Foot odor attracts mosquitoes, say scientists

Scientists are studying how to use the smell of foot odor to lure malaria mosquitoes and design traps to capture them. The study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found that mosquitoes carrying malaria are more attracted to the smell of a dirty sock than those who do not have malaria.

The research in the laboratory showed that mosquitoes carrying malaria were three times more likely to be attracted by the smell of body odor than those without the disease, according to the Associated Press.

"Stinky Feet is a utility anyway," said lead researcher James Logan, who conducted the study, told the agency. "Every time we identify as the interaction occurs between malaria mosquitoes and humans, we are closer to control them."

The discovery may help create better traps and ways to cure malaria. It is estimated that over 600 000 people are killed by malaria every year, mostly children in Africa, says the Associated Press.