INFECTIONS

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

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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

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Jan 12 2026HEALTH

Bacteria Hiding in the Bladder: A New Clue to Chronic UTIs

Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a big problem for many women and girls. These infections keep coming back, even after treatment. Now, scientists think they might have found a reason why. It seems that some bacteria can hide deep inside the bladder wall. This makes them hard to detect and

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Jan 08 2026HEALTH

Breathing Trouble: How Energy Poverty Hits Kids' Health Hard

Energy poverty is a big deal. It's not just about having lights at night. It's about health, the environment, and making sure everyone has a fair shot at a good life. For kids under five in some of the world's poorest countries, it's a serious problem. They're breathing in dirty air from cooking fir

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Jan 04 2026HEALTH

How ECMO Can Help Fight Tropical Infections in Developing Countries

Tropical infections are a big problem worldwide, causing many people to get very sick or even die. In rich countries, a treatment called ECMO is often used to help people with serious heart and lung problems caused by infections. ECMO is like a machine that does the work of the heart and lungs, givi

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Dec 16 2025SCIENCE

A New Weapon in the Fight Against Superbugs

Bacteria are sneaky. They find ways to survive even when we throw powerful medicines at them. One of the trickiest is Staphylococcus aureus, especially the kind that doesn't respond to many drugs, like MRSA. Scientists have been working hard to find new ways to beat these tough bacteria. They creat

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Dec 14 2025HEALTH

Tiny Warriors in the Fight Against Candida Auris

In the realm of medical science, a new hero has emerged in the battle against a formidable foe: Candida auris. This tiny yeast, a relative of common candida infections, has been causing quite a stir in hospitals worldwide. It's stubborn, resistant to many treatments, and can be deadly. But fear not,

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Dec 05 2025HEALTH

Mid-Missouri's Unexpectedly Calm Flu Season: What's Making Kids Sick Instead?

Mid-Missouri is experiencing something unusual this year. As the weather gets colder, people usually expect more flu cases. But that's not happening right now. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported only 348 flu cases across the state from November 16-22. That's considered lo

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Dec 02 2025HEALTH

How Often Should We Change Medical Tubes?

Medical tubes are a big deal in hospitals. They help give medicine and take blood. But, they can also cause infections. This is a big problem. It can make people stay in the hospital longer. It can even be life-threatening. A study looked at how often these tubes should be changed. The usual rule i

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Nov 24 2025HEALTH

Cheese Lovers, Beware: E. Coli Risk in Raw Milk Products

In a move to protect public health, Twin Sisters Creamery has pulled four types of raw milk cheese from shelves. The recall affects Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheeses, all made with unpasteurized milk. This action follows the discovery of harmful E. coli bacteria in some s

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