SYDNEY, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have cracked the molecular structure of a protein that helps blowflies resist insecticide, the Australian National University (ANU) announced Tuesday.
The discovery could save hundreds of millions of dollars' damage to the sheep industry caused by blowfly each year, and may pave the way to an antidote for chemical warfare agents.
Sheep blowflies currently cost the Australian wool industry about 161 million AUD (157 million U.S. dollars) every year in lost production, stock deaths and pest management -- including 126 million AUD (123 million U.S. dollars) in treatment costs.
Wool residues from pesticide use also pose a market threat, as well as potential health risks to humans.
The effectiveness of commonly-used organophosphate insecticides, which block nerve signals, has been decreasing in recent years as the blowflies develop resistance.
Organophosphates are also highly toxic to humans, meaning farmers who are accidentally poisoned and victims of biochemical terror attacks are very difficult to treat.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people are killed every year as a result of this poison. The researchers hope their findings can be used to develop an antidote.
The research was funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and carried out in collaboration with the CSIRO.
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