With concerns that Australia’s floods could cause an uptick in the number of mozzies buzzing around this summer, a group of US researchers say they might be able to explain why some of us are more frequently targeted by the insects. Rockefeller University scientists spent 3 years carrying out more than 2,330 tests using samples of human forearm odour collected on sleeves. They focused on the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can spread serious diseases such as yellow fever, dengue and Zika, and are found in Queensland and the Northern Territory. And they found that the insect was attracted to people with a particular odour on their skin caused by a mix of genetically-influenced, naturally-occurring ‘carboxylic acids’. Yep, the combination of chemicals on your skin could affect how often you’re munched on, and scientists say the results might help to develop more effective insect repellents. PS who knew there was such a thing as ‘forearm odour’…