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Issue Aquaculture is a major food source in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Improving water quality for aquaculture can increase yields, improve food security and reduce antibiotic use. Aeration can significantly improve water quality, but high cost limits its use in LMICs and current aeration methods require a secure electrical connection, which is not always available. Solution The objective of this project was to improve fish farm production by developing a new aeration method for aquaculture ponds that does not require electricity, has low maintenance requirements and which can be inexpensively…at the pond bottom was increased by 19% during the day and 6% at night. Based on the results of the tests in Vietnam, the team was able to secure an additional $500,000 USD for a randomized controlled trial of the approach in Bangladesh. They intend to scale-up the technology once the trial is complete.

Issue Respiratory illness is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in developing nations. Each year, thousands of patients die because of lack of early access to mechanical ventilation. Solution OneBreath is attempting to deal with one of the most difficult problems in critical care: delivering high precision, high reliability and low cost in a mechanical…multiple sites across southern India, and this information was used to inform product requirements as the initial prototype device was developed. Prototypes of pneumatic, electrical and interface designs were constructed and tested. Once validated, these designs were advanced into final-stage development under a quality management system. A manufacturing partner was chosen and design for manufacturability began. In 2014, OneBreath was the recipient of a NSF SBIR Phase II award ($749,000), the Lockheed-Martin Global Innovation Award and was a TiE Top 50 start-up. Project founders have given presentations at international conferences, and have appeared in televised interviews and numerous panel discussions. Phase II Transition To Scale funding from Grand Challenges Canada was granted to advance sales…

Issue The World Health Organization has identified proper diagnosis as a bottleneck to proper control and treatment of the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in low- and middle-income countries. The most accurate diagnostic methods amplify and detect tuberculosis DNA directly, but such methods require temperature cycling instrumentation and are costly consumables. Solution Lesion-induced DNA amplification (LIDA) makes…DNA sequence – indicative of disease – self-replicate until many copies of that sequence are present and detectable using very simple read-out methods. Towards the goal of creating a kit for multi-drug resistant TB detection, the project team developed temperature tunable LIDA that allows for heat-free amplification; developed a mismatch sensitive and RNA triggered variant of LIDA for…rather than polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They were able to demonstrate room-temperature, heat-free amplification, allowing replication of a given sequence at anywhere from 18°C to 30°C, a significant advantage over other point-of-care diagnostics. The colour-based detection method is rapid (less than five minutes) and works at room temperature, making it ideal for point-of-care detection. Results of…

Issue Diarrhea remains a leading cause of morbidity among children under five years of age around the world. Inadequate water and sanitation lead to high rates of waterborne illnesses. Point-of-use water quality interventions could reduce diarrhea episodes by roughly half, with some studies resulting in disease reduction by 70% or more. Solution Implemented in Tanzania,…ten Mkuranga villages in Tanzania. A total of 78 local community members were recruited to distribute Takasamaji and to collect information on diarrhea on a weekly basis for a period of 17 weeks. Experts from the Ministry of Water in Tanzania assessed the quality of water consumed by the villagers before and during the implementation…bacterial contamination by 80% and turbidity levels by 70%. In a case-control study between two communities, the prevalence of diarrhea was lower in children from households accessing the water treatment technology (7.3%) versus those without accessing to this technology (14.8%). There are plans to modify/improve the formula of Takasamaji and then scale up the project. 

…million new cases diagnosed in 2012.  Breast cancer kills more women than any other cancer in Vietnam; early detection and screening programs are not popular or available to all women. Mammography is expensive and out of reach for many people, especially those in the remote areas. Solution The research project involved development of new technology, called ultra-wideband (UWB), that could screen for potential breast cancer…

…widespread blood disorders, is a public health problem in both developing and developed countries In Tanzania, use of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces or seeds has taken importance for the variety of its nutritious and medicinal values. It is claimed roselle juice could correct iron deficiency anaemia. Although mineral and chemical compositions of dried roselle calyces support this claim, studies on roselle extracts are lacking. Solution The main purpose of the study was to optimize extraction conditions for ferrous (iron II) and L-ascorbic acid from dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L grown in Dodoma in Tanzania by using Response Surface Methodology…soaking time and solid-solvent ratio. Industries may adopt these conditions for production of roselle beverages to maximize their health benefits. Another phase of the study documented a significant increase in iron store in a group receiving a dose of 1,500 ml/day of roselle for a month. The juice was also shown to be generally safe.…

…100,000 live births is one of the highest in Africa. Despite the existence of proven interventions that could improve maternal and child health, there are many barriers to the full implementation and use of these interventions. Solution The project sought to identify and address the barriers to improved maternal care and to address them, thereby reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in the Biase local government area of Nigeria. A holistic package using Role Model Mothers, Pregnant Women Peer Support Groups, text message reminders, provision of transportation and attitudinal re-orientation and motivation of healthcare workers was designed. The aim of the project was to increase antenatal clinic attendance by at least 50%, and also improve the attitude of healthcare providers to encourage pregnant women…by at least 25%. Outcome Results showed some health facilities recorded increased antenatal clinic attendance, and an increase in the number of pregnant women who attended the clinic for labour and delivery. Traditional birth attendants also referred clients to facilities for antenatal care and delivery. Health-seeking behaviour of mothers also increased and healthcare providers were more…

…problems that frequently co-occur in endemic areas, and can be diagnosed simultaneously in fecal samples by microscopy-based methods. However, microscopy-based methods are limited by low sensitivity, are tedious to perform in field settings and require expertise to perform, among other problems. Solution The project team sought to develop a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test for simultaneous diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infections in fecal samples. If validated, use of a LAMP test in disease control programs would…mansoni and the most common STH infections is done more reliably in endemic areas. Outcome The team failed to develop the prototype device but a number of significant achievements resulted from the project:1.  DNA targets were identified in S. mansoni, A. lumbricoides and hookworm that provide diagnostic markers for the target parasite species. 2.  LAMP specific…

Issue Chronic malnutrition among the under-five population in the developing world has a significant impact. According to the Rwanda Demographic Household Survey (2010), an estimated 44% have stunted growth, 11% are underweight and the prevalence of acute malnutrition is 3%. Proper nutrition is particularly important for children under five and people living with HIV/AIDS. Solution A research project was initiated in Rwanda to improve the nutritional status of mothers, children and people living with…earning income used to buy other ingredients. Caritas will continue consolidation of activities achieved in the community until they are fully owned by communities, as well as scaling up to new beneficiaries and new locations. A Phase II Transition To Scale application is planned. In Phase II, Caritas intends to continue to strengthen beneficiaries’ nutrition education, bio-intensive agriculture, adoption of hygiene practices (involving many lactating and pregnant women, and people living with HIV), promote kitchen gardens, growth monitoring, and development into cooperatives among others.

…under the age of five are malnourished.  These trends are most severe in remote regions of countries where health services are limited.  Remote areas are also home to protected areas for wildlife, which place additional strains on human welfare by limiting access to natural resources and through human-wildlife conflict. Solution The juxtaposition between humans and protected areas provides…