HEALTH The 2014 crisis is the largest Ebola outbreak in history and the first in West Africa. Learn more about the deadly disease and responses to the crisis. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Use our resources to learn more about the last major outbreak of Ebola. Discussion Ideas What is ebola? Ebola is an infectious disease caused by a virus. In fact, most doctors … Continue reading All About Ebola
SCIENCE What?! New evidence suggests that rat fleas were not entirely responsible for the pandemic plague that devastated Europe in the 14th century. (the Guardian) Use our resources to learn more about paleopathology and other disciplines of archaeology. Discussion Ideas Read our paragraph on paleopathology, the study of disease in ancient cultures, in our encyclopedic entry on archaeology. Does the new analysis of plague victims … Continue reading Rats Off the Hook for the Black Death?
HEALTH Warmer temperatures are causing malaria to spread to higher altitudes, a study suggests. (BBC) Use our resources to better understand how communities are adapting to the threat of malaria. Discussion Ideas The BBC article, based on research published in the journal Science, says that malaria, typically a tropical disease, is being documented in higher altitudes. Take a look at the map above, which shows areas … Continue reading Malaria Reaches New Heights
WORLD Mr. Badger Should Be Worried England debates whether a cull of the popular animal could help stem bovine tuberculosis. Everyone from actresses to astrophysicists-with-nice-side-gigs weighs in . . . with music, even. (So far, unsuccessfully.) Discussion Ideas Britain is considering a “cull” of the badger population in Gloucestershire and Somerset, regions in southwestern England. Do students know what a “cull” or “culling” is? Why … Continue reading Mr. Badger Should Be Worried
SCIENCE Mutant Mosquitoes Lose Lust for Human Scent Biologists have engineered a mutant strain of mosquitoes that lack the ability to sniff out human beings. Or insect repellent. Discussion Ideas: There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world. Why do students think the scientists featured in the Nature article chose to study the species Aedes aegypti? They’re not hard to find. Aedes … Continue reading Mutant Mosquitoes Lose Lust for Human Scent
