Ever wondered what role tiny bacteria in breast milk play in a baby's health? Scientists are now finding that the microbiome, or the collection of microorganisms, in human milk could influence whether a child develops allergies in early childhood. This might sound a bit surprising, but let's break i
Ticks, tiny bugs that spread diseases, depend a lot on their environment. Scientists have been wondering how habitats being split up or connected could affect these critters. They focused on the West Coast, where a certain tick, Ixodes pacificus , is quite common. This tick carries several bacter
Citrus melanose, a group of plant diseases caused by fungi in the Diaporthe genus, is a major issue for citrus growers. Over 30 species of Diaporthe affect citrus, ranging from harmless to highly damaging. One of the most troublesome is Diaporthe citri, which causes black spots and sand-like symptom
Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended that adults aged 50 and above should get a shot to protect against pneumococcal disease? This decision was made by a scientific panel and then approved by the CDC. This disease is caused by a type of bact
Did you know that a single image can reveal secrets about diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS? That's exactly what happened at Nikon's 2024 photomicrography contest. The winner was an image of brain tumor cells from a mouse, snapped by Bruno Cisterna and Eric Vitriol from Augusta University in Georgia
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released some concerning news. The vaccination rates for kindergartners in the US have dropped again. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 92% of kids got their routine shots—a decrease from 93% last year and 95% in 2019-2020. The drop is m
Hurricane Milton hit Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm, leaving behind devastation and a warning from health officials about floodwater infections. But that's not all. Scientists are worried about what might come next: a surge in mosquitoes. Imelda Moise, a geography prof
In a surprising turn of events, former presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has teamed up with ex-President Donald Trump to address the rising tide of childhood diseases. This unusual alliance was forged in response to growing worries about the public health system's struggles to manage condit
As humans, we often crave the comfort and companionship of our feline friends. But is it really a good idea to invite them into our beds? While sharing your bed with your cat might seem like the ultimate sign of affection, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons. Dr. Calico Schmidt, a veterinarian a
When we think about the COVID-19 pandemic, our minds often wander to the daily struggles and sacrifices we've all made to stay safe. But have we forgotten about the most vulnerable among us? The elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with pre-existing health conditions are still at a high risk of
