Mitochondria can sense bacteria and trigger your immune system to trap them – revealing new ways to treat infections and autoimmunity

Not only do mitochondria serve as the engine of the cell – they also act as watchtowers for the immune system.

Andrew Monteith, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Tennessee • conversation
June 25, 2025 • ~7 min

From furry friends to fish, turning up the heat helps animals fight germs − how Mother Nature’s cure offers humans a lesson on fever

Fever isn’t necessarily a bad thing − it’s actually a useful response to infections.

Harry Bernheim, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology, Tufts University • conversation
May 23, 2025 • ~7 min

Whooping cough is making a comeback, but the vaccine provides powerful protection

Rates of the bacterial infection have gone up by 500% since last year, with babies and young children most at risk.

Annette Regan, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
April 29, 2025 • ~10 min

Norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug, is on the rise – an infectious disease expert explains the best ways to stay safe

You can get norovirus any time of the year, but it spreads most during the winter.

William Schaffner, Professor of preventive medicine, health policy, infectious diseses, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Jan. 27, 2025 • ~6 min

Brain inflammation may be the reason behind muscle fatigue after infection and injury

Conditions such as long COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease and meningitis can damage the line of communication between your brain and your muscles.

Aaron N. Johnson, Associate Professor of Developmental Biology, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
Dec. 13, 2024 • ~7 min

Get chronic UTIs? Future treatments may add more bacteria to your bladder to beat back harmful microbes

Certain strains of E. coli tucked in a gel can crowd out the microbes that cause urinary tract infections.

Sarguru Subash, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University • conversation
Nov. 15, 2024 • ~6 min

Could fungi actually cause a zombie apocalypse?

Be very afraid – if you’re an insect.

Matt Kasson, Associate Professor of Mycology and Plant Pathology, West Virginia University • conversation
Oct. 21, 2024 • ~8 min

Why are some people more prone to infection?

Why are some people more likely to face infection? An expert explains what influences immune response and how to boost your immunity.

Yale • futurity
Oct. 8, 2024 • ~3 min

Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall - 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself

Cases of valley fever are typically most prevalent in California’s Central Valley and southern Arizona, but they have been increasing in California’s central and southern coastal areas.

Simon Camponuri, PhD Candidate in Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
Sept. 26, 2024 • ~10 min

Antibacterial discovery: how scavengers avoid infection and what we can learn from them

You might expect scavengers such as vultures to have a diet high in dangerous bacteria. Our study investigated what defences these animals have to help them stay healthy.

Vijitra Luang-In, Associate Professor of Biotechnology, Mahasarakham University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2024 • ~8 min

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