marine sponges show potential for treating malaria

In pre-clinical tests conducted at the University of São Paulo, compounds called batzelladins were effective even against strains of Plasmodium that are resistant to conventional antimalarial drugs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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Compounds were isolated from the species Monanchora arbuscula

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Credit: Eduardo Hadju

Brazilian researchers have discovered chemical compounds in marine sponges that have the potential to eliminate the malaria parasite, including strains that are resistant to conventional antimalarial drugs. The research results were published in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases.

Caused by protozoa and transmitted by the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria is one of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 600,000 malaria-related deaths in 2023 alone, 75% of which were children under the age of five.

Two newly discovered compounds, batzelladins F and L, were found to rapidly eliminate the parasites that cause malaria, including Plasmodium falciparum, which is predominant in Africa and more lethal, and Plasmodium vivax, which is predominant in South America. The efficacy of the substances was proven through tests on blood samples from patients and infected mice.

“These are robust results that give us hope for a new treatment. Although the compounds did not completely eliminate the protozoa, they can serve as inspiration for the synthesis of new chemical structures with enhanced action,” says Rafael Guido, a professor at the University of São Paulo’s São Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC-USP) and co-author of the study.

The study involved a multidisciplinary team from USP, the National Museum, the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), and the Roraima Tropical Medicine Research Center. It was supported by FAPESP through ten projects (13/07600-3, 24/04805-8, 15/01017-0, 19/17721-9, 22/01063-5, 21/03977-1, 22/01066-4, 23/09209-1, 22/15947-2, 20/01229-5), as well as funding from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

Roberto Berlinck, a professor at the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC-USP) who also signed the paper, said that the finding highlights the importance of Brazilian biodiversity, which is at risk.

“We don’t usually associate the negative impact of climate change with the discovery of new drugs or, more specifically, with curing diseases. The Monanchora arbuscula sponges live in an environment that’s threatened by ocean warming. Therefore, a natural product that we’re just beginning to investigate could disappear,” the researcher warns.

Berlinck also points out that climate change has led to an increase in malaria cases worldwide.

Methodology

To investigate the mechanisms of action of batzelladins, the group of researchers isolated them from the other compounds found in the marine sponge and characterized their chemical structure. This work was carried out by Anderson L. Noronha, from IQSC-USP.

The researchers noted that batzelladins act quickly and effectively on young parasites, inhibiting their ability to multiply inside the host’s red blood cells. According to Guido, this rapid action means that the parasites are less likely to develop resistance to treatment.

“We observed that the parasite dies as soon as it comes into contact with the chemical compounds. This is important because molecules that kill the parasite slowly allow it to adapt and generate resistance,” explains Giovana Rossi Mendes, from IFSC-USP, who was responsible for carrying out the tests with the blood samples and mice.

In addition to fighting malaria, substances derived from marine sponges have demonstrated anti-parasitic activity against other diseases, including leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

“At first glance, it may seem unusual that a substance with the potential to cure malaria, a disease related to tropical forests, is present in a marine microorganism, which wouldn’t need to protect itself from this pathogen. But the apparent disconnection is actually commonplace in prospecting studies for natural products with biological activity,” says Guido.

These substances are what scientists call secondary metabolites: organic compounds that perform adaptive functions for the organisms that produce or accumulate them. These functions include defense against enemies, attraction between sexes, repulsion of predators, and occupation of physical space, among others.

“Just like the agents that cause malaria, marine sponges are very ancient organisms that have accumulated these secondary metabolites over years of evolution to ensure their success in the environment in which they find themselves, the oceans,” explains Guido.

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe.

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Journal

ACS Infectious Diseases

DOI

10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00714 

Article Title

Marine Guanidine Alkaloids Inhibit Malaria Parasites Development in In Vitro, In Vivo and Ex Vivo Assays

New strategy developed to engineer high-affinity receptor-containing antibodies against malaria

Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Structure-based engineering and functional characterization of D1D2.v-IgG for inhibiting RIFIN#1-mediated immune evasions 

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Credit: WANG Yizhuo

In a recent study published in Science China Life Sciences, a research team led by WANG Junfeng at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced an innovative approach to developing high-affinity receptor-containing antibodies in vitro, offering a promising strategy to combat malaria.

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread by mosquitoes. To evade the host immune system, the parasite expresses variant surface antigens like RIFINs, which bind to immune-inhibitory receptors such as LILRB1 and LAIR1. Recently, scientists have discovered a rare class of “receptor-containing antibodies” in malaria patients. These antibodies incorporate domains from inhibitory receptors, allowing them to block the interaction between RIFINs and host receptors, disrupting immune evasion. However, they are rare, hard to isolate, and have low binding affinity, limiting their clinical potential.

In this study, the team employed a structure-guided affinity maturation strategy. They first engineered a high-affinity receptor fragment variant and then grafted it into the framework of MDB1, a known human anti-malaria antibody. This process yielded a new antibody, D1D2.v-IgG, which exhibited a 30-fold higher binding affinity to the malaria antigen RIFIN#1 (PF3D7_1254800) compared to native LILRB1.

Functional assays confirmed that D1D2.v-IgG could specifically recognize RIFIN#1 on both K562 cells and Plasmodium-infected red blood cells, effectively neutralizing the parasite’s immune evasion.

Building on this success, the researchers designed a bispecific antibody called NK-biAb by fusing a single-chain antibody (scFv) with NKG2D, a receptor found on natural killer (NK) cells. This engineered antibody not only blocked RIFIN#1-mediated immune evasion but also actively recruited NK cells to attack the infected cells, significantly enhancing immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

This study provides a novel strategy for developing antibodies targeting Plasmodium falciparum immune evasion mechanisms and opens new avenues for innovative antimalarial drug discovery.

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Journal

Science China Life Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s11427-024-2914-2 

Article Title

A strategy for the development of receptor-containing antibodies targeting malaria variant surface antigens

 

Researchers investigated differences between urban and natural soundscapes around the world

University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto

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An international group of researchers collected one hundred years’ worth of sounds from around the world to investigate how soundscapes differ between urban and natural environments.

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Credit: Patrik Lauha

In addition to researchers from the universities of Jyväskylä and Helsinki, the international study involved researchers from over thirty countries. Samples were collected by automatic recorders from 139 locations over several years.

People hear birds singing late at night and early in the morning

From the collected audio material, researchers analysed various descriptive indicators. For example, they examined the amount of sound energy present in low and high frequencies, as well as the variation in the sounds. The sounds were also classified into different categories, including human speech, vehicle sounds, and natural sounds such as rain and wind. Bird species were also automatically identified based on the sounds they produce.

“The collected sound data provides evidence of predictable rhythms in nature,” says University Researcher Panu Somervuo from the University of Helsinki. “For example, birds sing most actively in the morning and evening as well as in spring.”

Birds are an important part of urban green spaces

One of the most surprising findings of this study was that the number of bird species in urban green areas was, on average, greater than in natural environments.

“Green areas are often highly diverse, so a one-hectare monitoring plot can serve as a habitat for several bird species,” says Academy Professor Otso Ovaskainen from the University of Jyväskylä. “However, this does not mean that natural areas in their original state are unimportant to birds, since species living there cannot be found in urban areas.” 

The study was published in the prestigious Nature Ecology & Evolution series.

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Journal

Nature Ecology & Evolution

DOI

10.1038/s41559-025-02786-5 

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Human contributions to global soundscapes are less predictable than the acoustic rhythms of wildlife

Article Publication Date

9-Jul-2025

 

Fraud, ageism and fear: Understanding the unique risks faced by senior citizens online

Ageism is not only a deeply ingrained societal bias; it is a powerful tool used by cybercriminals to target and financially exploit vulnerable senior citizens, say researchers from the University of Surrey .

University of Surrey

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Ageism is not only a deeply ingrained societal bias; it is a powerful tool used by cybercriminals to target and financially exploit vulnerable senior citizens, say researchers from the University of Surrey 

In 2022 alone, losses due to internet crimes targeted at older people soared to an estimated $4.7 billion in the US. The study, published in the Security Journal, investigated how senior citizens are increasingly falling prey to online fraud.  

The research team defines ageism in the context of cybercrime as the intentional targeting of older adults as potential victims, driven by the belief that they are wealthy and easy to deceive. This perception, according to the research team, not only reflects a societal bias but also poses a grave threat to the safety and wellbeing of seniors who are navigating an increasingly digital world. 

Dr Suleman Lazarus, Cybercrime expert and lead author of the study at the University of Surrey, said: 

"Our research shows that ageism is a significant contributing factor to the cyber exploitation of older adults.  Ageism serves as a weapon used by online offenders to target older adults, while the concept of the ideal victim acts as society's shield in response to these reprehensible actions. The ideal victim helps to shape societal perceptions of vulnerability, steering focus away from victim-blaming and influencing how these crimes are addressed and understood.  We need to gain a deeper understanding of their victims' vulnerabilities and establish more effective support systems.” 

The research team used a framework to examine the relationship between ageism, cybercrime, and the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of older adults. They analysed various factors that make older people more susceptible to online fraud, including cognitive decline, social isolation, and a heightened level of trust in others.  

One of the most striking findings is that the elderly are not just victims of cybercrime due to their financial status but also because of deeply rooted stereotypes that portray them as frail and gullible. These misconceptions perpetuate a dangerous narrative, making it easier for fraudsters to manipulate their victims through schemes that exploit their vulnerabilities. 

Dr Michael McGuire, co-author and Cybersecurity expert at the University of Surrey, said: 

"Older adults are particularly at risk due to a combination of factors, such as limited technological proficiency and an increased fear of cybercrime, which often leads them to respond to fraudulent solicitations without sufficient scrutiny. 

"We need a more nuanced understanding of cybercrime that goes beyond mere technological advancements. By reframing cybercrime through the lens of socioeconomic factors, we must implement educational initiatives and support systems aimed at empowering older adults to protect themselves online. 

"By confronting the ageist attitudes that underpin the targeting of our elderly population, we can begin to dismantle the structures that allow such exploitation to thrive. It is imperative that we come together as a community to safeguard the well-being of our senior citizens, ensuring they are seen not as victims but as valued members of society deserving of respect and protection." 

  

[ENDS]  

Note to editors:  

• Dr Suleman Lazarus and Dr Michael Mcguire are available for interview, please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.    

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Journal

Security Journal

DOI

10.1057/s41284-025-00482-4 

Article Title

Cybercrime against senior citizens: exploring ageism, ideal victimhood, and the pivotal role of socioeconomics

 A World First:

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research develop an mRNA-based vaccine against a deadly bacterium

Tel-Aviv University

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(Left to right): Prof. Dan Peer, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy & Shani Benarroch.

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Credit: Tel Aviv University

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona have used the platform developed for COVID-19 vaccines to create the world’s first mRNA-based vaccine against a deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacterium. In this groundbreaking study, the researchers tested the vaccine’s resistance to the virulent pathogen that causes the disease and were able to demonstrate 100% protection against infection in animal models. The researchers now hope that this technology can be used to combat other lethal bacteria as well.

The study was led by Tel Aviv University’s Vice President for Research and Development Prof. Dan Peer, a global pioneer in mRNA drug development and director of the Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research. He worked alongside researchers from the Israel Institute for Biological Research — Dr. Uri Elia, Dr. Yinon Levy, Dr. Emmy Mamroud, and Dr. Ofer Cohen — as well as members of his own laboratory team: Dr. Edo Kon, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy, and doctoral student Shani Benarroch. The study was featured on the cover of the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

The vaccine developed by the team from the Institute for Biological Research and Tel Aviv University is an mRNA-based vaccine delivered via lipid nanoparticles, similar to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, mRNA vaccines are typically effective against viruses like COVID-19 — not against bacteria like the plague.

Dr. Uri Elia explains: “Viruses rely on a host cell to survive and replicate. They infect the cell with an RNA molecule (mRNA) that contains instructions for making viral proteins. The virus uses the cell as a factory to replicate itself. In an mRNA vaccine, this molecule is synthesized and encased in a lipid nanoparticle that resembles human cell membranes. The nanoparticle fuses with the cell, the cell produces the viral proteins, and the immune system learns to recognize and defend against the actual virus upon exposure. Bacteria, however, are a different story: they produce their own proteins and do not rely on human cells. Moreover, due to the different evolutionary paths of humans and bacteria, their proteins are very different from ours.”

In 2023, the researchers developed a unique method for producing the bacterial protein within a human cell in a way that prompts the immune system to recognize it as a genuine bacterial protein and thus learn to defend against it. The researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Institute for Biological Research proved, for the first time, that it is possible to develop an effective mRNA vaccine against bacteria. They chose Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague — a disease responsible for deadly pandemics throughout human history. In animal models, the researchers demonstrated that it is possible to effectively vaccinate against the disease with a single dose.

Prof. Dan Peer: “In the previous study, we developed a vaccine for a form of plague transmitted through the skin — for example, via flea bites. In the current study, we chose a much more ambitious target: pneumonic plague, which spreads from person to person and causes respiratory illness — making it particularly difficult to develop a vaccine against. For this reason, we used two proteins — two antigens — to create the vaccine. We tested it on several animal model strains and found that, after two vaccine doses, we achieved 100% protection against pneumonic plague: the animals infected with the plague did not get sick at all. The success of the current study paves the way for a whole world of mRNA-based vaccines against other deadly bacteria.”

“The plague — a disease that killed about two-thirds of Europe’s population in the Middle Ages (‘The Black Death’) still resurfaces occasionally today, for example in Madagascar. So the potential for a pandemic still exists,” says Dr Uri Elia. “The disease is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, for which there is no approved vaccine in Western countries. This bacterium is highly contagious and extremely lethal, making it a serious threat. Moreover, this bacterium concerns us as a potential agent of bioterrorism. If one of our enemies tries to use it against us, we want to be prepared with a vaccine.”

Link to the article:

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202501286

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Journal

Advanced Science

DOI

10.1002/advs.202501286 

New study finds cooling garments can protect laborers in a hotter world

A new paper from researchers in the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) demonstrates that commercially available body-cooling garments provide significant protection against extreme heat

University of Connecticut

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The world is getting hotter and hotter. 2024 was the hottest year on record, and 2025 is on track to come in a close second.

This trend is making working conditions more dangerous for laborers in fields where they are regularly exposed to high temperatures like agriculture and construction. 2.4 billion laborers are exposed to excessive heat every year, resulting in 22.8 million injuries and nearly 19,000 deaths worldwide.

A new paper from researchers at the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) demonstrates that commercially available body-cooling garments provide significant protection against extreme heat. 

KSI is housed within the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR).

The study was led by Cecilia Kaufman, director of occupational safety for KSI and doctoral student of kinesiology. This research was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Kaufman and her team soaked hats with neck flaps, neck gaiters, and sun sleeves in ice water and then had participants complete tasks like lifting boxes and walking on a treadmill to simulate labor conditions.

“We selected to use those things because they would cover more of the body’s surface area,” Kaufman says. “In order to cool the body as quickly as possible the main focus is to cover as much of the body’s surface area as we can.”

These evaporative cooling garments help pull heat away from the body and dissipate it into the environment to keep the body cool.

The internal temperatures of participants wearing the cooling garments were, on average, one degree Fahrenheit cooler than those in the control group, who did not wear the cooling garments. Those with the garments were also more productive in the tasks they completed for the experiment.

“That decrease in physiological strain and increase in performance was really impactful when we look at using this in addition to water, rest, and shade,” Kaufman says.

The researchers used participants’ internal temperatures during the last 30 minutes of the trial to project what their temperature would be at the end of an eight-hour workday. Those in the control group were projected to reach critical hyperthermia levels, where there is a risk of heat-related injuries, by the end of a shift while those using the cooling products were not.

This study is a follow-up to KSI research led by Margaret Morrissey-Basler’s that found strategies like providing shade, cooling, and water provided significant benefits. However, these strategies are not applicable at all times in all environments, while wearing body-cooling garments can be done anywhere and while working in the sun.

“Evaporative cooling as opposed to conductive cooling can be a great resource in some settings where there might not necessarily be power,” Kaufman says. “As long as you have water or a way to activate these garments with the cooling technology that they hold, then they’re a great resource to use, especially in more isolated settings.”

Additionally, the previous study only looked at men. This is a significant gap as women make up as much as 50% of the agricultural workforce in areas like sub-Saharan Africa. This new research included both men and women in the trials.

More research focusing on laborers is critical. Most studies on heat-related illness to date have focused on athletic and military populations, both of which are extremely physically fit. Laborers, however, are more likely to have preexisting conditions or be taking medications that could heighten their risk of heat-related injuries.

Kaufman says there also needs to be more research focused on different industries which each face their own challenges, as well as more field research in these settings.

“We need more research in agriculture, versus oil and gas, versus manufacturing versus construction,” Kaufman says. “All these industries offer unique perspectives when it comes to these things.”

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Journal

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

DOI

10.1002/ajim.23734 

Method of Research

Randomized controlled/clinical trial

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The Effects of Body Cooling Strategies on Physiological and Performance Outcomes During Simulated Occupational Work in the Heat

Article Publication Date

14-May-2025

COI Statement

This investigation received funding from MISSION MPUSA LLC. This entity is a corporate partner of the Korey Stringer Institute and the Heat Safety and Performance Coalition. The authors affirm that all disclosed relationships are managed in accordance with journal policies, ensuring the integrity and independence of the research.