Researchers from Michigan State University and five other schools want to determine why Lyme disease is more common in some areas invaded by ticks than others.
The four-year, $2.5 million study funded by The National Science Foundation is being led by fisheries and wildlife assistant professor Jean Tsao (SOW), at the East Lansing school.
Tsao says she will analyze factors making Lyme disease more likely to be carried by ticks in northern states than those in the south. She says one goal of the study is to help health professionals manage the disease better.
Also participating are researchers from the universities of Tennessee , Rhode Island and Montreal; as well as Hofstra and Georgia Southern universities.