Malaria parasites adapt to survive, study shows

scientists from Edinburgh University have carried out a study into malaria with research that shows how parasites face a tough struggle for survival. The researchers found that, when malaria parasites enter the bloodstream of their victims, they alter their plan of attack if they face competition from other strains of the infection.

Malaria kills about one million people in sub-Saharan Africa each year and accounts for one in five of all child deaths in Africa.

Laura Pollitt of the School of Biological Sciences, who led the study, said: “We found that when parasites compete, they respond with a sophisticated strategy to safeguard their survival.”