The Living Dead
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News
Deadly bacteria show thirst for human blood
Some of the world’s deadliest bacteria seek out and feed on human blood, a newly-discovered phenomenon researchers are calling “bacterial vampirism”.
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News
World’s oldest cheese found with ancient mummies reveals origins of kefir
For the first time, scientists have successfully extracted and analyzed DNA from ancient cheese samples found alongside the Tarim Basin mummies in China, dating back approximately 3,600 years, suggesting a new origin for kefir cheese.
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Features
Shining a light on microbes from the past with molecular paleomicrobiology
Is there a way to objectively address the history of microorganisms?
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Careers
Uncovering the secrets of the mummy
To his great surprise, microbiologist Frank Maixner found himself turning his scientific skills to mummy research. He reveals what the latest techniques are revealing about ancient humans, the history of malaria and the Medici family.
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News
Puppeteer fungus directs ‘summiting’ of zombie flies
Scientists have uncovered the molecular and cellular underpinnings behind the ability of the parasitic fungus Entomophthora muscae’s ability to manipulate the behaviour of fruit flies.
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News
Malaria pathogen found in mummified soft tissue in Medici tomb
The pathogen of the deadliest form of the disease has been identified in mummified soft tissue belonging to members of the Florentine dynasty.