Latest science news in Health & Medicine
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...
4 things we learned this week
Campus & Community 4 things we learned this week Sy Boles Harvard Staff Writer February 27, 2025 1 min read How closely have you been following the Gazette? Take our quiz to...
Cancer? No, thank goodness, it’s just high cholesterol.
Health Cancer? No, thank goodness, it’s just high cholesterol. Joseph Woo (on screen, from left), Ami Bhatt, Tommaso Danesi, Jorge Plutzky, and Melody Mendez in conversation.Photos by Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Alvin Powell...
New hope for repairing eye damage once thought untreatable
Ula Jurkunas performs the first CALEC surgery at Mass Eye and Ear.Photo courtesy of MGH Health New hope for repairing eye damage once thought untreatable Stem cell therapy safely restores cornea’s surface in...
Atul Gawande named featured speaker for Harvard Alumni Day
Atul Gawande. Campus & Community Atul Gawande named featured speaker for Harvard Alumni Day Acclaimed surgeon, writer, and public health leader will take the stage at Harvard’s global alumni celebration on June 6...
A dietary swap that could lengthen your life?
Health A dietary swap that could lengthen your life? Study finds replacing butter with plant-based oils cuts premature death risk by 17 percent Ryan Jaslow Mass General Brigham Communications March 6, 2025 4...
You went to the doctor and came out feeling worse
Health You went to the doctor and came out feeling worse “If we use the term ‘gaslighting’ when intent is absent, we’re missing the opportunity for compassion for providers,” says psychologist Alexandra Fuss.Photo...
Trump’s pick to head NIH avoids major controversy at Senate hearing
With an unflappable demeanor, President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today pledged support for the $47.4 billion agency’s mission at his Senate confirmation hearing and said he...
USDA ordered to reinstate nearly 6000 fired workers
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) were among the first to receive termination notices last month as President Donald Trump’s administration moved to fire tens of thousands of probationary employees ....
RFK Jr. says federal vaccine advisers are beholden to industry. The evidence does not support him
In his maiden speech to department employees on 18 February, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a vow about advisers to HHS agencies: “We will remove conflicts...