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03 January 2012 09:07
Researchers have linked a person's feet to their chances of contracting malaria
Feet that are heavily covered with certain types of bacteria are more prone to attracting mosquito bites, according to new research.
But some people with a wide variety of different bacteria on their feet also appear to have some protection from bites, according to the study.
The scientists suggested that certain types of bacteria carrying specific microbe smells may have the ability to repel mosquitoes.
While there are a number of precautions people can take to reduce their chances of catching malaria while abroad, travellers should always make sure they have medical travel insurance in place before going to a country where malaria is a risk.
The findings could help scientists fight the disease and other insect-spread infections by altering people's body odours, it was claimed.
The research was published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.
Dr Niels Verhulst, from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and colleagues wrote: "Compounds that inhibit microbial production of human odour, or manipulation of the composition of the skin microbiota may reduce a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes."
11 August 2018
Hundreds of Ryanair flights will not take off as planned on Friday due to pilot strikes in five countries.
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10 August 2018
Fad diets that cut out carbs while increasing fat consumption could lead to an increased risk of diabetes, according to new research.
09 August 2018
HIV testing has become even more accessible after a self-testing kit was made available from a High Street retailer.
08 August 2018
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07 August 2018
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04 August 2018
Simple factors such as gender and body mass can help doctors to personalise care for patients with type 2 diabetes and avoid harmful side effects, according to a study.
03 August 2018
Gatwick Express must no longer claim it runs "non-stop to Victoria station in half an hour" and "in just 30 minutes" unless it can achieve the time in most cases, a watchdog has ruled.
02 August 2018
A charity is calling for greater access to respite support after it emerged that 72% of Britain's 700,000 young carers feel lonely and isolated during the summer holidays.
01 August 2018
A plan to build new rail links with Heathrow Airport and connect Windsor's two train stations have been submitted to the Government.
31 July 2018
The head of International Airlines Group (IAG), the company that owns British Airways, is 'optimistic' about a legal challenge to end crippling strikes.
27 July 2018
UK holidaymakers heading on staycations this summer could be losing out on millions of pounds worth of savings by booking train tickets at the last minute, a study has revealed.
26 July 2018
Holidaymakers spreading sunscreen too thinly on their skin may be giving themselves less than half the protection needed, a new study has shown.