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Tuberculosis Cases Surging Around The World, Poor Most Vulnerable

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TB cases are disproportionately effecting the most vulnerable.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia.

Tuberculosis is becoming a more serious global health problem. TB infections in children rose 10% in Europe last year. Reported TB cases also increased in the U.S. last year.

An outbreak began in January 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. TB kills more than 1 million people worldwide every year. The growing threat poses greater risk to poorer countries.

Recent U.S. aid cuts have disrupted global TB treatment programs. The Trump administration’s cuts weakened support for international TB work. Many global TB efforts depend heavily on U.S. financial aid.

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New Tick Species Identified As Allergy Disease Vectors, Emerging Research

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A new tick species is causing a variety of problems.
Image courtesy of Erik Karits.

Two new studies link black-legged ticks to red meat allergy. This condition is called alpha-gal syndrome, or AGS for short. People with AGS react after eating meat from mammals.

AGS was once only linked to bites from lone star ticks. As spring temperatures rise, insect activity increases across the country. Climate change is also pushing many bug species farther to the north.

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New Research Shows How Oysters Can Help Destroy Hazardous Bacteria

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Oysters are key to destroying bacteria, a new study says.
Image courtesy of Mark Stebnicki.

Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are a growing health threat. Nearly 5 million people die from these infections each year. Experts predict this number will rise by 70%, reaching 40 million deaths by 2050. Scientists must find new ways to stop harmful bacteria.

A new PLOS One study offers hope. Researchers found that hemolymph protein extract (HPE) from Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) can kill harmful bacteria. These proteins, called antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs), also help antibiotics work better. The study suggests that HPE could improve antibiotic treatments and slow resistance.

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Enormous Risk as Childhood Vaccinations Plummet: Results could be Devastating

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Childhood vaccination rates are declining in many regions.
Image courtesy of CDC.

Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines for common diseases are now less common among kindergartners. Even states with high coverage rates have seen declines.

This trend increases risks for individuals and the broader community. Falling rates could expose adults to illnesses considered childhood diseases. They could also bring back diseases like polio, once thought eradicated.

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New Research on Chronic Wasting Disease: A Growing Threat

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Chronic wasting disease is spreading in North America.
Image courtesy of Frank LUCE.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion illness in deer. It also affects elk, moose, and reindeer. The disease has no cure and spreads through saliva, feces, and blood. CWD has been found in 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) released a new report. It examines how genetic differences in CWD strains influence disease spread. Some experts worry CWD could jump to humans or livestock.

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Practical Tips To Avoid Getting Sick in the Winter

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Illness in winter can be very common.
Image courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk.

You are more likely to catch colds during winter than in summer. Cold weather itself doesn’t cause colds, but it helps them spread. Many viruses, like the flu and COVID-19, thrive in cold, dry air. These conditions keep viruses infectious longer and help them multiply faster.

Cold weather also weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight infections. Still, viruses and bacteria—not the cold—are the real cause of illness.

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