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Thanks to researchers, face mites are getting an image makeover

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

OK, so if you're squeamish about bugs, which I am, a little heads-up - we're going to be talking about microscopic bugs that live on your face.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Yep. They feed off the oil on your skin. Here's Alejandro Manzano Marin of the University of Vienna.

ALEJANDRO MANZANO MARIN: They have tiny, tiny legs, but they can run really fast because when it gets dark, they need to go from pore to pore so they will be able to mate.

FADEL: They may sound like parasites, but Marin says think again.

MARIN: We've looked at this animal, which is not really a parasite that lives in us, but rather probably something that is giving us a benefit.

MARTÍNEZ: The relationship between a human and a microscopic face bug might be evolving, becoming a little more symbiotic.

MARIN: They might be giving us this ability to probably keep our pores unclogged from other things that might land in there.

FADEL: So there you go. Consider face mites a part of your skin care routine. You've got your exfoliant, your simple cleanser, your moisturizer and now your face mites? Ew. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

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Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.