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Every mosquito has a type — and you may not be it

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Study debunks the “mosquito magnet” myth — and lays groundwork for next generation of repellents to fight dengue, Zika and West Nile 

MIAMI, Aug. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — There is no such thing as a universal mosquito magnet.

In a new study published in iScience, Florida International University (FIU) researchers pitted 119 human volunteers against three of the world’s most dangerous mosquito species and found that not one person was attractive to all three. Every species had its own type. Attraction was largely driven by chemistry — an individual’s body chemistry.

This single finding could reshape how the world fights mosquito-borne disease. Because each species decodes human scent differently, the results could help scientists develop next-generation, species-specific repellents.

“Isolating the components of human odor that attract or repel mosquitoes could lead to novel strategies to combat vector-borne diseases,” said Matthew DeGennaro, a neurogeneticist who leads the research team and directs the Biomolecular Sciences Institute at FIU, Miami’s state university. 

The three species studied — Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito) — together spread yellow fever, dengue, Zika, West Nile and other diseases. The study, led by Ph.D. student Kaylee Marrero, is the first to directly compare how multiple mosquito species respond to the same people. 

“We didn’t expect the species to prefer different people when we started the study,” Marrero said. “Each species having a distinct microbial signature that they use as a cue was so surprising to me.” 

Each species had a distinct set of turn-ons and turn-offs: 

Aedes aegypti preferred people wearing no added scent whose skin lacked certain volatile compounds. These daytime feeders showed a slight preference for men over women. Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger) was drawn to elevated ketones and plant-like volatile compounds naturally secreted by skin. Like Aedes aegypti, it feeds during the day. Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house) fed after dark and keyed in on the skin microbiome — the microscopic ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and microbes naturally living on people’s skin. Some bacterial families were a green light to feed; others drove the mosquitoes away. 

Human scent is a complex space of more than 1,000 volatile organic compounds, many still uncharacterized. Rather than agreeing on who was most attractive, each species consistently favored a different subset of people — evidence that the species have evolved distinct ways of sensing humans. Alongside the preference tests, the team collected odor and microbiome samples to identify which compounds and bacteria were present, and at what levels. 

“This connected so well with the differences in skin bacteria and odors,” DeGennaro said. “It is clear to me now that our skin microbiomes define our human odor signature. Each species found its own way to decode that signature.” 

By mapping these species-specific chemical cues, the FIU team is laying the groundwork for repellents and public health strategies tailored to the mosquito that matters most in a given region.

Photos and videos for media use are available via Dropbox

Media Contact:
JoAnn Adkins
305-348-0398
jadkins@fiu.edu
news.fiu.edu
@FIU

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/every-mosquito-has-a-type–and-you-may-not-be-it-302846300.html

SOURCE Florida International University

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New website helps parents get kids active and reduce their screen time

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CALGARY, AB, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ — Active for Life today launched ItsChildsPlay.ca, a free website that shows parents how to get their kids moving and off their screens.

The World Health Organization identifies physical activity as essential to health and well-being from the earliest years. Science finds that play builds executive function, social skills like negotiation and cooperation, motor development, and the ability to regulate stress and anxiety. Yet most Canadian children and youth fall well short:

80% do not get the recommended two hours of daily active play.63% do not get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Parents know these facts, but many remain uncertain about how to get their children moving, especially so when overwhelmed with the struggle to limit their children’s screen time.

ItsChildsPlay.ca provides practical solutions that show parents how easy it is to engage in fun activities with their children at home without costly equipment, struggle or stress.

ItsChildsPlay.ca was created by Active for Life, a web-based initiative that helps educators and parents build active play into children’s lives. The site is being promoted with a series of radio ads across Canada, with help from the Pro Bono Group.

Quotes

“For fifteen years, parents have been telling the Active for Life team that getting children to engage in active play is hard. We understand the challenge,” said Richard Monette, who leads Active for Life. “This is why we built ItsChildsPlay.ca: a resource for parents that’s easy to use, takes minutes a day and is good for their child’s body and mind.”

Associated Links

World Health Organization:

WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour [Link]Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age [Link]

Benefits of active play:

American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report “The Power of Play” [Link]UNICEF “Learning through play” [Link]OECD “Play!” report [Link]

Level of physical activity and active play in children:

ParticipACTION, Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children & Youth: 2026 Progress Report [Link]

Profiles

Active for Life

Active for Life is a web-based initiative that equips parents and educators with free resources and training to help children build active play habits early and manage their screen time. Doing so lays the foundation for healthy behaviours through adolescence and adulthood.

Visit website

B2ten

B2ten is a CRA-registered not-for-profit that applies a business-based approach to promote children developing a joy and pleasure of moving at an early age, active lifestyles, and athlete training and preparation services for select Canadian Olympic athletes.

Visit website

SOURCE Active for Life

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Ausom Fall Sale Brings Seasonal Savings on Selected Electric Scooters

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Limited-time savings of up to $240 are available on selected models, with an additional $100 off when purchasing two scooters.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ausom, a trusted brand in electric scooters, has launched its Fall Sale campaign across the United States, running from September 8 to 30, 2026, providing special pricing on selected models for consumers seeking a more flexible and affordable way to get around this fall.

Fall brings increased demand for short-distance travel among commuters and families, from daily commutes and local errands to weekend outdoor activities. Compared with driving, electric scooters offer a practical alternative for shorter journeys, helping riders save money on gas and on parking while avoiding traffic jams and making everyday trips more efficient.

With a broad product lineup, the Ausom Fall Sale campaign supports various riding needs, including daily commuting, recreational rides, and more demanding travel conditions.

Leading this campaign is the L2 Max Dual Motor, a premium e-scooter designed for riders who prioritize performance and value. Its powerful dual-motor system delivers up to 2,688W of peak power and a top speed of 38 mph, backed by a high-capacity battery with a range of up to 56 miles. This e-scooter also features ShocFree™ suspension, a dual swingarm suspension system built with aerospace-grade materials to improve durability and absorb road impacts from uneven surfaces. Paired with puncture-resistant tubeless tires, the suspension system provides a more comfortable riding experience for outdoor adventures in the fall.

For everyday riding, the L2 Max Dual Motor is equipped with dual disc brakes with E-ABS for responsive braking, along with a full lighting system for enhanced visibility. Practical features such as a hidden AirTag mount and NFC and passcode unlocking add convenience and security to daily rides.

Beyond the L2 Max Dual Motor, the campaign also highlights the DT2 Pro and Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor, offering additional options for riders looking for different levels of performance and versatility. For outdoor enthusiasts requiring greater range and performance, the DT2 Pro off-road e-scooter stands out with a 71-mile range, 2,912W of peak power, and a top speed of 40 mph. Building on the L2 Max Dual Motor’s practical feature set, the DT2 Pro upgrades the braking system to hydraulic disc brakes with E-ABS for stronger stopping power and better control.

The Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor e-scooter provides an affordable entry into high-performance dual-motor riding, making it an ideal choice for riders new to this level of performance. With 2,800W of peak output, a top speed of up to 36 mph, and the ability to handle inclines of up to 33%, it is a capable electric scooter for short trips, tackling hilly routes and varied terrain during fall outings. The 56-mile range supports short-distance round trips, and its foldable design allows it to be combined with public transportation for greater travel flexibility.

During the 23-day promotion, selected Ausom electric scooters will be available at limited-time discounts, with savings of up to $240. Among the participating models, the DT2 Pro, L2 Max Dual Motor, and Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor will offer discounts of $240, $180, and $150, respectively. Consumers purchasing two scooters can also enjoy an additional $100 off.

Fall Sale Promotional Prices:

DT2 Pro: $1,109 per scooter; $1,099 each when buying twoL2 Max Dual Motor: $869 per scooter; $819 each when buying twoGosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor: $849 per scooter; $799 each when buying two

For more information about the sale and participating models, consumers can visit Ausom’s official website.

About Ausom

Founded by adventurers and experts, Ausom is dedicated to igniting the spirit of exploration in everyone. We design and build premium electric scooters that empower riders to break boundaries, redefine their commute, and embrace the thrill of the ride. Every Ausom product reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation, delivering unforgettable experiences on two wheels.

Instagram: @ausomstore
Website: ausomstore.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ausom-fall-sale-brings-seasonal-savings-on-selected-electric-scooters-302885386.html

SOURCE Ausom Electric Scooter

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TICA Showcases Integrated Data Center Cooling Solutions at ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026, Supporting AI Infrastructure Growth in Southeast Asia

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TICA joins leading industry players at ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026 in Kuala Lumpur from September 22–25, showcasing its integrated data center cooling solutions and reinforcing its commitment to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian data center market.

Malaysia is a strategic gateway for TICA’s global development. Since its Malaysia factory commenced operations in 2019, TICA has continued to strengthen its regional presence. To date, TICA has supplied solutions to major projects across Southeast Asia, including Infineon, Western Digital, and Singapore Changi Airport. TICA’s systems have emerged as a preferred competitive option across high-end manufacturing, semiconductor and, increasingly, data center cooling applications.

At ENGINEER & MARVEX, TICA highlights its capabilities as an AIDC full-chain thermal management expert, going beyond individual equipment to deliver an integrated cooling solution across the entire chain through its self-developed product portfolio. Covering primary-side cooling sources, secondary-side precision cooling and liquid cooling, TICA provides end-to-end delivery from the cooling source to the IT rack, supporting the implementation of integrated air-liquid and multi-mode liquid cooling architectures.

As AI drives increasingly dense computing loads, scalable and engineered liquid cooling is becoming essential for the next generation of data centers. TICA addresses this evolving demand with full-chain self-developed products and customized solutions across diverse application scenarios, enabling flexible and reliable cooling architectures for high-density AI infrastructure. 

At the exhibition, TICA’s data center solution model brings these capabilities together in a complete thermal management system, with solutions designed to support next-generation platforms including GB300-class AI computing. Designed for Southeast Asia’s operating conditions, TICA’s solutions address the region’s high ambient temperatures, high humidity and growing demand for high-density AI infrastructure, providing adaptable solutions to balance performance, scalability, energy efficiency and water-conscious operation.

With professional expertise in high-precision air treatment, TICA serves more than 7,000 hospitals, 5,000+ GMP-certified pharmaceutical plants, 3,000+ semiconductor & electronics manufacturing enterprises and 1,000+ new energy companies across 100+ countries.

In data centers, TICA’s air-liquid integrated cooling solutions have been applied in more than 100 large-scale projects, with over 12,000 fan walls and 10,000 high-performance chillers delivered globally, serving industry leaders including Amazon, Alibaba and TikTok.

Through ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026, TICA is strengthening engagement with data center partners across Southeast Asia, demonstrating how full-chain thermal management capabilities and customized cooling solutions can support the region’s next generation of AI and data center infrastructure.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tica-showcases-integrated-data-center-cooling-solutions-at-engineer–marvex-2026-supporting-ai-infrastructure-growth-in-southeast-asia-302885405.html

SOURCE TICA

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