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mosquito-related stories

Flat-Ab Moves, Plus Sunburn and Mosquito Relief - Links We Love

Fitness, Alternative & Green Health

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Want flatter abs for that Labor Day getaway? Check out our step-by-step flat-abs exercise guide.

And while you're thinking about summer beach getaways, you might want to think of protecting your skin. But if sunscreen slips your mind, check out these sunburn-soothing home remedies from the editors at AOL Health.

Plus, to defend against summer stings of a different kind, head to our mosquito-bite-relief guide. (Who knew just how handy toothpaste could be?)

Mosquito magnets

Diet & Weight Loss

mosquito on fingerWhen I was a kid, my family spent most of our summer at a cabin in the northern part of our state. Inevitably, one of my sisters and I would be covered in mosquito bites, while the rest of the family escaped that itchy fate. My mom used to say that my sister and I had "sweet blood." Turns out, she wasn't too far off base.

Among other factors, tiny little blood-suckers such as mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide and lactic acid we excrete. While we all release carbon dioxide and lactic acid larger people and pregnant women have higher amounts. You're also likely to have a higher level of lactic acid in your sweat just after exercising. High body temperature is also a beacon to mosquitoes. Floral scents (perfumes, etc.) may also be a draw as well as dark colored fabrics.

Kelly at Green Daily has some earth-friendly tips for fending off mosquitoes.

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Daily Fit Tip: Cures from your cupboard

Natural Products, Daily Fit Tip, Alternative & Green Health

From rubbing whiskey on sore gums (not a good idea) to gargling warm salt water when you have a sore throat (pretty soothing, actually), my mom is a fountain of home remedies. No matter what the ache or pain is, I always know I can count on my mom to have some sort of "cupboard cure."

AOL Body has weeded out the home remedy facts from the fiction. Some of their tips include:
  • Rub a small amount of liquid laundry detergent on a mosquito bite.
  • Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the floor of a hot running shower and inhale the steam to relieve congestion.
  • For brighter, whiter teeth, combine a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of peroxide. Brush the mixture on, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off thoroughly.
  • To remove dead skin from your feet, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes then scrub with a mix of water and salt to exfoliate.
  • Soothe a sore throat with tea infused with clove, ginger, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey.

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Phoenix-area man first to contract West Nile this year

Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Diet & Weight Loss

It's that time of year again. The first 2008 case of West Nile virus has been reported. A Phoenix-area man in his 60s is said to have contracted the virus; he's been released from the hospital and is recovering.

As spring continues to spring forth around the country, mosquitoes will be out and about. Here's a quick refresher course on protecting yourself from contracting the West Nile virus:

  • Use insect repellent when outdoors.
  • Eliminate any areas of standing water (birdbaths, kid-sized pools, bases of flower pots, etc) around your home.
  • Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
  • Install window and door screens and repair any holes or loose spots in existing screens.

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Glow-in-the-dark mosquitoes to battle malaria

Diet & Weight Loss

This bit of news is just for fun: our brilliant American scientists are working on mosquitoes with glow-in-the-dark eyes to help us battle disease.

Yes, this is for real!

So the genetically engineered "glowing eyes" serve no purpose other than to help the scientists distinguish different "breeds" of mosquito (apparently creating a stripe on their backs or something wasn't an option) but overall the news is good -- it looks like a new genetically modified mosquito type might not only be resistant to carrying the parasite that causes malaria, but it's also hardier and has a higher survival rate than the "common" mosquito found in parts of Africa where malaria is the most prevalent. The thought seems to be that someday they will attempt disease control by introducing this new mosquito into the wild bug population, with the hope that it replaces the "old" mosquitoes and malaria infections drop.

So I see the thought process here, but something is wrong with this plan... (even if it does make them easier to swat in the dark).

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