Posted on 10/15/2019 11:14:52 AM PDT by LucyT
The chemical, DFDT, could have an impact combating disease-carrying mosquitoes while causing less environmental damage than the chemically similar DDT.
American scientists previously looked into the insecticide in the 1940s, but it was lost in the chaos following World War II, likely due to its ties to the Nazi regime.
Chemistry researchers had been examining the insecticide DDT, known for its devastating environmental effects. They made some changes to DDT’s crystal structure by swapping out chlorine atoms for fluorine, and tested the new chemical, known as DFDT, on fruit flies and mosquitoes.
DFDT killed mosquitoes — including species that carry malaria, yellow fever, Dengue and Zika — two to four times faster than DDT.
“Speed thwarts the development of resistance,” said study author Michael Ward. “Insecticide crystals kill mosquitoes when they are absorbed through the pads of their feet. Effective compounds kill insects quickly, possibly before they are able to reproduce.”
(Excerpt) Read more at timesofisrael.com ...
In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 435,000 in 2017.
PING
Hitler vs. Rachel Carson.
And you’re telling me I have to pick a winner in that fight?
Maybe this can be used for the eruption of bedbug infestations around the US.
Excellent.
An effective insect control is needed.
Forget the politics, develop it and start killing disease spreadibg mosquitoes.
Well, that's an easy fix, Use napalm early and often...
It was lost because the Germans were DFTD...
... which I’m pretty sure stands for Deutcheland Floral deliveries or something like that...
I saw stats much higher than that last night in a challenge to determine who or what kills more people in Africa... People or Skeeters. I saw a WHO report showing a million deaths a year with 90% in Africa. Sounds like either my #rs or yours are wrong and probably both.
Talking about a new German insecticide in 1945 might have been a tad gauche, considering one of their older insecticides ended up being used to exterminate human beings.
You beat me to it. The bedbug epidemic is horrible. Talk to somebody in the pest control business. Once you get bed bugs in your house you cannot get rid of them. You have to pay for monthly treatments with no guarantee that they are gone for good. They are a gift from illegal immigrants.
RE: Researchers rediscover fast-acting insecticide used by Nazi army, lost after war
I’m more interested in discovering the formula for the Serum that transformed Steve Rogers to Captain America :)
If LucyT is right, I win!!! People are the most dangerous animals in Africa, ahead of mosquitoes and hippos!!!
Makes you think twice about hosting an AirBnB
Don’t worry, the left will find some excuse to demand it be banned.
As far as I’m concerned, DDT was harmless to everything other than insects.
But the “Silent Spring” problem may have been real because if you kill enough insects, the songbirds may go away to find a place that still has insects. The birds are dead, they just relocate. But the environmentalists will panic.
Any really effective insecticide seems like to have a similar effect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis Is an evil one also, in Tropical Countries
LOL, you’re bad!
Sheesh! I meant to say “the birds AREN’T dead”.
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