How old is gum

They detected bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis, a germ that can cause gum disease, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is linked to pneumonia.

The gum wad also included genetic traces of the Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to cause mononucleosis, or mono. The bacteria's presence doesn't necessarily mean Lola was sick, though, since the germs can be present in a person without causing illnesses.

The discovery could, however, help scientists better understand how germs change over thousands of years and how they could further evolve in the future.

For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

It often indicates a user profile. Log out. US Markets Loading H M S In the news. Aylin Woodward. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city.

Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help.

Environment COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia.

Science Coronavirus Coverage What families can do now that kids are getting the vaccine. Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption. Science Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. Science The controversial sale of 'Big John,' the world's largest Triceratops.

Science Coronavirus Coverage How antivirals may change the course of the pandemic. Travel A road trip in Burgundy reveals far more than fine wine. Married women and widows could chew it privately to freshen their breath, while men could chew it in secret to clean their teeth.

In North America, indigenous people chewed spruce tree resin, a practice that continued with the European settlers who followed. In the late s, John Curtis developed the first commercial spruce tree gum by boiling resin, then cutting it into strips that were coated in cornstarch to prevent them from sticking together.

Santa Anna wanted assistance developing chicle into a substitute for rubber, and believed the riches he stood to earn would enable him to return to power in his homeland. Adams began experimenting with chicle, but when his work failed to yield the desired results, Santa Anna abandoned the project. Adams eventually realized that rather than trying to create a rubber alternative, he could use chicle to produce a better type of chewing gum.

He formed a company that by the late s, according to Mathews, was making gum sold across the country. Chicle, imported to the United States from Mexico and Central America, served as the main ingredient in chewing gum until most manufacturers replaced it with synthetic ingredients by the mid s. In the 20th century, chewing gum made William Wrigley Jr. Wrigley started out as a soap salesman in his native Philadelphia.