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.
19 October 2018
Pregnant women who suffer from pre-eclampsia have a greater risk of developing dementia, new research suggests.
[more...]
18 October 2018
The UK's average life expectancy is predicted to increase from 80.8 years to 83.3 years over the next 20 years, according to new research.
17 October 2018
Family doctors are being urged to prescribe physical activity for patients living with some of the most common medical conditions.
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).