Category: Uncategorized
Eight things you need to know about the new “Nimbus” and “Stratus” COVID-19 variants
Gavi The NB.1.8.1 and XFG sub-variants are rapidly spreading and competing for global dominance. COVID-19 may have faded from news headlines, but it hasn’t gone away – or stopped evolving. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently lists six ‘variants under monitoring’ — meaning they may require prioritised attention and tracking by health authorities due to their increased […]
Jun 17, 2025
Many Older People Embrace Vaccines. Research Is Proving Them Right.
NYT Newer formulations are even more effective at preventing illnesses that commonly afflict seniors — perhaps even dementia.Kim Beckham, an insurance agent in Victoria, Texas, had seen friends suffer so badly from shingles that she wanted to receive the first approved shingles vaccine as soon as it became available, even if she had to pay […]
Jun 17, 2025
New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Spreads in the U.S., Foreshadowing a Likely Summer Surge
Discover A new COVID variant known as NB.1.8.1 is on the rise in the U.S. and beyond, landing on the radar of health officials. The variant, first identified in January 2025, is now being closely monitored, with cases already popping up across several states. A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory […]
Jun 10, 2025
Long COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in Children
Neuroscience News A new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health screening tools, researchers found that 1 in 4 children had new anxiety symptoms and 1 in 7 had new depressive symptoms, despite no prior […]
May 28, 2025
Diagnostic dilemma: A man ended up in the ER after drinking 6 gallons of milk in 2 days
Live Science A man experiencing excessive thirst drank lots of milk, with dangerous consequences. The patient: A 54-year-old man in Rotterdam, Netherlands The symptoms: The patient visited the emergency room after experiencing shortness of breath, as well as excessive sweating, urination and thirst, for eight days. His abdomen was swollen and distended. What happened next: Two days before […]
Feb 5, 2025
Scientists Discover First Henipavirus in North America, Raising Pandemic Fears
SciTech Daily Scientists have identified the Camp Hill virus, a henipavirus, in shrews in Alabama, marking its first detection in North America. Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered the first henipavirus detected in North America. Dr. Rhys Parry from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences confirmed the presence of Camp Hill virus in shrews in […]
Feb 4, 2025
Groundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial launches today in Uganda
WHO In a global first, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners today launched a first-ever clinical efficacy trial for a vaccine from Ebola from the Sudan species of the virus, and at an unprecedented speed for a randomized vaccine trial, in an emergency. This is the first trial to […]
Feb 4, 2025
Cats May Have Gotten Bird Flu From Raw Pet Food. Here’s What to Know.
NYT The cases have spurred new pet food safety rules and poultry surveillance efforts. Federal officials who spent the last year grappling with a surge of bird flu infections in cows and people are now confronting a spate of new cases in cats, some of which have died after eating contaminated, uncooked pet food. Continue […]
Jan 28, 2025
DR Congo mystery illness: What we know
DW An undiagnosed ‘Disease X’ is spreading in a remote region of DR Congo. Can it be treated? It is almost impossible to treat an illness like the Disease X that’s spreading in DR Congo — medics don’t even know whether it is a viral or bacterial infection. So far, the DRC has recorded 406 cases of the undiagnosed disease. […]
Dec 11, 2024
How worried should we be about Disease X?
NPR They’re calling it Disease X. It’s a mysterious illness circulating in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Current figures: over 400 cases, including 31 deaths. International health authorities are monitoring. It all started on October 24 when the first patient fell ill with an unidentified sickness. Others soon followed, all in […]
Dec 10, 2024