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A Path to Malaria Eradication

Zanzibar has reduced malaria infections by over 95 per cent, could this provide a model for the rest of Africa?

Through a country wide programme involving education, drug treatment and the mass distribution of bednets and insecticides, Zambia has reduced malaria infections by 96 percent. However getting down to zero is proving elusive. We look at how mosquitos have adapted to thwart efforts and how visitors to Zambia might now be part of the problem.

And we learn how new information from the human genome is challenging widely held views on older mothers. The study shows that genetic mutations are more likely to be passed on from older fathers. The researchers say such mutations are not necessarily harmful, but they do increase with the age of the father.

We also look to Mexican salamanders for some genetic clues on regeneration, could understanding how they can grow back limbs and digits help human neuroscience?

Globally we all use data from weather forecasting and are used to getting this for free. Could paying for such information become more common, and what kind of problems could that cause for those who can’t pay?

Picture: Mosquito, Credit: Getty Images

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Julian Siddle

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 28 Jan 2019 01:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 24 Jan 2019 20:32GMT
  • Thu 24 Jan 2019 21:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 05:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 06:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 07:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 11:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 14:32GMT
  • Fri 25 Jan 2019 18:32GMT
  • Mon 28 Jan 2019 01:32GMT

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