Clipmarks | Mosquitos Clips

Discovery of natural odors could help develop mosquito repellents

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:13:08 GMT

clipped by: dopesick
clipper's remarks: "CO2 emitted in human breath is the main attractant for the Culex mosquito to find people, aiding the transmission of these deadly diseases," Ray said. "In our experiments we identified hexanol, and a related odor, butanal, as strong inhibitors of CO2-sensitive neurons in Culex mosquitoes. These compounds can now be used to guide research in developing novel repellents and masking agents that are economical and environmentally safe methods to block mosquitoes' ability to detect CO2 in our breath, thereby dramatically reducing mosquito-human contact."
Woah, this is just great! This should be a great reason to celebrate, once thei're done with the repellent. I think there isn't one person in the planet who hasn't got mad with mosquitos at one time or another.

Great news, just great.

Clip Source: www.labspaces.net

Entomologists at the University of California, Riverside working on fruit flies in the lab have discovered a novel class of compounds that could pave the way for developing inexpensive and safe mosquito repellents for combating West Nile virus and other deadly tropical diseases.

When fruit flies undergo stress, they emit carbon dioxide (CO2) that serves as a warning to other fruit flies that danger or predators could be nearby. The fruit flies are able to detect the CO2 and escape because their antennae are equipped with specialized neurons that are sensitive to the gas.

But fruits and other important food sources for fruit flies also emit CO2 as a by-product of respiration and ripening. If the innate response of the fruit fly is to avoid CO2, how then does it find its way to these foods?

They have identified a new class of odorants

In particular two odors, hexanol and 2,3- butanedione, are strong inhibitors of the CO2-sensitive neurons in the fruit fly.

Tags: mosquitos, repellent, science

Become a Bug Zapper!

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:47:23 GMT

clipped by: wpo1408

Clip Source: indoor-bug-zapper.com

Electric Bug Zapper

The indoor bug zapper is the best way of clearing your immediate vicinity of insects, especially the flying ones such as mosquitoes. The indoor bug zapper vaporizes anything from a mosquito to a gnat instantly on contact with a pleasingly loud, electrical 'zap'!

ELECTRIC FLY SWATTER - 1500 Volts - Easily Kill Flying Insects Such As Mosquitos, Flies, and Gnats.
$6.52

Indoor Bug Zapper

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:40:24 GMT

clipped by: wpo1408
clipper's remarks: Get yourself a bug zapper for the ultimate revenge!

Clip Source: indoor-bug-zapper.com

Electric Bug Zapper

ELECTRIC FLY SWATTER - 1500 Volts - Easily Kill Flying Insects Such As Mosquitos, Flies, and Gnats.
$6.52

Tags: bugs, zapper, mosquitoes

'Joystick' Warfare Brings Ethics Debate--UAVs and Other Robotic Weapons

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:37:40 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Robo-warfare is making it too easy to wage arbitrary war, and is by historical standards cowardly, usually entailing overkill to achieve a limited target (like swatting mosquitos with hand grenades. Can you say "collateral damage"?). To bring no risk to warfare is to undermine the principle of Just War, where people voluntarily enter into war upon principles of justice (self defense), and risk their own lives bravely and willingly. Sending robots risks nothing, and makes unjust war a no-risk situation, and therefore too easy to begin. Also there is the danger factor where human judgment may be lacking instead of a programmed response, without the ability to correct or withdraw destructive actions.

Ask the civilians in Afghanistan or Pakistan what they think of drone (Predator) UAV bombing flights so far. More civilians have been killed than 'terrorists".

Clip Source: www.breitbart.com

Robots at war: will humans stay in the loop?

A prototype of the X-47B Navy Unmannded Combat Air System (UCAS) sits on di...

A Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout is seen on display during the Associati...

L3 Communications' Mobius, Optionally piloted Aircraft System, flies by dur...

The "pilots" who fly US armed drones over Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan sit with a joystick thousands of miles (kilometers) away, able to pull the trigger without being exposed to danger.

Other robots under development could soon ferry supplies on dangerous routes and fire at enemy tanks.

The explosion in unmanned vehicles offers the seductive possibility of a country waging war without having to put its own soldiers or civilians in the line of fire.

But analysts say the technology raises a host of ethical and legal questions, while political and military leaders have yet to fully grasp its implications.

"That raises the whole larger question -- does it make it too easy to go to war

"Who's responsible?"

Tags: war, ethics, just war, robots

Muyimportante

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:50:31 GMT

clipped by: vivesur

Clip Source: origin-www.muyinteresante.es

Para los deportistas, zumo de remolacha

Beber zumo de remolacha prolonga la capacidad de practicar deporte hasta un 16%. La clave está en el nitrato de esta hortaliza, que dispara los niveles de estamina, reduce el consumo de oxígeno y consigue que la misma cantidad de ejercicio físico nos canse menos.

Los repelentes contra mosquitos pueden ser tóxicos

Cuidado con los repelentes para insectos. Además de aniquilar a los molestos mosquitos pueden dañar nuestra salud, según revela un nuevo estudio publicado en la revista BioMed Central Biology.

Olores anti-estrés

Científicos japoneses acaban de demostrar que el olor a limón, mango, lavanda y otras fragancias de origen vegetal modifica la actividad de los genes y la química sanguínea de tal modo que se reducen los niveles de estrés.

Tags: vivesur.muy

candles that banish mosquitos

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:17:52 GMT

clipped by: fullmetal shippuden

Clip Source: lifehacker.com

I didn't realize this until recently but citronella candles are just regular old candles scented with citronella oil, which is available at health food stores and even some specialty hardware stores (like ace or osh for example). for much less money, you can make an entire arsenal of citronella candles to keep those evil pests at bay. this is a great recycle project because you can use old tins and jars form your pantry (big tomato tins would make great long-burning mega candles).

Are You A Mosquito Magnet?

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:17:18 GMT

clipped by: googleit
clipper's remarks: Here in Georgia the mosquitos slap back!

Clip Source: www.webmd.com

Experts try to crack the code behind why mosquitoes like some humans more than others.

You're flipping burgers for the neighborhood barbecue, and the mosquitoes have already begun their feast -- on you. As you swat madly at the pests, you notice other folks seem completely unfazed. Could it be that mosquitoes prefer dining on some humans over others? This may clear up the mystery.

Scientists do know that genetics account for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites. They've also identified certain elements of our body chemistry that, when found in excess on the skin's surface, make mosquitoes swarm closer.

Mosquitoes also target people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid, explains entomologist John Edman, PhD, spokesman for the Entomological Society of America. These substances can trigger mosquitoes' sense of smell, luring them to land on unsuspecting victims.

UQ scientist gets research grant from Bill Gates

Fri, 08 May 2009 07:03:13 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Smart sponsorship by the Gates Foundation.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

The University of Queensland has received a $100,000 grant from Microsoft founder Bill Gates to combat mosquito-transmitted diseases.

Professor Paul Young is one of 81 scientists to receive funds in the latest round of grants.

He says he plans to produce an affordable vaccine to stop human blood diseases spread by mosquitos.

"My interest in dengue, while it is certainly a problem in north Queensland, it is a huge problem affecting hundreds of millions of people around the globe," he said.

"Particularly in developing countries of South East Asia and Central and South America."

North Queensland is experiencing its biggest outbreak of dengue in 50 years.

Tags: dengue fever

To stop malaria, let mosquitoes breed

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:25:28 GMT

clipped by: gppixelworks

Clip Source: russiatoday.com

To stop malaria, let mosquitoes breed

Letting mosquitoes reproduce rather than killing them as fast as possible could be the key to controlling malaria epidemics, a paper suggests.

One of the biggest problems in insect control is that insecticides lose their efficiency very quickly as the insects mutate. In areas of intense spraying, having resistance is a huge benefit, and fast reproduction means the feature spreads quickly among the population. Today, most pesticides remain in use for just several years before the insects become resistant.

Science magazine reports that a paper by medical entomologist Andrew Read and his colleagues from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, says this can be prevented. The team modelled a situation where mosquitoes are sprayed with a slow poison to kill only old creatures.

But as the older mosquitos would still be zapped, they won’t be able to transmit malaria, which they start doing at the ripe old age of 10 to 14 days.

Tags: malaria, mosquitoes, medical, health, insecticides

Argentina: Dengue fever spreading - Government cover-up

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:43:26 GMT

clipped by: nuttyriv3r

Clip Source: bleaknews.wordpress.com

On 2009-04-03 at 03:31:02 [UTC]

Event: Epidemic
Location: Argentina Statewide
Number of Deads: 2 persons
Infected: 4500 persons

Situation

Argentina is suffering its worst epidemic of dengue fever since 1998 in terms of the number of people and the size of the area affected. And on top of that, the most dangerous form of the illness, never recorded here before, has made its appearance.

After playing down the problem, Argentina’s Health Minister, Graciela Ocaña, finally admitted this week that the situation “is serious”

Chaco, the most affected area

4,147 people had contracted the dengue virus in six provinces

a confidential report

stated that there were already 11,363 confirmed cases.

Bolivia, where 45,000 cases were reported, 22 of which were fatal. It was, according to experts, the largest epidemic in the history of the country.

“There is no vaccine, so we need to control the mosquito population

they denied the truth, played it down and prohibited any reporting

began to act

was already full-blown,

Tags: latin empire, argentina, pestilence, dengue fever, population control, mosquitos, nature retaliates

Goldfish Gardening

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:31:23 GMT

clipped by: firegardener
clipper's remarks: harvesting water, preventing mosquitos

Clip Source: greengardenwashington.blogspot.com

What place to goldfish have on a farm, or in a garden?

how many people are out there who started collecting rain water to irrigate with?

Goldfish will keep such containers free from mosquitoes

fish water

is loved by plants

fish excrete their waste nitrogen in precisely the form most available to plants, and it's dilute, so you can just pour it on.

But really, I just like goldfish. They are so pretty, little reflective jewels gliding through the water.

Aroused elephant tops list of bizarre holiday woes

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:56:49 GMT

clipped by: Babe_ORiley
clipper's remarks: really bizarre! too many Spanish people in Spain??? lol

Clip Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Using research by The Association for British Travel Agents (ABTA) and Thomas Cook, Telegraph Travel has today compiled a list of the 20 most ridiculous complaints received by tour operators in recent years.

One envious holidaymaker complained that his friend’s three-bedroom apartment was “clearly bigger” than his one-bedroom place, while others could not hide their frustration that it took them nine hours to fly back to England from Jamaica when it only took the American travellers a mere three hours to get home.

One Briton complained that the £3.50 pair of Ray Ban sunglasses bought from a street vendor, proved to be fake, another that his travel agent had failed to tell him to wear swimming trunks for his trip to a water park, while another tour operator was criticised for not telling a traveller that mosquitos could, in fact, bite.

Among the more jingoistic grievances were that there were too many Spanish people being in Spain and too much curry served in restaurants in India.

Tags: holiday, vacation, grievances, strange, weird, bizarre

WMD - weapon of mosquito destruction

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:04:50 GMT

clipped by: zadoz
clipper's remarks: laser used to kill mossies

Clip Source: online.wsj.com

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- A quarter-century ago, American rocket scientists proposed the "Star Wars" defense system to knock Soviet missiles from the skies with laser beams. Some of the same scientists are now aiming their lasers at another airborne threat: the mosquito.

To locate individual mosquitoes, light from the flashlights hits the tank across the room, creating tiny mosquito silhouettes on reflective material behind it. The zoom lens picks up the shadows and feeds the data to the computer, which controls the laser and fires it at the bug.

A mosquito hovers into view. Suddenly, it bursts into flame. A thin plume of smoke rises as the mosquito falls. At the bottom of the screen, the carcass smolders.

Not only can the laser target a mosquito, it can also tell a male from a female based on wing-beat.

That's a crucial distinction, since only females feed on blood and thus transmit disease. Males in the wild eat sugary plant nectar. (In the lab they get raisins.)

Tags: laser, mosquitos

Bill Gates Unleashes Mosquito Swarm

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:39:32 GMT

clipped by: benben1

Clip Source: valleywag.gawker.com

Bill Gates Unleashes Mosquito Swarm

TED, the annual gathering of the most pretentious people from the fields of technology, entertainment, and design, just got punk'd. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates released a swarm of mosquitos into the crowd.

Ending malaria is a particular passion of Gates's, whose Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has spent millions fighting the disease. But he apparently didn't feel like TED attendees were taking the threat seriously. "Not only poor people should experience this," Gates said as he let the bugs loose on his audience, according to Facebook manager Dave Morin. (eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and Twitter CEO Ev Williams confirm the report.)

Tags: microsoft, bill gates

Bill Gates Funded Dengue Fever Breakthrough

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:36:55 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Found in up to 60 per cent of all insects, it is harmless to humans. But it has never been found naturally in dengue fever mosquitoes.

The project struggled until the Gates donation arrived.

A PhD student, Conor McMeniman, used super-fine needles to inject 10,000 mosquito embryos with the bacterium. "It was very technical and tedious work," Professor O'Neill said, adding that they had shown the bacterium could halve the adult mosquito's lifespan. Once an insect was infected, the bacterium would spread via its eggs to the next generation.

A pilot release of infected mosquitoes could begin in Vietnam within three years. If no problems are discovered, a full-scale biological attack against the insects could be launched within five years. "We need to make sure the bacteria won't jump into any other species," Professor O'Neill said.

He said Mr Gates was aware of the team's progress. "We are very lucky to have him spending his money the way he does."

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

In 2005 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave the money to an international team led by University of Queensland researchers working on a biological weapon to defeat dengue fever, which kills more than 20,000 people around the world each year and infects 100 million others. About 60 cases have been reported in Cairns in the past two months.

In a paper published today in the journal Science, the researchers report that they have achieved a breakthrough.

Ten years ago, Scott O'Neill, head of the university's school of biological sciences, began working on an idea to use bacteria to kill the dengue fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, before it was old enough to pass on the disease.

"Only old females are able to transmit the virus to humans," he said. If a way could be found to make them die before they were 12 days old, the virus could be stopped in its tracks.

Professor O'Neill proposed infecting mosquitoes with the Wolbachia bacterium.

Tags: bill gates foundation, dengue fever, 20, 000 people killed a year, university of queensland researchers, inject aedes aegypti virus into mosquitos