Deet Gives Humans an ‘Invisibilty Cloak’ to Fend Off Mosquito Bites

Since its invention during World War II for soldiers stationed in countries where malaria transmission rates were high, researchers have worked to pinpoint precisely how DEET affects mosquitos. Johns Hopkins researchers found that Anopheles mosquitos’ “smell” neurons did not directly respond to DEET or other synthetic repellents. Instead, these repellents masked human-skin odors from being detected by the mosquito.

Johns Hopkins Faculty Members Elected to National Academy of Medicine

Four faculty members of The Johns Hopkins University have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. New members are chosen by current members through a selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.

Stem Cells With ‘Dual Identity’ Linked to Loss of Smell From Sinus Inflammation

In experiments with mice and human tissue samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report evidence that neuronal stem cells in the part of the nose responsible for the sense of smell transform themselves to perpetuate the long-term inflammation of chronic sinusitis. Results of the study, the researchers say, suggest that the stem cells’ ability to switch their identity to join in the immune response may serve as a protective mechanism, while preserving the potential to regenerate the sense-of-smell tissue once the inflammation resolves.