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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
March 25, 2026
Mar. 25, 2026 A major discovery reveals that metformin works not just in the body, but in the brain. By switching off a key protein and activating specific neurons, the drug lowers blood sugar through a previously hidden pathway, opening new doors for diabetes ...
Mar. 25, 2026 Nearly half of Americans don’t know that processed meat increases colorectal cancer risk, according to a new poll. But once they learn the connection, most support warning labels—suggesting people want clearer information. Experts warn that ...
Mar. 25, 2026 Balance problems in aging and Parkinson’s may come from the body working too hard, not too little. Scientists found that the brain and muscles become overactive during even minor disturbances, yet this actually weakens balance recovery. At the ...
Mar. 24, 2026 Researchers have visualized atoms in motion just before a radiation-driven decay process occurs, revealing a surprisingly dynamic scene. Instead of remaining fixed, the atoms roam and rearrange, directly influencing how and when the decay unfolds. ...
Mar. 24, 2026 New fathers appear to have fewer mental health diagnoses during pregnancy and the early months after birth. But that early stability does not last. About a year later, depression and stress-related disorders increase significantly, surprising ...
Mar. 24, 2026 Researchers have identified microRNA-93 as a key genetic driver of fatty liver disease and discovered that vitamin B3 can effectively shut it down. This finding suggests a safe, widely available vitamin could become a powerful new ...
Mar. 24, 2026 A global team of leading scientists is zeroing in on a tiny but powerful molecule that could reshape how we age. Known as NAD⁺, it plays a crucial role in keeping our cells energized, repairing ...
Mar. 24, 2026 For over a century, scientists have chased the dream of insulin pills, but the digestive system kept destroying the drug before it could work—forcing millions of patients to rely on daily injections. Now, researchers at Kumamoto University have ...
Mar. 23, 2026 A new study suggests a widely used bone hormone could help relieve chronic back pain in an unexpected way. Instead of just strengthening bone, it appears to stop pain-sensing nerves from growing into damaged spinal areas. In animal models, this led ...
Mar. 23, 2026 Postmenopausal women may have a powerful new edge in the battle against weight gain. A Mayo Clinic study found that those using menopausal hormone therapy while taking the obesity drug tirzepatide lost about 35% more weight than those on the drug ...
Mar. 23, 2026 Researchers have developed a teeth-whitening powder that works with the vibrations of an electric toothbrush to safely remove stains. Unlike traditional whiteners, it not only brightens teeth but also repairs enamel and supports healthy oral ...
Mar. 23, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a hidden “death switch” in the brain that may be driving Alzheimer’s disease—and even found a way to turn it off in mice. The culprit is a toxic pairing of two proteins that, when combined, triggers the destruction ...
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Mar. 25, 2026 Flower nectar often contains small amounts of alcohol, meaning pollinators like hummingbirds are drinking it all day long. Despite consuming human-equivalent amounts, they show no signs of ...
Mar. 23, 2026 A new blood test could change the outlook for one of the deadliest cancers—pancreatic cancer—by catching it much earlier than ever before. Researchers identified two previously unknown proteins ...
Mar. 23, 2026 A surprising new study reveals that blocking a supposedly protective enzyme, Caspase-2, could actually backfire—raising the risk of chronic liver damage and cancer over time. Researchers found that ...
Mar. 22, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a surprising brain-based trigger for high blood pressure, tracing it to a small region in the brainstem that normally controls breathing. This area, which kicks in during ...
Mar. 22, 2026 GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) may offer unexpected mental health benefits alongside weight loss. A large study found major drops in depression, anxiety, and psychiatric-related ...
Mar. 21, 2026 Antibiotics are accumulating in a major Brazilian river, especially during the dry season when pollution becomes more concentrated. Scientists even detected a banned drug inside fish sold for food, ...
Mar. 21, 2026 A new pill, enlicitide, reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by about 60% in a large clinical trial, matching the power of injectable therapies. Because it’s taken orally, it could overcome one of ...
Mar. 21, 2026 Researchers have discovered that cancer spread isn’t random—it follows a kind of biological “program.” By studying colon tumor cells, they identified gene patterns that signal whether a ...
Mar. 21, 2026 Scientists have engineered probiotic bacteria to act as tumor-seeking drug factories. In mice, these bacteria infiltrated tumors and produced a cancer-fighting drug right where it was needed. This ...
Mar. 21, 2026 “Forever chemicals” may be affecting kids in ways that last a lifetime. A new study links early PFAS exposure to lower bone density during the teen years, especially in girls. Researchers also ...