Free Republic

-Local farmers report huge financial losses as many yaks in the area have fallen ill -GB authorities say veterinary team has been sent with medicines to treat the animals Over 100 yaks have been killed after a mysterious disease broke out in the high-altitude pasture of Shimshal Pamir, local residents said on Wednesday, as officials confirmed the situation and said a medical team had been dispatched for rescue. Located at 3,100 meters above sea level, Shimshal is the highest settlement in Pakistan’s northern Hunza region and the last village before the country’s border with China. “A disease broke out in...

Scientists have discovered a surprising new connection between gut health and blood cancer risk—one that could transform how we think about aging, inflammation, and the early stages of leukemia. As we grow older—or in some cases, when gut health is compromised by disease—changes in the intestinal lining allow certain bacteria to leak their byproducts into the bloodstream. One such molecule, produced by specific bacteria, acts as a signal that accelerates the expansion of dormant, pre-leukemic blood cells. The study suggests that this mechanism may reach beyond leukemia to influence risk for other diseases and among older people who share a...

[MULTIPLE VIDEO EXCERPTS AT LINK] This story originally appeared on vigilantfox.com and was republished with permission. RFK Jr. is perhaps the most impactful HHS Secretary we’ve ever seen—but if you read the mainstream news, you’d think his first 100 days were a disaster. While chronic disease drains trillions from Americans every year, the press can’t stop obsessing over measles. Just look at these headlines: “As measles cases rise, some parents become vaccine enthusiasts.” “US measles cases near 900, outbreaks reported in 10 states.” “Measles may be making a comeback in the U.S., Stanford Medicine experts warn.” It makes you think...

In a nutshell One dose of a psychedelic compound (25CN-NBOH) significantly improved cognitive flexibility in mice, even 2 to 3 weeks after the drug was administered. Treated mice adapted better to new learning rules in a reversal task, showing stronger performance across multiple behavioral measures compared to controls. These long-lasting effects suggest psychedelics may promote meaningful, enduring changes in brain plasticity, offering potential new approaches for treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s disease. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A single dose of a psychedelic compound could be key to helping your brain become more adaptable for weeks. University of Michigan...

A new type of antibiotic for treatment of urinary tract infections in women could also work against gonorrhea infections, a new study finds. This could put the medication, called gepotidacin, on track to become the first new antibiotic for gonorrhea since the 1990s. “Gepotidacin is a novel oral antibacterial treatment with the potential to become an alternative option for the treatment of gonococcal infections, supported by an acceptable safety and tolerability profile,” the researchers wrote in the study published Monday in The Lancet, adding that the drug “could mark a meaningful advancement in patient care.” As an antibiotic, gepotidacin works...

Texas administered 15,000 more measles vaccinations this year compared to 2024—and now there’s a growing measles outbreak that has surpassed the total number of cases reported across the entire United States last year.The news follows this website’s February report that measles cases in Gaines County, Texas, had jumped 242% following a health district campaign to hand out free measles vaccines.A measles outbreak after higher vaccination rates in Texas calls into question the shot’s claimed effectiveness and underlying design.Timeline & NumbersBetween January 1 and March 16 last year, 158,000 measles vaccines were administered in the state, according to CBS News.During the...

"One way to stop the spread of diseases transmitted by insects is to make the blood of animals and humans toxic," according to researchers. Researchers have discovered that a medication typically prescribed for rare diseases could make human blood deadly for mosquitoes, offering a potential lead to curb diseases such as malaria. They experimented with a drug called nitisinone, which is usually prescribed to individuals with rare inherited diseases that typically prevent them from being able to fully break down certain amino acids. The medication works by blocking an enzyme to prevent the build-up of harmful disease byproducts in the...

Certain vaccinations are important for pets to protect them from several fatal diseases. However, while this process is important, pet owners should be careful to make sure they are not over-vaccinating their animal companions because this can lead to health issues. Over-vaccination in pets is when a pet is inoculated with the same vaccines multiple times. When this happens, it can result in adverse effects on your pet's health. This can be dangerous to some animals because they are vaccinated too frequently for their bodies to handle. Studies show that over-vaccination can cause hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. Over-vaccination is...

A research team has discovered that C-reactive protein (CRP) can exacerbate kidney inflammation caused by diabetes, also known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), through a Smad3-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism. Therefore, future research targeting CRP or the Smad3-NLRP3 mechanism may provide new treatment directions for DKD. CRP is an inflammatory protein whose level rises rapidly when the body undergoes an inflammatory response, making it a commonly used clinical marker for inflammation. Recent studies have shown that CRP exacerbates kidney inflammation and fibrosis through the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, worsening DKD. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a key factor driving kidney inflammation,...

Researchers have identified BbLDH as a critical enzyme for B. burgdorferi survival, paving the way for targeted Lyme disease treatments. New inhibitors could halt the bacteria without affecting other organisms, making this a major step forward. =============================================================================== A team of scientists has zeroed in on an enzyme that could revolutionize Lyme disease treatment. By uncovering the crucial role of BbLDH in bacterial survival and infectivity, they’ve opened the door to highly targeted therapeutics. Their findings even hint at broader applications for fighting other tick-borne diseases. A Promising New Target for Lyme Disease Treatment Scientists have identified an enzyme that could...

“The Brady Bunch” is back in the news after 50 years, thanks to anti-vaccination activists who are using a 1969 episode of the family sitcom to back up their case that, as diseases go, you “sure can’t beat the measles.” And Marcia Brady herself, Maureen McCormick, is not happy about it The episode called “Is There a Doctor in the House?” finds the Brady children sick with the measles and staying home from school. “If you have to get sick, sure can’t beat the measles,” Marcia says. The kids are thrilled they didn’t have to take medicine, and Jan is...

Dying of dysentery is now more than just a video game meme in Oregon. In a disgusting turn of events straight out of the “Oregon Trail” game, the diarrhea-inducing malady dysentery is making a stomach-churning comeback in a densely populated region of the state. Cases of the hyper-contagious bacterial disease have surged in Multnomah County, with health officials reporting 40 cases of the wretched sickness in January, according to the Multnomah County Health Department, KOIN reported. The infection, also known as shigellosis, can spread through exposure with infected feces, contaminated food or water, or sexual contact – with person-to-person the...

Friday, February 28, marks the fourth annual HIV Is Not a Crime Awareness Day (#HINACDay; #HIVIsNotACrime), a global effort to inform the public about unjust laws that target people living with HIV and the efforts to modernize those laws. The HIV criminalization awareness day is spearheaded by Sero Project, a nonprofit that fights HIV crime laws, along with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and other global HIV advocacy groups. Visit the HINACDay Facebook page for the latest updates, and search the hashtags online to find promotional and educational posts and info about events near you as well as those held...

“There is no pain, but it feels like I am wearing a pair of gloves when I try to play" Brian Setzer, the frontman of Stray Cats, has revealed he has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that has left him unable to play guitar. The singer and guitarist, also known for his time fronting the big band revivalists The Brian Setzer Orchestra, shared the news in a post on Instagram earlier this month. “I just wanted to check in with you all,” he wrote on February 13. “Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour I noticed that...

A measles outbreak spreading in Texas and New Mexico has sickened at least 99 people, with cases expected to rise amid a nationwide drop in vaccination rates. Texas’ Department of State Health Services confirmed 90 cases as of Friday. That’s up from 48 cases a week earlier.

Reports indicate the Trump administration plans to resume expulsions under the Centers for Disease Control’s Title 42 authority. The measure, first used by the Trump administration to combat COVID-19, allowed immigration officials to summarily expel migrants within minutes of an illegal entry to reduce the spread of the contagion.According to a CBS News report, internal government documents were reviewed that indicate the Trump administration is planning on reinstating the Public Health Service Act found in Title 42 to reduce the likelihood of introducing diseases like tuberculosis. The measure allows Border Patrol agents and other immigration officials to swiftly remove migrants...

Health officials in Gaines County, Texas have confirmed that the number of people identified with measles is now up to two dozen, and all of the confirmed cases involve unvaccinated residents, reports CBS News. Nine patients have been hospitalized. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins, said the outbreak was “completely preventable.” Studies have found that vaccines are 97% effective at preventing measles infection. ORIGINAL FEBRUARY 12, 2025 POST: Officials in Western Texas and Atlanta are warning of measles outbreaks among communities with low vaccination rates. South Plains Public Health District Director Zach Holbrooks...

For hundreds of years, history left us wondering what disease killed the Aztecs in the mid-1500s. Many assumed the Aztecs were one of many Central American groups to be wiped out by European diseases like smallpox. However, DNA testing has unearthed new evidence about what really killed 80% of the Aztecs. Scientists extracted DNA from Aztec teeth, and discovered the presence of a strand of Salmonella. Research on climate change in Mexico at the time indicates droughts could have precipitated the spread of disease. Some things remain unexplained, however; only continued research can explain how a massive epidemic ravaged the...

Mefenamic acid, a common anti-inflammatory drug already approved for pain management, has been found to significantly reduce the formation of a toxic compound known as p-cresol sulfate in people with kidney disease with a minimal dose. "Right now, there's nothing drug-wise we can use to reduce this toxin quickly," says Tony Kiang. The body makes a compound called p-cresol when it breaks down proteins and amino acids. A healthy person's kidneys quickly get rid of the toxic sulfates. However, for the population with chronic kidney disease, they can accumulate to dangerous levels. "High levels of this toxin are correlated with...

Turmeric has been a healing remedy in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It comes from the rhizome (root) of the Curcuma longa plant and has a warm, earthy flavor. Turmeric's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with many health benefits, from soothing joint pain to enhancing digestion and immunity. 1. Arthritis (Joint Pain) Arthritis is a broad term that describes over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, typically develops due to age-related "wear and tear." Other types, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic...