Mosquitoes

A new laser system can kill mosquitoes without harming other insects, as shown in slow-motion video. It's all part of the effort to combat malaria.


The goal of this research is combating malaria, a disease spread through tropical regions of the world by mosquitoes. Nearly a million people die of the disease each year.

Intellectual Ventures says their involvement began with a challenge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The system can even distinguish between male and female mosquitoes, based on their wing beats. This is important, because only female mosquitoes bite humans.