Jet lag found to weaken malaria parasite

Scientists in Edinburgh have discovered that the malaria parasite is only half as effective when it is jet lagged.


 

Mice whose body clocks were running at different times to the malaria parasite\’s were injected with the parasite, and the study showed that the malaria parasites only spread infection at half the rate in mice with different body clocks. This is a major breakthrough in the treatment of malaria, and this could lead to new types of drug that could combat the parasite more effectively than current drugs.


For more information, please visit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-12129090

http://www.myscience.me.uk/wire/malaria_parasites_get_jetlag_too-2011-oxford

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