Chemical in sweat key to mosquito biting

[Analog]

A key chemical found in sweat is what draws the mosquito that spreads malaria in Africa to bite its human victims.
Researchers at Yale University believe knowledge of the molecule and the way it works could lead to a range of new anti-mosquito sprays and insect traps.

Malaria is caused by a microscopic parasite carried in the mosquito and is passed from one human to another every time the pest takes a blood meal.



Text

 

[rgwalt]

Bring back DDT.

R

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

PAVE THE JUNGLES!!!

 

[aircooled]

mosquitoes suck!

 

[SunnyD]

Um - they're just figuring this out? I thought it was common knowledge that sweat (rather the odor-causing chemicals) is a major attractor for mosquitoes, followed by body heat next. Or did they specifically pin down the exact chemical now?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: aircooled
mosquitoes suck!

god damn i will never go to minnesota again

 

[fatalbert]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Um - they're just figuring this out? I thought it was common knowledge that sweat (rather the odor-causing chemicals) is a major attractor for mosquitoes, followed by body heat next. Or did they specifically pin down the exact chemical now?

they found the specific chemical and identified its receptor in the female mosquito