New findings on how malaria parasites invade human cells yield proof of concept for new antimalarial drug

For nearly half a century, scientists have known that malaria parasites force their way into human red blood cells through a ring-shaped structure called the moving junction.

What no one could work out was what it actually does.

The structure assembles, does its job and dissipates in the space of 60 seconds—gone before anyone can get a close look. ...