# Scientists discover a surprising link between acorns and lyme disease

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2 outlets covering · First listed: ScienceDaily, Nov 9, 2026, 4:59 AM · Read it: <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/11/261106174518.htm>

After more than 35 years of research, scientists have uncovered surprising clues about what really drives Lyme disease risk. Contrary to longstanding assumptions, deer populations appear less important than mice, which can fuel a 40% increase in tick numbers the following year. Even acorn production can predict tick population surges two years in advance, while extreme temperatures may be far less deadly to ticks than scientists once believed.

## Who's covering it

In the order they published:

- Nov 9, 2026, 4:59 AM: [Scientists discover a surprising link between acorns and lyme disease](<https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/11/261106174518.htm>) — ScienceDaily (Science news, United States)
  After more than 35 years of research, scientists have uncovered surprising clues about what really drives Lyme disease risk. Contrary to longstanding assumptions, deer populations appear less important than mice, which can fuel a 40% increase in tick numbers the following year. Even acorn production can predict tick population surges two years in advance, while extreme temperatures may be far less deadly to ticks than scientists once believed.
- Nov 10, 2026, 3:13 PM: [Scientists Found an Unusual Way to Predict Lyme Disease Risk: Count the Acorns](<https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-found-an-unusual-way-to-predict-lyme-disease-risk-count-the-acorns/>) — ZME Science (Science news)