Latest articles by Nicoletta Lanese
Formaldehyde-free hair-straightening products may still threaten health, concerning study finds
Formaldehyde-free hair-straightening products have been marketed as a safer option, but they may pose a risk to kidney health, a case series suggests.
First-ever pig-to-human lung transplant attempted in brain-dead person in China
In a first, scientists in China transplanted a lung from a pig into a human so they could see how the host immune system handled the procedure.
'Minibrains' reveal secrets of how key brain cells form in the womb
Miniature models of the brain have revealed a "previously unappreciated" role of microglia, a type of cell found within the organ. The finding could help unpack how disorders such as autism arise.
$14,000 pregnancy robot from China isn't real. But is a similar technology possible?
A story circulating on social media this week featured a seemingly made-up scientist who is developing an equally imaginary "pregnancy robot." Virality ensued.
If 'pregnancy robots' were real, would you use one?
A viral story raised the idea of using robots outfitted with artificial wombs to incubate human babies from conception to birth. If such technology existed, would you consider using it?
FDA recalls more bagged, frozen shrimp over possible radioactive cesium contamination
The FDA is warning consumers not to eat certain frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart after other products from the same company tested positive for a radioactive substance.
A man's preference for 'soft' bacon may have given him brain worms
A man in the U.S. reported worsening migraine symptoms. It turned out that a pork tapeworm had invaded his brain.
Special protection may help human eggs stay fresh as the body ages
A new study suggests that the mitochondria in human egg cells don't accumulate DNA mutations with age, which sets them apart from other tissues in the body.
Man sought diet advice from ChatGPT and ended up with dangerous 'bromism' syndrome
A case report describes an incident in which a man seeking to make a dietary change consulted ChatGPT and later developed "bromism," a rare "toxidrome."
'These decisions were completely reckless': Funding cuts to mRNA vaccines will make America more vulnerable to pandemics
Interview mRNA expert Jeff Coller spoke with Live Science about the future of mRNA vaccines in the United States in the aftermath of huge federal funding cuts.
A woman had something in her eye — and it turned out to be parasitic worms
A woman went to the hospital several times with the feeling that something was stuck in her eye. It turned out to be parasites.
Experimental HIV vaccines show promise in early safety test
Several vaccines for HIV have been tested in animal studies and an early safety trial in people, showing promising results in both.
'Universal' cancer vaccine heading to human trials could be useful for 'all forms of cancer'
A new mRNA-based vaccine triggers a response from the innate immune system to help arm the body against cancer, a mouse study finds. It's now in early human trials.
Pizzeria mishap left at least 85 people intoxicated with THC after infused oil used for dough
In 2024, an odd outbreak of THC intoxication hit more than 80 people in Wisconsin after a pizzeria accidentally used oil infused with the psychoactive ingredient.
Memories aren't static in the brain — they 'drift' over time
A new mouse study of spatial memory suggests that the brain's representation of places "drifts" over time.
Raw milk carrying Salmonella sickened 170 people in 5 states, mainly kids
A new report authored by California health officials describes a raw-milk-related outbreak of Salmonella that sickened dozens in 2023 and 2024.
Best-ever map of the human genome reveals 'hidden' regions of DNA
In a pair of papers, scientists greatly expanded our catalog of known genomic variation among humans.
Male birth control pill passes early safety test, with more trials underway
An experimental birth control pill for males works by blocking sperm production, and it just passed its first safety test in humans.
Weird swelling of man's fingers and toes revealed cancer had 'completely replaced' the bones with lesions
Marked swelling in a man's finger and big toe was a symptom of late-stage cancer.
8 babies spared from potentially deadly inherited diseases through new IVF 'mitochondrial donation' trial
A groundbreaking trial in the U.K. has released data on eight babies born through a special IVF procedure to lower their risk of mitochondrial DNA disease.
The choice of sperm is 'entirely up to the egg' — so why does the myth of 'racing sperm' persist?
In her new book "The Stronger Sex," science journalist Starre Vartan dispels myths and misconceptions about the female body.
Experimental treatment for high cholesterol edits DNA in the body to reduce LDL
An experimental treatment called VERVE-102 lowers the amount of "bad" cholesterol in the blood of people with specific cholesterol-raising conditions.
Man in Australia dies of rare, rabies-like disease
A man in New South Wales was exposed to a rare relative of the rabies virus and died of the resulting infection. His was only the fourth case of the disease ever documented.
