Safety Net

By Anita Hamilton; Maryanne Murray Buechner; Lev Grossman; Simon Crittle; Sora Song With Reporting by Hanna Kite; Yuki Oda/Tokyo

BUG BARRIER

Dangerous malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa have a new foe: the next-generation Olyset bed net, which is made of a durable plastic weave impregnated with the insecticide permethrin and stays potent for five years. Lighter, cheaper and more colorful than previous versions, the Nguvu ya Ajabu (Swahili for Magic Power) is being manufactured in Tanzania for cost-effective distribution. Also new: curtains and door screens cut from the same material.

INVENTOR Sumitomo Chemical

AVAILABILITY Now; free from some relief agencies and clinics, or $7 to $8 per net

TO LEARN MORE acumenfund.org