Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
16 April 2013 09:25
Scientists have developed a new technique which introduces disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes
Scientists believe they have developed a technique to help halt the spread of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and potentially malaria. It works by introducing disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are unable to spread viruses when infected with the bacteria Wolbachia - but it has been difficult to spread because it reduces the mosquitoes' ability to lay viable eggs.
Two researchers, based in Australia and the United States, have shown by introducing an insecticide resistance gene alongside the Wolbachia bacteria into the mosquito, the insects pass on disease-blocking bacteria to other mosquitoes faster. The team - Professor Ary Hoffmann from the University of Melbourne's Bio21 Institute and Department of Genetics and Professor Michale Turelli from the University of California - said this could mean the spread of disease can be stopped quicker - and fewer infected mosquitoes would need to be released in a disease control programme.
The results, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, highlight the importance of taking out comprehensive medical travel insurance before going on holiday. The disease-blocking strain of Wolbachia was first discovered in Australian fruit flies in 1988 by Prof Hoffmann. Trials with collaborators at Monash and James Cook Universities in 2011 showed Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were unable to spread the dengue virus. The latest approach involves adding a pesticide resistance gene to a newer strain of Wolbachia called wMelPop, a strong blocker of the viruses.
13 December 2018
Space tourism could move one giant leap closer this week as Virgin Galactic expects to reach "space altitudes" for the first time.
[more...]
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.
29 November 2018
Hitting the Copacabana could soon become a more realistic aim for holidaymakers, with Norwegian set to become the first budget airline to operate UK-Brazil flights.
28 November 2018
Holidaymakers on the UK's proposed new high-speed trainline could have their Amazon packages delivered directly to their seat, according to a train manufacturer.