One Scientist's Race To Help Microbes Help You
Moving the American Gut Project to a biotech hub like San Diego may speed the jump from basic research to real treatments. At least that's microbe tracker Rob Knight's plan.
Infectious Disease
This Year's Flu Vaccine Is Pretty Wimpy, But Can Still Help
The vaccine is only about 23 percent effective against the dominant flu strain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's because the strain mutated slightly.
Measles Makes An Unwelcome Visit To Disneyland
An outbreak among visitors to two California theme parks shows once again that this supercontagious virus doesn't respect borders. Most of the afflicted people had not been vaccinated.
Scientists Hit Antibiotic Pay Dirt Growing Finicky Bacteria In Lab
A natural compound kills germs that have become resistant to antibiotics, researchers say. If it works in humans, it could help combat diseases like tuberculosis.
As Ebola Pingpongs In Liberia, Cases Disappear Into The Jungle
A woman is thought to be spreading Ebola in a remote village. So health workers spend four hours trekking through the bush to track her down. By the time they make it, it's too late.
Our Most Popular Stories Of 2014: Ebola ... And Bed Rails?
In July, the Goats and Soda blog was born. We came into a world obsessed with Ebola. But our readers also loved stories about chocolate, bed rails and jet-setting viruses.
Costly Hepatitis C Drugs Threaten To Bust Prison Budgets
Inmates in the U.S. have a high rate of infection with chronic hepatitis C — up to 35 percent or more by some estimates. New drugs introduced this year can cure the disease quickly, but at a cost.
Painful Virus Sweeps Central America, Gains A Toehold In U.S.
While some Americans worried that Ebola would spread around the U.S., a new mosquito-borne virus flew right in. It sickened more than 2,000 Americans and nearly a million people across the Caribbean.
Ebola Aid Workers Still Avoiding New York And New Jersey
It's been months since a nurse who treated Ebola patients in Africa was quarantined by New Jersey's governor upon arrival at Newark airport. But a legacy of confusion about state travel rules remains.
Texted Reminders Help Parents Get Kids In For Flu Shots
It's hard enough to get kids in for one flu shot, let alone two. But when parents got texts that explained why the child needed a second dose, they were much more likely to get the job done.