Medical specialties

A team of scientists may have just found an antidote to one of the most infamous natural poisons in the world: the death cap mushroom. In a new study, they detail experiments showing that a common medical dye can counteract the fungi’s deadly effects in mice. Given its already approved uses, the team believes that the dye could save plenty of human lives in the near future.Little Mermaid Director Rob Marshall on Handling the Music of a Disney Legend | io9 InterviewDelicious and useful as many mushrooms are, some species…

Super-ringworm is on the loose in New York City. In a report this week, doctors and health officials have detailed the first known U.S. cases of the itchy infection caused by a contagious and emerging fungal germ—one highly resistant to many existing drugs. The fungus was first identified in South Asia, but it’s possible that it’s now circulating locally in the area.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?Despite the name, ringworm has absolutely nothing to do with the worms that can sometimes infest our body. It’s a catch-all…

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, could be poised to make a comeback in the U.S. Several states have reported a recent increase in cases, including in people vaccinated against the viral disease. It’s possible that large outbreaks could once again emerge in the near future, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwarned.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a close cousin to the smallpox virus. Like smallpox, its symptoms typically include flu-like illness and a distinctive…

Mosquitos and the humans they feed on seem to have something in common: a discerning palate for soap. In a new study this week, scientists have found that female, blood-sucking mosquitos are drawn to certain kinds of soaps commonly used by people while repelled by others, though sometimes in unexpected ways. The findings might eventually help us develop better mosquito repellants.Chukwudi Iwuji Talks Working on Guardians of the Galaxy 3 After PeacemakerNo animal is deadlier to humans than the mosquito, thanks to the many…

Scientists in Australia have just begun an ambitious public health campaign, but not for humans. As part of a new field trial, koalas in the wild are being temporarily captured and then vaccinated against chlamydia, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening for them. The hope is that the vaccine can help reverse the population decline of these now-endangered marsupials.James Gunn on Feeling Pressure to Add Adam Warlock to Guardians of the Galaxy | io9 InterviewChlamydia is named after the several species of…

There may be a rise in concerning brain infections afflicting U.S. children. Hospitals and public health officials in some areas have documented higher than expected numbers of pediatric brain abscesses in recent years, often caused by Streptococcus bacteria. The complication remains rare, however, and in some places the rate has since returned to its baseline. Mental Health Apps Are a Privacy NightmareAbscesses are pockets of pusthat are usually caused by an ongoing bacterial infection (the pus is a mix of dead immune…

The healing powers of poop can now officially come in a more palatable pill. This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Vowst, an oral capsule packed with beneficial bacteria derived from human fecal matter. The drug is intended to treat recurrent infections of Clostridioides difficile by balancing out the gut microbiome.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?While certain bacteria and other microorganisms regularly make us sick, our bodies are filled with many more species that are either harmless or even…

A common and sometimes dangerous respiratory germ might also raise the risk of asthma if encountered early in life, new research this month suggests. The study found that children were more likely to develop asthma if they caught a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection before the age of 1. The findings might highlight yet another benefit ofeffective vaccines and treatments for RSV that are expected to reach the public soon.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?RSV is one of the most ubiquitous respiratory germs…

Scientists in Canada say they’ve developed a cheap and easy way to find out Salmonella is lurking in food. Their method can apparently detect the bacteria within an hour’s time and with less set-up required than a typical at-home covid test. They believe that their test couldbe used by poultry processors and food preparers alike.How Can You Be a Steward of Good Tech in 2023? | Gizmodo InterviewSalmonella bacteria are one of the most common sources of foodborne disease. In the U.S. alone, they’re estimated to cause around…

A large new randomized clinical trial should put people who are ever in need of a blood transfusion more at ease. Scientists in Canada have found that the sex of a blood donor had no significant effect on the recipient’s chances of survival. Several past studies had suggested a possible risk, but this appears to be the first major research of its kind to examine the issue.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding possibly hidden risk factors that could affect…