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How a Sex-Obsessed Bacteria in Fruit Flies Could Help Stop Zika and Dengue

Learn how the unique effects of Wolbachia bacteria in female fruit flies could help us fight against deadly mosquito-borne diseases.

Stephanie Edwards
ByStephanie Edwards
Image Credit: Anne Webber/Shutterstock

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There are more insects on the planet than any other form of life. We are reminded of that fact as summertime approaches and bugs like fruit flies and mosquitoes invade our homes and yards. But these pesky insects aren’t just a nuisance. They can offer us a wide range of insightful and potentially life-changing information – if you know where to look.

“Insects rule this planet. Malaria, dengue, Zika viruses, they are all delivered by insects and kill millions of children and adults every year. The control of these insect pests is all dependent on our ability to understand their physiology and biochemistry and how that might be helpful,” said Timothy Karr, manager of Arizona State University’s Mass Spectrometry Facility and a research associate professor in the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, in a press release.

Thankfully, Karr and his team knew where to look, starting with the strange way ...

  • Stephanie Edwards

    Stephanie Edwards

    Stephanie Edwards is the marketing coordinator at Discover Magazine, who manages all social media platforms and writes digital articles that focus on archaeology, the environment, and public health.

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