Evolution of the appendix: A biological 'remnant' no more

The lowly appendix, long-regarded as a useless evolutionary artefact, won newfound respect two years ago when researchers at Duke University Medical Centre proposed that it actually serves a critical function. The appendix, they said, is a safe haven where good bacteria could hang out until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhoea, for example...

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