Schistosoma mansoni egg recovered from the medieval latrine in Bruges. Black bar represents 20 µm. Credit: Marissa Ledger, McMaster UniversityThe discovery of a 500-year-old African parasite in a Bruges latrine offers new insights into how medieval trade networks facilitated the spread of infectious diseases. Linked to Spanish merchants and global commerce, this finding sheds...
Credit: PixabayIf you've ever had a blood test ordered by a doctor, chances are it included a complete blood count (CBC). As one of the most common medical tests worldwide, CBCs are performed billions of times each year to diagnose conditions and monitor overall health.Despite their widespread use, the way clinicians interpret CBC results...
Credit: PixabayResearchers are piecing together the complex relationship between gut health and Alzheimer's disease, revealing yet another connection between our digestive system and brain function. Animal studies have shown that gut microbes can transmit Alzheimer's to young mice, reinforcing this link.Furthermore, a 2023 study supports the idea that inflammation may be the mechanism behind...
A patient with encephalitis lethargica in 1925. (Public Domain Mark/Wellcome Collection)In the film Awakenings, Robert De Niro's character laments, "People have forgotten what life is all about" after he revives from a 30-year shutdown state. This film, based on Dr. Oliver Sacks' true story, explores the lives of individuals impacted by encephalitis lethargica, or "sleepy...
