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                            <title><![CDATA[ Latest from Live Science in Bacterial-fungal ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/bacterial-fungal</link>
        <description><![CDATA[ All the latest bacterial-fungal content from the Live Science team ]]></description>
                                    <lastBuildDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Diagnostic dilemma: Teenager contracts rare 'welder's anthrax,' marking the ninth known case ever reported ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/diagnostic-dilemma-teenager-contracts-rare-welders-anthrax-marking-the-ninth-known-case-ever-reported</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A teenager training to be a welder contracted a rare and dangerous lung infection, prompting a combined state and federal investigation. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:39:59 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DYKKpG6y6ZpAeeoQXCYYve-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Teera Konakan/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[All known cases of welder&#039;s anthrax have been in Louisiana or Texas.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A construction worker in safety helmet and gloves uses an angle grinder on a steel plate, sending a cascade of bright orange sparks across a dim industrial workshop.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A construction worker in safety helmet and gloves uses an angle grinder on a steel plate, sending a cascade of bright orange sparks across a dim industrial workshop.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Viruses that evolved on the space station and were sent back to Earth were more effective at killing bacteria ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/viruses-that-evolved-on-the-space-station-and-were-sent-back-to-earth-were-more-effective-at-killing-bacteria</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Near-weightless conditions can mutate genes and alter the physical structures of bacteria and phages, disrupting their normal interactions in ways that could help us treat drug-resistant infections. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:39:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Manuela Callari ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/knU5Nwa2cyoNvuCmmKGiGg-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[International space station (dima_zel/Getty Images); E.coli (Shutterstock)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Scientists brought bacteria and phages, meaning viruses that infect bacteria, aboard the ISS to study their evolution. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[International Space Station as main image, circle superimposed on the image showing a digital illustration of e.coli bacteria.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[International Space Station as main image, circle superimposed on the image showing a digital illustration of e.coli bacteria.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ This is SPARDA: A self-destruct, self-defense system in bacteria that could be a new biotech tool ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/this-is-sparda-a-self-destruct-self-defense-system-in-bacteria-that-could-be-a-new-biotech-tool</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A bacterial defense system called SPARDA employs kamikaze-like tactics to protect cells and could be useful in future biotechnologies. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 17 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:39:50 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ RJ Mackenzie ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pqDGnAYuxgJAbu7J98Y9B-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Justinas Griciunas]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s depiction of SPARDA defending a bacterial cell against an invading virus.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Artist illustration of four men in Roman armor fighting a snake-like creature. One of the warriors shields says &quot;SPARDA&quot;]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Artist illustration of four men in Roman armor fighting a snake-like creature. One of the warriors shields says &quot;SPARDA&quot;]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Cassius the giant crocodile died from sepsis after 40-year-old dormant infection burst from 'abscess,' necropsy reveals ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/alligators-crocodiles/cassius-the-giant-crocodile-died-from-sepsis-after-40-year-old-dormant-infection-burst-from-abscess-necropsy-reveals</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Cassius was an 18-foot-long saltwater crocodile living in captivity in Marineland Crocodile Park in Australia. He died last year at the age of about 120, and we finally know why. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:15:38 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:00:53 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bMhBcNs8Sou6Ri892NzCa9-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Marineland Melanesia]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Cassius died last year from sepsis, new tests results reveal.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The manager of a crocodile park in Australia with the carcass of Cassius, a 120-year-old crocodile.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The manager of a crocodile park in Australia with the carcass of Cassius, a 120-year-old crocodile.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Scientists invent way to use E. coli to create and dye rainbow-colored fabric in the lab ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/scientists-invent-way-to-use-e-coli-to-create-and-dye-rainbow-colored-fabric-in-the-lab</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists have used a novel method to create sustainable, rainbow-colored fibers using bacteria in the lab. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:54:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Mason Wakley ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4EgPjCHTAYiJLxcnuufbmE-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An &lt;em&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt; colony imaged under an electron microscope. The infectious bacteria could have a bright future in the textile industry, new research hints. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[E. Coli bacteria imaged under an electron microscope]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[E. Coli bacteria imaged under an electron microscope]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Diagnostic dilemma: A toddler accidently ate gonorrhea bacteria from a lab dish ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/diagnostic-dilemma-a-toddler-accidently-ate-gonorrhea-bacteria-from-a-lab-dish</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ In a bizarre medical case published in 1984, a young boy was inadvertently exposed to an STI-causing bacteria in a lab dish. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:07:17 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zGQiC47hHLQztvVdk8CyLh-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Smith Collection/Gado / Contributor via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A young boy accidentally consumed the contents of a lab dish and ended up with a bacterial infection.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a microscopic image of n. gonorrhoeae bacterial cells]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a microscopic image of n. gonorrhoeae bacterial cells]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Mysterious chunks of DNA called 'inocles' could be hiding in your mouth ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/mysterious-chunks-of-dna-called-inocles-could-be-hiding-in-your-mouth</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have discovered giant DNA structures in oral bacteria, and data hint they could influence the function of your immune system. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:23:37 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jennifer Zieba ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wsQXhZ8zqgk9wBjQjgfW6K-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Newfound bits of DNA in the human oral microbiome may be linked to the function of the immune system, a study finds.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a close-up of a smiling man&#039;s mouth]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a close-up of a smiling man&#039;s mouth]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Striking images capture an antibiotic slaying bacteria in real time ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/striking-images-capture-an-antibiotic-slaying-bacteria-in-real-time</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists have captured images of polymyxins, a type of antibiotic, disrupting and infiltrating the membranes of disease-causing bacteria. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2025 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:47:10 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iUgvth3YKzh5mnYiHr9ZBo-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[© Imperial College London]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Antibiotics called polymyxins force bacteria to produce and shed their outer &quot;armor,&quot; leaving space for the antibiotic to then infiltrate and kill the bacterial cell.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a time-lapse series of microscope images of the outer shell of a rod-shaped bacteria disintegrating]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a time-lapse series of microscope images of the outer shell of a rod-shaped bacteria disintegrating]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Anthropologists make 'ant yogurt' from centuries-old recipe, serve it as an 'ant-wich' at Michelin-star restaurant ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/anthropologists-make-ant-yogurt-from-centuries-old-recipe-serve-it-as-an-ant-wich-at-michelin-star-restaurant</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have revealed how adding a handful of live ants to warm milk can create yogurt. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:55:06 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ kkillgrove@livescience.com (Kristina Killgrove) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kristina Killgrove ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F4qzBRbBMpGQFsgaX8PBYD-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[David Zilber]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers put four live wood ants in a jar of warm milk to create yogurt.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A glass jar filled with milk and four ants sits on a table.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A glass jar filled with milk and four ants sits on a table.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Science history: Alexander Fleming wakes up to funny mold in his petri dish, and accidentally discovers the first antibiotic — Sept. 28, 1928 ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/science-history-alexander-fleming-wakes-up-to-funny-mold-in-his-petri-dish-and-accidentally-discovers-the-first-antibiotic-sept-28-1928</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Alexander Fleming was doing experiments with bacteria when he woke up to a strange mold growing in his petri dish. The "mold juice" would usher in the first antibiotic, penicillin, and would revolutionize medical care for bacterial infections. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:08:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:36:18 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Tia Ghose ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AvbXiyJSgTPSbAGwQi2NFE-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Daily Herald Archive/SSPL/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Alexander Fleming posing in his cluttered laboratory in 1943. Piles of petri dishes can be seen on the counter behind him. While his methods may not have been pretty, his propensity to leave culture plates lying around for weeks led to one of the greatest discoveries in medicine.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Professor Fleming, Scottish bacteriologist, in his laboratory, 1943. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Professor Fleming, Scottish bacteriologist, in his laboratory, 1943. ]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'This needs to happen fast': Scientists race to cryopreserve a critically endangered tree before it goes extinct ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/this-needs-to-happen-fast-scientists-race-to-cryopreserve-a-critically-endangered-tree-before-it-goes-extinct</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Less than 400 angle-stemmed myrtle specimens remain in the wild in Australia. Scientists are working on ways to preserve the species so that we can bring it back at any point if it dies out. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:27:19 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:32:09 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hB4RFvavmAtVDSfkUutYme-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Jingyin Bao, with funding from Logan City Council and the Australian Research Council Linkage Program (LP210200907)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Scientists are cryopreserving a critically endangered tree species.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A plant shoot tip in a petri dish.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A plant shoot tip in a petri dish.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ US reports its first New World parasitic screwworm infection in decades ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/us-reports-its-first-new-world-parasitic-screwworm-infection-in-decades</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A person in Maryland has been diagnosed with an infection of the flesh-eating New World screwworm. It's the first case in the U.S. in decades. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:40:22 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:50:03 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vyJ4iEEDiMFpam2vdytbNX-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Photo by USDA]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A flesh-eating parasite has been detected in the U.S. for the first time in decades. But the risk to public health is low, officials say.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Close-up photo of new world screwworm larvae (maggots).]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Close-up photo of new world screwworm larvae (maggots).]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Mystery of why sea stars keep turning into goo finally solved — and it's not what scientists thought  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/mystery-of-why-sea-stars-keep-turning-into-goo-finally-solved-and-its-not-what-scientists-thought</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new study has found that the devastating sea star wasting disease is caused by a strain of bacteria from Vibrio pectenicida, which turns the marine creatures into goo. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 18:21:44 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:52:11 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/58ryYLi6uEQxWH28Z9BPjn-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Photo courtesy of Grant Callegari/Hakai Institute]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Sea star wasting disease has killed billions of sea stars and has been particularly devastating for sunflower sea stars.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An underwater photograph of an infected sea star wasting away off Calvert Island. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An underwater photograph of an infected sea star wasting away off Calvert Island. ]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ SpaceX launched disease-causing bacteria to the International Space Station ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/spacex-launched-disease-causing-bacteria-to-the-international-space-station</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ SpaceX just launched the Crew-11 astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA — along with an interesting bacterial experiment. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:13:30 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:27:28 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jessica Rendall ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fzh6Mf7k3xfnteWsphr4A8-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[SpaceX]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[This is a still taken just after 1st stage separation during the Crew-11 mission to the ISS. The Falcon 9 that blasted the crew off is seen falling toward Earth to the left of the image. On the right is the next stage, still attached to the cabin where the crew is seated.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The Earth is seen in the background, a cylinder is seen falling toward it, and in the foreground there is shiny material connected to what seems to be an engine.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The Earth is seen in the background, a cylinder is seen falling toward it, and in the foreground there is shiny material connected to what seems to be an engine.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 2 dead and 58 infected amid bacterial outbreak in NYC ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/2-dead-and-58-infected-amid-bacterial-outbreak-in-nyc</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Two people have died from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem, New York City, and 58 people total have contracted the illness. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:36:39 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:57:57 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ perri.thaler@futurenet.com (Perri Thaler) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Perri Thaler ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uD2TPDUsg6xkpWH4iW5C8E-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Brain light]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Legionnaires&#039; disease is a severe form of pneumonia most often caused by the bacterial species &lt;em&gt;Legionella pneumophila&lt;/em&gt;, which thrives in fresh, warm water.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An artistic rendering of bacteria.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An artistic rendering of bacteria.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How germy is the public pool, really? An expert explains ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/how-germy-is-the-public-pool-really-an-expert-explains</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Most pool-related illnesses won’t kill you, but no one wants to spend their vacation or a week of beautiful summer days in the bathroom. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:35:53 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Lisa Cuchara ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b4BPRFKbC9Whg5UNi5KkeH-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Maria Korneeva via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A 2023 CDC report tracked more than 200 pool-associated outbreaks over a four-year period. But a few basic precautions can ward off these dangers.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a top-down view of people in a swimming pool with colorful floaties]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a top-down view of people in a swimming pool with colorful floaties]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'This is not a new war': How the battle between viruses and bacteria could help us beat superbugs ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/this-is-not-a-new-war-how-the-battle-between-viruses-and-bacteria-could-help-us-beat-superbugs</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The viruses that kill bacteria may be our best bet against antibiotic resistance — if we can understand how they win. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:29 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Franklin Nobrega ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3pTZNA6mTRGgQzoJfno3jM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[nobeastsofierce via Shutterstock]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Phages (red) attacking a bacterium (green).]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A digital illustration of red viruses attacking a green bacterial cell]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A digital illustration of red viruses attacking a green bacterial cell]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ New report details one of the biggest raw milk-related outbreaks in recent US history ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/new-report-details-one-of-the-biggest-raw-milk-related-outbreaks-in-recent-us-history</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new report authored by California health officials describes a raw-milk-related outbreak of Salmonella that sickened dozens in 2023 and 2024. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:30:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:35:12 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZXtXBcWRJxdX9W9cKMih5c-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Andrew Fox via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A new report shares details of a foodborne disease outbreak caused by raw milk last year.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a line of dairy cows at a trough]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a line of dairy cows at a trough]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Embattled 'arsenic life' paper retracted by journal Science 15 years after publication ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/microbiology/embattled-arsenic-life-paper-retracted-by-journal-science-15-years-after-publication</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A controversial 2010 study that suggested bacteria could grow using arsenic instead of phosphorus has been retracted by the research journal Science. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:50:26 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ kkillgrove@livescience.com (Kristina Killgrove) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kristina Killgrove ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NiRh8D5tAoXUn5cVe3ykD5-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Alamy]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Lake Mono, California, where bacterium GFAJ-1 was discovered in 2010.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[tufa rocks in the foreground at Lake Mono in California, with a purple-and-pink sunset over the lake]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[tufa rocks in the foreground at Lake Mono in California, with a purple-and-pink sunset over the lake]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Earliest evidence of humans catching disease from animals dates to 6,500 years ago ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/earliest-evidence-of-humans-catching-disease-from-animals-dates-to-6-500-years-ago</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ By analyzing ancient DNA, scientists determined when, where and how our ancestors got sick from infectious diseases. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:30:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:55:06 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Christoph Schwaiger ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vt5QU2fYxaeJGexSf6PbUG-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Jacques Julien via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A new analysis of ancient human DNA uncovered evidence of humans being infected with germs from animals 6,500 years ago.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a close-up of a human skull]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a close-up of a human skull]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Our gut bacteria can absorb and remove toxic 'forever chemicals' — at least in lab mice ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/our-gut-bacteria-can-absorb-and-remove-toxic-forever-chemicals-at-least-in-lab-mice</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An experiment in lab mice found that certain human gut bacteria can absorb PFAS, commonly called "forever chemicals," until they are excreted, new study finds. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:28:12 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:35:56 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MskR54vb74JdBBdQYW83Hf-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Peter Northrop / MRC Toxicology Unit]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Some gut bacteria can absorb PFAS, a new study finds.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of gut bacteria accumulating perfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of gut bacteria accumulating perfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Man's body crawling with parasitic worms after infected kidney transplant at US hospital ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/mans-body-crawling-with-parasitic-worms-after-infected-kidney-transplant-at-us-hospital</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A second transplant patient also became infected, leading their doctors to surmise that their new kidneys were likely to blame. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:59:27 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:36:26 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Anna Rogers ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LADdQkfrJcpcKkbTDpMwRT-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[The New England Journal of Medicine ©2025]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[These larval worms were found in a patient who had recently received a new kidney from a donor. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a microscope image showing two worm-like parasites]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a microscope image showing two worm-like parasites]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Cucumbers recalled after multistate Salmonella outbreak leaves dozens sick ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/cucumbers-recalled-after-multistate-salmonella-outbreak-leaves-dozens-sick</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ CDC and FDA officials are investigating the outbreak after 9 patients were hospitalized amid cucumber recall. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2025 18:35:41 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:32:23 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ pandora.dewan@futurenet.com (Pandora Dewan) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Pandora Dewan ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j4vq8beKfEmBtU8NvD7KNP-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[DronG/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Dozens of salmonella infections have been linked to contaminated cucumbers. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Pile of whole cucumbers]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Pile of whole cucumbers]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Never-before-seen 'extreme' microbes surrounded NASA robot before it was sent to Mars 18 years ago, new study reveals ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/never-before-seen-extreme-microbes-surrounded-nasa-robot-before-it-was-sent-to-mars-18-years-ago-new-study-reveals</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ DNA analysis has revealed that 26 novel species of "extremophile" bacteria were lurking in a clean room that housed NASA's Phoenix lander before it was launched to Mars in 2007. The hardy microbes might be capable of surviving in space. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 15:04:24 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:56:00 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Harry Baker ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zyZo6iLvccLYAR3TrqhGmX-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[NASA/JPL-Caltech/UA/Lockheed Martin]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers found 26 new species of bacteria in samples collected from the clean room used to house the NASA Phoenix Mars lander in 2007. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The Phoenix Mars lander inside the clean room the bacteria were found in]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The Phoenix Mars lander inside the clean room the bacteria were found in]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Unknown strain of bacteria found on China's Tiangong Space Station ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/unknown-strain-of-bacteria-found-on-chinas-tiangong-space-station</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Analysis of swabs from China's Tiangong Space Station has revealed a new strain of bacteria sporting new adaptations for surviving outer space. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2025 17:33:22 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:07:31 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EV5ctdHdFVqMQ5gTPMapmh-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[China Manned Space Agency]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[China&#039;s Tiangong Space Station orbiting Earth.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[China&#039;s Tiangong space station with Earth in the background]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[China&#039;s Tiangong space station with Earth in the background]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Hospital superbug can feed on medical plastic, first-of-its-kind study reveals ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/hospital-superbug-can-feed-on-medical-plastic-first-of-its-kind-study-reveals</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with 559,000 yearly deaths worldwide, and many of them come from hospital-acquired infections. A new study suggests it may be thriving in sterile environments by feeding on medical plastics. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2025 14:15:50 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:21:22 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rQcoFC8J2dhHoLbaUzjGEZ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[James Cavallini/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[&lt;em&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/em&gt; as seen underneath a microscope.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Pseudomonas aeruginosa as seen underneath a microscope.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Pseudomonas aeruginosa as seen underneath a microscope.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 18th-century monk's anus was stuffed with wood chips and fabric to mummify him, researchers discover ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/18th-century-monks-anus-was-stuffed-with-wood-chips-and-fabric-to-mummify-him-researchers-discover</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An 18th-century Austrian monk who died of tuberculosis was mummified in an extremely unusual way. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2025 04:01:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:01:40 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ kkillgrove@livescience.com (Kristina Killgrove) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kristina Killgrove ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8QQmfTJZ2uD7PHcPZ4NcNL-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Andreas Nerlich]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Front and back views of the mummified body of Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Front (top) and back (bottom) of a human male mummy. His arms are crossed over his chest.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Front (top) and back (bottom) of a human male mummy. His arms are crossed over his chest.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'How could it have been allowed to happen?': The threat of 'superbugs' was known from the first antibiotic, but we've failed to stop it. ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/how-could-it-have-been-allowed-to-happen-the-threat-of-superbugs-was-known-from-the-first-antibiotic-but-weve-failed-to-stop-it</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ "What are sometimes called superbugs — microbes resistant to every available drug — are not merely the stuff of nightmares. They are taking lives right now." ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:28:39 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Thomas Levenson ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bFeYUNJBq8obu6Zd9A8SYe-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Peter Purdy via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, warned of the dangers of antibiotic resistance in his Nobel address. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a black and white photograph of Alexander Fleming in his laboratory]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a black and white photograph of Alexander Fleming in his laboratory]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Flesh-eating' vulva infections reported in three cases — gynecologists should know the signs, experts warn ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/flesh-eating-vulva-infections-reported-in-three-cases-gynecologists-should-know-the-signs-experts-warn</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Doctors in the U.K. have warned gynecologists of the risks of necrotizing fasciitis in the external genitalia after seeing several cases. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 17:30:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:47:14 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jess Thomson ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gxU6AgRQZik5CM4vNs3UJX-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[3D computer illustration of the spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, or group-A Streptococcus, bacteria. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[3D computer illustration of the spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, or group-A Streptococcus, bacteria. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[3D computer illustration of the spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, or group-A Streptococcus, bacteria. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ What is a hantavirus? Symptoms, treatments, prevention and how it spreads ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/what-is-hantavirus-the-rare-but-deadly-respiratory-illness-spread-by-rodents</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Hantaviruses are spread by rodents and can cause deadly respiratory and kidney illnesses in humans, although these infections are relatively uncommon globally. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 11 May 2026 19:47:36 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ emily.cooke@futurenet.com (Emily Cooke) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Emily Cooke ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qiuufYKXLMx33ekYRBv9g-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[ROGER HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Hantaviruses are carried by various rodents around the world.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of a blue translucent spiky sphere of a hantavirus molecule, with a 3D strand of DNA at the center. All in front of a blue background.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of a blue translucent spiky sphere of a hantavirus molecule, with a 3D strand of DNA at the center. All in front of a blue background.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Diagnostic dilemma: A scientist caught plague from bacteria thought to be 'noninfectious' ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/diagnostic-dilemma-a-scientist-caught-plague-from-bacteria-thought-to-be-noninfectious</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A scientist who was working on plague-causing bacteria caught the disease despite using weakened strains that were deemed noninfectious. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:21:09 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kamal Nahas ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sQo4VwLhqreQrrQLCYU3ZQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[poba/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A man caught the plague while working with bacteria in a lab. (This is a stock image.)]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Researcher examining cultures in a petri dish, low angle view.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Researcher examining cultures in a petri dish, low angle view.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ This rare bacterial infection triggers pus-filled sores in the lungs and brain ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/this-rare-bacterial-infection-triggers-pus-filled-sores-in-the-lungs-and-brain</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Nocardiosis is a rare bacterial infection that attacks the lungs, skin and brain. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:04:30 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ emily.cooke@futurenet.com (Emily Cooke) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Emily Cooke ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/78zzZJx9voCax8JmeaPu7G-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[CDC/ Dr. Lucille Georg via CDC PHIL]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A microscope image of an inflammatory abscess formed as a result of infection with nocardiosis.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A multi-colored microscope image of tissue infected with nocardiosis. The image is mainly pink and purple in color. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A multi-colored microscope image of tissue infected with nocardiosis. The image is mainly pink and purple in color. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Diagnostic dilemma: A man's deadly infection was triggered by a probiotic supplement ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/diagnostic-dilemma-a-mans-deadly-infection-was-triggered-by-a-probiotic-supplement</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A man with a complex medical history ended up with a rare bacterial infection after taking probiotics in the hospital. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:52:23 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CzxZ7WDGNgtzMaidJHrDYH-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[In a rare case, a man contracted a deadly infection due to taking a supplement. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of Clostridium bacteria]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of Clostridium bacteria]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'We will fight for him': Author John Green meets Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient with drug-resistant disease ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/we-will-fight-for-him-author-john-green-meets-henry-reider-a-young-tuberculosis-patient-with-drug-resistant-disease</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ "At the time, I knew almost nothing about TB. To me, it was a disease of history — something that killed depressive 19th-century poets, not present-tense humans." ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:03:20 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ John Green ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JSfY24VcwZ9KJjoLHEfYSC-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[CDC / Dr. George Kubica]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[These dishes contain &lt;em&gt;Mycobacterium tuberculosis&lt;/em&gt;, the bacteria behind tuberculosis (TB). Each outlined area contains a different antibiotic, and you can tell which drugs the bacteria is resistant to based on how well it grows in that section. Drug resistance makes TB much more challenging to treat.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[photo of two circular petri dishes with colonies of mycobacterium tuberculosis growing on them]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[photo of two circular petri dishes with colonies of mycobacterium tuberculosis growing on them]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'We have to fight for a better end': Author John Green on how threats to USAID derail the worldwide effort to end tuberculosis ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/we-have-to-fight-for-a-better-end-author-john-green-on-how-threats-to-usaid-derail-the-worldwide-effort-to-end-tuberculosis</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Live Science spoke with author John Green about his latest book, which explores both the history and current realities of tuberculosis. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:01:31 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oFHLQwNQwM3GQmX9Ga6eV7-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Medical Illustrators: Alissa Eckert; James Archer via CDC / Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[&lt;em&gt;Mycobacterium tuberculosis&lt;/em&gt;, the bacterium behind tuberculosis, can become extremely drug resistant, complicating the treatment of the disease.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[an illustration of the bacteria behind tuberculosis]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[an illustration of the bacteria behind tuberculosis]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Google's AI 'co-scientist' cracked 10-year superbug problem in just 2 days ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/googles-ai-co-scientist-cracked-10-year-superbug-problem-in-just-2-days</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists took 10 years to figure out how one type of superbug gains its ability to infect diverse bacterial species. When prompted, Google's new AI "co-scientist" gave them the answer in two days. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:33:21 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZWRr4RtgeersFoy5GyBy5V-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[THOM LEACH / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s illustration of a virus.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Flaviviridae viruses, illustration. The Flaviviridae virus family is known for causing serious vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, zika, and yellow fever]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Flaviviridae viruses, illustration. The Flaviviridae virus family is known for causing serious vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, zika, and yellow fever]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Gut bacteria imbalance linked to multiple sclerosis ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/gut-bacteria-imbalance-linked-to-multiple-sclerosis</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Levels of two types of bacteria in your gut could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:38:59 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ashutosh Mangalam ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o3zau44ugTEhmZTi4kHEKB-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Brand X Pictures via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Fatty layers of tissue, called myelin sheaths, insulate the wires of neurons, but these sheaths are damaged in multiple sclerosis.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An electron microscope image showing myelin insulating nerve fibers]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An electron microscope image showing myelin insulating nerve fibers]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ If life can exist in your stomach, it can exist on Mars. Here's what it might look like. ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/space/extraterrestrial-life/if-life-can-exist-in-your-stomach-it-can-exist-on-mars-heres-what-it-might-look-like</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ If life exists on other planets, it needs to be adaptable to extreme environments. To get a clue of what it might look like, we can turn to a surprising place: the human gut. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:59:16 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ María Rosa Pino Otín ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C95Yie8FGowGWL6PwuyAvY-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Peddalanka Ramesh Babu via Shutterstock]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[&lt;em&gt;Helicobacter pylori&lt;/em&gt;.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[an illustration of a rod-shaped bacterium with two small tails]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[an illustration of a rod-shaped bacterium with two small tails]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Parasite lurking in woman's brain caused mysterious 'burning' leg sensation ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/parasite-lurking-in-womans-brain-caused-mysterious-burning-leg-sensation</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A woman developed an array of symptoms shortly after returning from a vacation, and parasites turned out to be the culprit. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:18:28 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:19:07 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ pandora.dewan@futurenet.com (Pandora Dewan) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Pandora Dewan ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gCER8ExSzkv62eXKyvtkga-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[CDC]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Rat lungworm can cause a rare form of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord often caused by parasites.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Image of the rat lungworm parasite]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Image of the rat lungworm parasite]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Massive tuberculosis outbreak sickens dozens in Kansas ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/massive-tuberculosis-outbreak-sickens-dozens-in-kansas</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An ongoing tuberculosis outbreak in two Kansas counties has sickened dozens since January 2024. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:38:38 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:55:26 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U4NKFam7Fp2serYvbxDveQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The bacteria behind tuberculosis can be suppressed by the immune system in &quot;latent TB,&quot; but &quot;active TB&quot; can erupt if the immune system falters.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of tuberculosis bacteria]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of tuberculosis bacteria]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Lasers powered by sunlight could beam energy through space to support interplanetary missions ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/technology/engineering/lasers-powered-by-sunlight-could-beam-energy-through-space-to-support-interplanetary-missions</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ New research has found a way to power spacecraft with lasers generated using solar energy alone. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:07:46 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3MaK4YUh5Sf4nfFdPNbd4-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[WLADIMIR BULGAR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Laser experiment in photonics laboratory.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Laser experiment in photonics laboratory.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Laser experiment in photonics laboratory.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How does E. coli get into food? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/how-does-e-coli-get-into-food</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria can infiltrate the food supply through many different routes, experts explain. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:59:16 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Marilyn Perkins ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5iK44kKEMPiWrWRJ6XRsNG-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Manjurul via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Certain foods, such as leafy greens, are at higher risk for &lt;em&gt;E. coli &lt;/em&gt;contamination than others.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a gloved hand holds a petri dish full of bacteria up against a head of lettuce]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a gloved hand holds a petri dish full of bacteria up against a head of lettuce]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Mirror life forms' may sound like science fiction, but scientists warn they could be deadly to humans and destroy the environment ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/microbiology/mirror-life-forms-may-sound-like-science-fiction-but-scientists-warn-they-could-be-deadly-to-humans-and-destroy-the-environment</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Bacteria that are mirror images of existing ones could evade our immune systems, causing serious illness. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 21 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:46:43 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Mark Lorch ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cNr7sUkc4cvhGUkuChjBp-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[NIAID]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[a microscope image of bacteria that has been mirrored]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a microscope image of bacteria that has been mirrored]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a microscope image of bacteria that has been mirrored]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Scientists peered into a secret Antarctic lake hidden beneath the ice — and uncovered a never-before-seen ecosystem ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/antarctica/scientists-peered-beneath-a-frozen-antarctic-lake-and-uncovered-a-never-before-seen-ecosystem</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists investigating the frozen Lake Enigma in Antarctica discovered an ecosystem teeming with strange microbial communities. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:01:20 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:22:23 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MTobDEdrwKhUSX5mNcZF3F-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Image cropped from Fig. 4, Smedlile et al/Communications Earth &amp; Enviornment, 2024, CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Images showing the floor of Lake Enigma at a depth of 30 feet. Lake Enigma sits beneath the ice in Victoria Land, Antarctica.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[underwater image of a lake beneath Antarctica ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[underwater image of a lake beneath Antarctica ]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Bat poop used to grow cannabis kills 2 in New York in unusual cases ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/bat-poop-used-to-grow-cannabis-kills-2-in-new-york-in-unusual-cases</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Two men from Rochester, New York died from a type of pneumonia after being exposed to a harmful fungus living in bat poop used to grow cannabis. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:59:38 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:34:25 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ emily.cooke@futurenet.com (Emily Cooke) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Emily Cooke ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gzB2nJBDwGSyFRQYG56tAj-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[imageBROKER/Franz Christoph Robiller via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Two men in New York state have died after contracting a rare lung infection caused by a type of fungus that lives in soil, bird and bat droppings.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Close-up image of three bats in an attic. Behind them are other bats which are not in focus. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Close-up image of three bats in an attic. Behind them are other bats which are not in focus. ]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Radiation-resistant 'extremophile' microbe dubbed 'Conan the Bacterium' inspires new antioxidant ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/radiation-resistant-extremophile-microbe-dubbed-conan-the-bacterium-inspires-new-antioxidant</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A three-part complex based on the molecules that give "Conan the Bacterium" its radiation resistance may protect humans against damage from ionizing radiation. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:49:36 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Michael Schubert ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DTZyKKDEvMTjwRcXYnqDZG-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[USU/Michael Daly]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Dubbed “Conan the Bacterium,” this microbe can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a human.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a microscope image of a bacterium]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a microscope image of a bacterium]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Medicine needed an alternative': How the 'phage whisperer' aims to replace antibiotics with viruses ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/medicine-needed-an-alternative-how-the-phage-whisperer-aims-to-replace-antibiotics-with-viruses</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ "Both understood phages as medicinal agents, which the rest of the medical field viewed as nonsensical." ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:20:25 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Lina Zeldovich ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q4QFQ5HhyqBzDQwSYYDFPg-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[SCIEPRO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Bacteriophages — &quot;phages,&quot; for short — are viruses that attack bacteria. Some scientists hope to use them to cure bacterial infections.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Illustration of bacteriophage.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Illustration of bacteriophage.]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ What's the difference between a cold and the flu?  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/whats-the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Common colds and the flu differ in many ways, including their causes, some of their symptoms and their treatments. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2024 15:26:18 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:37:11 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ emily.cooke@futurenet.com (Emily Cooke) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Emily Cooke ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kjCtuNWaHUrPz6wAyAZWti-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[LaylaBird via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Cold symptoms are generally much milder and come on more gradually than those of the flu.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A woman is shown sat on a couch. She is blowing her nose with a tissue. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman is shown sat on a couch. She is blowing her nose with a tissue. ]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Diagnostic dilemma: A woman cleaned her fish tank and ended up in the hospital ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/diagnostic-dilemma-a-woman-cleaned-her-fish-tank-and-ended-up-in-the-hospital</link>
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                            <![CDATA[ A bacterial infection that rarely occurs in the United States hit a woman in Maryland after she cleaned her home aquarium. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:29:10 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicoletta Lanese ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JKqbo54iD5eSBpVnnrXx3V-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[mtreasure via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A woman developed a serious infection after cleaning one of her home aquariums.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[photo of a large home fish tank with small striped fish, rocks, red gravel and fake aquatic plants]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[photo of a large home fish tank with small striped fish, rocks, red gravel and fake aquatic plants]]></media:title>
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                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Do any infectious diseases have a 100% fatality rate?  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/do-any-infectious-diseases-have-a-100-percent-fatality-rate</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have made great strides to prevent deaths from fatal diseases, but the cures for some of them still elude us. ]]>
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                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:28:03 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bacterial &amp; Fungal Infections]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Viruses, Infections &amp; Disease]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Katherine Irving ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3fNpN9uE5jRgosLw6J8rec-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Which infectious diseases kill most of the people they infect?]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A petri dish with colorful blobs of microorganism growth on it]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A petri dish with colorful blobs of microorganism growth on it]]></media:title>
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