The aftermath of a disaster – whether natural or man-made – can be difficult. Survivors often face destroyed homes, missing loved ones and financial difficulty. In the midst of chaos, mental health often moves to the back burner. After a disaster, around 5% to 10% of people will develop significant anxiety, depression and sleep problems – yet only around 25% to 30% of those who develop these conditions will seek help. Researchers at MUSC created an app designed to help people virutally and have found that the team’s internet educational and self-help videos and resources were incredibly impactful with adolescents, reducing their risks of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and depression. These findings influenced the development of the Bounce Back Now app, intended for survivors of disasters. These survivors were able to access it for symptom management tools that are designed to have short- (e.g., relaxation- or mindfulness-based) and long-term (e.g., skills-based) benefit.

Leishmania: A Parasite That Hijacks Our Cells’ Resources to Multiply 

A discovery by an INRS doctoral student sheds light on the survival strategies of a formidable parasite 

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that affects up to 1 million people worldwide each year. It is caused by the protozoan Leishmania, transmitted through the bite of a sandfly. Once inside its host—human or animal—the parasite settles in immune cells called macrophages and multiplies within small bubble-like structures known as parasitophorous vacuoles.