The Naked Scientists Podcast Malaria fight in jeopardy, and bone collecting caterpillars
Apr 25, 2025
Jane Carlton, Director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, discusses the looming crisis in malaria management due to U.S. aid cuts. She highlights the dire impact of malaria on young children in Africa, the innovative strategies in research, and the potential of new vaccines. Carlton also touches on fascinating biology with the bone collector caterpillar, which adapts to its environment by camouflaging among spider webs. This episode combines a serious look at global health with the quirky side of nature.
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Malaria's Global Burden and Impact
- Malaria still deeply impacts global health, with over 260 million cases and half a million deaths mainly in Africa in 2023.
- It drains African economies by an estimated $12 billion annually, reinforcing the importance of fighting the disease globally.
Malaria and Climate Limits
- Malaria parasites develop only within a narrow temperature range inside mosquitoes.
- Climate change might shift malaria regions, but extreme heat could prevent parasite development.
Fund Malaria Control Programs
- Continued funding is crucial to malaria control programs like the US President's Malaria Initiative.
- Cutting support risks losing ground on delivering bed nets, treatments, and diagnostic tests essential for prevention.