Drones deliver blood to prevent maternal death in Botswana
In 2019, the country recorded a maternal mortality rate of 166 deaths per 100,000 births, more than double the average for upper-middle-income countries.
Public health & disease
From disease eradication efforts to advances in vaccination and maternal health, this archive tracks real progress in public health. Stories here focus on what’s working — policies, interventions, and research that are improving and extending lives around the world.
New blood test detects tuberculosis bacteria in infants a year before disease
Each year, nearly a million children develop TB and 205,000 die of TB-related causes. More than 80% of childhood TB deaths occur in those under the age of 5.
Landmark asthma vaccine looks to human trials
In a recently study published in Nature Communications, researchers from France’s Institut Pasteur describe several successful preclinical tests of this asthma vaccine in mice.
Massive blood sampling study identifies predictors of Alzheimer’s risk
The new study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University analyzed historical blood samples of more than 4,800 middle-aged and elderly subjects collected around a decade ago.
Uganda, Ghana, and Rwanda begin using drones to deliver medical supplies to millions
The three nations are using medical supply drones to reach far off communities, and together the technology promises a faster and more reliable way to deliver life-saving drugs and supplies to more than 22 million Africans.
Scientists have developed a “highly effective” malaria vaccine
Scientists from the University of Oxford have developed a vaccine that they say gives “unprecedented” protection against malaria, a deadly mosquito-borne disease that killed more than 400,000 people worldwide last year.
New York doctors complete first-ever successful trachea transplant
A 56-year-old woman from the Bronx, New York, named Sonia Sein is the recipient. She ended up in the hospital six years ago after a particularly nasty asthma attack.
In 24 years, California has cut toxic air pollution by 78%, resulting in 82% fewer attributable deaths
Scientists at UC Berkeley are hailing the state’s diesel engine standards and other measures imposed over a number of years, even in the face of loosened environmental regulations in recent years.
Landmark brain cancer vaccine passes first phase of human trials
New data suggests the experimental vaccine is safe and stimulates a significant immune response that slows tumor progression. A larger Phase 2 trial is currently being planned.
Single-dose antibiotic clears multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea in mice
New antibiotics are a crucial development to keep us ahead in the war against superbugs. The team says that this type of compound could work against a range of other bacteria as well, such as tuberculosis and golden staph.