INFECTION

Mar 30 2026SCIENCE

Microbes and bugs: How gut bacteria change infection risks in fruit flies

When tiny fruit flies eat, their gut bacteria might help decide whether they survive an infection or not. Scientists studied four types of these flies by messing with their tiny gut communities. First they weakened the bacteria living inside some of the flies. Then they exposed all the flies to harm

reading time less than a minute
Mar 18 2026SCIENCE

Malaria Makes Worms More Productive

In tropical regions, millions of people carry intestinal worms that can linger for years and cause serious health problems. When these worm infections overlap with malaria, the outcome is not simply additive; one disease can change how the other behaves inside the host. Researchers used mice to stu

reading time less than a minute
Mar 13 2026HEALTH

Women in Zambia: How a Worm Disease May Raise Cervical Cancer Risk

In Zambia, many women face two health threats that can work together. One is a parasite called Schistosoma haematobium, which lays eggs in the body and can end up in the female reproductive organs. The other is human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can cause cervical cancer if it stays in

reading time less than a minute
Feb 11 2026HEALTH

Lessons From a Rural Hospital’s First COVID‑19 Surge

A few months after the first wave hit a small Tasmanian hospital, 252 staff members answered questions about how things went. Their stories point to five key ideas that future plans should keep in mind. First, people felt lost because the rules changed so fast and no one had all the answers. Good

reading time less than a minute
Feb 08 2026HEALTH

Giardia in Hospital Patients: What the Numbers Tell Us

The study looked at 312 patients in Western Romania, from newborns to the elderly, to see how common Giardia infection was and what might put people at risk. Using a quick test on stool samples, researchers found that about 5 % of the patients were infected. When they examined possible causes—

reading time less than a minute
Jan 27 2026HEALTH

Breathing Smoke: The Hidden Toll on Our Lungs

Secondhand smoke is a sneaky troublemaker. It's been causing harm to people's lungs for years, and it's not going away anytime soon. From 1990 to 2021, the number of people getting sick from breathing in secondhand smoke has been tracked. The findings show a troubling trend. Even with efforts to red

reading time less than a minute
Jan 23 2026HEALTH

Dengue and the Elderly: A Growing Health Puzzle

Dengue fever is becoming a bigger problem worldwide, especially for older folks. The number of people getting sick from it has been going up, and more of them are over 65. This age group faces tougher challenges when dealing with the disease. Their immune systems aren't as strong, and they often hav

reading time less than a minute
Jan 21 2026HEALTH

Uncovering Hidden Germs: How Gut Surgery Can Lead to Infections

In the world of medicine, understanding the tiny world of germs can make a big difference. A recent study took a close look at the germs found in the belly area during bowel surgery. The goal? To figure out how these germs might cause infections after surgery. First, let's talk about the belly area

reading time less than a minute
Jan 12 2026HEALTH

Unseen Antibiotics: A Hidden Factor in Maternal and Newborn Health

In a surprising twist, a recent study uncovered a hidden factor influencing maternal and newborn health. The A-PLUS trial, which initially focused on the benefits of azithromycin, revealed something unexpected. Many women were using antibiotics outside the study. This secondary analysis aimed to und

reading time less than a minute
Jan 12 2026HEALTH

Boosting Healthcare's Fight Against Infections: A Smart Tech Plan

Healthcare is always looking for ways to get better. One big challenge is fighting infections. A recent project is trying to make this easier. It's all about using smart technology to help hospitals and clinics respond faster and smarter to infections. The plan is to create tools that can be used i

reading time less than a minute