How to avoid mosquito bites, according to science | Top 10

+ who likes nasty politics? – politicians, that's who US Edition - Today's top story: Not all repellents are equal – here's how to avoid mosquito bites this summer [View in browser]( US Edition | 16 July 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday – and welcome to the best of The Conversation. Here is one of our recently published stories: - [Hollywood on the picket line – 5 unsung films that put America’s union history on the silver screen]( It’s finally summer. The pleasures of the season are here for the taking – my family is partial to hiking, kayaking and dining outdoors. It’s all good except for tiny flying insects that bite. Flies and gnats are no fun, but mosquitoes are the worst of the bunch, because they spread disease as well as misery. So I’m grateful for the research of Immo Hansen, Hailey Luker and their colleagues at the New Mexico State University Molecular Vector Physiology Laboratory who have have studied different types of mosquito repellents and their efficacy for over a decade. Among other techniques, the scientists recruit volunteers to slather up with a mosquito-repelling cream or spray, stick their treated arm into a cage with 25 mosquitoes and wait for the first mosquito bite. As they explain in one of our readers’ picks last week, they’ve learned a lot about [what treatments actually work – and which ones are a waste of money](. Later this week, we’ll bring you a professor of feminist philosophy writing about the "Barbie" movie, how exercise affects weight loss and affirmative action in Brazil. Emily Costello Director of Collaborations + Local News Readers' picks A group of Anopheles mosquitoes taking a blood meal in an experiment conducted by the New Mexico State University Molecular Vector Physiology Lab. Hansen MVP lab [Not all repellents are equal – here’s how to avoid mosquito bites this summer]( Immo A. Hansen, New Mexico State University; Hailey A. Luker, New Mexico State University Two mosquito physiology experts explain which repellents work better than others and how to protect yourself this summer. - [A new, thin-lensed telescope design could far surpass James Webb – goodbye mirrors, hello diffractive lenses]( Daniel Apai, University of Arizona Space telescopes are limited in size due to the difficulties and cost of getting into orbit. By revamping an old optical technology, researchers are working on a lightweight and thin telescope design. - [Mormon leaders – whose church is often associated with the GOP – push back against one-party politics]( David Campbell, University of Notre Dame The faith’s association with conservative politics has stayed strong for decades, but could become a liability, a political scientist argues. - [‘Idiots,’ ‘criminals’ and ‘scum’ – nasty politics highest in US since the Civil War]( Thomas Zeitzoff, American University Studies show, though, that voters don’t like all that nastiness. - [Kakhovka Dam breach in Ukraine caused economic, agricultural and ecological devastation that will last for years]( Susanne Wengle, University of Notre Dame; Vitalii Dankevych, Polissia National University Breaching the Kakhovka Dam and reservoir had all the hallmarks of a scorched-earth strategy. Two expert observers of the Russia-Ukraine war explain this event’s destructive long-term effects. Editors' picks The progestin-only pill Opill could be available in early 2024. Kwangmoozaa/iStock via Getty Images [FDA approves first daily over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill – a pharmacist and public health expert explain this new era in contraception]( Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh; Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh With the approval of the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive, pharmacists stand to play an ever-increasing role in helping expand access to reproductive health care in the post-Roe era. - [Support for legacy admissions is rooted in racial hierarchy]( Angelica S. Gutierrez, Loyola Marymount University Some colleges grant preferential treatment in the admission process to children of alumni. A researcher examines what’s behind people’s support for the practice. - [Ukraine is the hot topic at the NATO summit – the most important work is all in the details happening behind the scenes]( Tara Sonenshine, Tufts University The NATO summit is a chance for world leaders to hash out difficult topics, like the war in Ukraine – and for the US to show off its leadership, writes a former diplomat. - [How small wealthy suburbs contribute to regional housing problems]( Paul G. Lewis, Arizona State University; Nicholas J. Marantz, University of California, Irvine Small suburbs have a track record of blocking new housing. Two urban policy experts explain why that’s a problem and what metro areas could do about it. - [Why guys who post a lot on social media are seen as less manly]( Andrew Edelblum, University of Dayton; Nathan B. Warren, BI Norwegian Business School New research shows that frequent posters appear needy, which pushes up against the expectation that ‘real men’ be stoic and self-sufficient. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories. Questions this week on the NATO summit, dam removals, political insults, and a surprising fact about college dropouts. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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