A new study maps infectious diseases across millennia and offers new insight into how human-animal interactions permanently transformed our health landscape.

The value of a recent biochemical discovery can be seen in the case of an 8-year-old boy, who was playing typical sports in August 2023, but by November needed a wheelchair because of a rare disease that caused worsening paralysis. As part of a new study, neurologists at NYU Langone Health treated the boy with an experimental compound that partially reversed his rapid decline. Two months after beginning treatment, he was able to walk long distances again and even run.

About The Article: This JAMA Insights examines the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) disease in the U.S. following a recent increase in reported cases. This virus is the cause of a rare mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. that causes substantial morbidity and mortality. People at highest risk of EEEV infection are those living in or visiting endemic forested areas near swamps or marshes and those whose occupations (e.g., agricultural work) or hobbies (e.g., camping, gardening) involve outdoor exposure.

About The Study: In this multicenter randomized clinical trial, a nontargeted screening approach was superior to targeted screening for identifying new hepatitis C virus infections among patients seen in 3 urban emergency departments. The substantial decrease in patients who went from diagnosis to sustained virologic response at 12 weeks highlights an urgent need for innovative models of hepatitis C virus treatment. 

A new study provides a comprehensive catalogue of more than 16,000 known plastic chemicals, with their properties, uses and hazards. The goal is to enable safer plastic production.