# 177: Science Highlights Daily | 2019-02-06

This is a curated articles about the latest discoveries in science and interesting articles tackling technology and society.

DNA-eating bacteria lurk beneath the Atlantic Ocean floor: Colin Barras

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The mud beneath the seafloor contains few nutrients but relatively large quantities of old DNA – and some microbes eat it

Australia has been home to hopping kangaroos for 20 million years: Sam Wong

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It was thought that kangaroos evolved to hop when Australia’s climate dried out, but it now seems their relatives were hopping much earlier

Material made from citrus fruit peel could help clean up oil spills: Chelsea Whyte

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Pomelo peels have been ground down and turned into an aerogel – one of the lightest materials in the world – that could be used to clean up oil spills

The ancestor of all creatures on Earth lived a lukewarm lifestyle: Michael Marshall

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We thought that the Last Universal Common Ancestor of all living things was adapted to live in scorching heat, but a new study suggests it was missing a key gene

Scientists studied a ‘haunted house’ to understand why we love horror: Chelsea Whyte

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To understand why many of us enjoy being scared, a team of scientists studied the people visiting a haunted house set in a dilapidated factory

Mouse toes partially regrown after amputation thanks to two proteins: Yvaine Ye

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Two proteins could help regenerate limbs. When applied to amputated toes, the proteins encouraged both bone and joint growth in mice

Deep-sea mining could wreck the last unexplored ecosystem on Earth: Olive Heffernan

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As mining firms begin tests to pick up metal ores from the Pacific seabed, we need rules to protect this unusual ecosystem, says Olive Heffernan

Gum disease and Alzheimer’s: Your questions answered: Debora MacKenzie

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People are questioning a landmark study suggesting that a bacterium involved in gum disease may also cause Alzheimer's. Here's what you need to know about the study

So long, veganuary: Here’s how to consume consciously year round: P. K. Newby

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Cutting out meat and dairy products is a great way to save the world from your dinner plate, but there are many more, says P. K. Newby

We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s – and how to stop it: Debora MacKenzie

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Evidence is growing that a bacteria involved in gum disease causes Alzheimer's, raising hopes over new kinds of treatments that are currently undergoing testing