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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Some schizophrenia cases stem from malformations of the skull, study suggestsA new study hints at a "previously recognized" mechanism that links a rare chromosomal disorder to schizophrenia.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Mystery disease' in Congo turned out to be malaria — and potentially, another diseaseAn initially "unknown" illness affecting hundreds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be attributable to malaria, malnutrition and a viral infection. But investigations are ongoing.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Recycled black plastic can contain flame retardants, viral study found. That's still true — but their math was offResearchers detected flame retardants in household items made from recycled black plastic. The study later received a correction — but regardless of this paper, the chemicals' health effects remain unclear.
By Michael Schubert Last updated
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Person in Louisiana hospitalized with H5N1 in nation's 1st severe caseA person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the United States' first serious case of H5N1 bird flu, following 60 milder cases this year.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'She was waiting for a 1-in-a-million match': Alabama woman is the 3rd patient to ever get a pig kidneyAn Alabama woman underwent a transplant procedure to get a new kidney from a gene-edited pig.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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When will MDMA be approved for therapy? Major trial issues may stand in the way, psychiatrist Dr. Albino Oliveira-Maia says.Interview When will MDMA be approved for therapy? Major trial issues may stand in the way, psychiatrist Dr. Albino Oliveira-Maia says
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Medicine needed an alternative': How the 'phage whisperer' aims to replace antibiotics with viruses"Both understood phages as medicinal agents, which the rest of the medical field viewed as nonsensical."
By Lina Zeldovich Published
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New RSV drug for babies is over 90% effective at preventing hospitalizationIn a new study, the RSV drug nirsevimab was 93% effective at preventing young children from being hospitalized for the respiratory infection.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Raw milk from US dairies must now be tested for bird fluA new federal order requires that U.S. dairies provide milk samples to the USDA so the agency can test the milk for bird flu prior to pasteurization.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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A single gene mutation could enable H5N1 to spread between people, study findsA new laboratory study pinpoints a way H5N1 could evolve to spread from person to person.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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WHO is investigating mystery illness behind 12 dozen deaths in the Democratic Republic of the CongoBetween 67 and 143 people in the DRC have died of an unknown, flu-like disease, officials have said.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Diagnostic dilemma: A woman cleaned her fish tank and ended up in the hospitalA bacterial infection that rarely occurs in the United States hit a woman in Maryland after she cleaned her home aquarium.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Diagnostic dilemma: A man's heart stopped after he ate too much licoriceA man experienced cardiac arrest after eating a different flavor of candy than he had historically.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Black mold-like substance' and water contamination uncovered by FDA at Tom's of Maine toothpaste factoryThe Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to a Tom's of Maine facility in Sanford that makes toothpaste.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Scientists take huge step forward in making atlas of all 37 trillion cells in the human bodyScientists published more than three dozen papers as part of the Human Cell Atlas, an effort to map the human body cell by cell.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Diagnostic dilemma: A man's 'magic mushroom' tea led to a bad trip to the hospitalA man's attempt at self-medicating with shrooms resulted in a trip to the intensive care unit.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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39 sickened, 15 hospitalized in E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrotsU.S. health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli tied to now-recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots from Grimmway Farms.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Diagnostic dilemma: A man's brain started bleeding after a dentist appointmentA man's brain started bleeding just after he got teeth pulled at the dentist's office. Why?
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Canada reports 1st local case of H5 bird fluA teen in Canada may be the first person to catch an H5 bird flu virus within the country. Health officials are now working to confirm the diagnosis.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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LED device treats leading cause of vision loss with light therapy, FDA saysThe Food and Drug Administration will allow a new device to be marketed as a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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E. coli in the gut may fuel a 'chain reaction' leading to Parkinson's, early study suggestsTwo recent chemistry studies pinpoint reactions that may link the gut microbiome to the development of Parkinson's disease.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Older adults should get 2 doses of the updated COVID shot, CDC saysThe 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are available, and the CDC recommends that certain groups get two doses, spaced six months apart.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Scientists launch amazing 'atlas' of embryos, showing how cells move and develop through time"Zebrahub" is an atlas of cells in developing zebrafish embryos, and scientists say it will help us learn about our own biology, too.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Nearly 50 illnesses, 1 death caused by E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter PoundersU.S. health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of bacterial infections that has been linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published

