Editor's Summary
28 February 2008
Killer blow
After being starved of funds for many years, the efforts of the Gates Foundation and others have raised the stakes in the war against malaria, still a major killer, especially in Africa. This week's Nature looks at the prospects for progress. There is still no vaccine. Brendan Maher explains why, and reports on the push to develop one. Zambia is one of the hardest hit countries and in 2005 launched a plan to cut malaria incidence by 75% by 2008. Michael Hopkin reports on the work of the Malaria Institute at Macha, a centre of excellence established to bolster the national effort and to export expertise to other countries. In a Commentary, epidemiologist Mark Grabowsky stresses the importance of spending the 'new money' in the right way — on surveillance networks for example. Martin Kemp browses the notebooks of Ronald Ross, and finds more than 'just' the discovery linking malaria and the mosquito. See also the Editorial and the online malaria special on http://www.nature.com/news/specials/malaria/index.html.
News Feature: Malaria: The end of the beginning
After decades of work, a pioneering malaria vaccine may soon reach the final phase of clinical trials. In the first of two features on efforts against malaria, Brendan Maher reports on a vaccine that is far from perfect � but which may provide new direction and save thousands of lives.
doi:10.1038/4511042a
News Feature: Malaria: The big push
Zambia, with help from partners around the world, is stepping up its battle against malaria. Michael Hopkin reports from the rural front line.
doi:10.1038/4511047a
Editorial: Time to take control
With money now flowing in, the fight against malaria must shift from advocacy to getting results.
doi:10.1038/4511030b
Commentary: The billion-dollar malaria moment
For years the global malaria effort has been asking for more resources. Now the field needs to figure out a systematic strategy for spending the money effectively, says Mark Grabowsky.
doi:10.1038/4511051a
Books and Arts: A feverish imagination
doi:10.1038/4511056a
