The plague, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, has struck humanity three times in history. It's surprising that some strains, like biovar microtus, don't affect humans as much. This bacteria has a clever trick up its sleeve. It can survive and grow inside the immune cells of warm-blooded animal
In the grand scheme of things, bacteria are tough. They can survive in places that would make most other organisms cringe. One such place is an old mine heap in Tarnowskie Góry, Poland. This isn't your average backyard. It's an extreme environment, and it's here that scientists found two new types o
When someone has a sudden ischemic stroke, doctors have to act fast. Two main drugs are used to break up the blood clots that cause these strokes: alteplase (tPA) and tenecteplase (TNK). For a long time, tPA was the preferred choice. But new guidelines from the American Heart Association suggest tha
Steve Bannon, a controversial conservative figure, faced a courtroom turn recently. In 2022, he was hit with serious charges. The core reason? A borderline shady online fundraising effort called “We Build the Wall”. What? The campaign, with a devious twist, promised donations wouldn't pay one of th
MAC-PD (Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease) is a big challenge for doctors and patients alike. The usual treatments don't always work well, and they can cause nasty side effects. This makes it hard for patients to finish their treatment as planned. When someone shows up with long
Did you know that some tiny molecules can change color and glow when they are together in water? Scientists have found a new way to make these molecules do this trick by adding a special ring to them. This makes the molecules change color in different liquids and even glow brighter when they are gro
First off, there's a huge need for good early intervention services for kids with autism and their families. One big part of making these services work is teaching parents and caregivers how to help their kids grow and learn. But here's a catch: in many public programs, these helpful strategies don'
There's a sneaky skin issue lurking in warm climates. It's called cutaneuous larva migrants. It's caused by a type of worm (hookworm) that lives in the soil. When folks walk barefoot or hang out in sandy places, these tiny worms can burrow into human skin. This creepy infection is more common in tro
γδ T cells are a type of immune cell that plays a crucial role in early tuberculosis (TB) defense. TB, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is a significant global health issue. For many years, scientists have focused on Th1-type immunity as a key factor in fighting Mtb. However
A virus called Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) is making life tough for cows and buffaloes in the hilly regions of India. Imagine a virus that is not only super infectious but also deadly and can travel across borders. This is exactly what LSDV is. It is part of a bigger family called Poxvi
