Latest articles by Nicoletta Lanese
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.
8-year-old with rare, fatal disease shows dramatic improvement on experimental treatment
A child with a rare genetic disease that affects mitochondria is the first person to receive a new experimental treatment for the potentially life-threatening condition.
Shingles popped a hole in a man's bladder
A man suffered a rare complication of shingles and ended up with a ruptured bladder.
The rare genetic disease that gives babies hard 'scales'
The genetic disease harlequin ichthyosis affects the transport of fats within the skin, resulting in hard, scalelike plaques and an array of other symptoms.
A woman started eating foam from her chair while receiving dialysis
A woman on dialysis experienced a lot of fluid buildup between appointments and developed an unusual eating habit in an attempt to counter it.
A rare inherited condition that causes dramatic, early aging
Symptoms of Werner syndrome, which causes premature aging, can appear in a person's teens and progress quickly in their 20s and 30s.
HIV/AIDS: Facts about the viral infection that attacks the immune system
Learn how HIV spreads, how it affects the body and what treatments are available.
New study raises big questions about taurine as anti-aging supplement
Some studies suggested that declining levels of taurine, an amino acid, might be a key driver of aging. But a new study defies that idea.
A rare genetic disease stained a woman's heart black
An older woman had a relatively common heart problem, but it had a very rare cause.
The rare condition that makes people unable to smile
Moebius syndrome is a rare condition that affects several cranial nerves, impairing the muscles that control facial expressions and eye movements.
A man held in a sneeze — and it punctured his windpipe
A man tore his windpipe, in part, due to hay fever.
35 optical illusions
Artists and scientists have been creating optical illusions for centuries. Here are 35 mind-bending examples that prove you can't always trust what your eyes are telling you.
US baby receives first-ever customized CRISPR treatment for genetic disease
A baby known as KJ is the first person in the world to receive a customized CRISPR therapy designed to fix a specific mutation.
New CRISPR alternative can 'install' whole genes, paving the way to treatment for many genetic disorders
A new gene editor takes advantage of CRISPR-associated proteins to insert whole genes into the genome, scientists report.
A rare disease that causes insatiable hunger
Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes poor feeding in infancy but later triggers insatiable hunger.
Listeria outbreak that hospitalized 10 linked to California company's ready-to-eat products
A likely source of contamination has been identified in an ongoing Listeria outbreak affecting California and Nevada.
