Explore

Dr. Kevin Winthrop Highlights Environmental Impact on Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology at Global Summit

Dr. Kevin Winthrop Highlights Environmental Impact on Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology at Global Summit

Dr. Kevin Winthrop, Professor of Infectious Diseases, Ophthalmology, and Public Health at Oregon Health & Science University, delivered a keynote address at the Global Rheumatology Summit, part of ACR Convergence 2026. He discussed the evolving landscape of rheumatology in the context of environmental change, specifically focusing on how a warming climate influences infectious disease exposure. Dr. Winthrop highlighted mosquito-borne infections like chikungunya, Zika, and dengue, noting that changing mosquito habitats could lead to increased exposure in previously unaffected regions. He emphasized that chikungunya is particularly concerning for rheumatologists due to its potential to cause persistent inflammatory arthritis, with up to 48% of acute cases leading to arthritis up to six months post-infection, and 5% to 10% developing chronic arthritis, some evolving into rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The discussion also covered the expanding geographic distribution of disease-carrying ticks, contributing to the ...

Record-Breaking El Niño Event Intensifies, Posing Global Challenges Amidst Human-Driven Climate Change

Record-Breaking El Niño Event Intensifies, Posing Global Challenges Amidst Human-Driven Climate Change

A rapidly strengthening 'super' El Niño event is unfolding, with scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and other leading universities contributing to a briefing on its potential impacts. El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon originating in the tropical Pacific Ocean, influences global weather patterns, leading to heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall, and flooding. This particular event is occurring against a backdrop of long-term human-driven climate warming, which is expected to amplify its effects. Professor Penny Holliday, NOC’s Chief Scientific Officer, highlighted that while previous strong El Niño events didn't always result in record global temperatures, the current warming planet leaves less 'headroom' before new records are broken, making this potentially the strongest El Niño in modern history. The briefing aims to provide evidence-based messages to journalists and media organizations to ensure accurate reporting on the event's implications.

UN Chief Warns Global Warming Goal of 1.5°C No Longer Achievable, Urges Immediate Action

UN Chief Warns Global Warming Goal of 1.5°C No Longer Achievable, Urges Immediate Action

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning regarding global warming, stating that the 2015 Paris Agreement's primary goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels is no longer attainable. This declaration comes as UN climate talks, COP31, commence in Turkey. Guterres, whose second and final term as UN chief is expiring, emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting worsening heat waves, storms, floods, and droughts globally. He revealed that scientists informed him last year that the 1.5°C target was no longer realistic due to the excessive release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. The UN is now focusing on limiting how much further global temperatures will rise beyond this threshold. Guterres stressed that all nations must do more, and do it now, to address the climate crisis.

New Study Projects Future Heatwaves to Exceed Recent Extremes in Duration, Area, and Severity

New Study Projects Future Heatwaves to Exceed Recent Extremes in Duration, Area, and Severity

A new study led by researcher Philipp Aglas-Leitner from Freie Universität Berlin, published in Nature Communications, indicates that future heatwaves are projected to be significantly more intense, longer-lasting, and cover larger geographical areas than any experienced in recent history. The research team analyzed 22 exceptional heatwaves that occurred globally between 2010 and 2023, with an in-depth focus on nine events from 2015 to 2023. These historical events were then compared against climate model projections spanning from 2020 to 2100. The study examined multiple characteristics of heatwaves, including duration, cumulative heat, median and maximum severity, and spatial extent. The findings consistently show that a substantial proportion of future heatwaves will surpass the severity and scale of recent extreme events, particularly towards the end of the 21st century. This suggests that the extreme heat experienced in recent years may only be a precursor to what is to come due to climate change.

New Study Reveals Self-Reinforcing Dynamics Intensifying Extreme Heatwaves in U.S. and Globally

New Study Reveals Self-Reinforcing Dynamics Intensifying Extreme Heatwaves in U.S. and Globally

A new study published in Science Advances, led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), has identified a previously misunderstood self-reinforcing interaction that makes extreme heatwaves 10 percent hotter. This interaction involves temperature, soil moisture, and atmospheric pressure. Researchers used machine learning and statistical analysis to discover that in mid-latitude regions, including parts of North America, these three factors begin to interact and drive each other further once a certain temperature threshold is reached. This phenomenon contributes to 'mega heatwaves' that have significantly surpassed previous temperature records. For instance, the 2021 summer heatwave in the U.S. Pacific Northwest saw temperatures reach 4.6°C above prior records. The study explains that high-pressure systems increase solar radiation, while rising temperatures dry out soils, reducing evaporative cooling. These two-way relatio...

Climate Change Intensifies Global Droughts, Redefining Disease Transmission Patterns

Climate Change Intensifies Global Droughts, Redefining Disease Transmission Patterns

A recent study has found that climate change is exacerbating global drought conditions, which in turn is altering how water-dependent infectious diseases spread. This phenomenon, termed the 'drought-disease paradox,' occurs because as water sources shrink or dry up, animals and pathogenic microorganisms become concentrated in the remaining water bodies. This increased proximity facilitates easier transmission of diseases. Researchers examined 100 previous studies focusing on aquatic diseases and discovered that while drought can hinder some water-dependent pathogens, it can paradoxically increase the risk of certain infectious diseases despite reduced water availability. The study highlights that annual drought affected approximately 30% of the globe's land surface in 2025, nearly doubling since 2000, and currently, a child dies every 90 seconds from a waterborne disease.

Global Study Reveals Nearly a Billion People Annually Face Concurrent Heatwaves and Wildfire Smoke

Global Study Reveals Nearly a Billion People Annually Face Concurrent Heatwaves and Wildfire Smoke

A global analysis has found that approximately 916 million people worldwide are exposed to overlapping heatwaves and wildfire smoke each year. This figure increased by 287 million per decade between 2000 and 2019. The study, led by Yao Wu of Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, in collaboration with researchers from Peking University and the University of Tasmania, indicates that the rise is primarily driven by an increase in heatwave days, which grew in 87% of the studied areas. Smoke days, however, increased in only 28% of areas, predominantly in North America. The research defined a smoke day as any day where fine particles or ozone exceeded the World Health Organization’s daily guideline, with at least half of the pollution originating from landscape fires. A heatwave was defined as at least two consecutive days with temperatures above the local 90th percentile. The study also identified a clear timing pattern, with smoke episodes typically beginning to climb about two d...

Italian Health Institute Reports 30 Chikungunya Cases, Mostly Travel-Related, Amidst Broader Arbovirus Surveillance

Italian Health Institute Reports 30 Chikungunya Cases, Mostly Travel-Related, Amidst Broader Arbovirus Surveillance

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) has reported 30 cases of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Italy between January 1 and November 3 of the current year. Of these, only one case was autochthonous, meaning it was acquired locally within Italy, while the remaining 29 cases were associated with travel abroad. A significant portion, 34%, of the travel-related cases had exposure in the Seychelles. This data is part of the latest weekly bulletin from the national arbovirus surveillance system coordinated by the ISS. The report also detailed 790 cases of West Nile Virus, 370 cases of Dengue, and 4 cases of Zika virus during the same period, highlighting a broader landscape of arboviral activity in Italy.

A once almost-forgotten disease is spiking in the US. See latest numbers

A once almost-forgotten disease is spiking in the US. See latest numbers

The United States has hit another grim milestone amid the resurgence of measles, a disease it had previously eliminated.

UK Health Security Agency Reports No High Mortality Signal in England for Week 40 of 2026

UK Health Security Agency Reports No High Mortality Signal in England for Week 40 of 2026

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released its weekly all-cause mortality surveillance report for week 40 of 2026, covering data up to week 40. The report indicates that there was no signal of high mortality above the baseline in England for all ages combined during the week ending October 4, 2026. This finding also extends to specific age groups (under 5 years, 5 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years, and 65 years and over) and all regions within England. Similarly, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland also reported no high mortality signals. The EuroMOMO algorithm, which identifies weeks where factors like infectious disease activity or extreme temperatures might cause higher mortality rates, was used for this assessment. The report notes that seasonal variations in mortality are common, with higher numbers typically observed in winter due to factors such as cold snaps and respiratory viruses, and in summer due to heatwaves. However, for the specified week, no such elevated mortality was detected.

Experts Warn of Impending 'Hothouse Earth' Scenario as Global Warming Accelerates

Experts Warn of Impending 'Hothouse Earth' Scenario as Global Warming Accelerates

Scientists from the University of Exeter and the Strategic Climate Risk Initiative (SCRI) are warning that human societies could lose their capacity to respond to worsening climate change. With global warming projected to exceed 1.5°C and a significant El Niño climate event anticipated, a catastrophic 'Hothouse Earth' scenario may be closer than previously thought. This scenario refers to global warming above 5°C compared to preindustrial levels, leading to extreme impacts such as prolonged droughts, heat waves, crop failures, and dramatic sea level rise. The researchers emphasize that escalating environmental changes not only have direct impacts but also risk 'derailing' humanity's ability to reduce emissions and adapt. They advocate for the inclusion of 'derailment risk' in climate policies to ensure societies retain the capacity to act effectively.

Lawton Experiences Delayed First Freeze Amidst Lingering Warm Weather

Lawton Experiences Delayed First Freeze Amidst Lingering Warm Weather

Lawton, Oklahoma, is experiencing a significant delay in its first freeze of the season, with warm weather persisting well into November. Historically, the region typically sees its first freeze between October 31 and November 12. However, as of early November, temperatures remain unseasonably high, and no strong cold fronts are anticipated within the first ten days of the month. The Oklahoma Mesonet's extended forecast, stretching through November 20, indicates only a 30 percent chance of freezing weather by that date. This prolonged warmth is allowing pollen and other allergens to continue thriving, impacting residents who suffer from fall allergies.