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The malaria mosquito, specifically Anopheles stephensi, has shown the ability to resist insecticides, a phenomenon that persists even after decades of using chemical substances like dieldrin.

In the 1950s, dieldrin was applied to the interior walls of residences to control malaria. However, it quickly became evident that this strategy failed because Anopheles stephensi developed a genetic alteration that conferred immunity to the poison. This is a classic example of natural selection, where mutant mosquitoes had a higher probability of surviving, reproducing, and transmitting their resistant genes, making the toxicity of the poison a scientific concern.

Despite the persistence of resistance, even making the mosquitoes slower, scientists were intrigued by the maintenance of these mutations. A new study proposes that the mating process may be the factor responsible for this. The hypothesis is based on the fact that males locate their mates through the faint sound generated by the females' wing beats, and the mutation appears to increase the sensitivity of Anopheles mosquitoes to this sound, facilitating location in noisy urban environments.

Researchers replicated sounds mimicking the flight frequencies of females (between 300 and 550 hertz) in the laboratory. Males carrying the mutation showed a significantly higher chance of flying towards the speaker and landing on it.

To go beyond simple detection, the research simulated the real mating environment. Twenty-five males were placed in cages with twenty-five females for 48 hours, exposed to two scenarios: an incubator with a constant hum of 70 decibels or an environment with white noise of 93 decibels, simulating a large city. Dieldrin-resistant males showed similar results in both environments, achieving about 40% success in mating. In contrast, males without the mutation performed worse in the noisier incubator, dropping to 33%.

Subsequently, scientists tested the theory in the field, in seven urban locations in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, and four adjacent villages. They observed that females without the mutation had a lower probability of mating in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Lauren Cator, a biologist from Imperial College London, who did not participate in the study, emphasizes that the data are complex to interpret, as urban habitats have various differences compared to rural ones, besides noise. She points out that exposure to pesticides, pollution, and variations in temperature and humidity can also contribute to the high prevalence of mosquitoes with mutations in cities. Cator also mentions that the study did not directly assess whether the mutation affects hearing or female mate choice.

Martin Göpfert, a neurobiologist from the University of Georg August in Göttingen, presents a counter-argument: if mosquitoes with mutations truly heard better, it would be expected that they would avoid noisy environments instead of mating in them, questioning the logic of seeking mates in loud places.

As reported by Al Khaleej newspaper on Wednesday, August 5, Abdullah Dukha Askar Al Kaabi, a 107-year-old UAE citizen who witnessed key moments in the history of the United Arab Emirates, passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.

This centenarian was born in the Al Flee area of Sharjah in 1919. The serious illness was diagnosed almost six years ago, and he spent his final days in the intensive care unit of Shahbut Hospital on life support.

Everyone who knew Al Kaabi remembers him with great respect and warmth, noting his kindness, generosity, and modesty. Throughout his long life, he observed deep social and historical changes in the country, including the founding of the UAE in 1971 and its stages of significant development, progress, and modernization.

In its report, the newspaper quotes Al Kaabi's son, Mohammed, who said that his father never received formal education but was wise, insightful, resourceful, and highly respected.

Mohammed, who works in the family, added that his father was known for helping resolve disputes, uniting people, reconciling married couples, and even participating in marriage arrangements. He also explained that his father worked in the desert and had his own business.

The son noted his father's exceptional memory, which allowed him to vividly recall events from 70 or even 80 years ago, citing Al Kaabi's ability to remember the names of all ten of his grandchildren. The centenarian had two sons—Mohammed and Salem—although he married nine times.

According to his son, Al Kaabi maintained good health until he was diagnosed with cancer. Mohammed reported that his father adhered to a healthy diet, often walked, and never drove a car.

Highlighting his father's religious devotion, Mohammed shared that Al Kaabi never neglected his prayers. Even while on life support, he asked his son to pray on his behalf. He constantly thanked and praised God in all circumstances and regularly sought His forgiveness.

When Al Kaabi learned of his serious illness, he said that everyone who lived near him had already passed away, and he thanked God for such a long life and the opportunity to see his grandchildren.