How deliberately giving people illnesses is supercharging medicine

New ScientistWednesday, December 3, 2025 at 4:00:41 PM
PositiveScience
How deliberately giving people illnesses is supercharging medicine
  • The covid-19 pandemic has led to the acceptance of human challenge trials, where volunteers intentionally contract illnesses like norovirus and influenza to better understand immune responses. This approach is seen as a significant advancement in medical research, allowing scientists to gather critical data on how the body fights infections.
  • This development is crucial as it enables researchers to explore the intricacies of the immune system in real-time, potentially accelerating the development of vaccines and treatments for various diseases. The willingness of volunteers to participate reflects a growing trust in scientific research and its potential benefits.
  • The exploration of human challenge trials aligns with broader trends in medical science, including innovative mapping techniques that enhance disease diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the phenomenon of viral mutations, particularly in influenza, raises questions about the interplay between viruses and immune responses, highlighting the complexity of infectious diseases and the ongoing need for advanced research methodologies.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

Was this article worth reading? Share it

Recommended apps based on your readingExplore all apps
Continue Readings
Experimental vaccine prevents dangerous allergic attack for a year
PositiveScience
Researchers have developed an experimental vaccine that successfully prevents life-threatening allergic reactions, specifically anaphylaxis, in mice for up to a year by blocking a molecule that triggers an overactive immune response.
Dogs may make us more caring and sociable by changing our microbiome
PositiveScience
Recent research indicates that owning a dog may positively influence human well-being by altering the microbiome, potentially making individuals more caring and sociable. This finding highlights the significant role pets play in shaping human health and emotional states.
Planned satellite launches could ruin Hubble Space Telescope images
NegativeScience
More than half a million satellites are planned for launch by the end of the 2030s, raising concerns about their potential to severely impact images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, according to simulations. This influx of satellites could obstruct the view of celestial bodies and interfere with astronomical observations.
Forming moon may have taken three big impacts early in Earth’s history
NeutralScience
Recent research suggests that the moon's formation may have resulted from three significant impacts during Earth's early history, challenging the traditional single-impact theory. This three-impact model could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the moon's origins and the dynamics of the early solar system.
Ancient human artefacts found near caves in Arabian desert
PositiveScience
Ancient human artefacts have been discovered near caves in the Arabian desert, indicating that this region, now arid, was once a thriving habitat for ancient humans and animals approximately 100,000 years ago. This finding sheds light on the early human presence in the Arabian peninsula and their adaptation to changing environments.
Why quantum mechanics says the past isn’t real
NeutralScience
The double-slit experiment and the quantum eraser experiment challenge traditional notions of matter and time, suggesting that the past may not be as concrete as previously thought. These experiments reveal that the act of observation can alter outcomes, leading to profound implications for our understanding of reality.
Black hole entropy hints at a surprising truth about our universe
PositiveScience
Recent research has revealed that two conflicting theories regarding disorder within black holes converge on unexpected conclusions, suggesting a potential shift in the understanding of space and time. This finding highlights the intricate relationship between black holes and the fundamental laws governing the universe.
Asteroid Bennu carries all the ingredients for life as we know it
PositiveScience
Researchers have confirmed that Asteroid Bennu, which was sampled in 2020, contains all the essential molecules for life, including the recently discovered missing ingredient: sugar.