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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.On August 30, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the current bed bug outbreak in the US and the myriad of scientific unknowns that surround them, including the fact that bed bugs have feasted on AIDS blood and killed the virus.
"South African researchers have fed them blood with the AIDS virus, but the virus died."
The blog Gawker added this "confirm[s] the insects are practically indestructible. Why can't we reverse bio-engineer that process and cure AIDS?"
Perhaps something good could come from the bed bug resurgence.
Apparently researchers have also "shown that [bed] bugs can retain hepatitis B virus for weeks, but when they bite chimpanzees, the infection does not take."
In the meantime, if think you could have bed bugs, here are some tips to make sure: http://www.bedbugsguide.com/identifying-bed-bugs.htm
And, the best ways to rid you and all of your possessions from these biting pests: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm
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