Archive for the 'Microbiology' Category

Bat Hosts Marburg Virus Party

Bats, caves, danger and exotic locales. That should catch your students’ attention! The big story here is the co-evolution of viruses and their nonhuman animal hosts, who seem to have a harmless, symbiotic relationship with viruses that cause deadly outbreaks in humans. Though this story is about Marburg virus and a fruit bat, the concepts […]

Posted in Topics: Birds, Ecology, Evolution, Health, Life Science, Microbiology, Science

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Influenza: History, Science, Strains, Detection and Protection

Every middle school student has heard of the flu. They may even have had it, or more likely, they have had some other virus described as the flu. Most students would consider the flu unpleasant, but probably not potentially fatal. Now is a good time to help students learn more about influenza. But where do […]

Posted in Topics: Health, Microbiology, Science, Social Perspectives

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How Many Bacteria Species Can Coexist on a Single Hand? (And do girls really have cooties?)

Sounds like a riddle, but it’s not trivial. We’ll get back to that in a minute. First consider the scenario: The class arrives from physical education. Today’s activity was mat ball, a variation of dodge ball involving lots of kids and lots of contact with balls and mats. They’re pumped, a little sweaty and out […]

Posted in Topics: Cells, Health, Life Science, Microbiology, Science

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