Many of the bacteria in question are genuinely mutualistic with their hosts, helping the process of digestion or warding off pathogenic bugs.

ECONOMIST: Inhuman genomes

Study leader Dr Alan Dangour said claims about the benefits of oily fish in warding off dementia in older people seemed to have been oversold.

BBC: Oily fish dementia boosts queried

In addition to warding off droves of camera-clad onlookers at otherwise highly personal events, this type of arrangement guarantees both an image the stars approve of and a sum of money they pocket or, in many cases, donate to charity.

FORBES: Magazine Article

He said the fit of the seat was critical for warding off problems, but padded shorts could help.

BBC: Mountain biking 'causes scrotum damage'

Managing our expectations is a double-edged sword: we need one side for opening ourselves to expansion, and the other, for warding off the expectations of others.

FORBES: Why Your Unhappy Personal Life Is Good For Your Career

If warding off the missile threat were only a matter of building shields and hunkering down under them, the problem might seem a fairly simple one.

ECONOMIST: An American shield for Asia?