Canine Cooties

Yup, they exist. And you've probably got them. No worries, though-- while you're training your dog, your dog's bacteria are training your immune system not to freak out. Read more about it on NPR!

Extremophiles in the Belly Button Forest!

WHOA.

Not only are the microbiota in our navels proving to be unique from human to human (i.e., no enterotypes like in the gut), almost 1.5K new species have been discovered there! A recent study conducted by the Belly Button Biodiversity project (BBB) found over 2.5K species in all, some of which included extremophiles that typically live in ice caps, volcanos, or glaciers.

Ah, the microcosm and the macrocosm! More closely connected than you might think....