DNA from ancient plague points to modern peril
"In some cases death came immediately; in others, after many days," the historian Procopius wrote as a terrifying disease scythed through Constantinople in 542 AD.
China 'downgrades' H7N9 bird flu description
China has reportedly downgraded H7N9 bird flu in humans, dropping its description as "infectious" in new guidelines on how to deal with the disease, even as new cases spike with the onset of winter.
No health shield from vitamin D pills: study
Vitamin D supplements have no significant effect on preventing heart attack, stroke, cancer or bone fractures.
Spain blind association puts disabled to work
After completing high school, 46-year-old Spaniard Ricardo Velesar struggled to hold down a job as a degenerative eye disease slowly robbed him of his sight.
Music helps elderly remember: movie at Sundance
It won't cure dementia or Alzheimer's disease, but music can nevertheless help sufferers "wake up" their memories, reveals a moving documentary presented at the Sundance Film Festival.
Lifestyle disorders top health issues in Arab world
Heart disease and stroke have replaced infectious disease as the top causes of early death in the Arab world, tracking the West in a trend towards lifestyle disorders.
Jar of preserved intestine solves 1800s cholera mystery
The intestine of an American cholera victim from the mid-1800s has yielded new clues to the evolution of the deadly bacterium and may help prevent future outbreaks, researchers said Wednesday.
China reports first H7N9 bird flu death this year
China has reported its first death from the H7N9 bird flu virus in 2014 after a significant drop-off in fatalities following an outbreak last year.
French Revolution's 'monster' gets modern diagnosis
Depending on what you read, Maximilien de Robespierre was a defender of the poor and downtrodden -- "the Incorruptible" who defended the values of the French Revolution to the end.
2,000 extra steps a day cuts cardiovascular risk by 8 percent
People with a glucose-tolerance problem -- a driver of diabetes and cardiovascular disease -- can cut the risk of heart attack or stroke by simply walking an additional 2,000 steps per day, a study said on Friday.
Liver and let die: James Bond was an alcoholic - study
"A dry martini. Just hand it to me, and I'll do the shaking myself."
Qantas steward with Parkinson's to sue over pesticide link
A former Qantas steward who believes he developed Parkinson's disease after repeated exposure to government-mandated pesticides sprayed in the cabin plans to sue Canberra, his lawyer said Monday.
Polio in Syria poses risk for Europe: doctors
An outbreak of polio in Syria poses a threat to Europe, where the crippling and potentially fatal disease was declared eradicated in 2002, doctors warned on Friday.
Japanese doctor with TB saw over 600 patients: official
A Japanese doctor infected with tuberculosis examined more than 600 patients without wearing a mask.
Salmonella outbreak sickens nearly 300 in US
A salmonella outbreak in raw chicken has sickened nearly 300 people in the US,as consumer advocates warned the federal shutdown was hampering a government response.
When diseases have a bad name, change is hard
Some diseases just have a bad name. But even when their commonly known labels glorify Nazi doctors or slander certain ethnic groups, old habits are hard to change.
Study suggests brain protein as Alzheimer drug target
Scientists have a new lead on a possible treatment to slow Alzheimer's disease by targeting a protein involved in limiting flexibility in the aging brain.
New meningitis vaccine slashes cases by 94 percent
A new vaccine being rolled out in the "meningitis belt" that stretches across north-central Africa has reduced cases of the potentially fatal disease by 94 percent.
Tourist Association recommends Kazakhstan residents to stay away from Issyk-Kul because of plague outbreak
Kazakhstan residents are not recommended to visit Issyk-Kul lake resorts in Kyrgyzstan because of the bubonic plague outbreak.
Kazakhstan athletes unsure about participating in Issyk-Kul Sport Games due to plague
Kazakhstan sport delegation hasn't confirmed their participation in the traditional Issyk-Kul Sport Games held in plague-ridden Kyrgyzstan.