Story highlights So far this year, more than 400,000 people have died from malaria

91% of deaths were in Sub-Saharan Africa

(CNN) Scientists in the U.S. say they've created a new strain of mosquito that could eventually help eradicate malaria.

Researchers at the University of California used a gene editing technique to insert DNA into the germ line of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito -- a leading vector of the disease.

"This opens up the real promise that this technique can be adapted for eliminating malaria," said Anthony James, Distinguished Professor of molecular biology & biochemistry and microbiology and molecular genetics at UC's Irvine campus.

Gene manipulation

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