Researchers found that depending on the soap you use, it could make mosquitoes more or less attracted to you.
Researchers at Virginia Tech tested four soaps, having volunteers wash one forearm sleeve with soap and leaving the other unwashed.“Then we would look at how many mosquitoes would land on either cup to quantify their preference,” said Clement Vinauger, an assistant professor at Virginia Tech. The soaps tested were popular options chosen by Americans.
In three of the four soaps tested, the soap increased the attractiveness to mosquitoes. These soaps were fruity or flowery scented.SEE MORE: Cases Of West Nile Virus Rising In Some Parts Of The U.S. "There are other studies in literature showing that coconut oil derivative chemicals ... they tend to repel a lot of blood feeding insects," Vinauger said.
Researchers said there is still more work to be done, including more soap tests on more volunteers to determine patterns with certain scents. Each person has different body chemicals as well, which is a factor.So if you are prone to mosquito bites, what can you do? Researchers say soap can’t replace traditional repellents, but you can try changing what soap you use.Soap is only one aspect. Other scented products, like laundry detergent, could also play a role.
Mosquitoes spread a number of viruses including Zika, malaria and West Nile. Severe cases of mosquito-borne diseases can lead to death.Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Microsoft researchers say GPT-4 shows 'sparks' of human-level performanceResearchers at Microsoft released a paper that claims GPT-4 is part of a new cohort of large language models that show more general intelligence than previous AI models.
Read more »
NASA researchers to spend a year in simulated Mars baseThe project is called Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA.
Read more »
NASA researchers to spend a year in simulated Mars baseThe test crew will spend 378 days in it, roughly the same time a manned mission to Mars would spend on the surface.
Read more »
Researchers reproduce ice age cycle to reveal the astronomical forces at playImproved computer models reveal how astronomical forces drove the glacial cycle 1.6-1.2 million years ago, offering insight into the past, present, and future of climate change.
Read more »
NASA researchers to spend a year in simulated Mars baseThe researchers will live in “Mars Dune Alpha” for roughly the same time a manned mission to Mars would spend on the surface.
Read more »
Researchers begin human trials for oral drug to protect against dirty bomb exposureTechnically known as radiological dispersion devices, dirty bombs are relatively primitive, imprecise weapons. They are much easier and cheaper to build than a nuclear device and also far less dangerous.
Read more »