Gut bacteria's key role in immunity is tuned to the host species
A new study suggests that the superabundant microbes lining our digestive tract are ultimately our evolutionary partners, shedding light on the hygiene hypothesis. According to this idea, living in increasingly hyper-hygienic environments might contribute to recent spikes in childhood allergies, as these beneficial host-specific microbes are hindered by the plethora of antibacterial home products and cleaning chemicals. Learn more by reading this news story.