diseases
A New Study Helps Untangle the Role of Tau in Dementia
Understanding the protein’s role in the cell shows what's happening in neurodegenerative diseases before symptoms emerge.
Bird Flu Is Back in the US. No One Knows What Comes Next
The fast-moving pathogen, which has already invaded Europe, was found in East Coast ducks. The last outbreak that tore through the US killed 50 million birds.
Covid Will Become Endemic. The World Must Decide What That Means
The task of 2022 will be figuring out how much action we’re willing to take and how much disease and death we’ll tolerate.
Antibodies Are Being Created to Fight Disease in New Ways
Targeting cancers and viruses, better knowledge of the human immune system is leading to new medicines.
Got Jet Lag? Consider Hacking Your Circadian Rhythm
Manipulating the master clock could help astronauts, pilots, shift workers, and even holiday travelers. The solution is simpler than you think.
This Startup Is Making—and Programming—Human Cells
Creating bespoke cells could transform testing and help develop new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
4 Dead Infants, a Convicted Mother, and a Genetic Mystery
Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of killing her babies. One scientist suspected the real culprit was mutant DNA—and went on a tireless quest to prove it.
Some Cancer Studies Fail to Replicate. That Might Be OK
A years-long effort to validate key cancer biology hit roadblocks and found problems. But maybe this will incentivize scientists to share data.
The UK Government Wants to Sequence Your Baby’s Genome
Genomics England plans to test a program that will offer whole genome sequencing to newborns—opening a Pandora’s box of ethical concerns.
To Help People With Long Covid, Scientists Need to Define It
Patients with the perplexing syndrome have reported 200 different symptoms. Researchers will have to decide which to study—and rule out.
Researchers Want to Restore ‘Good Noise’ in Older Brains
Aging people lose variation in brain oxygen levels—a sign of declining cognitive flexibility. A new drug study probes whether that loss can be reversed.
The Gut Microbiome’s Role in Autism Gets Murkier
As scientists look for a link between digestive-tract microbes and autism, some questionable treatments have surfaced. A new study says they’ve got it all backwards.
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A New Dementia Test Raises More Questions Than Answers
A 5-minute assessment on an iPad could transform how we screen for dementia—or overwhelm the health care system with worried test-takers.
The Malaria Vaccine Is a Big Deal, but Not a Silver Bullet
RTS,S proves that shots can work against parasites. But to eradicate this disease, scientists say we need more than just one tool.
The Llama, the Hamster, and a New Path for Covid Treatment
A set of papers shows that llama-derived antibodies protect the rodent against the virus—which bodes well for making a version for people.
Oregon Is Burning Trees in Order to Save Them
Sudden oak death, rampant in California, is spreading to the north, leaving the Forest Service with a tough option: Send them up in smoke.
Valley Fever Is Spreading Through a Hotter, Drier Western US
Researchers haven’t pinned down exactly what’s behind the rise of the deadly fungal disease. But one thing is nearly certain: Climate change plays a role.
Why Does Asthma Get Worse at Night?
The question has plagued scientists for centuries. A new study offers some answers.
Floods Have Swamped the US. The Next Health Problem: Mold
The goo that grows in soaked buildings can cause infections and allergies—an issue that’s understudied even as climate change leads to more frequent deluges.
Why It’s So Hard to Predict Where the Pandemic Is Headed Next
Human behavior has changed along with the virus and public health measures to contain it. For modelers, it’s a curveball.
A Flawed, Strange Covid-19 Origin Theory Is Gaining Traction
A spate of studies claim that the disease was circulating in Italy long before the pandemic—but they struggle to support the theory.
The Poop About Your Gut Health and Personalized Nutrition
Researchers are coming around to the idea that there isn't a one-size-fits-all diet. Some companies are going further to find out what fits you, specifically.
This AI Helps Detect Wildlife Health Issues in Real Time
A system that scans animal rehabilitation center data could provide early alerts when a disease is spreading.
Without Code for DeepMind’s Protein AI, One Lab Wrote Its Own
The Google subsidiary solved a fundamental problem in biology but didn’t promptly share its solution. So a University of Washington team tried to re-create it.