Latest articles by Nicoletta Lanese
US government overhauls the childhood vaccine schedule in unprecedented move
Federal health officials are attempting to make the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule more like that of Denmark. Experts say the decision lacks scientific backing.
An experimental mRNA treatment counters immune cell aging in mice
A trio of mRNA molecules could help guard against the harmful effects of aging on immune cells, a study in mice finds.
From gene therapy breakthroughs to preventable disease outbreaks: The health trends that will shape 2026
Opinion Live Science's health channel editor makes predictions about the medical breakthroughs and public health shifts to come in 2026.
Scientists are developing a 'self-driving' device that helps patients recover from heart attacks
Live Science spoke with Dr. Joe Alexander of NTT Research about "digital twins" and the development of an autonomous device for acute cardiac care.
Year in review: The standout health stories of 2025, from measles outbreaks to AI-made viruses
Catch up on the latest trends in health news in this roundup of long-reads compiled by Live Science's health channel editor.
Tooth-in-eye surgery, 'blood chimerism,' and a pregnancy from oral sex: 12 wild medical cases we covered in 2025
Here are a dozen strange and interesting tales from the medical literature.
Diagnostic dilemma quiz: Can you guess the diagnosis in these strange medical cases?
Based on our "Diagnostic Dilemma" series, this quiz tests your medical know-how.
Neuroscience word search — Find all the parts of the brain
How well do you know that organ between your ears? Test your recognition of neuroscience terms with this word search.
An otherwise 'fit' man had a stroke after drinking 8 'high-potency' energy drinks a day
A man with few risk factors unexpectedly experienced a stroke, and his daily energy drink habit may have been to blame.
'Unprecedented': Woman delivers full-term abdominal pregnancy while also having 22-pound cyst removed
A California woman was scheduled to have a large cyst removed but, in the lead-up to the procedure, learned she had a rare ectopic pregnancy.
Man caught rabies from organ transplant after donor was scratched by skunk
A Michigan man died of rabies despite having no recent exposure to a potentially infected animal.
CDC panel, stuffed with vaccine skeptics, votes to end recommendation for universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination
The CDC's vaccine committee has voted to roll back a universal recommendation that newborns be vaccinated against hepatitis B, which is one of public health's major success stories.
'Intelligence comes at a price, and for many species, the benefits just aren't worth it': A neuroscientist's take on how human intellect evolved
Book In his book "One Hand Clapping," Nikolay Kukushkin explores explanations for how consciousness evolved, and ultimately, what makes us human.
Could aging eggs be 'rejuvenated'? New tool may help pave the way to fertility-extending treatments
Scientists invented a new experimental system to study how age-related changes in egg cells make them more prone to chromosomal errors.
Shrinking tree canopy at California schools could put kids at risk of extreme heat
A recent study examined changes in tree canopy cover around California schools. The observed declines could put kids at higher risk of heat stress.
The evolution of life on Earth 'almost predictably' led to human intelligence, neuroscientist says
Interview Neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin spoke to Live Science about how human consciousness evolved.
Study links GLP-1 use to some pregnancy risks — but the research has key caveats
A new study hints that pregnant people who have previously taken drugs like Ozempic may face a higher risk of certain poor pregnancy outcomes. But more studies are needed to understand the finding.
'I don't know if CDC will survive, to be quite frank': Former CDC officials describe the disintegration of the agency under RFK
Three former CDC officials share their experiences at the agency leading up to their resignations.
New drug could prevent diabetes complications not fixed with blood sugar control, study hints
An experimental drug compound could be a promising treatment for harmful diabetes complications, per a new study in lab mice and human cells.
New Jersey man dies from meat allergy triggered by tick bite
A man in New Jersey has died from a meat allergy that people can develop after being bitten by certain tick species.
A woman's homemade juice led to life-threatening 'toxic squash syndrome'
In the first reported case of its kind in Canada, a woman fell violently ill after consuming the juice of a bitter gourd.
Canada has lost its 'measles elimination status' — here's what that means
A large, ongoing outbreak that began in Canada in 2024 has cost the country its measles elimination status.
One molecule could usher revolutionary medicines for cancer, diabetes and genetic disease — but the US is turning its back on it
The U.S. government is divesting from mRNA vaccines, but will other uses of the technology be spared? In a time of uncertainty, scientists worry that revolutionary treatments for cancer, immune dysfunction and genetic disease may be left on the lab bench.
'This is a completely different level of anti-vaccine engagement than we've ever seen before,' says epidemiologist Dr. Seth Berkley
Interview Epidemiologist Dr. Seth Berkley spoke to Live Science about the importance of vaccine equity and the obstacles undermining it, as well as the political challenges to vaccines being raised in the U.S.
Future pandemics are a 'certainty' — and we must be better prepared to distribute vaccines equitably
Book Months before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, efforts were already underway to ensure low-income countries would get access to future vaccines against the infection. The book "Fair Doses" tells that story and discusses the ongoing fight for vaccine equity around the world.
