Nicoletta Lanese is the health channel editor at Live Science and was previously a news editor and staff writer at the site. She is a recipient of the 2026 AHCJ International Health Study Fellowship, with a project focused on antibiotic stewardship practices in Japan and the U.S. They hold a graduate certificate in science communication from UC Santa Cruz and degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida. Beyond Live Science, Lanese's work has appeared in The Scientist, Science News, the Mercury News, Mongabay and Stanford Medicine Magazine, among other outlets. Based in NYC, she also remains involved in dance and performs in local choreographers' work.
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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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Neuroscience word search — Find all the parts of the brainHow well do you know that organ between your ears? Test your recognition of neuroscience terms with this word search.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
neuroscience -
An otherwise 'fit' man had a stroke after drinking 8 'high-potency' energy drinks a dayA man with few risk factors unexpectedly experienced a stroke, and his daily energy drink habit may have been to blame.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Unprecedented': Woman delivers full-term abdominal pregnancy while also having 22-pound cyst removedA 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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
reproductive-health -
Man caught rabies from organ transplant after donor was scratched by skunkA Michigan man died of rabies despite having no recent exposure to a potentially infected animal.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
10 Commentsviruses-infections-disease -
CDC panel, stuffed with vaccine skeptics, votes to end recommendation for universal newborn hepatitis B vaccinationThe 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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Intelligence comes at a price, and for many species, the benefits just aren't worth it': A neuroscientist's take on how human intellect evolvedBook In his book "One Hand Clapping," Nikolay Kukushkin explores explanations for how consciousness evolved, and ultimately, what makes us human.
By Nikolay Kukushkin Published
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Could aging eggs be 'rejuvenated'? New tool may help pave the way to fertility-extending treatmentsScientists invented a new experimental system to study how age-related changes in egg cells make them more prone to chromosomal errors.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Shrinking tree canopy at California schools could put kids at risk of extreme heatA recent study examined changes in tree canopy cover around California schools. The observed declines could put kids at higher risk of heat stress.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
2 Commentshealth -
The evolution of life on Earth 'almost predictably' led to human intelligence, neuroscientist saysInterview Neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin spoke to Live Science about how human consciousness evolved.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Study links GLP-1 use to some pregnancy risks — but the research has key caveatsA 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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'I don't know if CDC will survive, to be quite frank': Former CDC officials describe the disintegration of the agency under RFKThree former CDC officials share their experiences at the agency leading up to their resignations.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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New drug could prevent diabetes complications not fixed with blood sugar control, study hintsAn experimental drug compound could be a promising treatment for harmful diabetes complications, per a new study in lab mice and human cells.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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New Jersey man dies from meat allergy triggered by tick biteA man in New Jersey has died from a meat allergy that people can develop after being bitten by certain tick species.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Canada has lost its 'measles elimination status' — here's what that meansA large, ongoing outbreak that began in Canada in 2024 has cost the country its measles elimination status.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
2 Commentsviruses-infections-disease -
One molecule could usher revolutionary medicines for cancer, diabetes and genetic disease — but the US is turning its back on itThe 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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'This is a completely different level of anti-vaccine engagement than we've ever seen before,' says epidemiologist Dr. Seth BerkleyInterview 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.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Future pandemics are a 'certainty' — and we must be better prepared to distribute vaccines equitablyBook 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.
By Dr. Seth Berkley Published
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A toddler accidently ate gonorrhea bacteria from a lab dishIn a bizarre medical case published in 1984, a young boy was inadvertently exposed to an STI-causing bacteria in a lab dish.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Black eyes, orbital fractures and retinal detachment: Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise in the USA new analysis suggests the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has increased dramatically in the U.S. as the sport gains popularity.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'The Big One' could be even worse than COVID-19. Here's what epidemiologist Michael Osterholm says we can learn from past pandemics.The new book "The Big One" describes lessons learned from past pandemics and how they might be applied to mitigate the dangers of future outbreaks.
By Dr. Michael Osterholm Published
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Scientists created human egg cells from skin cells — then used them to make embryosIn a proof-of-concept experiment, scientists demonstrated that you can create and fertilize human eggs in the lab using sperm, genes from skin cells, and the "shells" of existing egg cells.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Groundbreaking' gene therapy is first treatment for Huntington's disease to slow the conditionResults from a three-year trial suggest an experimental gene therapy for Huntington's disease can slow the progression of the deadly condition by 75%.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
neuroscience

