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YOUR WEEKLY CHECKUP

This week: Why tick-borne diseases are now a "significant public health threat"; how to responsibly dispose of old medications; what happens in the brains of children with autism; the murky science behind a controversial therapy.

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE GSCHMEISSNER, SCIENCE SOURCE

Tick-borne diseases have reached 'epidemic proportions.' Here's what you should know.

These tiny, spider-like arthropods transmit agents causing at least 16 diseases in the U.S., and many more worldwide. In the U.S.—where Lyme disease alone infects nearly 500,000 people each year—infections have more than doubled since 2004. Among the symptoms patients struggle with: long-term memory problems, overwhelming fatigue, and even red-meat allergies.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

LONE STAR TICK: The tick that could make you allergic to meat is spreading +

PHOTOGRAPH BY BEN MCCANNA, PORTLAND PORTLAND PRESS HERALD/GETTY IMAGES

How you should dispose of unused or expired medications

If you have a stash of unwanted, unused, or expired medicines in a cabinet or drawer somewhere in your home and you don't know the best way to get rid of them, you're not alone. But flushing or throwing them away can contaminate waterways, threatening people and wildlife. Here are some safer solutions.

A GLOBAL THREAT: Most rivers around the world are awash with antibiotics +

TAKE A PEEK: Photographers asked people to open their medicine cabinets +

PHOTOGRAPH BY LYNN JOHNSON

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ FROM THE ARCHIVES‌ ‌ ‌

Could this discovery help doctors detect autism earlier?

Since autism was first identified in the 1940s, researchers have struggled to explain it. While the cause remains a mystery, scientists are beginning to learn what happens in the brains of these children. Studies indicate that it may be possible to detect signs of autism long before the disorder manifests itself, allowing for treatments that limit autism's effects.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

FINDING WORK AND LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM: For autistic youths entering adulthood, a new world of challenges awaits +

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

NG STAFF

What makes Novavax different

Meanwhile, uptake has been slow for the COVID-19 shots approved last month for kids under 5 years old.

TRACKING COVID IN THE U.S.

Nasal vaccines may stop COVID infections. Will we get them soon? (NBC)

They still haven't gotten COVID. Here are some theories as to why. (Washington Post)

Deep in a COVID wave, Europe counts cases and carries on (New York Times)

Even if you're the president, it's hard to avoid a breakthrough COVID infection (NPR)

MORE HEALTH NEWS

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICARDO MORAES

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ FROM THE ARCHIVES‌ ‌ ‌

Inside the murky world of dolphin therapy

This controversial global industry claims that dolphins help treat those with autism and other disorders. Some programs even claim that children on the autism spectrum who were nonverbal uttered their first words after dolphin-assisted therapy. Yet even some of its proponents say there's no science behind it.

'WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING'

How people, pets and infrastructure can respond to extreme heat (NPR)

The first U.S. case of polio in nearly a decade found in New York (Washington Post)

Breast cancer spreads more aggressively during sleep

The overlooked toll of drinking alcohol while pregnant

What you should know about Marburg virus, an increasing threat in Africa (Bloomberg)

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