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Smallpox
Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) is a highly contagious disease unique to humans. It is caused by two virus variants called Variola major and Variola minor. V. major is the more deadly form, with a typical mortality of 20-40 percent of those infected.
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Health & Medicine News
December 5, 2025
Dec. 5, 2025 Regular consumption of polyphenol-rich foods like tea, coffee, berries, nuts, and whole grains may significantly support long-term heart health. A decade-long study of more than 3,100 adults found that those who consistently ate polyphenol-packed ...
Dec. 5, 2025 Cedars-Sinai scientists have created a new experimental drug called TY1 that helps the body repair damaged DNA and restore injured tissue. The discovery came from studying tiny molecular messages released by heart cells that naturally support ...
Dec. 5, 2025 A large study found that people with impaired kidneys tend to have higher Alzheimer’s biomarkers, yet they don’t face a higher overall risk of dementia. For those who already have elevated biomarkers, kidney problems may speed up when symptoms ...
Dec. 4, 2025 Researchers found that people with anxiety disorders consistently show lower choline levels in key brain regions that regulate thinking and emotions. This biochemical difference may help explain why the brain reacts more intensely to stress in ...
Dec. 4, 2025 Researchers studying people with major psychiatric disorders found that drinking up to four cups of coffee a day is associated with longer telomeres. This suggests a potential slowing of biological aging by about five years. However, drinking five ...
Dec. 4, 2025 A low-dose mix of zinc, serine, and branched-chain amino acids boosted neural function and social behavior in autism mouse models. The combination restored more typical synaptic protein patterns and reduced excessive amygdala activity. Individual ...
Dec. 4, 2025 Scientists have captured a never-before-seen, high-resolution look at influenza’s stealthy invasion of human cells, revealing that the cells aren’t just helpless victims. Using a groundbreaking imaging technique, researchers discovered that our ...
Dec. 3, 2025 Stanford researchers found that gas stoves expose Americans to surprisingly high levels of nitrogen dioxide—often matching or exceeding outdoor pollution. For millions, cooking alone pushes NO2 over long-term safety thresholds. Smaller homes, ...
Dec. 3, 2025 A unique vaccine rollout in Wales gave researchers an accidental natural experiment that revealed a striking reduction in dementia among seniors who received the shingles vaccine. The protective effect held steady across multiple analyses and was ...
Dec. 3, 2025 A surprising link between constipation and kidney decline led researchers to test lubiprostone, revealing that it can protect kidney function. The results point toward gut-based, mitochondria-boosting therapies as a promising new avenue for CKD ...
Dec. 3, 2025 Sweat carries a rich mix of biomarkers that advanced wearables can now track in real time. New AI-powered patches analyze biochemical patterns to detect disease risks, medication levels, or stress responses. Researchers are building ultra-sensitive ...
Dec. 3, 2025 College life creates a perfect storm for overeating, as students consume more calories when surrounded by friends, eating in dining halls, or following unstructured schedules. A four-week study using a mobile app revealed that students often ...
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Dec. 3, 2025 Scientists discovered that the first 100 base pairs of human genes are unusually prone to mutations, especially during the earliest stages of embryonic development. These mosaic mutations often go ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Researchers discovered that 168 common chemicals can disrupt the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, with some also promoting antibiotic resistance. ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Researchers have solved the decades-old mystery behind how a common pregnancy drug lowers blood pressure. It turns out the medication blocks a ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Scientists found that combining oxytocin with an Alk5 inhibitor revitalized extremely old male mice, boosting their lifespan and strength. Female ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Scientists have discovered that a single gene, GRIN2A, can directly cause mental illness—something previously thought to stem only from many genes acting together. People with certain variants of ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Nitrous oxide may offer quick, short-term relief for people with major depression, especially those who haven’t responded to standard medications. The meta-analysis found rapid improvements after a ...
Dec. 2, 2025 Dolichospermum, a type of cyanobacteria thriving in Lake Erie’s warming waters, has been identified as the surprising culprit behind the lake’s dangerous saxitoxins—some of the most potent ...
Dec. 1, 2025 Younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer more often than screening guidelines anticipate. Many of these cancers are invasive and harder ...
Dec. 1, 2025 Researchers have found a small but powerful switch inside breast cancer cells that helps them survive stressful conditions. When this switch flips, the cells activate protective programs that make ...
Dec. 1, 2025 Scientists have found that common foods can contain hidden contaminants formed during cooking or through environmental exposure. A new testing method called QuEChERS helps identify these chemicals ...