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Brazil is fighting dengue with bacteria-infected mosquitos (www.technologyreview.com)

submitted 9 months ago by dominiquec@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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From the article --

One of the country’s anti-dengue strategies aims to hamper the mosquitoes’ ability to spread disease by infecting the insects with a common bacteria—Wolbachia. The bacteria seems to boost the mosquitoes’ immune response, making it more difficult for dengue and other viruses to grow inside the insects. It also directly competes with viruses for crucial molecules they need to replicate.

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[-] EpicMuch@sh.itjust.works 25 points 9 months ago

Wolbachia is crazy. depending on what insect / animal you are Wolbachia will either make you sterile, or the only way to become fertile. "I Contain Multitudes" by Ed Yong goes into detail - his book is easily digestible and a fun science read

[-] dominiquec@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

Thank you. I'll look it up.

this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2024

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