Dispensary Corner 15 Aug 11
August 15, 2011
THE creation of a special variety
of “spermless mosquitos” is being
hailed as a possible breakthrough
in helping to curb malaria.
A report in the British journal
Proceedings of the National
Academoy of Sciences describes
the genetic engineering which
turns off a gene used for normal
sperm development.
Falminia Catteruccia of London’s
Imperial College showed that
female mosquitos were equally
attracted to the infertile mozzies
as to those with normal sperm.
Females only mate once in their
lives, meaning the introduction of
the sterile males could have a
major impact on populations.
COMMUTERS in China are being encouraged to exercise more during their daily travels, with the installation of massive punching bags at a number of suburban railways stations in Beijing. As well as providing a way to exercise, authorities are hoping to provide delayed travellers with a way of venting their spleen, rather than abusing train staff. The bags are emblazoned with a reminder that “each year, you will spend about 1824 minutes waiting at stops. “Don’t waste time, please have a few punches on our pressure-releasing pillars,” they say. A train guard on the subway welcomed the move, saying: “As long as they’re punching them and not us, I’m happy”.
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