The speaker explores why some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others, with a focus on genetic factors. Research suggests that genetics play a significant role in determining mosquito attractiveness, with certain DNA variations associated with increased or decreased attractiveness. The speaker participates in an experiment using a Y-tube test to assess their attractiveness to mosquitoes, which confirms their real-life experience of being frequently bitten. A genetic test by 23andMe reveals that the speaker has a variant associated with increased attractiveness to mosquitoes, while their wife has a variant associated with decreased attractiveness. The speaker also discusses how mosquitoes are attracted to certain volatile chemicals, such as carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and acetone, and how some people may naturally produce chemicals that repel mosquitoes. The episode highlights the importance of understanding the genetic factors that influence mosquito attractiveness, as mosquitoes are a significant threat to human health, responsible for spreading diseases like malaria.
1. Mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others.
2. The reason for this attraction is at least partially genetic.
3. 23andMe has been involved in research that identified particular spots on DNA that make a person more or less likely to be attractive to mosquitoes.
4. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, as they need blood proteins to make eggs.
5. The life cycle of mosquitoes takes just two weeks.
6. Researchers used a Y-tube test to evaluate mosquito attractiveness.
7. The test was used with 18 pairs of identical female twins and 19 pairs of non-identical twins.
8. The study found that the mosquito attractiveness of twins is correlated, suggesting genetics influence how attractive a person is to mosquitoes.
9. 23andMe conducted a genome-wide Association study with 16,000 participants to identify locations on DNA associated with mosquito attractiveness.
10. Seven particular locations on DNA were identified as being associated with different levels of attractiveness to mosquitoes.
11. The study found that genetics play a significant role in a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes, similar to height or IQ.
12. Mosquitoes are attracted to certain volatile chemicals, including carbon dioxide, lactic acid, acetone, and ammonia.
13. Some chemicals, such as octanal, nonanal, decanal, and six-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, repel or impair mosquitoes' ability to find humans.
14. Malaria has killed more people than any other single cause.
15. By some estimates, mosquitoes have killed more than half of the humans who have ever lived.
16. Over a million people die each year from mosquito-borne illnesses.
17. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
18. 23andMe provides information about physical traits, health, and ancestry based on DNA analysis.