Recent headlines have stirred public concern about avian influenza, or bird flu, following a tragic death in Louisiana linked to the H5N1 strain. But what exactly is bird flu, and how serious is the threat to human health?

Pregnancy is known to induce profound changes in women, but it is not just the obvious ones that are important. In a recent study Dr. Elizabeth Chrastil, a neuroscientist and co-author of the scientific paper, underwent regular MRI scanning for three weeks before conceiving, during pregnancy…

Bedwetting is not a serious medical problem but can be a challenging problem for parents and children. It can be upsetting for both children and parents. While it is associated with feelings of shame and embarrassment, it is not uncommon. About 15-20 million children wet the bed at 7 years o…

Recently, a friend posted about his values. He has been on numerous boards and companies, helping to establish their core values. These values are the driving force by which all decisions are made. A search of UTMB’s website shows that its values are compassion, integrity, respect, diversity…

One of the highlights of any visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is seeing the massive masterpiece The Night Watch painted by the Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn in 1642. A large-scale research and conservation project called Operation Night Watch has revealed some of the toxic ingredient…

For thousands of years before candles, and definitely before television and fast foods, humans have used the long dark days of winter to reflect on their well-being and make plans for the coming period of growth and building for the future. The first known idea of resolutions began with the …

Reindeer receive a lot of attention during the holiday season, thanks to their iconic role as Santa’s sleigh team. But beyond the folklore and festive cheer, these majestic animals are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in ecosystems and Indigenous cultures. While they dazzle us wi…

We see the word “joy” so much this holiday season. What happens to it the rest of the year?

Some of the most vigorous public debates today surround how we as a society deal with a person’s gender and sex. Many people equate gender and sex. This is overly simplistic and does not capture the complexity of this hot-button issue. Recent biomedical research suggests that gender and sex …

“Be a part of the solution, not the pollution” — Unknown

Busy as people are during the winter holiday season there is an increase in the appreciation of relationships, those of family and friends. As humans have become more aware of how social factors influence health and long life, there has been more attention given to human interactions. Learni…

It seems like every time I look at notices from the CDC and WHO, there is another virus emerging or causing more disease than ever before. This time, it’s one that most Americans have never heard of, the Oropouche Virus, which is also sometimes called the Sloth Virus. Recently more than 20 c…

During Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of working in the hospital. While working that week, I engaged with several people who were really sick. One thing that struck me was that those who did well in the hospital were individuals who had a significant support system around them. These peopl…

Leah Seneng, a beloved sixty-year-old middle school art teacher in California, lost her life to rabies this past November. The incident stemmed from what seemed like a small, insignificant interaction with a bat.

Here is something different for you to contemplate: recent research from a large study in Finland has shown that some mental illnesses may be transmissible among adolescents. Does it spread like the flu? Not exactly, but spreading from person to person nonetheless. In this recent study, it w…

It is probably correct that no matter which winter season festival is your family’s tradition, toys are a major part. Toys are an important part of a child’s development. It helps with eye-hand coordination, learning basic words for shapes and colors, developing imaginations and storytelling…

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

As you read this there are only 3 weeks to December 25th. This year December 25th is not only Christmas Day but is the first day of Hanukkah. On December 26th the first day of Kwanzaa starts. These three days have many things in common although originate from different belief systems, lastin…

I believe few would argue that a Nobel prize is the ultimate honor for a scientist. The prizes go to those who made a major discovery, changed a scientific paradigm and had a big impact on humankind. Some mistakenly think it is a reward for lifetime achievements or scientific leadership, but…