Rory McIlroy's decision Wednesday to skip the Olympics in Brazil due to concerns over possibly contracting the Zika virus is equivalent to him having carded a horrific, sextuple bogey from a series of fearful half-swings on the easiest of par-3's. There are many ways for the world's No. 4 golfer to nearly eliminate all risk, but instead he chose to ignore them.
mosquitoes
If you couldn't tell from all of the joyous children running around, the summer has begun. Unfortunately, this also means that it's the start of West Nile Virus season. How much should we worry? To answer that let's examine three outcomes from a West Nile Virus infection, and someone's likelihood of getting each.
Researchers have been able to identify a gene that determines maleness in mosquitoes, and if that were introduced into females it could potentially help wipe out the vector for the Zika virus infection. This method could also be applied to fighting other diseases such as yellow fever, Dengue and Chikungunya.
In response to our recent Dispatch item about how genetically engineered mosquitoes could provide health benefits, Dispatch reader Dr. Tom Goerke said
Last month we wrote about British biotech firm, Oxitec, aiming to release their genetically engineered mosquitoes in Key Haven, Florida, this spring. The mosquitoes were developed to help fight dengue and chikungunya, which are two viruses spread by the dangerous and difficult-to-control Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, according to an article in today s New York Times, Florida Keys residents are
Dengue and chikungunya are both viruses spread by a species of mosquito known as Aedes aegypti. Dengue sickens 50 million people worldwide and chikungunya infected
The latest in health news: GM mosquitoes to be unleashed to fight painful diseases, a drink a day may keep the cardiologist away, and women battling cancer often unsure what type of tumor they are fighting
Catch the latest news on the mosquito-borne chikungunya disease you don't want to contract, why the pesticide-autism link is flawed, and the latest on unvaccinated children in the New York public school system
An editorial which appeared in The Independent this week must be commended for hitting the nail on the head in discussing the reasons why GM technology has not yet taken hold in the areas where it is needed
Catch the latest news on increasing rates of whooping cough in CA, what's holding up GM technology in some areas of the world and why you should stay away from Chikungunya- the mosquito-borne disease you probably haven't heard of
A small-scale proof-of-concept study has given malaria researchers and the millions of victims of this ancient scourge reason for hope that an effective preventive vaccine may one day become a reality