Scientists from the British branch of Pfizer, in Cambridge, presented information about what people are attracted to insects, and the victims of their bites most often. According to their findings, a factor of attraction for the winged vampire is the reaction of the human immune system to the saliva of the insect, which in turn depends on genetics.
The researchers analyzed data from 84 thousand volunteers and concluded that blood sucking insects are attracted not only smell substances produced by the skin and human body, as previously believed. Examining the genomes of the participants of the project, experts were able to identify approximately 15 genes and other DNA regions that make a person “delicious” to mosquitoes. According to the researchers, the majority of these genes are “directly connected with the functioning of the immune system and its signaling molecules, not the sweat glands or skin cell”.
They also found that mosquitoes more likely to bite women than men. Earlier it was noticed that women carry heavier mosquito bites – more complain of itching and irritation. This feature, distinctive in comparison with men, is usually explained by psychological characteristics. But this time scientists found the genetic area, which determines the greater attractiveness to mosquitoes it is the female.
The “taste” of the human body for the mosquitoes very well passed on from parents to children – on average, it is caused by genetic factors, at 62 percent,” the scientists shared with another discovery made during this investigation.
Prior to this, as already mentioned Magicforum, scientists have called particularly attractive to mosquito bites people with a certain blood type.