Microbes

  1. Archaeology

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    Readers ask questions about a study on sweeteners, how scientists recognize primitive tools and the purpose of a dinosaur's sail.

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  2. Microbes

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    Readers shares stories about bacteria, discuss ancient volcanic eruptions and express a fondness for science-inspired art.

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  3. Animals

    Ten real-life Halloween horrors in the natural world

    Vampires and witches are nothing compared to mind-controlling parasites, nose ticks and antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

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  4. Microbes

    Frozen caribou feces offers look at virus evolution

    Genetic material extracted from caribou poop gives hints about how viruses evolve.

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  5. Health & Medicine

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    Readers discuss methods to prevent sepsis and whether genes are thrifty, while Tina Saey clears up some confusion regarding Ebola's airborne status.

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  6. Microbes

    Microbes can redeem themselves to fight disease

    With some genetic engineering, bacteria can morph from bad to good and help attack invading cancer cells.

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  7. Microbes

    Gut bacteria protein linked to anorexia and bulimia

    Gut bacteria may play a role in eating disorders, a new study suggests.

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  8. Agriculture

    Drug-resistant staph can cling to farm workers for days

    Agricultural exposure to staph bacteria could threaten the health of laborers and people who live near farms, a study of pig farm workers suggests.

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  9. Microbes

    Vaccines and gut microbes join forces to fight flu

    Losing gut microbes weakens the protective ability of the flu vaccine in mice.

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  10. Microbes

    Speedy test could improve treatment of urinary tract infections

    A new test for drug-resistant bacteria may speed the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections.

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  11. Microbes

    Magnets diagnose malaria in minutes

    A small magnet-based device provides faster, more-sensitive malaria diagnosis in mice.

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  12. Chemistry

    Liquid salts break through armored bacteria on skin

    Compounds called ionic liquids can penetrate bacterial biofilms on skin to deliver antibiotics to potentially life-threatening infections.

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