-
Arctic Waters Could Hold Secret to Creating Life-Saving Drugs
It is early afternoon on board the "Helmer Hanssen," and the Arctic sun is already starting to set. Near the back of the ship, two people dressed in orange rain slickers are anxiously waiting. Any minute now, the ship's lines will pull taut, and a green mesh bag will be back up on deck.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
-
Viewpoint: What Africa Really Needs to Fight Ebola and Other Emerging Diseases: Anti-Corruption Efforts
As Ebola’s death toll surpasses 8,000 people, well-intentioned individuals have been suggesting different strategies to contain the crisis. Many of these recommendations have included the use of modern technologies like cell phones, coupled with innovations such as a global rapid response team. But more than anything, what Africa really needs is simply more investment in its people and its basic health care infrastructure, along with reduced corruption—making sure that the money sent to lay the foundations of public health actually goes where it is supposed to.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Watch Out, Guinea Worm, Here Comes Jimmy Carter
This past fall, President Jimmy Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, celebrated his 90th birthday. Looking ahead, he's also hoping to celebrate the global eradication of Guinea worm disease (also known as dracunculiasis).
- Categories
- Agriculture, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
How Nanobiophysics Can Stop Ebola and Other Global Pandemics
In an age of cell phones, human genome sequencing, and Google self-driving cars, even the world’s best hospitals (and airports) are still relying upon a thermometer (a 400-year-old technology) to decide who to quarantine for Ebola. The result of these antiquated approaches for diagnosing Ebola has resulted in over 1,400 Ebola suspects in the U.S. today who still have not received a definitive diagnosis.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
-
Tailor-Made Vaccine Set to Banish Africa’s Meningitis Epidemics
The website of a global partnership formed to wipe out deadly meningitis epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa is closing down with a simple message: "Thank you and goodbye!".
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Insecticide-Treated Nets May Create Super Mosquitoes
Two species of mosquitos have interbred, giving rise to hybrids that can resist the most potent weapons used against them.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Japanese Drugmakers Addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Not Just Out of Altruism
Japanese drugmakers are developing medicines to treat infectious diseases that have been overlooked because there is little financial incentive.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Neglected Tropical Diseases: Challenges for the Post-2015 Development Era
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 18 infectious diseases – caused by parasites, viruses, or bacteria – that disproportionately affect the poor and cause significant health and financial burdens. NTDs are endemic – meaning that they regularly infect humans – in 149 countries, with over 1 billion people infected and 2 billion people at risk. These diseases are largely treatable and preventable through control of the insects that carry these diseases, improved water quality and sanitation, and the efficient delivery of drug treatments already donated by major pharmaceutical companies.
- Categories
- Health Care
