Bacteria Provides Breakthroughs in Genome Modification Field

Medicine & Technology Mar 26, 2015

Two New Breakthroughs In the Field of Genome Modification

Leprosy Rears its Ancient Head with New Cases in Florida

Mar 02, 2015

Health authorities in Florida have reported that three new cases of leprosy have been discovered in Volusia County over the past five months. Physicians believe that two of the patients may have been infected by the disease from the local nine-banded armadillo, which were reported to be the main carriers of the bacteria in the United States.

Researchers Reveal That Killer ‘Bourbon Virus’ is Of the Rare Thogotovirus Genus

Feb 22, 2015

Forget Ebola, Americans may have an even more viral threat, mutating close to home. Months ago we reported on the death of a Kansas man who had been bitten by ticks and died from complications with what appeared to be a virus—what researchers called the “Bourbon Virus”. Now, health officials say that the virus is not anything like which they have ever seen, and as a member of an entirely novel genus of viruses, it may pose significant health risks throughout the United States.

When It Comes to Pandemics and Outbreaks, Could Climate Change Be to Blame?

Feb 19, 2015

While many factors play into the development of a viral or bacterial outbreak, including herd immunity and preexisting healthcare practices, current outbreaks of the Ebola virus and the measles have many wondering exactly what’s causing the reemergence of such lethal diseases. Well, the obvious answers of vaccinations and poor sanitation conditions are readily available, but many may not consider an even more significant culprit—climate change.

When It Comes to Pandemics and Outbreaks, Could Climate Change Be to Blame?

Feb 18, 2015

While many factors play into the development of a viral or bacterial outbreak, including herd immunity and preexisting healthcare practices, current outbreaks of the Ebola virus and the measles have many wondering exactly what’s causing the reemergence of such lethal diseases. Well, the obvious answers of vaccinations and poor sanitation conditions are readily available, but many may not consider an even more significant culprit—climate change.

Could New HIV Strain Cross the Atlantic? Fears of the Spread of Aggressive HIV from Cuba

Feb 15, 2015

Though advances in HIV research and treatment have come to find ways of mitigating the virus, the disease continues to affects millions worldwide. And when the virus moves quickly, so does fear. In light of the discovery of a new strain of HIV, many are left wondering—could you too be at risk for contracting the disease?

Sitting Kills, Even if You Exercise

Jan 21, 2015

One of the best things you do after a hard day's work or after exercising may actually be killing you. A new study running in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that sitting for extended periods of time increases your chances of a premature death, even with exercise.

2014 Was a Busy Year for Disease Control

Jan 01, 2015

2014 proved to be a busy year for disease control experts around the world, as many viruses began to rear their heads like never before. Ebola, measles, mumps, and whooping cough, among others, have seen record outbreaks as health officials work to stay ahead of the potentially deadly diseases.

Early Man and the Issue of Weak Bones: How Sedentary Lifestyle Led to Now

Dec 25, 2014

The age of agriculture brought stable food supply to the human population―but it also brought weak bones.

Tick-Bourne ‘Bourbon Virus’ Wreaks Havoc on Kansas

Dec 23, 2014

While these little arachnids are not much to look at, ticks are the carriers of a myriad of diseases, which makes them of great importance to researchers. History has shown that they can cause sepsis, this past summer researchers discovered that the Lone Star tick can create a severe allergy to red meats, and now health officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a new tick-borne virus can even cause multiple organ failure.

Could Binge Drinking Lead To A Solution for Alcoholism? CDC Thinks So

Nov 21, 2014

For those Americans who have spent some time in the south of France, or gazing at the crystal azure waters at Mediterranean shores, they know that European nations are far more into vineyards and nights out on the town than any metropolis this side of the Atlantic. But while wine and aperitivos may run free in every European meal, the U.S. on the contrary is a place of sugary sweets, where binge drinking on a holiday weekend is far more common than a daily glass of sangria. And while binge drinking in the long run is far more detrimental to one’s health, researchers now say that excess drinking and rates of alcoholism may be curbed by a new set of taxes.

Brace Yourselves for Alzheimer's Boom by 2050

Nov 14, 2014

Brace yourselves for Alzheimer's incidence and expenses boom. Alzheimer's cases are expected to double by 2050.

Colon Cancer Rates Increasing in Young Adults, According to Study

Nov 06, 2014

Number of younger adults with colon cancer is increasing and this could be attributed to lifestyle and genetic factors.

Another Silent Killer Slowly Crawls and 'Kisses' in the U.S.

Nov 05, 2014

Another silent killer disease slowly creeping in the U.S., study says.

WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola Free—Here’s How They Did It

Oct 22, 2014

Taking not only developing nations, but the world by surprise, the recent Ebola virus outbreak seen in West Africa is one of unprecedented proportions and terrifying outcomes. Far greater than 20 times worse than previously documented outbreaks in human victims, the current epidemic has made headlines for months as researchers search for a cure and health officials search for a way to stop it from spreading. And while many nations in West Africa are falling farther and farther into a state of disease, the World Health Organization declared that the country of Nigeria has successfully rid itself of the viral pathogen.