ShadowDoc
- Science
A Cure for the Uncommon Flu
Ninety years ago the Spanish flu swept across the globe, killing between 50 and 100 million people in only a few months. Since then, the specter of another flu pandemic dealing death and woe around the world has periodically terrified the medical and popular communities. But scientists searching for ways to prevent a similar outbreak in the form of the H5N1 bird flu have found a cure for the deadliest flu in the most unlikely place: nonagenarian immune systems.
8.19.2008 at 11:30am - Comment by ShadowDocThe H1N1 influenza killed between 50 and 100 million people, back when the Earth had a population of about 1.5 billion. I'd say spending a little money on research into influenza is probably worthwhile, as a repeat of a H1N1-class flu that killed roughly 3-6% of the Earth's population would be in the "bad things" category. What was most devastating about H1N1 was that the age category with the greatest number of deaths was in the 20-40 age group -- it wasn't the influenza we know now that preys on the very young and very old. Obesity is pretty simple. Stop eating so much and walk more. Billions of dollars in research saved.
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December 2009: Best of What's New
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
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