https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/disease-and-illnesses/RSS feed for Disease and IllnessesenThu, 24 Jul 2025 18:38:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cancer-dna-can-be-detected-in-the-bloodstream-up-to-three-years-before-diagnosis-study-suggests-180986862/For a few individuals, scientists found genetic material from cancerous tumors in blood samples taken years before they were diagnosed through traditional methodsThu, 24 Jul 2025 18:38:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/with-ancient-dna-scientists-have-mapped-37000-years-of-disease-across-europe-and-asia-180986964/Zoonoses—diseases that spread from animals to humans—began to gain prevalence some 6,500 years ago with the rise of animal husbandry, a new study suggestsWed, 23 Jul 2025 20:25:52 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-research-on-dogs-is-helping-to-improve-cancer-treatment-180986949/Canine and human cancers bear many similarities, and studies on dogs are helping advance care for our furry friends and for usWed, 16 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-first-barbie-with-type-1-diabetes-her-colorful-accessories-showcase-the-tools-people-use-to-treat-the-chronic-disease-180986986/The new doll boasts a pink continuous glucose monitor to track blood sugar levels and a pink insulin pumpTue, 15 Jul 2025 18:58:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-arizona-resident-died-from-the-plague-heres-what-to-know-about-the-rare-disease-180986982/The patient had the pneumonic plague, the rarest and deadliest form of the disease. Human cases remain very uncommon in the United States, though plague is endemic to the western part of the countryMon, 14 Jul 2025 20:03:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-are-so-many-more-women-being-diagnosed-with-adhd-180986909/Experts once thought ADHD was something only boys experienced. The research is finally starting to catch up with realityWed, 09 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/us-measles-cases-reach-a-record-high-since-the-disease-was-declared-eliminated-25-years-ago-180986938/With nearly six months left in the year, the total number of cases so far in 2025 has surpassed every year since 1992Tue, 08 Jul 2025 16:21:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-amber-fossils-capture-zombie-fungus-infecting-insects-during-a-time-when-dinosaurs-still-walked-the-earth-180986880/An ant and fly from the Cretaceous period offer insights into the history of Ophiocordyceps, the fungal parasite made popular by HBO's "The Last of Us"Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:59:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scavenger-animals-are-in-trouble-and-that-could-spell-bad-news-for-human-health-180986845/More than one-third of species that eat some amount of carrion are threatened or declining, a new analysis finds, and that could lead to a rise in zoonotic diseasesWed, 18 Jun 2025 19:57:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/six-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines-answered-180986793/Recent vaccination announcements have led to some confusion. Four physicians weigh in on who should get vaccinated and whenThu, 12 Jun 2025 21:07:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-worm-inspired-treatments-are-inching-their-way-toward-the-clinic-180986744/Infection by certain wrigglers may reduce inflammation and fight obesity and diabetes. Scientists are working to turn the findings into therapiesThu, 12 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/tens-thousands-were-treated-for-deadly-disease-while-confined-psychiatric-hospitals-these-two-venetian-islands-180986734/In the 19th and 20th centuries, San Servolo and San Clemente housed patients suffering from pellagrous insanity, a condition caused by a vitamin deficiencyFri, 06 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000