After an epic debate over whether to release research detailing how scientists created H5N1 in the lab, Nature finally published one of the two controversial papers on Wednesday.
Flu
Study: Why Flu Hits Some People Harder than Others
During the 2009-10 H1N1 or “swine flu” pandemic, the same virus that caused mild coughing and sneezing in some patients proved fatal for others. It highlighted a medical mystery: why are some people more fit to handle the flu than others?
Dangers of Man-Made Bird Flu Are Exaggerated, Its Creators Say
Researchers who created a so-called superstrain of H5N1 bird flu say the virus may not be as lethal or as virulent as has been widely suggested.
Bird Flu: More Common, Less Deadly than We Thought?
A new study suggests H5N1 is more easily spread and far less deadly than scientists believed. What does that mean for work on potentially lethal man-made versions of the virus?
Government Panel Defends Censorship of Bird Flu Virus Research
Deeming research on a man-made strain of H5N1 a potential bioterror threat, a federal advisory group defends its recommendation to keep details of the work secret.
Scientists Agree to Halt Work on Dangerous Bird Flu Strain
H5N1 scientists announce a moratorium on research in order to allow government, scientific and ethics groups to figure out the safest way to proceed.
Google Helps Emergency Room Docs to Predict Flu Trends
How bad is the flu season? Doctors are Googling the answer
Should Journals Describe How Scientists Made a Killer Flu?
In an unprecedented move, the U.S. government asked scientific journals not to publish the details of experiments on the deadly H5N1, for fear that the information could be used with malice. Is such censorship smart?
Study: Taking Statins May Help Prevent Death From Flu
Millions of people take statins to lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart disease and death from heart-related events. Now there’s evidence that their medication regimen may also help protect them from dying from …
Study: H1N1 Can Be Deadly Even for Healthy Kids
Flu prevention is important for everyone, but here’s another reason to make sure to get vaccinated: in a study of childhood flu deaths from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, researchers found that otherwise healthy kids can succumb to …
It’s No Guarantee, But You Should Get the Flu Shot Anyway
As vaccines go, the flu shot is no exemplar. A comprehensive new review of the research, published online by The Lancet Infectious Diseases, finds that the vaccine prevented illness in 59% of adults aged 18 to 64, and in eight of …
No Excuses! A Brief Guide to the Flu Shot
We got our flu shots at TIME Healthland HQ this week, which reminds us to remind you to do the same. A few flu shot basics to follow.
Afraid of the Flu Shot? Try a Smaller Needle
Flu vaccine makers began shipping on Monday a new form of the annual flu shot, with a significantly shorter needle. The new vaccine should make it easier for people with a fear of needles to get immunized, and in the event of a …