Diseases

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

Latest in Diseases

Woman working at desk with face mask on while sick

Health

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

microbes in the sky

Health

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

By Lauren Leffer

a mosquito biting human skin

Health

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

Science

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

Environment

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

By Laura Baisas

Heart in a box transport system

Health

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

Health

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

By Fletcher Reveley / Undark

Health

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).

Science

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

Cancer

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

Deep Space

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.

Environment

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

Environment

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

Science

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

By Lauren Leffer

swimming in the pool

Health

How to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool, or on the trail this summer How to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool, or on the trail this summer

By Bill Sullivan / The Conversation

Microplastic pile close-up

Climate Change

Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study Every human semen sample contained microplastics in new study

steam rising over blue water in a pool built by ancient romans

Health

What Britain’s famed Roman Baths could teach us about microbes What Britain’s famed Roman Baths could teach us about microbes

By Laura Baisas

a human skull on a dark background with E270 printed on it

Health

4,000 year-old Egyptian skulls show attempts at brain surgery to treat cancer 4,000 year-old Egyptian skulls show attempts at brain surgery to treat cancer

By Laura Baisas

Clues from bird flu’s ground zero on dairy farms in the Texas panhandle

Science

Clues from bird flu’s ground zero on dairy farms in the Texas panhandle Clues from bird flu’s ground zero on dairy farms in the Texas panhandle

By Amy Maxmen / KFF Health News