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The Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, known as Asian tiger mosquitoes, carrying diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, entered the U.S. in the 1970s and '80s through the used tire trade. Globalization and climate change have facilitated the wider spread of disease-carrying insects worldwide.…

Low vaccination rates against the latest versions of COVID-19 and influenza are straining healthcare systems globally, leading to increased hospitalizations and death rates in some regions. Several countries, including the United States and certain European nations, are witnessing a surge in…

Antimicrobials, encompassing antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are vital for preventing and treating infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) arises when pathogens no longer respond to these medicines, posing a global threat. Human…

A recent observational study by Karolinska Institutet, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, suggests that anti-rheumatic drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may lower the risk of developing autoimmune thyroid diseases in RA patients. While individuals with RA have an elevated…

A study published in the journal PNAS has linked soy farming to an increase in child cancer deaths in Brazil, which is the world's largest producer and exporter of soy. The research found that as soy cultivation expanded in the country, there was an associated rise in childhood cancer mortality due…

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has issued new lung cancer screening guidelines, recommending annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) for individuals aged 50 to 80 who were formerly long-term or heavy smokers. This marks a departure from previous guidelines, which considered the time elapsed…

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. have been steadily declining, with approximately 16,000 new hospitalizations reported in the week ending October 14, marking a 5% decrease from the previous week. This continues the trend of decreasing hospitalizations after a peak in early September. The data…

In 2022, a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that millions more Americans, including 1 million additional households with children, struggled to secure enough food compared to the previous year. This marked a reversal of a long-standing trend of decreasing hunger in the…

Methadone is one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder, however, there are stricter laws regulating peoples’ access to this drug than any other drug with a similar function. These laws are extremely outdated, with some being more than 50 years old, but have not been changed to…

With regards to the rules of war involving health care, the international humanitarian law is designed to draw a clear distinction between civilian and military objects with the goal of limiting harm to civilians. The violation of these rules by one side does not permit the opposing side to deviate…

Summary: A new study reveals that older Americans are dying from falls at more than twice the rate of 20 years ago, with women, men, and all racial groups affected. Falls are the leading cause of injury death among older Americans, and the problem is growing. Falls exact a huge health toll beyond…

Summary: Brazil has confirmed its first cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild birds, which should not lead to a ban on imports of Brazilian poultry products according to the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Although the virus can kill entire flocks…

Climate change is causing longer and more intense pollen seasons, leading to more severe allergies and asthma symptoms in adults. These allergies can worsen respiratory conditions such as COVID-19. To protect themselves during pollen season, people with allergies and asthma should stay indoors…

Summary: A new study analyzed data from 1999 to 2016 to compare gun death rates in rural and urban areas of the United States. The results showed that gun death rates are higher in rural areas compared to cities. Suicide by gun was more common in rural areas, while homicide by gun was more common…