It's bonus podcast time again. I hope you're enjoying the chance to download and listen

to the new BBC World Service Podcast, 30 animals that made us smarter. If you are, search

for 30 animals wherever you found this podcast. Here's Patrick I.E. with Episode 3.

Like many people, I would love to become a regular blood donor. But I can't help but dread

the thought of a sharp needle piercing my arm. I'm not proud of this, but there's no denying

it. Injections with needles hurt. According to the World Health Organization, there are well

over 16 billion safe injections every year worldwide. That's a lot of people enduring painful

injections every single day. Well, here's something that might just blow your mind.

The Mosquito, an insect that jabs us with its needle-like mouth parts and feeds on our blood,

could hold the answer to a future of pain-free injections, which kind of makes sense, after all.

The thing about a mosquito is that you may hear it coming, but you rarely feel its bite.

Alright, enough with the buzzing. Don't worry, you're safe and sound. For now. I'm Patrick I.E.

and this is 30 animals that made us smarter. An original podcast from the BBC World Service,

which explores how animals have helped us to solve a whole host of technical problems and

inspired some amazing inventions along the way. If you've enjoyed our podcast so far,

then please spread the word. Tell everyone you know. If they've never listened to a podcast before,

show them how to access a podcast app and search for us and show them how to subscribe.

If you're able to, it means you'll get all our episodes automatically.

And please do leave comments and ratings where you can. The hashtag on social media is 30 animals.

Having heard how the Kingfisher inspired the nose of a bullet train,

and how some very clever coloured-changing camouflage was inspired by the octopus.

In this number three, Mosquito and surgical needle, I'd like to share a fascinating story about

...