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Smelly Socks Could Stop Malaria

Scent lures infected mosquitoes into traps

By Tim Karan,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 13, 2011 4:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – Your smelly clothes hamper could soon save lives. Researchers in Tanzania are testing dirty socks as a way to prevent malaria, reports the Washington Post. The scent of the socks lure mosquitoes infected with the disease into traps, where they're poisoned and die. If it works, it'll provide a low-cost method to preventing malaria, which kills 900,000 people each year, notes Global Post.

“It’s a bold idea," says a physician. "Who would have thought there was a life-saving technology working in your laundry basket?”

Dirty socks could be an effective way to prevent malaria.
Dirty socks could be an effective way to prevent malaria.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
beauloU
Jul 14, 2011 12:50 AM CDT
that's a weird way of dealing with malaria.,I think I'll stick with the insect repellents instead
zdaydream
Jul 13, 2011 4:46 PM CDT
I've got a hamper full of mosquito attractors.  Address please.  <:-)
Rational.-Anarchist
Jul 13, 2011 4:39 PM CDT
Smell defeat!

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