DISEASE

May 06 2026HEALTH

Heart Health Lessons from a Beloved TV Actor

Nicholas Brendon, known for his role on the popular series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died at 54. An Indiana coroner released a report that explains what happened. The cause was natural, linked to heart disease. The investigation showed Brendon had severe blockage in his right coronary artery—about

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May 06 2026HEALTH

Early signs of West Nile in Bay Area birds

Two dead crows in Northern California have raised alarms about West Nile virus returning for the season. Found in Newark and San Jose, these birds were part of routine tracking efforts that often spot the virus before it affects people. The disease isn’t new to California—it’s been circulating for

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May 06 2026HEALTH

Health risks you should know before booking a cruise

Cruise ships pack thousands of people into tight spaces for days or weeks. That setup makes it easy for germs to travel from person to person. Buffets, shared surfaces, and recycled air all help viruses and bacteria spread faster than they would on land. When a ship stops in tropical ports, passenge

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May 06 2026HEALTH

Can a DNA shot keep Chagas away?

Scientists keep asking if a DNA vaccine could stop Chagas disease, a sneaky illness spread by tiny bugs called kissing bugs. The disease drags on for years, quietly damaging hearts and other organs. Right now, the only medicines available don’t always work and can have tough side effects. Researche

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May 05 2026HEALTH

Early Tests Cut Costs and Save Lives

A Boston meeting brought together doctors, scientists, and business leaders to talk about new ways to spot illnesses early. The group highlighted technologies that can find cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases before symptoms appear. One of the main ideas is that early detection can lower lo

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May 04 2026HEALTH

A Cruise Ship Outbreak: What We Know About Hantavirus

The cruise ship that once promised adventure now faces a frightening health crisis. A virus called hantavirus is believed to be the culprit behind three deaths and several illnesses on board. Hantaviruses have a long history, with records of outbreaks in Asia and Europe that caused severe fever a

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May 04 2026SCIENCE

Inclusive Data for Rare Diseases: Why It Matters

Rare diseases touch only a few people, often in far‑off places. Researchers gather data from many sites to study these conditions, but the way they collect personal details can leave out key groups. The study looked at how often researchers ask about factors like where people live, their race or c

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May 03 2026HEALTH

When the Body Weakens, the Spirit Fights Back

Few diseases reshape lives as drastically as ALS. It doesn’t just weaken muscles—it forces people to adapt daily tasks in ways most of us never consider. Some, like a famous physicist diagnosed in the 1960s, defied expectations by living decades longer than predicted. His sharp mind stayed intact, t

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May 03 2026HEALTH

Big Games, Big Plans: How Cities Are Preparing for Crowds and Health Risks

When over a million fans from across the world fill stadiums in New York and New Jersey for the FIFA World Cup, it’s not just about goals and glory—it’s a massive test for local hospitals. Medical teams in these cities have spent years preparing for anything from common illnesses like flu to rare bu

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May 01 2026HEALTH

Gut germs and Crohn’s: what’s really driving the disease?

Crohn’s disease hits over a million Americans, flaring up with gut pain and no obvious trigger. Doctors keep hunting for clues, and the spotlight often lands on the teeming bacteria that live inside our intestines. Genes can misbehave, immune defenses can overreact, diet can shift the balance, and s

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