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Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Do Americans need to be worried about their safety after the suspected plague death in Russia? Here's what an infectious disease expert told us.
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George Mason University Study Links Political, Cultural, and Economic Factors to Zoonotic Disease Risk in Livestock Communities

George Mason University Study Links Political, Cultural, and Economic Factors to Zoonotic Disease Risk in Livestock Communities

A new study co-led by George Mason University infectious disease expert Amira Roess, PhD, MPH, explores how political, cultural, and economic forces influence the risk of zoonotic diseases in livestock-herding communities. The research, published in 'Social Science & Medicine,' is part of an international collaboration funded by a $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant. The study specifically focused on eastern Ethiopia, where researchers interviewed over 100 individuals involved in camel herding, care, milking, trading, and slaughter. Key factors identified that affect zoonotic disease risk include the close proximity of people and camels, the widespread consumption of raw, unpasteurized camel milk, and how conflict and displacement can force people and livestock into new routes and wildlife preserves. Additionally, trade restrictions and difficulties in accessing export facilities can push more activities into informal markets, which often lack disease surveillance systems. The study emphasizes a...
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
What to know in Arizona about human pneumonic plague

What to know in Arizona about human pneumonic plague

Human plague killed millions in the 1300s and it can still kill in 2026, but it's rarer. Arizona had a fatal case of plague as recently as 2025.
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New Study Reveals Complex Wolbachia Patterns in Hawaiian Mosquitoes, Impacting Chikungunya and Dengue Control Efforts

New Study Reveals Complex Wolbachia Patterns in Hawaiian Mosquitoes, Impacting Chikungunya and Dengue Control Efforts

A recent study published in the journal Parasites & Vectors has provided a detailed analysis of Wolbachia infection patterns in the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) across the Hawaiian Islands. This mosquito species is a significant vector for diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. The research, led by Sangwoo Seok and senior authors Eric P. Caragata and Yoosook Lee of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory at the University of Florida, found that Wolbachia is nearly universally present in Hawaiian Aedes albopictus populations, with 98.5% of tested mosquitoes infected. However, the composition of these infections is more complex than previously assumed. While every infected specimen carried the wAlbB strain, only 28.6% were superinfected with wAlbA, meaning the majority carry only a single Wolbachia strain. This finding deviates from the typical assumption of double infection for this species. The study also revealed sex-specific differences in infection dynamics, with females mo...
ReutersReuters
No plague cases detected in Siberia, Russia says, and locals play down scare

No plague cases detected in Siberia, Russia says, and locals play down scare

SHELEKHOV, Russia, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Russia's health watchdog said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among anyone who had come into contact with a Siberian plague institute laboratory worker who died last week, and locals said their lives had barely been disrupted.
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Florida Launches Sunshine Genetics Program to Expand Newborn Genetic Screening

Florida Launches Sunshine Genetics Program to Expand Newborn Genetic Screening

Florida has initiated the Sunshine Genetics pilot program, a state-funded project designed to screen newborns for nearly 900 rare genetic conditions using whole-genome sequencing. The program has enrolled its first two families, offering free, voluntary screening that expands significantly upon the state's standard newborn screening of approximately 60 conditions. Administered by the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at Florida State University, the program aims to identify treatable rare diseases earlier in life, thereby reducing diagnostic delays that can often span five to seven years. State Representative Adam Anderson championed the legislation for this program, driven by his personal experience with his son's death from Tay-Sachs disease. The initiative utilizes the same blood sample collected for standard newborn screening, requiring no additional blood draw. Baylor Genetics will provide the whole-genome sequencing, with results and clinical interpretations expected within four to six we...
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High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

High-Intensity Interval Training Shown to Reverse Coronary Plaque Growth

A recent randomized controlled trial published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has provided definitive evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can actively shrink atheromatous plaques in patients with coronary artery disease. The study tracked 60 patients who had recently undergone stent placement and found that those assigned to two weekly sessions of supervised HIIT experienced a measurable shrinkage in their coronary plaques, specifically a 9.0 cubic millimeter decrease in total atheroma volume. In contrast, patients following standard preventive guidelines saw a marginal increase of 3.0 cubic millimeters in plaque volume. This research marks a significant advancement in cardiovascular science, as it is the first study to use intravascular ultrasound to demonstrate that vigorous exercise can induce positive remodeling of coronary anatomy. The protocol involved a 10-minute warm-up, followed by four sets of 4-minute intervals at 85 to 95 percent of peak heart rate, separated...
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Postpartum GLP-1 Prescriptions Surge Nearly 24-Fold Among Privately Insured New Mothers, Raising Safety Concerns

Postpartum GLP-1 Prescriptions Surge Nearly 24-Fold Among Privately Insured New Mothers, Raising Safety Concerns

A recent study published in JAMA reveals a significant increase in GLP-1 medication prescriptions among privately insured new mothers in the United States. The share of women initiating GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic or Zepbound, within six months of delivery rose from 0.08% in the first half of 2018 to 1.9% in the first quarter of 2025, marking a nearly 24-fold increase. This analysis, led by Sih-Ting Cai of the Schaeffer Center and co-authors from Indiana University, reviewed insurance claims covering over one million births. The steepest rise was observed in women with type 2 diabetes, with prescriptions climbing from 2.3% to 16.9% by early 2025. Women with a history of gestational diabetes also saw an increase from 0.4% to 2.7%, while those with diagnosed obesity or overweight experienced the fastest relative growth, from 0.4% to 3.9%. The study notes that most women started these medications at least three months postpartum, and patients are advised to discontinue GLP-1 drugs during pregnancy.
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Inflammation Linked to Less Healthy Food Choices in Individuals with Obesity, Study Finds

Inflammation Linked to Less Healthy Food Choices in Individuals with Obesity, Study Finds

Research by neuroscientist Judith Scholing of the Donders Institute at Radboud University indicates that mild inflammation, common in severely overweight individuals, can lead to a reduced willingness to exert effort for food, often resulting in choices of easier, less healthy options. The study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, involved 150 severely overweight female participants, half with inflammation and half without. Participants were asked to choose between foods requiring varying levels of effort to obtain. The findings showed that those with inflammation were less likely to opt for options demanding more effort, regardless of whether the food was healthy or unhealthy. A follow-up experiment demonstrated a causal link: participants with inflammation given anti-inflammatory medication were more willing to exert effort for food.
The Commercial AppealThe Commercial Appeal
Access to GLP-1s Could Help Tackle TN Cardiovascular Crisis | Opinion

Access to GLP-1s Could Help Tackle TN Cardiovascular Crisis | Opinion

Obesity remains one of Tennessee's -- and the nation's -- most significant public health challenges.
ReutersReuters
Russia says no plague cases detected among contacts of deceased lab worker

Russia says no plague cases detected among contacts of deceased lab worker

MOSCOW, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Russia's health watchdog said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among people who had come into contact with a Siberian plague institute laboratory worker who died last week.