Microwaves Could Prove Effective Against Malaria, Pennsylvania State University Study

Malaria is a major problem in some parts of the world, killing almost one million people annually, according to the World Health Organization. In addition, the disease is becoming difficult to treat as problems due to drug resistance worsen. To combat the problem, researchers at Penn State are investigating the use of low-dose microwaves to destroy malaria in vivo. Supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scientists are now working on the second phase of the research, which involves testing the treatment in mice and investigating the mechanism enabling microwaves to kill malaria parasites. The previous phase of their studies demonstrated, in a laboratory culture, that microwaves could destroy the malaria plasmodium without damaging normal blood cells.