Discovered by chance a "super repellent" for all kinds of insects

[Tonka]

http://www.abc.es/20110511/ciencia/abci-descubren-casualidad-super-repelente-201105110729.html

Spanish to English translation

Discovered by chance a "super repellent" for all kinds of insects
It is a thousand times more effective than those that exist today and it works equally well for ants, flies and moths
JOS? MANUEL NIEVES / MADRID
Day 11/05/2011 - 9:27 a.m.
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The researchers investigated the repellent when on malaria
As often happens in Science, has been by chance. A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University in the U.S., has accidentally discovered a new class of insect repellent that is thousands of times more efficient than most existing products. The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The scientists, led by biologist Laurence Zwiebel, found that, in addition, the repellent works equally well against mosquitoes flies, moths or ants . That is, it is effective against all kinds of insects. "Not that we were looking for that," says David Rinker, a student who participated in the experiments, "this is an anomaly that we noticed during testing."

The research, in fact, had a very different purpose: to seek new methods to contain the spread of malaria. In particular, we tried to find a method capable of disrupting the mosquitoes' sense of smell, a sense that plays an important role in spread of the disease.

The researchers caution that it is too early to determine whether this compound may act as a basis for a commercial product. However, they stress, is the first of its kind and could be used for developing similar compounds that have the characteristics necessary for sale to the general public.

The discovery is a result of new knowledge that biologists have acquired about how does the smell of insects . A very different from mammals.

Different smell
On nerve cells in the nose of mammals (and on the antennae of mosquitoes) there is a series of proteins called odorant receptors (RO). When these receptors are placed in contact with odorant molecules activate the nerves that signal the detection of specific odors. Until recently it was thought that, despite the obvious differences, the olfactory function the same way in insects and mammals at the molecular level. However, the reality is very different.

In insects the ROs do not act independently, but form a complex with a single co-receptor, called chorus is also necessary for the detection of odorous molecules. The ROs are scattered on the surface of the antennas and each serves a different odor. However, to function, each RO must be connected to a specific choir.

"Each RO is like a microphone that can detect a single frequency," says Zwiebel. On their antennae, the mosquito has dozens of these "microphones" tuned to detect a specific frequency. "When you smell the mosquito, the microphone tuned to the scent turns his choir," says the researcher.

"The mics - still - still dull, but the chorus can directly stimulate all alight once and it overloads the mosquito's sense of smell, reducing their ability to find blood."

The final repellent
Given the difficulty of determining what chemicals may be capable of modulating the RO and choir, the researchers turned to the laboratory at Vanderbilt. There were numerous and extensive tests, but finally managed to find the first molecule capable of directly stimulating the olfactory co-receptor. VUAA1 baptized.

Now just trying to use the incredible ability of this molecule and convert it into a product that can reach the shops. The scientists have already contacted several companies interested in developing what could be the final repellent against all insects. Something that humanity will thank you forever.

[Tonka]

Re: Discovered by chance a "super repellent" for all kinds of insects

http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/211789/BBC%20Mundo/Crean-compuesto-oloroso-que-confude-a-los-mosquitos

Spanish to English translation

Odor compound created confused mosquitoes
A substance that blocks the mosquito's ability to smell humans could be an important weapon against malaria, dengue and other diseases

U.S. scientists created a compound that interferes with the ability of mosquitoes to smell humans.

As pointed out by researchers at the University of California at Riverside, the breakthrough could lead to the development of a new generation of repellents and insecticides.

This could prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes, like malaria, dengue and yellow fever, resulting in several million deaths each year worldwide.

Scent trail

As the researchers explain in the journal Nature, to find a human host who itch to spread a parasite, mosquitoes use essentially the smell of carbon dioxide that humans exhale.

The insect can detect tiny changes in the concentrations of this gas and trace it back to where the human breath.

This mechanism is already known and has long scientists are seeking ways to interfere with this machinery to detect insects to control the spread of parasitic diseases they transmit.

Now, Professor Anandasankar Ray and his team identified the three types of laboratory odor molecules, they say, can block almost completely the detection of carbon dioxide mosquito.

To test the substances tested with three epecies mosquito: Anopheles gambiae (which spread malaria), Culex quinquefasciatus (which spreads filariasis and West Nile virus) and Aedes aegypti (dengue and yellow fever).

It is estimated that these three species only spread disease to more than 500 million people each year and cause millions of deaths.

The substances identified by the professor Ray work by blocking receptors of insect carbon dioxide, which are located in appendices microscopic antennas near the mouth of the animal.

The compounds formed are three: inhibitors, which inhibit receptor carbon dioxide; imitators, which simulate the carbon dioxide can be used as traps to attract insects and away from humans.

And the third type are blinding, causing an excessively prolonged activation of carbon dioxide sensors tricking the mosquito into thinking it is surrounded by vast quantities of gas and can not detect where to go.

"These chemicals are powerful advantages as potential tools to reduce contact between human and mosquito," says Professor Ray.

Insecticides and traps

"And they can lead to the development of new generations of insecticides, repellents and traps."

He adds that "the identification of these odor molecules, which can operate at low concentrations and therefore are economical, can be extremely effective in engaging the mosquito's ability to look human and thus help control diseases spread by the bite of an mosquito. "

One obstacle, however, is that carbon dioxide gas is not the only insects that smell to track humans. They also use the smell of sweat.

As explained by Dr. James Logan, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, "but this study is very encouraging, the authors still must demonstrate that the compounds are capable of protecting human bites."

"Although carbon dioxide is an important key to the mosquito, we know that these insects respond differently to a trap that releases carbon dioxide that a human being that releases the gas."

"This latest release a complex mixture of many compounds attractive to the insect, heat, moisture and visual signs."

"The key question is how these compounds may actually protect humans from a bite?".

Now be carried out more research to see what concentrations can be used and whether they are safe for human health.

Either way, experts say the finding offers the possibility of developing a "promising tool" to protect large numbers of people, mainly in the developing world, which are currently vulnerable to these devastating diseases.