Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Sodium intake varies across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

Almost all adults in the U.S. consume more sodium (salt) than recommended, yet the sources and use of sodium vary among people of different races and ethnicities, indicating the need for culturally customized advice about sodium intake, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

28 May 2025

Scientists reveal how RNA could have replicated on early earth

Chemists at UCL and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology have demonstrated how RNA (ribonucleic acid) might have replicated itself on early Earth – a key process in the origin of life.

28 May 2025

Single measles strain triggers outbreak in Milan despite high vaccination rates

A unique measles B3 lineage drove a sustained local outbreak in Milan and surrounding areas in early 2025, marking a shift from previous D8 importations. This primarily affected unvaccinated adults, raising alarms about potential endemic measles resurgence in northern Italy despite high overall vaccination coverage.

27 May 2025

Study identifies distinct long COVID symptoms in young children

Long COVID-symptoms that linger long after initial viral infection-can affect people of every age, including children.

27 May 2025

Genomic analysis reveals how bird flu jumped from wild birds to poultry and people

Researchers identified a novel genotype (D1.1) of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 spreading among wild birds, poultry, and a human in British Columbia, Canada, during fall 2024. Genomic analysis reveals the virus arose from reassortment between Eurasian and North American strains, with implications for surveillance and control.

27 May 2025

Maestro John Mauceri returns to the stage in renewed health

John Mauceri, an award-winning music conductor, author, and recording artist, is celebrating his return to the stage in better health following specialized cardiac surgery at NYU Langone Health to treat a rare and life-threatening heart condition.

27 May 2025

Understanding cow’s milk allergy in breastfed infants

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) affects up to 2.2% of infants, with a complex interplay of immunological mechanisms, allergen transfer via breast milk, and variable responses to maternal elimination diets. Current evidence challenges the routine use of maternal dietary restrictions, highlighting the need for precise diagnosis and further research.

27 May 2025

Experts explain how H5 avian influenza adapts to infect more animals

The Gs/Gd lineage of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses—including H5N1—has rapidly evolved, spreading globally and infecting a growing range of birds, mammals, and occasionally humans. This review highlights the expanding risks, the challenges of cross-species transmission, and urgent needs for surveillance, vaccination, and a unified One Health response.

25 May 2025

New test can measure performance for lower-limb amputees using bone-anchored prostheses

A test developed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus that measures both prosthetic donning time and mobility in lower-limb amputation, shows that a prosthesis anchored to bone goes on faster than a traditional socket-style prosthesis.

23 May 2025

AI tools show limitations in diagnosing atypical emergency room cases

Artificial intelligence tools can assist emergency room physicians in accurately predicting disease but only for patients with typical symptoms, West Virginia University scientists have found.

23 May 2025

UK surveillance identifies traces of West Nile virus in mosquitoes

Fragments of West Nile Virus have been identified in mosquitoes collected in the UK for the first time, according to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitoring programme designed to understand the emergence and transmission of vector-borne disease in the UK.

23 May 2025

Trump’s team cited safety in limiting covid shots. patients, health advocates see more risk.

Larry Saltzman has blood cancer. He's also a retired doctor, so he knows getting covid-19 could be dangerous for him — his underlying illness puts him at high risk of serious complications and death.

23 May 2025

Mild winter temperatures offer surprising mental health benefits

Higher ambient temperatures during the cold season were linked to reduced stress, improved life satisfaction, better self-reported health, and less loneliness in a large Swiss population study. While effects were modest at the individual level, they highlight the broader mental health impacts of seasonal temperature changes.

22 May 2025

How innovation in dried blood spot testing is transforming neurological disease monitoring

In this interview, NewsMedical speaks with Quanterix about blood spot testing for neurological applications.

From Quanterix 21 May 2025

Most Americans back MMR vaccine as measles surges and misconceptions rise

A national survey shows that most Americans still support MMR vaccination for children, but public understanding of measles complications and vaccine facts is declining. Despite a sharp rise in measles cases, misconceptions about vaccine risks and autism persist.

20 May 2025

New discovery may help explain why some people infected with CHIKV develop severe joint pain

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that has been identified in more than 110 countries around the world. The virus typically causes flu-like symptoms, but it can also trigger chronic, severe joint pain in some people.

20 May 2025

How the Trump administration aims to slash health care spending

Health care has proved a vulnerable target for the firehose of cuts and policy changes President Donald Trump ordered in the name of reducing waste and improving efficiency.

20 May 2025

What makes H5N1 a pandemic risk and how can we stop it?

A new PEARLS article in PLoS Pathogens reviews the rapid evolution and pandemic potential of emerging influenza A viruses, with a focus on H5N1. It highlights scientific advances and future strategies to outpace the virus, from next-generation vaccines to AI-driven antiviral discovery.

19 May 2025

New short film sheds light on the impact of climate change on brain health

A powerful new short film, from the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences sheds light on the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on brain health.

19 May 2025

Mayo Clinic discovery may help preserve donor hearts longer

A new discovery by Mayo Clinic researchers could mean more donor hearts are available for heart transplant, giving more people a second chance at life.

19 May 2025