A research team led by Ryan Carney used AI and citizen-submitted photos to identify what they believe was the first Anopheles stephensi detected in Madagascar. The process began with a single close-up photo sent via NASA’s GLOBE Observer app showing a larva collected from a tyre in Antananarivo. The image was taken in 2020 and only discovered two years later when scientists reviewed older data. The findings were published in the journal Insects.
The team trained image-recognition algorithms on thousands of smartphone photos of verified Anopheles stephensi and other local species. They developed a citizen science tool that the researchers say confirmed the species of the larva spotted five years ago. The study shows how local communities and digital technology can fill surveillance gaps, especially in hard-to-monitor urban areas.
The researchers highlight three freely available apps—iNaturalist, Mosquito Alert and NASA’s GLOBE Observer—and note these offer multiple languages, including Swahili and Arabic. They recommend public health agencies use the Global Mosquito Observations Dashboard to aggregate photos and location data. Limits include lack of smartphones, unreliable internet, low awareness of the apps, and the technical need for a 60x clip-on lens.
Difficult words
- researcher — A person who studies or investigates.researchers
- community — A group of people living together.
- participation — Taking part in an activity or event.
- technology — Tools and machines used for tasks.
- disease — An illness that affects the body.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can governments support citizen science initiatives?
- What are some challenges citizens may face in participating?
- Why is it important to involve local communities in health research?
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