Influenza causes an estimated 500,000 deaths each year and tests that detect the virus are key to treating, and preventing the spread of, influenza. Towards this end, scientists from University of Würzburg are now working on a test that allows people all over the world to taste their flu infection (think: chewing gum, lollipops, lozenges)….
Originally published October 9, 2024. Updated October 17, 2025. Pharmacies and doctors start booking flu vaccine appointments in late August, long before the number of flu cases are on the rise. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated in September or October. But most years, flu cases don’t peak for a couple months. So why September or…
To address the growing antimicrobial resistance problem, scientists have been searching nature in attempts to find new classes of antibiotics, optimizing existing ones, or designing new antimicrobial molecules. These efforts all focus on one thing: finding stronger, newer antibiotics. Unnecessary exposure to antibiotics enables bacteria to evolve defenses and increases resistance risks. While caution in…
Note: As an Amazon Associate I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from links in this post (affiliate disclosure). It has been a while since I read an actual book so at the beginning of this year, I set a goal: 12 books this year (as of now, I’ve read six). The first of these…
It’s been a while since I did spooky microbiology stories back in 2021. Then, I nerded out about zombie worms that melt away bones and use microbes to help them gain nutrients, vampire bacteria that feast upon other bacteria, and zombie fungi that take over the minds of ants. But this time, I’m bringing you…