US syphilis epidemic slowed dramatically last year, gonorrhea cases fell and chlamydia cases remained below prepandemic levels, according to federal data released Tuesday. The numbers represented some good news about sexually transmitted diseases, which experienced some alarming increases in past years due to declining condom use, inadequate sex education, and reduced testing and treatment when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Last year, cases of the most infectious stages of syphilis fell 10% from the year before — the first substantial decline in more than two decades. Gonorrhea cases dropped 7%, marking a second straight year of decline and bringing the number below what it was in 2019.

"I’m encouraged, and it’s been a long time since I felt that way” about the nation’s epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, said the CDC’s Dr. Jonathan Mermin. “Something is working.” More than 2.4 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia were diagnosed and reported last year — 1.6 million cases of chlamydia, 600,000 of gonorrhea, and more than 209,000 of syphilis.

Syphilis is a particular concern. For centuries, it was a common but feared infection that could deform the body and end in death. New cases plummeted in the U.S. starting in the 1940s when infection-fighting antibiotics became widely available, and they trended down for a half century after that. By 2002, however, cases began rising again, with men who have sex with other men being disproportionately affected.

STD in India

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a significant public health concern in India, affecting millions of people each year. Despite progress in awareness and healthcare infrastructure, the prevalence of STDs continues to be high, largely due to factors such as limited access to sexual health education, cultural stigmas, and inadequate preventive measures.

Common STDs in India include HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. The country's diverse population, varying levels of healthcare access, and high rates of unprotected sex contribute to the spread of these infections. In rural areas, misinformation and traditional taboos around discussing sexual health further exacerbate the problem. The government has launched awareness campaigns and free testing and treatment services in an effort to curb the rise in infections. However, greater efforts are needed in terms of education, better healthcare services, and encouraging safe sexual practices to address this ongoing public health challenge.

On just the second day of the newborn baby JK Muldoon's life, doctors noticed something was not right. While all babies sleep a lot, the doctors noticed that he was unusually sleepy. When a doctor raised his arm, it trembled and dropped limply.

This is when the doctors noticed something and ran blood test. It revealed that the baby had high levels of ammonia in his body. The baby was suffering from carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency. This is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that affects the liver's ability to breakdown ammonia.

Half of babies with CPS 1 deficiency don’t survive infancy. Those who do often face severe neurological challenges. For KJ’s parents, Kyle and Nicole, early conversations included talk of liver transplants and even comfort care.

CRISPR - genetic editing that saved the baby

Behind all this, a revolution in medicine had already been underway. For years, scientists, clinicians, and regulators had been preparing for a moment like this where gene-editing tools like CRISPR that earned the Nobel Prize in 2020 could be put to use to create a personalized treatment for rare genetic diseases.

At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, researchers had been conducting "practice runs" on metabolic disorders: simulating how quickly they could create a custom therapy based on a new gene mutation. When KJ was born in August 2024, the team knew this was no longer a drill.

Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a pediatrician at CHOP, and Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a cardiologist at Penn and co-founder of a gene-editing company, led a six-month sprint to develop a treatment just for KJ. Within a week of his birth, his genome was sequenced. It revealed two mutations in the gene responsible for producing an essential liver enzyme.

One of the mutations had only been recorded once before — in Japan — meaning this therapy might have just one recipient in the world.

Despite the risks and unknowns, the team moved ahead, mindful of past tragedies in experimental gene therapy. Bioethicist Lynn Wein Bush praised the team’s careful approach, saying it didn’t feel rushed, but appropriate for the severity of the disease.

A Nationwide Effort

Scientists across the U.S. rallied to help. The NIH funded a toxicology trial, private companies contributed time and resources, and manufacturing partners created parts of the treatment — one of which was named “kayjayguran” after KJ himself. The FDA fast-tracked regulatory processes to make the therapy available.

By February 2025, the experimental drug — made of a CRISPR-based “base editor” encased in a fat bubble — was ready. At nearly seven months old, KJ received his first dose. He slept through it.

Signs Of Progress

Following the treatment, doctors gradually increased protein in KJ’s diet — something previously impossible — and began reducing ammonia-clearing medication. KJ’s health improved: he’s now eating normally, rolling over, sitting up, and reaching developmental milestones his parents feared he might miss.

He’s not cured yet. He still needs monitoring and some medication. But the early signs are encouraging, and the medical community is watching closely.

As we observe the National Dengue Day, let us look at how dengue impacts Indians on a day to day life. As per a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, in January 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced their new 5-year strategic plan, the Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019-23 to ensure that one billion more people in the world enjoy the benefits of better health and well being. Among the 10 highest priority health issues presented, dengue was identified as one of the four main infections threatening global health.

What Is Dengue?

The WHO defines dengue as a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people and is common in tropical and subtropical climates.

Most people who get dengue do not have symptoms. however, for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, body aches, nausea, and rash. While most get better in 1-2 weeks, some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. In severe cases, dengue too could be fatal.

Common Dengue Symptoms

• high fever (40°C/104°F)
• severe headache
• pain behind the eyes
• muscle and joint pains
• nausea
• vomiting
• swollen glands
• rash

Dengue And Its Impact In India

As per a recent study published in journal Nature, titled Dengue dynamics, predictions, and future increase under changing monsoon climate in India, "the global burden of dengue is escalating under the influence of climate change, with India contributing a third of the total".

The study notes the non-linearity and regional heterogeneity inherent in the climate-dengue relationship and the lack of consistent data, which makes it difficult to make useful prediction for its prevention.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by female Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus, when they feed on human hosts. According to data from the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), dengue cases in India have quadrupled from 2015 to 20203, the study notes.

ALSO READ: National Dengue Day 2025: Theme, Importance, Significance, and Origin

Climate Relationship And Dengue

Dengue fever is a climate-sensitive disease and is also influenced by changes in meteorological conditions. Dr Sathvik Jain, who is the Chief Medical Officer at SDM Multi Speciality Hospital, Ujire, notes that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall increase mosquito lifespan and biting frequency. It also expands breeding sites by filing containers and potholes, and accelerate viral replication within mosquitoes by shortening the extrinsic incubation period.

"In urban areas, poor drainage and rapid construction intensify these effects, while in rural areas, inconsistent water access often leads to the use of open containers for storage, which become ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes," notes Jain.

"Dengue seasons are becoming longer and less predictable as warmer climates enable mosquitoes to survive year-round and erratic rainfall leads to multiple breeding cycles. To adapt, public health strategies must shift to year-round surveillance, use of climate-based predictive models and maintain continuous awareness campaigns beyond peak seasons," he remarks.

Is Geography Also A Factor In Dengue Cases?

Dr Jain explains that urban and rural areas face unique challenges in dengue prevention. In urban settings, high population, poor waste management, inadequate drainage contribute to increased mosquito breeding and rapid disease transmission.

Conversely, rural areas grapple with limited healthcare access, lower public awareness and use of uncovered water storage due to poor infrastructure. "Despite these differences, a common and effective solution lies in Integrated Vector Management (IVM), which combines environmental control, biological methods such as introducing larvivorous fish, safe chemical interventions, and sustained public awareness campaigns. Community-led efforts—centered on education and active participation are crucial in ensuring the long-term success of these strategies in both settings," he notes.

The Challenges That Comes With Specific Geography

Urban areas face significant gaps in dengue management, There’s an overreliance on fogging, which has limited impact without proper larval control, and inadequate housing regulations that fail to prevent mosquito entry and breeding, the doctor explains.

In rural areas, challenges include delayed diagnosis due to a lack of healthcare facilities and trained personnel, limited access to mosquito repellents and bed nets, and weak disease surveillance and reporting systems, all of which hinder timely response to outbreaks.

What Can Be Done?

Dr Jain explains 5-key steps which could be included to prevent Dengue:

1. Eliminate stagnant water regularly (containers, plant trays, gutters).
2. Report symptoms early and seek treatment to reduce severe cases.
3. Use protective measures: mosquito nets, repellents, and clothing.
4. Participate in local clean-up drives and awareness sessions.
5. Promote climate-resilient behavior: e.g., managing rainwater properly.

Scented candles have taken the market by storm. Known to be therapeutic, these candles are quickly making their way into our houses. However, researchers have raised the flag over the toxicity of one of its components—Terpenes. A new study has shown that particles eliminated from burning scented wax melts indoors can create a "tremendous amount" of indoor air pollution, similar to that created by pollution caused by diesel engines. Intrestingly, Terpenes are the components that give wax candles its scent.

Since these particles actively alter indoor air chemistry, they could have significant health implications. The processes should be considered in the design and operation of buildings and their HVAC systems to reduce the exposure. Zepbound helped nearly 25% more participants lose more than 15% of their weight compared to Wegovy, Lilly said on Sunday.

Trial also showed that treatment with Terpenes are naturally occurring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many plants and are commonly used in household products like air fresheners, scented candles, cleaning agents, and essential oils. While they contribute pleasant aromas, terpenes can significantly impact indoor air quality through chemical reactions that produce harmful pollutants.

How Terpenes Contribute To Indoor Air Pollution

When terpenes are released indoors, they can react with oxidants such as ozone (O₃) and hydroxyl radicals (OH), leading to the formation of secondary pollutants:([PubMed][1])

Secondary Organic Aerosols (SOAs): These are fine particulate matters formed from the oxidation of terpenes. SOAs can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, potentially causing health issues.([PubMed][1])

Formaldehyde: A known irritant and potential carcinogen, formaldehyde can form as a byproduct of terpene reactions.([PubMed][2])

Ultrafine Particles: Particles smaller than 100 nanometers can result from these reactions, posing risks due to their ability to enter the bloodstream.

These reactions are particularly concerning in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation, where pollutant concentrations can accumulate to levels that may affect human health.

Notable Study: Purdue University Research on Scented Wax Melts

A study conducted by Purdue University investigated the impact of scented wax melts on indoor air quality. The researchers found that burning these products releases terpenes, which react with indoor ozone to form nanoparticles. The concentration of these particles was comparable to those emitted by diesel engines, highlighting a significant source of indoor pollution. The study emphasized the need for further research into the health implications of these particles and suggested that building designs and ventilation systems should account for such chemical processes to minimize exposure.