Frequent-Flier Microbes Ride Hurricanes and Live in Clouds

On August 17, 2010, Terry Lathem flew through a hurricane to pick up some bacteria. He had a huge smile on his face. “It was the longest, most thrilling seven hour flight of my life,” he says. “Each passing hour provided new bursts of adrenaline as the storm intensified, lightning flashed in the distance, and heavy rain streamed across the windows.”

A month later, he was at it again.

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