Botulism is a paralyzing nerve toxin, considered to be one of the most potent and lethal substances in the world. It's produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and sometimes by strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. The rod-shaped bacteria are commonly found in soil and sediments from lakes, rivers and oceans. They thrive in low-oxygen conditions, such as canned foods, deep wounds and the intestinal tract, but when threatened form protective spores with a hard coating that allows the bacteria to survive for years.
A cholera outbreak in war-torn Yemen continues to spread at a rapid pace. Over 124,000 cases have been recorded as of Tuesday, with 923 people -- a quarter of them children -- dead in the current outbreak, the United Nations Children's Fund said in a statement Tuesday.
Astronauts on the International Space Station are growing crystals that could help develop new drugs for use on Earth. Here are ten healthcare technologies that have already come from space:
A woman is lying on an operating table. In front of her is a big curtain, usually blue, that separates her from the surgical field: her own pregnant belly.
A woman on trial for urging her boyfriend to kill himself was delusional after becoming "involuntarily intoxicated" by antidepressants, a psychiatrist said Monday.
As temperatures rise, so does the number of hot car deaths. CNN's Pedram Javaheri explains how temperatures inside a vehicle can double in a short time.
A new type 1 diabetes study suggests that hemoglobin A1c tests overestimate average blood sugar levels in black patients compared with white patients, which could influence the care that black patients receive.
About 717,338 pounds of Conagra brands spaghetti and meatball products, including Chef Boyardee, are being recalled, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service says.
Normally, when a couple leaves their wedding ceremony, they drive off into the sunset with cans tied to the bumper of their car. But this New York City couple got their ride in a fire truck.
Staying up late to cram for an early exam may not be doing college students any good, according to a new study focused on college students and their sleep patterns.
Looking for a way to be happier? Are you seeking deeper connections with friends or looking for more friends? Want to relate better to your co-workers?
