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Analysis of cpA Nerve-Blocking Compounds to Inhibit Functionality of Carbon Dioxide-Sensitive Receptors in Mosquitoes

Student(s):Sophie Bullen, Ryan Dempsey, Aneesh Mazumder, Danial Pitafi, and Edward Thomas
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Cassie Soeffing
Contributors:Dr. Rusty Low, IGES, scientist Peder Nelson, OSU, sme Dr. Erika Podest, NASA JPL, scientist Andrew Clark, IGES, EO Researcher and Data Analyst
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Earth As a System, Mosquitoes
Presentation Video: View Video
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:01/30/2023
Extensive literature suggests that mosquitoes identify hosts based on carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, with higher CO2 levels being associated with the presence of a viable host. To represent this relationship on a global scale, we extracted data from the GLOBE Observer and Collect Earth Online AOI (area of interest) points, layered maps of CO2 Emissions, Population Density, and the Ecological Niches of multiple mosquito species using open-source data from the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, NASA EarthData Greenhouse Gases Data Pathfinder, and NASA EarthData Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center. Here, five (5) chemical compounds were analyzed which have promising applications in cpA-nerve blocking for health, economic, and social applications, especially in contexts of developing countries and high socioeconomic vulnerability, and recommend a mechanism through which these compounds may be administered to produce an inhibitory effect on potentially harmful mosquito-host interactions, and by translation, the possible spread of vector-borne disease. After analyzing the correlations in this data, the conclusion was reached that ethyl pyruvate would be an appropriate choice to use as a mosquito repellent, as well as the mix of 2,3 Butanedione 1-Butanal 1-Hexanol and 1-Pentanal in areas where the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito is abundant. Appropriate public health measures should be taken in the form of informing the public on their choices of mosquito repellent in order to limit the spread of vector-borne diseases throughout the state of Georgia in the United States. Key Words: CO 2 emissions, vector-borne disease, Georgia, diffusible compound



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