The campaign helped raise more than $35,000 towards the malaria fight. Twitteratis Jeremy Piven, Bill Gates, Biz Stone and others supported the campaign and contributed to the 178,000 tweets for the cause.

To find out more about campaign, visit the website here. Although we won’t know if we won until later this month, we’re still proud to be included and alongside amazing partners.

Previously, it had been thought that chemicals like DEET and other repellents blocked receptors in mosquitoes’ antennae limiting their ability to smell.

However, new research from scientists at the University of Vanderbilt has identified a new set of olfactory sensors in malarial mosquitoes that provide the insects with information about their environment. According to the findings, mosquitoes respond unfavorably to particular stimuli, such as DEET, the same way humans respond unfavorably to the smell of rotten food.

Finding such as this could help scientists develop more effective repellents to ward off malarial mosquitoes, further aid in the fight to end malaria.

To read the full excerpt on the MNMCP blog, click here.

In her post, Melinda noted: Malaria No More, one of our grantees, is taking a creative approach to raising awareness about malaria. They’ve been a fantastic partner–find out more about them from this GOOD profile of their work. They’re working with the Senegalese singing sensation Youssou N’Dour to educate people through his song “Xeex Sibbiru.” The song–whose title translates “Fight Malaria” in Wolof (a language spoken in several African countries)–encourages listeners to take action against malaria. They’ve also launched an American Idol-style singing contest. The campaign encouraged musicians to write songs to raise awareness about malaria.

A few years ago, Bill and I challenged the health field to set a goal of eventually eradicating malaria. With inspirational examples such as these, it’s clear the world is making great progress against this disease. That’s why we remain optimistic that the goal of eradication will ultimately be met.

We’re grateful for Melinda’s GOOD words and look forward to attending the TEDxChange Webcast on September 20^th. You too can RSVP here.

Dodge Malaria was a great success, and when I called to thank the supportive MNM staff, they asked if I’d be interested in visiting their New York office. I jumped at the chance!

Last month I spent a week shadowing Marisa Kleinman, probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet! I was able to interact with the entire Marketing and Communications team, who filled me in on their latest projects and then put me to work on the Stayin’ Alive campaign, which is all about students taking action by dedicating a dance or other event to the fight against malaria.

While the office is constantly a buzz (pun intended!) with hard work, there’s always a degree of fun. On Fridays, the team comes together for Bagels and Brainstorming, where they discuss their craziest ideas over breakfast.

My week at MNM was illuminating. I learned about the inner workings of a nonprofit organization and got great suggestions for future Dodge Malaria events. But, most importantly, the week reinforced my passion to do all that I can to help fight malaria.

The resilient city is bouncing back to life. And everyone from George Clooney to Spike Lee to President Obama is behind the Big Easy. “Because of you,” the president declared, “New Orleans is coming back.”

We couldn’t agree more. To read more about the anniversary and President Obama’s visit, click here.

According to CNN, authorities have seized 20,000 pounds of counterfeit medicine and arrested 80 people suspected of illegal trafficking in six East African nations. More than 300 premises were checked or raided in the two-month operation across Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar.

In worst case scenarios, the fake medicines can cause death, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this crack down progresses.

The following is an excerpt from the MNM Policy Center’s Malaria Watch blog:

Technology Review recently had a conversation with Bill Gates about a myriad of topics, including his passion for global health. 

One of the most fascinating points that Mr. Gates touches on is the fact that there used to be no market and no incentive for investment in malaria.  In response, The Gates Foundation simply created one by investing massive amounts of capital in malaria and the results have been astounding. 

To read the full excerpt on the MNMCP blog, click here.

Check out this new video from the Malaria No More Policy Center, demonstrating the myriad successes that the world has seen from the tremendous efforts against malaria so far:

While these statistics represent real lives that are being impacted by the progress in the fight against malaria, it must also be remembered that these results are not irreversible. The global community must push forward and advance these gains in order to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.

Learn more from the Malaria No More Policy Center here.

In Nigeria, the show is renamed “Sesame Square” to more closely resemble the neighborhoods of the country, and the lead Muppet’s, Kami and Zobi, are teaching life lessons that are relevant to the people of Nigeria: AIDS, malaria nets, gender equality — and yams, a staple of Nigerian meals.

Lead muppet Kami is an orphan with HIV who explains blood safety to children, while her friend Zobi gets entangled in a mosquito net while explaining malaria prevention.

In Tanzania, MNM’s Zinduka! campaign has partnered with Kilimani Sesame to distribute malaria-themed books to all primary schools in the country. The colorful, entertaining books will feature popular Kilimani Sesame characters who stress the importance of practicing malaria prevention at home.

“I was lucky, I had so many dreams as a kid,” says actress Elizabeth Banks. “Malaria robs more children of their dreams than any single disease in Africa. Yet, you can help change that with a $10 mosquito net.”

Elizabeth has been taking part in a series of PSAs due out this fall for MNM. In concert with the PSAs and World Mosquito Day today, we’re launching Mosquitoes Suck shirts for just $20 – $10 of every shirt sale will come back to us to help buy a anti-malarial mosquito net for someone that needs one.

Join Elizabeth and help us honor World Mosquito Day by announcing Mosquitoes Suck! Get your shirt and match the The 40 Year Old Virgin actress today: http://www.bustedtees.com/malarianomore