Excepts from an article
By Nic Fleming, Science Correspondent , The Daily Telegraph 31st AUGUST 2007
Scientists have worked out why mosquitoes make a beeline for certain people but appear to leave others almost untouched.
Specific cells in one of the three organs that make up the mosquito's nose are tuned to identify the different chemicals that make up human body odour.
To the mosquito some people's sweat simply smells better than others because of the proportions of the carbon dioxide, octenol and other compounds that make up body odour.
It is those people who are most likely to be bitten.
The researchers believe the discovery of the way the mosquito smells will lead to the development of a new generation of repellents that would block mosquitoes' nose - preventing them finding humans prey - within five to 10 years.
Prof Zwiebel added he expected the new repellents to be available for use within five to ten years.
Once inside chemicals encounter the receptors that detect specific molecules that identify potential targets as human.
Most of the reason for people believing they are targeted more frequently by mosquitoes is in reality down to their suffering more serious swellings and allergic reactions.
However it has been shown that some people are bitten more often because of differences in their body odour.
The work is part of a large international collaboration led by the US National Institutes of Health aimed at developing a chemical strategy to combat the spread of malaria in the developing world.
