Overview

• Researchers tested about 465 Lowlands festival volunteers in a pop-up lab using caged Anopheles stephensi to record arm landings as a measure of attraction.
• People who had recently drunk beer showed higher landing rates, reported at roughly 35% to 44% above abstainers across outlets summarizing the preprint.
• Recent cannabis use and having slept close to another person were associated with increased attraction, while sunscreen use was linked to substantially lower appeal.
• The study found no evidence that blood type affected attractiveness, and higher levels of Streptococci on the skin correlated with greater mosquito interest.
• Authors stress limitations, noting the preprint status, a single mosquito species, self-selecting festival participants, and that mosquitoes could smell but not bite, with standard repellents and protective clothing still advised.