Pestilence

Scientists eradicate malaria-carrying mosquitoes in lab tests
UPI reports: "For the first time, scientists have successfully used "gene drive" technology to block female reproduction and eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes in lab experiments. [...] Several hundred thousand people die every year as a result of malaria infections. The majority of infections and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa."

Comment: Why don't we start this week off with some good news for a change. According to this report, scientists are close to eradicating malaria. They way they are doing this is very interesting. Instead of curing the disease they are blocking the way the disease is spread. We know that malaria is spread by mosquitoes so this new effort eradicates the disease by killing off the most common malaria-carrying mosquito species. No more mosquito bites, no more malaria!