Latest science news in Health & Medicine
A pivotal senator says he extracted vaccine concessions from RFK Jr. How will that play out?
Sen. Bill Cassidy's intent to serve as a bulwark against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine skepticism may be sincere. But if Kennedy becomes the nation's top health official, Cassidy will...
A leading pediatrician was already worried about the future of vaccines. Then RFK Jr. came along
In a new book, pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Adam Ratner details the history of measles, a virus that's often a bellwether for public health disasters.
Bird flu infections in dairy cows are more widespread than we thought, according to a new CDC study
A CDC study has found H5N1 bird flu antibodies in veterinarians who had no symptoms and no knowledge they had been working with infected livestock.
Long COVID is solvable, but we need more clinical trials
Some people may remain ill after COVID infection because the virus still lurks in their bodies. The looming question now is: Who will pay for drug development and trials?
A proposed law could force California health insurers to explain claim denials
A California lawmaker introduced a measure to force health insurers to disclose denial rates and explain denials as anger grows over rising costs and uncovered medical care.
Children's Hospital L.A. keeps limits on transgender care amid challenges to Trump order
Days after federal judges put parts of an executive order from President Trump on hold, Children's Hospital Los Angeles hasn't reversed its recent restrictions on hormonal treatment for transgender youth.
More than 900 Californians have died of the flu so far this season amid low vaccine rates, state says
Of the 900 Californians who have succumbed to influenza this season, 15 were children, according to state public health data.
Killing 166 million birds hasn't helped poultry farmers stop H5N1. Is there a better way?
Poultry producers, disease experts and government officials are now questioning the practice of widespread culling in response to H5N1 bird flu outbreaks.
Contributor: Vaccines are out, measles is in
Vaccination rates are falling and measles cases are rising. Here are a few more 'bugs' we might be seeing come back from the dead.
Contributor: How federally funded research saved my son's sight — and his life — from a rare cancer
The Trump administration is impeding the National Institutes of Health-backed science that enabled treatment of retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer.
A second death may be linked to U.S. measles outbreak, an unvaccinated New Mexico man
An unvaccinated New Mexico man tested positive for measles after death, becoming what health officials say could be the second death reported in the ongoing outbreak that has infected over...
What is hantavirus, the rare disease that killed Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman's wife?
Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-spread disease with a mortality rate up to 50% in the American Southwest, officials said.
Medication Abortion Using Telehealth Is As Safe As In-Person Care, Study Finds
Researchers find that medication abortion provided at home with a Zoom or text link to a medical provider is extremely safe and effective
Una temporada de incendios sin precedentes arrasa uno de los puntos calientes de biodiversidad de la Tierra
En Colombia han ardido más de 500 incendios, incluso en sus delicados y únicos humedales del altiplano, uno de los ecosistemas de más rápida evolución de la Tierra
People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Have an "Exhausted" Immune System
A long-awaited study of people with ME/CFS revealed differences in their immune and nervous system. The findings may offer clues about long COVID
Brain damage reported in 13% of kids who have died of flu this season, CDC finds
A CDC report has revealed that nine of 68 of children who died of flu this year had brain damage, but it's unclear whether this influenza-associated encephalopathy is on the...
Poisoning or bacterial meningitis could be behind dozens of mysterious deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A cluster of deaths linked to a mysterious illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be the result of a poisoning or bacterial meningitis, the WHO has suggested.
CDC data reveal plummeting rate of cervical precancers in young US women — down by 80%
New CDC data on falling rates of precancerous cervical lesions in the U.S. underscore the benefits of HPV vaccination.
The rare genetic disorder that causes severe itchiness and liver failure
Patients with PFIC develop liver failure as a result of a buildup of a digestive fluid known as bile.
2nd measles death reported in US outbreak was in New Mexico adult
A second person has reportedly died of a measles infection, this time in New Mexico, as the virus continues to spread in the United States.
'In that moment, that was everything to me': Patient describes joy of regaining vision in 1 eye after new stem cell therapy
A first-of-its-kind stem cell transplant has changed the life of a man who was left blind in one eye following a firework accident.
How prescription drugs get their names
Whenever we pick up a prescription medication, we see its name printed on the label—sildenafil, fluoxetine, alprazolam, or sertraline, for example. But have you ever wondered how those names are developed? Choosing what...
Canada will add PFAS, which are linked to cancer and other health problems, to toxic substances list
The federal government is moving to add PFAS, a class of thousands of chemicals used in a wide range of products from food containers to clothing, to the official list...
How progress happens
Nation & World How progress happens Vice provost for research details crucial role of NIH support in science and medicine Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer February 13, 2025 long read On Feb....
Primary care has money problems. This might help.
Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer Health Primary care has money problems. This might help. Physician-researcher sees promise in five-year ‘prospective payment’ experiment Alvin Powell Harvard Staff Writer February 18, 2025 5 min read Many...
Eating citrus may lower depression risk
Health Eating citrus may lower depression risk Physician-researcher outlines gut-brain clues behind ‘orange a day’ finding Saima Sidik Harvard Correspondent February 21, 2025 5 min read New findings add another dimension to “gut...
Harvard startup creating a new class of antibiotics
Kinvard Bio co-founder Ben Tresco inspects a colony of drug-resistant bacteria. Health Harvard startup creating a new class of antibiotics Compounds show promise against drug-resistant infections, diseases Kirsten Mabry Harvard Correspondent February 25, 2025...
Older adults at highest risk for suicide, yet have fewest resources
Health Older adults at highest risk for suicide, yet have fewest resources Study highlights imbalance in targets of online suicide prevention efforts Katrina Fu Mass General Brigham Communications February 25, 2025 3 min...