DISEASE

Scientists Say They've Identified a Gene Linked to Anorexia

This gene may give scientists a new tool to understand the eating disorder—and steps toward potential new treatment.

Scientists Reverse Paralysis in Mice After a Single Treatment

First they began to walk, then could stand on their hind limbs, and eventually they regained full function of all limbs.

Researchers Make Progress on a Pill to Stop Type 2 Diabetes

The drug reversed the symptoms of type 2 diabetes in obese mice.

Portrait of Gerard de Lairesse by Rembrandt van Rijn. De Lairesse, a painter and art theorist, had congenital syphilis that deformed his face and eventually blinded him.

Map Shows How Everyone Blamed Syphilis on Everyone Else

The origins of syphilis may be one of the greatest (and grossest) health mysteries of our time. What we do know is that, throughout history, people were quick to point fingers at each other.

2017 Might be a Bad Year for Lyme Disease

Warmer temperatures have led to an increase in the tick population. Here's how to avoid them.

New Study Finds No Link Between Childhood Cat Ownership and Psychosis

Contrary to prior reports, the new study found that living with a cat before birth or in childhood did not increase adolescents’ risk of experiencing psychotic episodes.

Scientists Make Progress Toward a Safe, Effective Zika Vaccine

Their findings were published today in the journal Nature.

Luo Gu, James Weaver, and David J Mooney. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University // CC BY-NC 2.0

Scientists Convert Human Skin Cells Into Cancer Killers

They turned the cells into drug carriers that tracked and attacked brain tumors.

New Technology "Reads" the Thoughts of ALS Patients

Researchers were able to communicate with ALS patients suffering from complete locked-in syndrome.

Researchers Can Now Make Mosquitos Dengue Resistant

Mosquitos can be genetically engineered to make them less susceptible to the deadly virus, making them less likely to infect humans.

Can Mental Disorders Predict Physical Illnesses?

"The most substantial associations with physical diseases preceding mental disorders included those between heart diseases and anxiety disorders, epilepsy and eating disorders, and heart diseases and any mental disorder."

Could Living Near a Highway Increase Your Risk of Dementia?

According to a Canadian study, living near a busy roadway could increase your chances of developing dementia.

Yym1997 via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

Pollution Can Give You High Blood Pressure

Prolonged exposure to dirty air can lead to an increased risk of hypertension.

We're So Close to Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease—But There's Been a Setback

Thirty years ago, there were 3.5 million Guinea worm infections per year. In 2016, there have been 19.

Masum Ibn Musa via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

The Devious Strategy of the Mind-Controlling Cat-Poop Parasite

Scientists say Toxoplasma gondii can hack into and rewire a host’s immune system to suit its own purposes.

This Visual Prosthetic Helps the Blind See Again

New visual prostheses can help people with progressive retinal degeneration restore visual signals to their brain.

Vladimir Fedorenko via Wikimedia Commons // CC-BY-SA 3.0

How TB Grew Stronger and Spread Wider with the Collapse of the USSR

A new study suggests that the breakup and subsequent turmoil allowed one TB strain to spread and evolve.

An Antioxidant Found in Wine May Help Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Resveratrol, a humble antioxidant found in grapes, nuts, and berries, can significantly reduce the hormones that create hormone imbalances in women with PCOS, and improve insulin sensitivity.

Did We Miss a Quarter of the Ebola Infections?

A new paper lends further support to the idea that a significant number of individuals can become infected with Ebola but not show symptoms.

Good News: Low-Cost Mosquito Nets Continue to Prevent Malaria

A report from the World Health Organization finds that treated bed nets stop malaria transmission even among pesticide-resistant mosquitoes.

This Star-Shaped Pill Could Revolutionize the Way We Take Medicine

The pill is capsule-shaped when swallowed, then expands in the stomach to deliver an entire course of treatment over several weeks.

Ray eye via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Red Squirrels in England Found With Medieval Strain of Leprosy

The strain was last recorded in the UK in 1798.

Imperial College London / DNA Electronics

Engineers Create Disposable USB HIV Test

The inexpensive, portable test could be used in remote areas where medical facilities are scarce and will allow people to monitor their condition at home.

7 Filtered Facts About the Unappreciated Spleen

5. You can live without it.

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