YAWS, Mosquito App, Guilty bosses
Search for the neglected disease YAWS in Congo Brazzaville, why malaria can’t be beaten with phone Apps despite the claims of gadget developers, and why a good boss feels guilt.
In this week’s programme we look at the popularity of an ineffective way of dealing with mosquitos, using ultrasound signals from mobile phone apps and radio broadcasts. Malaria researchers are concerned people may believe such devices can protect them from being bitten by mosquitos. A radio advertisement promoting the insect repelling benefits of ultrasound recently won an award. However – there is no scientific evidence to support this, research shows the opposite, that ultrasound does not deter insects.
We follow an MSF campaign in Congo Brazzaville to treat remote communities who suffer from the syphilis-like disease YAWS. Eradicated from much of the world by the use of simple antibiotics, the disease persists in remote places where access to medical treatment is scarce.
And we ask why feeling guilt might be a good quality for leaders. According to new research people who feel guilt are not only more likely to emerge as leaders, but also be better managers.
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Chapters
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Mosquitos
Why Phone Apps and radio signals using ultrasound to scare away mosquitos don’t work
Duration: 05:27
Bites and chalk paste
Does chalk paste ease the irritation of insect bites?
Duration: 01:32
Yaws
Searching for this rare but easily treatable disease in Congo Brazzaville
Duration: 05:55
Guilt
Why people who feel guilt make better leaders
Duration: 04:08
Ubangi River, Congo
Accessing remote rural communities in the Congo along the Ubangi River
© Benoit Finck
MSF vaccination campaign
MSF vaccination campaign in a remote area of Congo Brazzaville© Benoit Finck
MSF medical team in Congo rainforest
MSF medical team visiting local people in the Congo rainforest
© Benoit Finck
YAWS skin lesions
Lesions created by the tropical disease Yaws
© Benoit Finck
YAWS treatment camp
MSF Yaws treatment camp in the Congo rainforest
© Benoit Finck
Treating young children
Treating young children in the rainforest
© Benoit Finck
Mother and children
Walking in the Congo rainforest
© Benoit Finck
Broadcasts
- Wed 31 Oct 2012 19:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
- Thu 1 Nov 2012 00:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
- Thu 1 Nov 2012 04:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
- Thu 1 Nov 2012 11:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
- Sat 3 Nov 2012 09:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
- Mon 5 Nov 2012 02:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online
Podcast
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Health Check
Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.