It can carry Lyme disease, a bacterial infection which can attack the skin, heart and nervous system.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Itching to get at you

It came up with tests, to be used primarily in hospital emergency rooms, that determine within 15 minutes if a patient has had a heart attack, has congestive heart failure, bacterial or parasitic infection, or has used illicit drugs.

FORBES: Investment Guide

The winner, however, was Steve Meretzky, developer of Zoo Tycoon, whose concept game Bac Attack pits players armed with light and radiation against a bacterial colony in a petri dish -- when the player is inevitably overwhelmed by the bacteria, Steve suggests calling the government to arrange a sale.

ENGADGET: Interspecies gaming hits GDC