https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/disease/RSS feed for DiseaseenThu, 15 Oct 2026 15:21:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wildlife-biologists-start-vaccinating-shy-albatross-by-hand-taking-aim-at-the-spread-of-avian-flu-in-tasmania-180989684/If all goes to plan, officials hope to vaccinate up to 100 of the large seabirds on Albatross Island, giving each two doses of the vaccine. Afterward, they plan to keep tabs on the birds using remote cameras and follow-up visitsThu, 15 Oct 2026 15:21:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wildlife-biologists-start-vaccinating-shy-albatross-by-hand-taking-aim-at-the-spread-of-avian-flu-in-tasmania-180989684/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/volunteers-are-helping-unearth-one-of-englands-oldest-leprosy-hospitals-giving-a-glimpse-into-how-victims-of-the-disease-were-treated-in-medieval-times-180989665/Researchers believe that the Hospital of the Holy Innocents, founded in the 11th or 12th century, may have had "little houses with a little yard" for up to 20 people with leprosy. "You’d need to have resources to get in here," one archaeologist says.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:13:57 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/volunteers-are-helping-unearth-one-of-englands-oldest-leprosy-hospitals-giving-a-glimpse-into-how-victims-of-the-disease-were-treated-in-medieval-times-180989665/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/employee-of-a-russian-anti-plague-lab-dies-of-pneumonia-sparking-concerns-over-the-disease-behind-the-black-death-heres-what-to-know-180989630/No official cause of her pneumonia has been confirmed, and Russian health officials say that none of the deceased individual's close contacts tested positive for the plague. Pneumonic plague is a rare, deadly form of the diseaseWed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/employee-of-a-russian-anti-plague-lab-dies-of-pneumonia-sparking-concerns-over-the-disease-behind-the-black-death-heres-what-to-know-180989630/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-invent-a-digestible-paper-based-battery-that-can-power-swallowed-or-implanted-medical-devices-180989549/So far, the technology has been tested only in pigs. If it's successful in humans, it could one day power tools that monitor your health or deliver drugs or electrical currents inside the bodyFri, 25 Sep 2026 18:37:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-invent-a-digestible-paper-based-battery-that-can-power-swallowed-or-implanted-medical-devices-180989549/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-say-the-human-brain-might-be-made-of-two-distinct-nervous-systems-that-got-squished-together-180989539/Two separate types of progenitor cells give rise to the front and back of the organ, according to a new study. The findings can help researchers study human diseases that affect the hindbrain, since its nerve cells have previously been difficult—if not impossible—to make in the labTue, 22 Sep 2026 15:54:17 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-say-the-human-brain-might-be-made-of-two-distinct-nervous-systems-that-got-squished-together-180989539/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alcohol-related-cancer-deaths-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-united-states-over-the-past-30-years-study-suggests-180989531/While scientists say their findings don't necessarily mean you need to cut alcohol from your life entirely, knowing the potential risks—especially if you're already at an elevated risk of developing cancer—can help guide your decisionsMon, 21 Sep 2026 15:32:39 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alcohol-related-cancer-deaths-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-united-states-over-the-past-30-years-study-suggests-180989531/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-genetically-modified-pig-kidney-kept-a-man-alive-for-a-record-nine-months-allowing-him-to-wait-for-a-donated-human-organ-180989466/The animal organ kept Tim Andrews off dialysis for 271 days and represents the first time a pig kidney has been used as a bridge to human organ transplantationFri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-genetically-modified-pig-kidney-kept-a-man-alive-for-a-record-nine-months-allowing-him-to-wait-for-a-donated-human-organ-180989466/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-war-ii-sugar-rationing-data-hints-that-limiting-intake-of-the-sweet-stuff-early-in-life-lowers-the-risk-of-dementia-and-cancer-180989431/For roughly a decade leading up to September 1953, the United Kingdom limited sugar purchases. Scientists studied health outcomes in people born during the ration and right afterWed, 02 Sep 2026 15:48:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/world-war-ii-sugar-rationing-data-hints-that-limiting-intake-of-the-sweet-stuff-early-in-life-lowers-the-risk-of-dementia-and-cancer-180989431/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/many-americans-covid-still-chronic-disabling-disease-scientists-working-tirelessly-bring-them-relief-180989290/Long Covid saps the strength and vitality of patients, who have little recourse to fight it. A team of specialists—including an afflicted researcher working mostly from her bed—is looking for answersMon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/many-americans-covid-still-chronic-disabling-disease-scientists-working-tirelessly-bring-them-relief-180989290/