Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are a growing health threat. Nearly 5 million people die from these infections each year. Experts predict this number will rise by 70%, reaching 40 million deaths by 2050. Scientists must find new ways to stop harmful bacteria.

A new PLOS One study offers hope. Researchers found that hemolymph protein extract (HPE) from Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) can kill harmful bacteria. These proteins, called antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs), also help antibiotics work better. The study suggests that HPE could improve antibiotic treatments and slow resistance.

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Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines for common diseases are now less common among kindergartners. Even states with high coverage rates have seen declines.

This trend increases risks for individuals and the broader community. Falling rates could expose adults to illnesses considered childhood diseases. They could also bring back diseases like polio, once thought eradicated.

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion illness in deer. It also affects elk, moose, and reindeer. The disease has no cure and spreads through saliva, feces, and blood. CWD has been found in 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) released a new report. It examines how genetic differences in CWD strains influence disease spread. Some experts worry CWD could jump to humans or livestock.

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You are more likely to catch colds during winter than in summer. Cold weather itself doesn’t cause colds, but it helps them spread. Many viruses, like the flu and COVID-19, thrive in cold, dry air. These conditions keep viruses infectious longer and help them multiply faster.

Cold weather also weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight infections. Still, viruses and bacteria—not the cold—are the real cause of illness.

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Over 32,000 whooping cough cases occurred in the U.S. this year. This is the highest number recorded in the last decade. Cases are six times higher than those reported in 2023. As of mid-December, the surge has raised concerns nationwide. However, a new survey shows public knowledge remains low.

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