Diseases

Groundbreaking research on COVID-19, cancer, diabetes, and other health concerns.

Latest in Diseases

a variety of products on a banner reading 'best of what's new 2024'

The 50 greatest innovations of 2024 The 50 greatest innovations of 2024

By Popular Science Team

a colorful coral reef with fish swimming above it

Chlorine and cocoa butter may help disease-ridden corals Chlorine and cocoa butter may help disease-ridden corals

By Laura Baisas

cut oranges, grapefruits, limes, and lemon together in a group

Yes, you can still get scurvy Yes, you can still get scurvy

By Laura Baisas

Gila monster spit inspired a new way to detect rare pancreatic tumors Gila monster spit inspired a new way to detect rare pancreatic tumors

Nurse putting blood pressure monitor arm band on patient

How to ensure your doctor measures your blood pressure correctly How to ensure your doctor measures your blood pressure correctly

Woman working at desk with face mask on while sick

The research supports you taking a sick day The research supports you taking a sick day

microbes in the sky

The sky is full of germs The sky is full of germs

By Lauren Leffer

a mosquito biting human skin

After EEE death in New Hampshire, here’s what to know about the mosquito-borne virus After EEE death in New Hampshire, here’s what to know about the mosquito-borne virus

By Laura Baisas

water flowing from pipes

How heavy rain can make you sick How heavy rain can make you sick

By Lauren Leffer

an infrared image of a human head, showing warm areas in shades of orange and yellow, and cooler areas in blue and green

Mosquitoes can sense our body heat Mosquitoes can sense our body heat

By Laura Baisas

Heart in a box transport system

A new organ transport box doubles the window for heart transplants A new organ transport box doubles the window for heart transplants

salton sea in california

Why are people near the Salton Sea getting lung disease? Why are people near the Salton Sea getting lung disease?

By Fletcher Reveley / Undark

West Nile Virus cases are on the rise again: How to protect yourself West Nile Virus cases are on the rise again: How to protect yourself

By Lauren Leffer

Closeup of a young woman sticking out her tongue.

AI

AI tongue scanner can diagnose illnesses with 96 percent accuracy AI tongue scanner can diagnose illnesses with 96 percent accuracy

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a compound that is effective against common bacteria that can lead to rare, dangerous illnesses. This image shows untreated Streptococcus pyogenes bacterial culture full of healthy microbes, labeled green (left). After treatment by GmPcide, the dish is full of dead bacteria (red; right).

A breakthrough in fighting bacteria that causes ‘flesh-eating’ illness A breakthrough in fighting bacteria that causes ‘flesh-eating’ illness

By Laura Baisas

a scientists with a gloved hand prepares a blood sample in a test tube

FDA approves new blood test to detect colon cancer FDA approves new blood test to detect colon cancer

By Laura Baisas

Close up of pills in blister packs

How will astronauts handle expired drugs on Mars? How will astronauts handle expired drugs on Mars?

This rotifer has just survived a life-threatening infection. When a fungal disease attacked, she switched on hundreds of genes that her ancestors copied from microbes, including antibiotic recipes stolen from bacteria.

No sex? No problem. These tiny, asexual animals steal genes to make their own medicine No sex? No problem. These tiny, asexual animals steal genes to make their own medicine

By Lauren Leffer

As ‘zombie’ deer disease spreads, scientists look for answers As ‘zombie’ deer disease spreads, scientists look for answers

By Jim Robbins / Yale Environment 360

cows crowded indoors at a farm

Can we prevent a bird flu pandemic in humans? Can we prevent a bird flu pandemic in humans?

By Lauren Leffer