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High temperatures and heat waves may lead to delays in early childhood development

Climate change-including high temperatures and heat waves-has been shown to pose serious risks to the environment, food systems, and human health, but new research finds that it may also lead to delays in early childhood development.

8 Dec 2025

Rising nighttime heat is linked to shorter and more disrupted sleep

Higher nighttime temperatures are linked to shorter sleep times and lower sleep quality, especially for people with chronic health conditions, lower socioeconomic status, or those living on the West Coast, according to a new USC study.

4 Dec 2025

Single-dose dengue vaccine will benefit populations in hard-to-reach regions

A world-first single-dose vaccine against the dengue virus, manufactured and approved for use in Brazil, will especially benefit populations in hard-to-reach regions of the country such as the Amazon, say disease specialists.

4 Dec 2025

Insect flour could boost gut health and cut environmental impact

Chitin-rich insect flours show promise as functional foods, boosting beneficial gut bacteria while addressing allergenicity and consumer trust issues.

3 Dec 2025

Nearly one million young children die each year due to growth failure worldwide

Nearly one million children around the globe fail to reach their fifth birthday every year due to devastating health consequences linked to child growth failure, making it the third leading risk factor for mortality and morbidity in children under five.

2 Dec 2025

Discovery of smOOP RNAs reveals hidden rules of cellular phase separation

Inside cells, RNAs and proteins form tiny, liquid-like droplets called biomolecular condensates. These droplets are essential for organizing cellular life, yet why some RNAs cluster more readily than others has remained unclear.

28 Nov 2025

Regional crises and climate shocks drive global resurgence of cholera

Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, spreads through contaminated water and thrives where sanitation systems have collapsed. Once inside the body, it dehydrates victims within hours, but with prompt treatment, nearly every life can be saved.

27 Nov 2025

One Health approach needed in research into zoonotic disease risks

A new evidence brief, based on a study by the Juno Evidence Alliance conducted in collaboration with CABI's One Health Hub, has highlighted that a One Health approach is needed in research into zoonotic disease risks around the world.

26 Nov 2025

CRISPR-edited fungus boosts protein production and cuts environmental impact

In a new study publishing November 19 in the Cell Press journal Trends in Biotechnology, researchers used a gene-editing technology called CRISPR to increase a fungus's production efficiency and cut its production-related environmental impact by as much as 61%-all without adding any foreign DNA.

21 Nov 2025

Nationwide study maps epilepsy incidence rates among older adults in the United States

A first-of-its-kind nationwide study has mapped epilepsy incidence rates among older adults in the United States and identified key social and environmental factors associated with the neurological condition.

20 Nov 2025

Drought intensifies human-wildlife conflict by pushing carnivores closer to people

Periods of drought significantly increase human-wildlife conflict in California, with the strongest effects observed in carnivorous species. Conflict reports rise as precipitation declines and peak during the warmest, driest months of the year.

19 Nov 2025

A hidden health crisis following natural disasters: Mold growth in homes

After returning from what felt like the best internship of her life, Danae Daniels was excited to unwind and settle into a new semester at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

19 Nov 2025

Climate extremes continue to drive preventable deaths across the United States

Researchers led by investigators at Mass General Brigham have discovered that over the last 25 years, heat and cold-related deaths have caused more than 69,000 deaths in the U.S., disproportionately affecting certain populations. The findings are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

18 Nov 2025

Arsenic reduction in drinking water associated with lower risk of death from chronic illnesses

A new 20-year study of nearly 11,000 adults in Bangladesh found that lowering arsenic levels in drinking water was associated with up to a 50 percent lower risk of death from heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses, compared with continued exposure.

17 Nov 2025

New COP30 report urges urgent action to protect health in a warming world

Climate change is already driving a global health emergency, with over 540 000 people dying from extreme heat each year and 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide at risk of climate-related shutdowns, warns a new special report, released today jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Brazil (COP30 Presidency) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

14 Nov 2025

Which plant-based diet is healthiest and most sustainable

Vegan and vegetarian diets deliver nutrient adequacy on par with Mediterranean diets, while lowering carbon footprints and promoting environmental health.

13 Nov 2025

Long-term poverty and rising unsecured debt may increase risk of premature mortality

Adults who experience poverty-level family income-whether sustained or intermittent-over two decades spanning young to mid-adulthood face a significantly higher risk of dying prematurely than those who are never in poverty, according to new research led by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

10 Nov 2025

Tropical cyclone exposure associated with higher risk of death from various causes

Beyond direct injuries, exposure to tropical cyclones is associated with higher risks of death across a range of causes including kidney, heart and lung diseases, neuropsychiatric conditions, and diabetes, finds a study published in The BMJ's climate issue today.

6 Nov 2025

Medical evidence strengthens legal battles against air pollution and climate harm

Medical and scientific evidence is proving invaluable in holding public authorities accountable for the impact of unlawful air pollution on people's health, say experts in The BMJ's climate issue today.

5 Nov 2025

Climate change and conflict combine to deepen global health crises

The combined impact of climate change and conflict "can produce synergistic effects, leading to more severe and complex outcomes," warn experts in The BMJ's climate issue today.