Scientists coax pathogens from cow and goat to infect engineered mice, suggesting disease agents can readily jump from one species to another.

Scientists undertake research to advance knowledge. Normally, one aspect of that advancement is to find as broad an audience for the newly acquired data as possible. But what happens if medically important data could be put to ruthless purposes? That question underlies the ruckus developing over two new bird flu papers.

Years ago, I read (probably in Science News) that viruses can’t survive long outside their hosts. That implied any surface onto which a sneezed-out germ found itself — such as the arm of a chair, kitchen counter or car-door handle — would effectively decontaminate itself within hours to a day. A pair of new flu papers now indicates that although many germs will die within hours, none of us should count on it. Given the right environment, viruses can remain infectious — potentially for many weeks, one of the studies finds.

An experimental technology that delivers medication directly to a dangerous blockage might augment heart attack treatment, a new study finds.

Women victimized as children or in adolescence have increased cardiac disease in adulthood, a study shows. (p. 11)

The prize in physiology or medicine recognizes scientists for their work on the body's innate and adaptive defenses against invading pathogens. (p. 13)

Cutting-edge use of light might someday prove useful in gauging diabetics’ glucose levels.

Among minority scientists applying for National Institutes of Health research grants, blacks alone face a substantially lower likelihood of being successful than whites, a new study finds. This investigation, which was prompted by the research agency itself, will catalyze further probes and a host of changes, promises NIH director Francis Collins.