「经济学人」Purple patches

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Purple patches Lavender extract makes excellent mosquito-repellent Scientists have turned it into clothing A MOSQUITO’S BITE can do more than leave an itchy rash. Depending on the pathogens the insect carries, it can lead to a host of nasty diseases including dengue, malaria and yellow fever. To date, synthetic repellents have been the best way to keep the little blood-suckers at bay. These work, but can cause a range of health problems including rashes, eye inflammation and respiratory distress. This has led many to search for alternatives. The compounds responsible for lavender’s fragrance, for example, known as essential oils, have long been shown to deter mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the ease with which they evaporate, and the speed with which they break down under ultraviolet light, has made it impossible to turn them into long-lasting protection. In a paper in the Journal of Pest Science, Zeeshan Tariq and Xiaoqin Wang at Soochow University in China use their background as text ………………………………