Ivermectin is a key anti-parasite drug used in humans and animals. Vaccine opponents wrongly promoted the medicine as a COVID-19 cure. While health officials found insufficient support for those claims, ivermectin now shows surprising promise against a different deadly disease: malaria.

A large clinical trial tested ivermectin’s ability to reduce malaria infections. Results found a 26% drop in malaria infections among children.

The study took place in Kwale, a coastal region of Kenya. Malaria is common there, and most people already use insecticide-treated nets. The study aimed to see if ivermectin could offer extra protection.

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Imagine going to the doctor with an open wound needing stitches. Instead of treatment, you are told the wound is imaginary. This experience is similar to what many ME/CFS patients face. Their symptoms are sometimes dismissed as psychosomatic, despite being real and disabling.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long-term illness. It causes extreme fatigue, post-exertional malaise, pain, and brain fog. Symptoms often begin after an infection and can last for years. The disease affects more women than men and has no known cure.

A large UK preprint study linked eight genetic signals to ME/CFS. It is the largest genetic analysis of the disease ever done. The findings suggest ME/CFS has real biological causes, not just psychological ones. This research gives the illness a stronger scientific foundation and may guide future treatments.

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A new study in the European Heart Journal shows the shingles vaccine may protect heart health. Researchers found vaccinated adults had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events.

The vaccine lowered the risk of stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. The study tracked over 1.2 million people aged 50 and older in South Korea.

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Climate change is warming weather and driving insect populations into new territories. Areas like North America and Europe can expect to see more infections from insect bites.

Mosquitoes and ticks can spread multiple harmful illnesses through bites, including Lyme disease, malaria, dengue, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and West Nile virus. These illnesses can cause lasting health problems if not treated early.

Fortunately, new research from Acadia University may provide improved protection from tick bites. The Acadia researchers discovered that lemongrass essential oil can block a tick’s ability to detect humans.

The discovery could lead to more effective, natural alternatives to synthetic repellents like DEET. While DEET is widely used, it carries potential risks for skin irritation and environmental harm.

Lemongrass oil, by contrast, is both natural and environmentally friendly. The oil appears to mask human scent and confuse ticks’ sense of smell.

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A new vaccine offers strong promise against H5N1 bird flu. The clade 2.3.4.4b virus has spread across North America. Bird flu threatens livestock, birds, and human health. New mutations raise serious pandemic concerns.

Researchers developed a nanoparticle vaccine using viral surface proteins. H5 and N1 proteins were displayed on immunogenic liposomes. These proteins help trigger a strong immune response in the body.

Mice received the vaccine and produced antibodies targeting both proteins. All vaccinated mice survived a deadly H5N1 infection. These results suggest the vaccine offers complete protection.

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