How mosquitoes find a victim.

Anyone who’s ever felt the subtle sting of a mosquito bite and delivered a sharp slap to the affected area has probably wondered: How are mosquitoes so good at hunting down humans? The moment we step outside, it seems, they arrive en masse, ready to suck nutrient-rich blood from their next victim. Researchers used gene-editing technology in an attempt to… Continue reading How mosquitoes find a victim.

Global, regional, and national dengue burden from 1990 to 2017

The global burden of dengue is high, but poorly quantified and likely under-reported. Almost three million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were lost to dengue in 2017: an over 100% increase since 1990 Using the methods of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors study, Zeng et al. characterized the dengue burden in 195 countries… Continue reading Global, regional, and national dengue burden from 1990 to 2017

A new approach to medical entomology?

Ants don’t have a nose, but thanks to an abundance of olfactory receptors on their antennae, these tiny insects have an incredible sense of smell. Among other things, it helps them find prey, sort out friend from foe, and return to their colonies. A recent study suggests their sniffing prowess can be useful as an… Continue reading A new approach to medical entomology?