New laser gun to combat Malaria...

[admin]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/16/mo ... er.weapon/
LONDON, England -- Scientists in the U.S. are developing a laser gun that could kill millions of mosquitoes in minutes.

The laser, which has been dubbed a "weapon of mosquito destruction" fires at mosquitoes once it detects the audio frequency created by the beating of its wings.

The laser beam then destroys the mosquito, burning it on the spot.

Developed by some of the astrophysicists involved in what was known as the "Star Wars" anti-missile programs during the Cold War, the project is meant to prevent the spread of malaria.

Lead scientist on the project, Dr. Jordin Kare, told CNN that the laser would be able to sweep an area and "toast millions of mosquitoes in a few minutes."

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people from the bites of female mosquitoes.
Vital Signs
Each month CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta brings viewers health stories from around the world.
See more from the show »

It is particularly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and kills an African child every 30 seconds, according to the World Health Organization.

There are an estimated 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally, resulting in more than one million deaths, the WHO reports.

Responding to questions about any potential harm the laser could pose to the eco-system, Kare said: "There is no such thing as a good mosquito, there's nothing that feeds exclusively on them. No one would miss mosquitoes," he said.

"In any case," he added. "The laser is able to distinguish between mosquitoes that go after people and those that aren't dangerous. What remains to be seen is how precise we can

He added that other insects would not be affected by the laser's beam.

Kare said the lasers could be mounted on lamp post-type poles and put around the circumference of villages, to create a kind of "fence" against mosquitoes.

The research was commissioned by Intellectual Ventures, a Washington, U.S.-based company that was founded by Nathan Myhrvold, a former Microsoft Corporation executive.

[peace-]

@ the admin not getting a reply back after 30 minutes.

ps. when do those things get to market, and can they be used on people

[kambuli]

As a matter of fact this is a great news..One of the greatest news of the year...But do we know if is harmful to humans?

If it is not harmfull I would be one of the first people that would contribute to its purchase for the needy..How many Somalis die of malaria every year..a lot..

[AbdiWahab252]

Quick question, where would the power for this machine come from ?

[peace-]

Quick question, where would the power for this machine come from ?

electricity i presume

[kambuli]

Maybe battery...

But if it is electricity then people who need most won't even be able to use..

[AbdiWahab252]

Folks,

Its cheaper to buy mosquito nets which cost less than $1 per net.

[peace-]

Folks,

Its cheaper to buy mosquito nets which cost less than $1 per net.

those things are the most umcomfortable thing i have used

[AbdiWahab252]

Peace,

Uncomfortable yes ! But compared to malaria or yellow fever, I prefer mosquito net's uncomfort.