As farmers used more pesticides on their crops, the infant mortality rate rose by nearly eight percent, adding up to an additional 1,334 baby deaths.
For every one percent increase in pesticide use, there was a 0.25 percent increase in the infant mortality rate.
Dr. Eyal Frank stated, 'Bats do add value to society in their role as natural pesticides, and this study shows that their decline can be harmful to humans.'
The decline of bats led to a 30 percent increase in synthetic pesticide use, which has been linked to increased risk of birth defects and fetal death.
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