Scientists have made malarial mosquitoes fight the disease themselves.

They modified the genes of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the main vectors of malaria in Africa. The researchers modified the insects' digestive process so that two special molecules, so-called antimicrobial peptides, are produced in their intestines. Peptides of "anti-malarial" mosquitoes change their metabolism, shorten their lifespan and impair their ability to transmit the malaria parasite. The first trials showed good results, but scientists will need another two to three years to conduct field studies.