New research swots mosquitoes
最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researchers have shown they can predict the biggest population peaks of disease-carrying mosquitoes up to two months ahead. This should help the fight against outbreaks of serious mosquito-borne disease like dengue and Ross River fever by allowing efficient and cost-effective mosquito control, according to ecologist Associate Professor Corey Bradshaw. "The risk of disease transmission is highest when mosquitoes are at their most abundant," said Associate Professor Bradshaw, who is from the 最新糖心Vlog's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and also employed as a Senior Scientist by the South 最新糖心Vlogn Research and Development Institute (SARDI). "This model is a tool that helps predict when there is going to be a higher-than-average outbreak so that population control efforts can be implemented when they are going to be most effective and are most爊eeded." The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researchers analysed 15 years of population data of Aedes vigilax, the northern 最新糖心Vlogn mosquito that transmits the Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, and compared it with environmental factors affecting populations, including tides and rainfall. "We found that basic environmental monitoring data can be coupled with relatively simple population models to assist in predicting the timing and magnitude of mosquito peaks which lead to disease outbreaks in human populations," Associate Professor Bradshaw said. In salt-loving species like the Aedes vigilax mosquito, populations tend to peak after very high tides. But the frequency of high tides and the amount of rainfall in the preceding months when mosquito numbers are low are the critical elements dictating the magnitude of eventual peaks. "Previously, we didn't know how big that peak would be," Associate Professor Bradshaw said. "With this model, mosquito control efforts can be scaled according to the expected size of a future peak." He said the same model could be applied to other mosquito species, such as dengue- or malaria-transmitting species, and others in tropical regions worldwide. The research is detailed in a paper published online in the Public Library of Science journal PLOS Neglected Tropical燚iseases. Story by Robyn Mills
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