Research shows some people really are 'mosquito magnets'
New research shows that mosquitoes might find some people more "attractive" than others.
A new study finds that mosquitos might be more attracted to certain people - and it has to do with how they smell.
According to The Guardian, researchers at Rockefeller University in New York asked 64 volunteers from the university and its surrounds to wear nylon stockings that would pick up the scent of each volunteer.
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The stockings were placed in tubes and dozens of mosquitos were released into these tubes.
Study author Maria Elena De Obaldia said they found that “they [the mosquitos] would basically swarm to the most attractive subjects”.
Researchers found that mosquitoes are attracted to a certain chemical on the skin that is tied to smell. The most attractive volunteers, of course, produced more of this chemical.
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“If you have high levels of this stuff on your skin, you’re going to be the one at the picnic getting all the bites,” said study author Leslie Vosshall.
Research also suggests that mosquitos "stay loyal" to their favourites: “Mosquito magnets seem to remain mosquito magnets.”
Watch here to see more about what makes people 'mosquito magnets':
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