A clever natural experiment in Canada suggests a routine shingles vaccine may do more than prevent rash. Instead, the vaccine could help delay the onset of dementia in later life. Study: Herpes zoster vaccination and incident dementia in Canada: an analysis of natural experiments. Image credit: uganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.com A recent study in Lancet Neurology investigated … Read more
Neuropathy, a disorder in which damage to nerves can impair sensation and movement, has many causes, including infection. Now, researchers from the UK have identified distinct genetic changes in a newly-discovered neuropathy and believe that their work will provide insights into the causal mechanism and why some previously healthy people develop neuropathies after infection whereas … Read more
Annual ragweed and parthenium are currently flowering, which can cause respiratory issues and rashes. Here’s how to spot and eradicate them. Now is the time to be on the lookout for two highly invasive weeds that can trigger respiratory issues and rashes: annual ragweed and parthenium. With these two similar herb plants now flowering, identifying … Read more
Could a simple vaccine offer protection against a devastating disease? Recent research suggests the shingles vaccine may considerably reduce the risk of dementia, particularly in women. Discover the surprising connection between this common vaccine and a lower likelihood of developing dementia, exploring the science and expert opinions behind this groundbreaking finding. Shingles Vaccine Linked to … Read more
Mpox has the potential to become a significant global health threat if taken too lightly, according to scientists at the University of Surrey. In a letter published in Nature Medicine, researchers highlight how mpox – traditionally spread from animals to humans – is now showing clear signs of sustained human-to-human transmission. Mpox is a viral … Read more
Topline A measles case has been confirmed in an unvaccinated adult who recently traveled internationally, according to Colorado health officials, the first measles case in the state in years as an outbreak of the highly contagious illness continues spreading in Texas and several other states. Most of the cases in the U.S. are centered in … Read more
A woman in Maine developed a dangerous meat allergy after a black-legged tick bite—prompting the CDC to rethink which ticks can trigger alpha-gal syndrome. A decade of cases suggests the threat is broader than once believed. Dispatch: Alpha-Gal Syndrome after Ixodes scapularis Tick Bite and Statewide Surveillance, Maine, USA, 2014–2023. Image Credit: Aleksei Ruzhin / Shutterstock In … Read more
In a new case study, researchers from North Carolina State University found Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 DNA in brain tissue samples from a young child with seizures and suspected Rasmussen’s encephalitis. The findings further support the idea that these pathogens can be a cofactor in complex neurological illnesses. Bartonella are a group of vector-borne bacteria transmitted … Read more
Topline A child hospitalized with measles in Lubbock, Texas, has died, local officials said Wednesday, marking the first death in an outbreak of the highly contagious virus, which has spread to more than 120 confirmed cases over the last month. Eighteen people sickened with the virus have been hospitalized. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All … Read more
Ethical consideration The Cabo Verdien National Ethical Committee of the Ministry of Health approved the surveillance protocol that led to the obtention of human sera and nasopharyngeal swabs as less than minimal risk research, and written consent was not required. All human samples were de-identified before any sample characterization and data analysis. Samples collection Most … Read more