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LEADING international mosquito researchers have slammed white goods and smartphone apps that promise to zap mozzies with ultrasonic waves as misleading, “grossly unethical” and potentially dangerous.The devices and apps use ultrasonic waves which they claim repel the insects through a low-level or inaudible noise.Korean electronics giant LG makes a “Mosquito Away“ television and air conditioner, citing tests at a Nigerian university proving it can repels mosquitoes, and the Apple App Store has m …

Hundreds of Victorians have been diagnosed with Ross River virus after heavy rains probably caused mosquito populations to surge, Victoria's Chief Health Officer says.A spate of Ross River virus cases has prompted a warning for Victorians to take extra care to protect themselves against mosquito bites, particularly outside of Melbourne where the insects are more likely to be carrying the disease.Professor Charles Guest said about 314 people had been diagnosed with Ross River virus in Victoria du …

Scientists working to safeguard south-east Queensland from mosquitoes carrying the dangerous dengue and Zika viruses have developed a new trick they hope will revolutionise their efforts.The mosquito in question is common in much of the state's north, where emergency responses to dengue outbreaks are an annual occurrence.An Aedes aegypti mosquito. Photo: Jim Damaske/Tampa Bay Times via APThere's been little sign of the disease magnet in the south-east corner outside of Brisbane airport since th …

Mosquitoes attacking frog photograph wins Australian Geographic nature competition The Daily Telegraph August 18, 2016 8:53pm TALK about a “piercing headache”. This remarkable image won the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award and is part of a South Australian Museum exhibition.The award was presented on Thursday night.Matthew McIntosh spotted the orange-eyed tree frog being stung by mosquitoes at Cedar Bay National Park in Queensland.On a road trip with friends, McInt …

Zika fears prompted US health authorities yesterday to issue a travel warning for a small section of Miami where local mosquitoes have spread the virus to 14 people, officials said."We advise pregnant women to avoid travel to this area," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Tom Frieden, noting that the virus can cause the birth defect microcephaly.The area to avoid is inside a 1.6km section north of downtown Miami, a popular arts and restaurant district known as Wynwood.Women wh …