Immune health is all about balance – an immunologist explains why both too strong and too weak an immune response can lead to illness

Dietary supplements claim to be able to ‘boost your immune system’ to combat disease. But attaining immune balance through a healthy lifestyle and vaccination is a safer bet to keep in good health.

Aimee Pugh Bernard, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Nov. 20, 2023 • ~6 min

Cell death is essential to your health − an immunologist explains when cells decide to die with a bang or take their quiet leave

Your cells die to keep you alive. Cell death does everything from fighting cancer cells and pathogens to forming your fingers and toes.

Zoie Magri, Ph.D. Candidate in Immunology, Tufts University • conversation
Oct. 4, 2023 • ~8 min

Ringworm fungal infections are common in the US and are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment – 6 questions answered

An aggressive, antifungal-resistant form of tinea, a contagious ringworm fungal infection, has appeared in the US, likely driven by overuse and misuse of antifungal medications.

Rodney E. Rohde, Regents' Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science, Texas State University • conversation
June 29, 2023 • ~9 min

Several Down syndrome features may be linked to a hyperactive antiviral immune response – new research

People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome 21. Understanding the effects of those triplicated genes could help improve the health of those with Down syndrome and other medical conditions.

Joaquin Espinosa, Professor of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
June 5, 2023 • ~8 min

Bile acids and gut microbes could potentially treat multiple sclerosis, according to new research in mice

The gut microbiome plays a big role in mediating how the immune system responds to perceived threats, which include the body’s own nerves.

Andrea Merchak, Ph.D. Candidate in Neuroscience, University of Virginia • conversation
March 1, 2023 • ~7 min

Newly discovered species of bacteria in the microbiome may be a culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis

A new species of bacteria that doesn’t normally live in the gut may trigger an immune response so strong that it spreads to the joints.

Meagan Chriswell, MD/PhD Candidate in Immunology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Oct. 27, 2022 • ~6 min

New protein boosts T cells to keep immune system in balance

Researchers have designed a protein that could keep the immune system in balance and prevent disease like arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Lisa Ercolano-Johns Hopkins • futurity
Oct. 24, 2022 • ~4 min

Long COVID: How researchers are zeroing in on the self-targeted immune attacks that may lurk behind it

A new study finds that misdirected immune responses can persist for months in those who are suffering from long COVID-19.

Matthew Woodruff, Instructor of Human Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Aug. 31, 2022 • ~9 min

What is alopecia? It's no laughing matter for millions of Black American women

The joke that sparked a violent reaction from actor Will Smith at the Oscars centered on his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss. A dermatologist explains the causes and treatment for alopecia.

Danita Peoples, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, Wayne State University • conversation
March 29, 2022 • ~6 min

Despite its disastrous effects, COVID-19 offers some gifts to medicine – an immunology expert explains what it can teach us about autoimmune disease

COVID-19 has taken away so much. An immunology researcher describes the good it may leave behind.

Dario Ghersi, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, University of Nebraska Omaha • conversation
Feb. 16, 2022 • ~8 min

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