On June 11, 2016, an Arizona woman died from what appeared to be several infections, including pneumonia. She likely caught at least one of these from her dog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were involved in the investigation into events leading up to he ...more
Usually, we think of vaccines as preventative, a shot we get to prevent the flu or some childhood disease like measles or mumps. But there are vaccines for other purposes, such as the ones studied by researchers from the Netherlands. A report published in Current Opinion in V ...more
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) drive over eight million people to seek medical attention every year. Almost all — as many as 90% — of those infections are caused by Escherichia coli. Copper can kill bacteria, but E. coli has found a way to capture the copper, preventing its a ...more
More bad news for patients who have undergone heart surgery in the past five years. A new study suggests about one-third of heater-cooler units used in cardiac procedures remain contaminated with a slow-growing, potentially fatal bacteria. Heart failure is the leading cause o ...more
Montezuma's revenge, the runs, the trots, or just diarrhea — everyone gets it sooner or later. What exactly is diarrhea good for, if anything? The basic description of diarrhea is loose, watery, stools. It can be explosive, frequent, acute, or chronic — but the bottom line is ...more
Norovirus outbreaks occur all year long, but peak in the winter months, which means we are in the middle of norovirus season. But there's still time to protect yourself from the highly infectious bug. There's no vaccine for the virus that causes one to three days of misery—ab ...more
Rising on the world stage, dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes — and apparently air travel too. In July 2017, the World Health Organization's official report tallied 80,732 cases of dengue fever in Sri Lanka, with 215 deaths so far in 2017. The announcement notes that i ...more
Dangerous to humans and dogs, Rocky Mountain Fever, along with several other tickborne infections, is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) has been increasing for decades. Overall, ...more
When just floating peacefully in the water with their brood mates, the Culex mosquito larvae in the image above does not look very frightening. But in their adult form, they are the prime vector for spreading West Nile virus — a sometimes mild, sometimes fatal disease. Part o ...more
A promising new antibiotic has been discovered in, of all things, another bacteria. Burkholderia bacteria live in diverse habitats, including soil, plants, and humans where they thrive by knocking out other microbes that compete with them for resources or threaten their existe ...more
As if being pregnant did not come with enough worry, a new study found that certain antibiotics are linked to an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage — a terrifying finding for any expectant mother. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Jo ...more
Blowing dust and fungal spores are creating a public health problem that could be just a slice of what's to come with climate change. Spurring regional expansion of ticks, and mosquitoes, warming temperatures are also rising ocean temperatures that stir up atmospheric turbule ...more
Like humans, cats can suffer infections caused by ticks, and too often, the disease is fatal. Learn about tickborne diseases that affect cats and what you can do to protect Fluffy from an untimely demise. Across the US, tickborne diseases are on the rise. With warmer winterti ...more
At a global security conference in Munich, philanthropist and businessman Bill Gates spoke about the next pandemic and a dire lack of global readiness. Here's how his statement could come true—and how to be ready when it does. On Saturday, Bill Gates joined hundreds of heads- ...more
When the climate changes, so do all the things that rely on the climate, including people, plants, and pathogens. A European study recently took a broad look at what kind of microorganisms are most likely to be affected as climate change heats, cools, dries, and wets the world ...more
Deadly rat lungworm parasites have found their way into Florida. The parasitic worm relies on snails and rats to complete its life cycle, but don't let this nematode's name fool you. This worm can cause meningitis and death in humans who inadvertently consume snails, frogs, or ...more
While Lyme disease can be disabling, the wrong treatment for the infection can be fatal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that the bacteria that causes Lyme disease infects about 30,000 people each year. Transmitted by the blacklegged tick, Ixodes ...more
Findings from a mouse study suggest that the Zika virus infection may have serious reproductive consequences for men. Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that often produces no symptoms in men or women. Those who do have symptoms usually experience a minor rash, low-grade fever, p ...more
Sepsis is not only a gross sounding word but also a deceptively dangerous and fatal infection. Which is why more than 40 hospitals nationwide are coming together to a new collaboration to help reduce sepsis mortality, named Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes (IPSO). Sepsis i ...more
A sometimes serious disease spread by fleas is making inroads in Texas, quietly doubling case numbers since 2008, and beginning to encroach on larger metropolitan areas. While considered a nuisance on cats and dogs, fleas have spread disease around the world, including plague ...more
Antibiotics are one of our main weapons against infections. The problem is that many bacteria are becoming resistant to most of the antibiotics we use to treat them, and those 'superbugs' have created an urgent threat to our global health. A research group found a new way to h ...more
In the summer of 1976, 4,000 American Legionnaires descended upon the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a four-day convention. Several days later, many of the attendees experienced symptoms of severe pneumonia. By the beginning of August, 22 people ha ...more
This just in! Some of Frito-Lay's chips might be bad for your health for reasons other than the fact that they're deep fried potatoes. On April 21, Frito-Lay announced a voluntary recall of both Jalapeño Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips and Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vic ...more
A young child becomes very thirsty very often and seems tired all the time. A visit to the pediatrician determines she has type 1 diabetes. The onset of type 1 diabetes may seem sudden, and it can be, but the disease may actually have been triggered by common childhood viruses ...more
Two viral liver diseases could help us find the path toward the cause of Parkinson's disease. Researchers from the University of Oxford and UCL Institute of Neurology in London have reported an association between hepatitis B and C infections and an increased risk of Parkinso ...more
In the past, infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) commonly led to dementia as the virus made its way to the brain. Even in effectively treated people, HIV can hide out and replicate in places like the brain, where it's tough to detect. That's why it's very concern ...more
Our quest to find new antibiotics has taken a turn — a turn down the road, that is. A team of scientists from the University of Oklahoma is scooping up roadkill and searching for bacteria on them that might yield the world's next antibiotic. The research — which discovered a ...more
A 'superbug' fungus is currently running riot in the hospitals of New York and New Jersey. This outbreak of Candida auris has contributed to 17 deaths in NYC, according to recent reports. Candida auris was first discovered when it was cultured from the ear canal of a patient ...more
On October 17, 1943, a story in the New York Herald Tribune read "Many laymen — husbands, wives, parents, brothers, sisters, friends — beg Dr. Keefer for penicillin," according to the American Chemical Society. Dr. Chester Keefer of Boston was responsible for rationing the new ...more
Think of the coolest, most unique way to create art that you can. Got it? Now think about creating that art out of living things. The American Society For Microbiology (ASM) holds an annual art contest, but it's no ordinary art they look for. The ASM looks for agar art, which ...more
We all know what elephant toothpaste is, but what's the best way to make this massive growing foam? Dr. Lithium from NurdRage has answers. He'll show you the best way to reproduce this chemical reaction to get the best foaming action! This is a classic science class demonstrat ...more
This is a video demonstration that will show you how to make pita bread at home. The first thing you have to do is dissolve the yeast in a warm water with a little sugar added to it. Let it sit until it becomes frothy. The next step is to add about half of the flour and a litt ...more
Newton Virus is the first art virus by Troika. In the beginning were harmless computer viruses. Viruses born out of the wit of early computer adopters, viruses whose sole purpose was to surprise and amuse. A non-destructive form of artificial life. We wanted to revive this g ...more
Health, safety and security are three main issues which determine if your cruise is a successful vacation. Health Health is a big issue because if one person gets sick, the entire ship can become infected. Gastrointestinal illness is the most common illness aboard cruise sh ...more
Feeling like you need to rid your body of a few toxins? A nice, hot cup of tea isn't just soothing; some varieties have health and diet benefits. See which brew might be right for you. Learn how to tea-tox with help from this video. What you will need: • Roselle tea • Rose ...more
Could the world really be coming to an end tomorrow? Presuming you believe the biblical prediction from 89-year-old Harold Camping, May 21st, 2011 is undeniably Judgment Day. If you have confidence in that prophecy, you're probably not even reading this because you're too busy ...more
Learn how to proof yeast. Yeast is used in baking as a leavening agent, which is what makes bread and pastries light and airy. Yeast reacts with moisture, sugar, and heat to create tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide which cause the dough to expand and rise. To proof yeast, you'll ...more
Watch this video to improve your clinical skills and learn how to do an abdominal examination. Note that this procedure should only be done by a medical professional. Other things you may want to note when performing the abdominal exam. Pain from an inflamed gall bladder can ...more
Your gynecologist has recommended that you undergo surgery to remove vaginal fibroids. But what does that actually mean? Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow from the inner or outer wall of the uterus. They are quite common - as many as 20% of women over 30 will develop ...more
Jim Lahey's no-knead pizza dough is more time consuming than Jamie Oliver's "cheat's pizza", but it's quicker and simpler than the more traditional dough recipes. The rise time is only two hours, and the kneading is minimal. I still prefer Jamie's pizza, but I sense this is be ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to prepare for a navel piercing. First, know how much the piercing will cost, so you are prepared to pay for it. Next, do your research on how to clean and care for your piercing. Cleaning it with salt water and a cotton ball will help keep the p ...more
In order to treat and live with multiple Myeloma, you will need to first accept the diagnosis and what it means to your life. It is treatable, but it is not curable. They symptoms are: nervous system dysfunctions, fatigue, bone pain, recurrent infections, and kidney problems. ...more
In this video, Dr. Mike tells us how to tell if your dog has a urinary tract infection. The signs of this infection include: frequent urination, blood in urine, pain urinating, and drinking more water. To diagnose this, it's always important to get a urine sample to properly d ...more
In this video, Britec09 shows, "How to Fix and Troubleshoot Internet Explorer Browser Problems". First ensure that your computer is connected to the internet and your system is not infected by a computer virus, or any other type of infection, that will cause your computer to f ...more
Death by stingray is extremely rare, but getting hit with their barb still hurts like hell – which is why you need to learn how to play footsie safely with these sea creatures. You Will Need * An ability to shuffle your feet * Very hot water or a chemical heat pack * Water sho ...more
Use a neti pot daily to prevent sinus infections and promote easy breathing. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to use a neti pot. You Will Need * A neti pot Step 1. Purchase a neti pot Step 2. Prepare a saline solution Step 3. Insert spout into nostril Step 4. Po ...more
Cats are particularly prone to eye infections, which can cause serious health risks. Protect your cat! Learn how to safely and easily give your cat eye drops or ointment, with advice from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. To keep your pet healthy you have to be able to a ...more
Almost 125 million people worldwide suffer from what is known as psoriasis, the skin disease that's marked by red, itchy, and scaly patches that are hurtful, if not visually god-awful. There can be a little hope though for psoriasis sufferers. Though you can treat and control ...more
Your cats nails are always growing, and they can easily grow too long, which can cause problems. Indoor cats can catch their nail on the carpet, resulting in bleeding or possibly injuring the actual toe. Toenails that are too long can always result in an infection. Learn how t ...more
Fight your acne with the use of French green clay. In this video, learn how to use French green clay to fight infections and reduce inflammation. This remedy is used to calm down acne, or irritated, red skin and is perfect for sensitive skin. You can purchase French green clay ...more
Separate restroom hygiene fact from fiction – here's how. You Will Need * The first or last stall * Hand-washing Step 1: Choose the right stall Choose the first or last stall. The middle ones usually get the most traffic, and therefore contain the most bacteria. Step 2: Hang ...more
Mononucleosis, an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, can strike anyone, but those who experience the worst symptoms are teenagers. Follow these simple steps to avoid getting this virus. You Will Need * To avoid kissing * Clean hands * Your own utensils Step 1 Avoid k ...more
The pita bread at authentic Lebanese restaurants is to die for! It's the best part of Lebanese cuisine, so how to you make it? This video will share Dmitra "Dima" Khoury's family recipe for pita bread, perfect as any meal companion. While growing up in Lebanon, Dmitra helped ...more
CARRION n pl. -S dead and putrefying flesh 59 points (9 points without the bingo) The word CARRION refers to the dead and putrefying flesh on the carcass of any dead animal. Yes… humans are animals. Carrion differs from plain old dead bodies (cadavers, corpses, LICH, etc.) b ...more
What's the Difference Between Ales and Lagers People often ask me, "Nick, what is the difference between Ales and Lagers?" Well, as you may or may not know, there are two types of beers -Ales & Lagers. All beers are made from the basic combination of water, hops, malts, and y ...more
Your mother used to remind you to wash behind your ears now make sure you keep your dog in tip top health and clean their ears too. Dogs depend a lot on their hearing but can build dirt and wax in and around their ears which can be irritating or lead to infection. Help your p ...more
This video is about how to get rid of pimples. It's a nightmare to wake up and discover a big, red pimple right on your face. Here are some tips to help you out. 1. Do not touch, or try to squeeze or pop the pimple. This can cause pain, redness, swelling, and even infection. I ...more
In each day of our life, we see inflammation. We see it during sore throats and abscess formations in our bodies, and even slight tooth pain is a form of inflammation. Sometimes it's good when it fights to protect us from invading organisms, but sometimes it becomes bad when i ...more
In each day of our life, we see inflammation. We see it during sore throats and abscess formations in our bodies, and even slight tooth pain is a form of inflammation. Sometimes it's good when it fights to protect us from invading organisms, but sometimes it becomes bad when i ...more
What is a burn? It's a form of injury to body tissues which is caused by heat, corrosive substances or friction. There is another form of burn, which is known as scald; it results from exposure to hot water or steam. There are three degrees of burns, explained below. First d ...more