Researchers are noticing alarming trends with mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, in 2024. A more acute variant of the virus is spreading to previously unaffected regions. As mpox cases rise, vaccination and sex education are critical to slow spread and save lives.
Surprising New Research Hints at Overlooked Black Death Factors
The Black Death, or plague, is one of the most infamous diseases in human history. It caused huge loss of life, especially during its second pandemic in the 14th century. Cases of plague still crop up worldwide, though nowhere near the extent they used to.
Recent scientific inquiry has unveiled specific details about the Black Death’s possible origins. Additionally, an organism has been identified as a possible overlooked plague vector. These insights could alter how scientists understand the Black Death’s past and present.
Not Enough People Get This “Medical Miracle” Vaccine
Only one vaccine prevents cancer: the HPV vaccine. It reduces rates of multiple forms of carcinoma.
Contrary to belief, the HPV vaccine benefits all genders. Despite its effectiveness, vaccination rates are low. In the U.S., only a small majority of teens complete the series; adults are even less likely.
Improved education and distribution could save hundreds of thousands of lives.
Medical Experts Race for Solutions to Enormous Dengue Surge
Dengue fever cases are rising globally, worrying experts. The virus is spreading to areas where it wasn’t found before, including the United States.
Treatment options for dengue fever are very limited. As global case numbers break records, researchers are rushing to find real solutions. New developments promise innovative approaches to dengue prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
New Research Undermines Claim That Plague Rewrote Human DNA
The Black Death is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It may have killed up to half of Europe’s population.
Two years ago, researchers suggested that the plague might have left marks in human DNA. But recent studies disagree with these findings. Other studies highlight possible flaws in the methods used. More research is needed to finally resolve the debate about the plague’s impact on human DNA.
Mpox is Surging: The World Is in Desperate Need of Medicines
West African nations have been inoculating against smallpox for centuries. African, Arab, and Asian communities used this practice for safe trade.
Africans brought smallpox prevention to the Americas before the 18th century. Later, Edward Jenner used these ancient techniques to invent the first vaccine.
This tool became crucial in the 20th-century effort to eradicate smallpox. The virus claimed hundreds of millions of lives before global cooperation stopped it.
Now, West Africa faces a new, related viral disease: mpox. Formerly called monkeypox, mpox has infected over 30,000 Africans in 2024 alone.
Africa helped create vaccines. It now needs them from the rest of the world to fight the mpox crisis.
Eradicating TB: New Hope To End The World’s Deadliest Disease
Best-selling author John Green, known for >The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down, has emerged as an advocate for ending tuberculosis. Uploaded last year, his YouTube video, Barely Contained Rage: An Open Letter to Johnson & Johnson, has reached 1.4 million views.
The video highlighted how pharmaceutical companies set high prices for TB treatments. Costs remain out of reach to the most vulnerable populations to TB.
Green’s voice adds to the global call for TB action. The disease became the world’s deadliest in 2023, surpassing COVID-19. Though curable, TB kills millions yearly, especially in poorer regions. Global cooperation is improving, but efforts must redouble to reduce TB’s urgent threat.
The Staggering Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance, or AMR, is dramatically increasing worldwide. In 2019, AMR caused 5 million deaths. Medical professionals and governments urgently need new interventions to tackle drug resistance. Otherwise, millions more lives will be at risk in coming years.
The World Health Organization calls AMR a “silent pandemic.” It could undo a century of medical progress. In the near future, AMR might turn minor infections into deadly threats.
Estimates suggest that bacterial AMR kills more people than HIV or malaria. A study in The Lancet predicts that from 2024 to 2050, nearly 40 million people will die from AMR diseases. During this period, deaths from AMR could increase by almost 70%.
Gene Editing Is Approved as a New Sickle Cell Treatment
Penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic, transformed medicine in the early 1940s. Yet, in the beginning, production was so costly that only small batches could be made. Albert Alexander, the first patient treated with penicillin, died from its insufficient quantity.
During and after World War II, production methods improved, sparking a medical revolution. Today, many are hoping for a similar breakthrough with sickle cell disease. Gene therapies offer a promising solution, but several significant obstacles prevent treatment access.
Standing Desks May Jeopardize Health, According to New Research
On average, office employees spend up to 15 hours a day sitting. For decades, studies have shown that prolonged sitting increases health risks. It’s linked to higher rates of mortality and cardiovascular disease in both men and women.
As a result, standing desks have been proposed as a healthier alternative to sitting. Many have turned to this technology to improve wellness at work. In fact, the height-adjustable desk market was valued at $5.5 billion in 2023. Market value will reach over $10 billion by 2034, growing nearly 6% year-over-year.
Yet, new research suggests that standing may not improve health outcomes. In fact, standing for too long could come with its own risks.
