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Dec. 8, 2024

Zoonotic Diseases of Pets: A Closer Look at the Risks and Precautions

This blog post delves into the world of zoonotic diseases of pets—illnesses transmitted from animals to humans. We'll explore the various risks these diseases pose, particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems, and offer practic…

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Nov. 1, 2024

Corsets, Cosmetics, and Consumption: How Tuberculosis Transformed Women's Fashion

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating connection between tuberculosis (TB) and women's clothing choices. Learn how the disease inspired pointed corsets, specific makeup trends, and even influenced the enduring fascination with women's sho…

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Oct. 17, 2024

Armadillos and Leprosy: The Unexpected Link

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating connection between armadillos and leprosy, exploring the surprising role these armored mammals play in leprosy research. We'll uncover the history of leprosy, the science behind the disease, and the u…

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Feb. 28, 2024

The threat of measles at Chicago's O'Hare Airport

The threat of measles at Chicago's O'Hare Airport is a concern due to the potential for international importations of the measles virus. A study conducted by Lee et al. (2018) investigated the international importations of measles virus into the Uni…

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Feb. 5, 2024

The Invasion of Fall Armyworms: From North America to Africa and Beyond

1. What are fall armyworms, and how did they invade Africa from North America? Fall armyworms (FAW) are destructive pests that have seriously threatened food security in Africa since their invasion in 2016. Originating from North America, these pes…

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Jan. 24, 2024

How Hurricane Maria led to an outbreak of Leptospirosis

Hurricane Maria, a category four hurricane, struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, causing widespread devastation and leaving the island without power, clean water, and proper sanitation for months. The aftermath of the hurricane created the perf…

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Jan. 19, 2024

The Cholera Crisis: Understanding the Impact of Climate Change

The article explores the link between climate change and the increase in cholera outbreaks, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent future outbreaks and save lives. Understanding Cholera and its Link to Climate Change Chol…

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Jan. 9, 2024

Science Wants to Explain Itself to You

It was around February of 2022 when I called my brother in Germany and discovered he had acquired a case of COVID with relatively mild symptoms. During the call, he began lecturing me about how the CT Value (cycle threshold value) of the COVID PCR t…

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June 29, 2023

The Fascinating World of SciComm: How Infectious Diseases are Communicated to the Public

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating field of science communication (SciComm) and explore how it plays a crucial role in educating the public about infectious diseases. We investigate the various methods and approaches scientists, journa…

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