Reference Terms
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Pathogen
A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. The term is most often used for agents that disrupt the normal physiology of a multicellular animal or plant. However, pathogens can infect unicellular organisms from all of the biological kingdoms. There are several substrates and pathways whereby pathogens can invade a host. The human body contains many natural defenses against some of common pathogens in the form of the human immune system and by some "helpful" bacteria present in the human body's normal flora. Some pathogens have been found to be responsible for massive amounts of casualties and have had numerous effects on afflicted groups. Today, while many medical advances have been made to safeguard against infection by pathogens, through the use of vaccination, antibiotics and fungicide, pathogens continue to threaten human life. Social advances such as food safety, hygiene, and water treatment have reduced the threat from some pathogens.
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Health & Medicine News
June 14, 2026
June 14, 2026 A surprising new study suggests that completely eliminating sugar may backfire. Mice on a sucrose-free low-fat diet showed worse blood sugar control, increased inflammation, disrupted gut bacteria, and signs of fatty liver compared with mice that ...
June 14, 2026 People taking popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound may be losing pounds, but they could also be moving less. Researchers analyzing Fitbit data found that daily step counts and exercise levels dropped after people ...
June 13, 2026 A new international study finds that middle-aged Americans are lonelier, more depressed, and experiencing worse memory and health than earlier generations. Researchers say growing financial strain, weaker social supports, and chronic stress may ...
June 13, 2026 A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults ranging from age 19 to 94 found that brain health can improve at any age, challenging the common belief that mental sharpness must decline as we get older. Participants spent just a few minutes a day on ...
June 13, 2026 A child psychologist says grandparents are more important than ever as youth mental health challenges continue to rise. He argues that children need supportive relationships, meaningful conversations, and a sense of purpose—not just pressure to ...
June 13, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a surprising new genetic cause of a rare movement disorder after analyzing nearly 3,000 patients with conditions affecting coordination and muscle control. The team identified mutations in a gene called CD99L2, previously ...
June 13, 2026 A new experimental vaccine developed by Scripps Research could offer a powerful new way to prevent fentanyl overdoses by stopping the drug before it reaches the brain. Rather than targeting only fentanyl itself, the vaccine trains the immune system ...
June 12, 2026 A new nature-inspired membrane uses perfectly uniform one-nanometer pores to filter molecules with remarkable precision. The technology could transform industries such as pharmaceuticals and textiles by reducing energy consumption, improving water ...
June 12, 2026 A low-calorie fasting-style diet significantly reduced inflammation linked to gum disease in a small clinical study. The findings suggest that what people eat may influence gum health almost as much as what they do with a ...
June 12, 2026 Researchers discovered that mutations linked to blood cancers may help trigger Alzheimer’s disease by creating overly inflammatory immune cells in the brain. The unexpected finding could lead to new blood-based screening methods and potential ...
June 12, 2026 A new treatment that blocks an aging-related protein restored lost cartilage in old mice and helped prevent arthritis after knee injuries. Human cartilage samples showed similar signs of ...
June 12, 2026 Just 90–120 minutes of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards, according to a study tracking more than 147,000 people for 30 years. That amount was linked to lower risks of death overall, particularly ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
June 11, 2026 A potentially dangerous tapeworm linked to severe, cancer-like disease has now been found in the Pacific Northwest, marking its first detection in ...
June 11, 2026 Researchers discovered that declining levels of phosphatidylcholine may be a major cause of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of cellular energy. Remarkably, boosting this nutrient ...
June 10, 2026 A common sign of hearing loss isn’t complete silence — it’s struggling to follow conversations, especially in noisy places. Experts say hearing loss and tinnitus, the ringing or buzzing many ...
June 10, 2026 Cancer cells often survive treatment by fixing the DNA damage that therapy is meant to cause. Researchers found that UNI418 can disrupt this repair ability, leaving cancer cells more exposed. When ...
June 10, 2026 A major study suggests glucosamine, a popular supplement for joint pain, could be linked to faster progression from mild cognitive impairment to ...
June 9, 2026 “Chemo brain” affects up to 80% of people receiving chemotherapy, making everyday tasks harder. In a new trial, cancer patients who followed a ...
June 9, 2026 A study of more than 2,100 adults found that eating more ultra-processed foods was linked to poorer attention and slower mental processing, even among people with otherwise healthy diets. Researchers ...
June 9, 2026 A surprising gut-heart connection may help explain why sleep apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. In mice, disabling a bile acid receptor called FXR sharply reduced plaque buildup, ...
June 9, 2026 Tea may help protect against heart disease, diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, and age related muscle loss, according to a major review. But the way you drink it matters, since bottled and bubble ...
June 9, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a hidden immune system "brake" that may help cancers avoid being destroyed. The molecule, called SLAMF6, weakens the body's cancer-fighting T cells and can leave them ...