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Surgery is sometimes the only treatment needed for colorectal cancer, while at other times additional chemotherapy is also required. Now a new study shows that a blood test looking for cancer DNA can help identify the one in five people …

Can a blood test be used to see if chemotherapy is needed for colorectal cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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A genetic form of colorectal cancer responds to treatment with a type of cancer drug known as an immune checkpoint inhibitor extremely well, a new study reveals. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, reviews the …

A new treatment seems to help 100% of people with a type of colorectal cancer, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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Chemical groups called methyl groups can be removed from DNA by certain drugs used to treat cancer, but now a new study raises the possibility that in some people, such treatments unleash genes known to worsen cancer. William Nelson, director …

Can removing chemical groups from DNA make cancer worse? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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You probably don’t think about sewage much but worldwide, many public health experts are increasingly turning to monitoring the stuff for infectious diseases, especially viruses. Stuart Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins, says this has been one of …

Sewage monitoring for infectious diseases is likely here to stay, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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As Covid infection continues apace, we have seen dramatic declines in flu and shifted patterns of other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Stuart Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins, attributes such changes to human behavior. …

Have viruses other than Covid-19 shifted their infection cycles? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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 Masking reduces transmission of respiratory viruses like Covid-19 dramatically, yet naysayers abound. Stuart Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins, says one way to possibly overcome their objections is to provide an opportunity to really see what’s out there. …

How can we help people who are reluctant to wear masks, especially if a more dangerous variant emerges? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »

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How did wearing a mask to prevent infection with a respiratory virus become so political? Infectious disease expert Stuart Ray at Johns Hopkins says he doesn’t know the answer to that, but thinks time will allow many of us to …

If you’re still worried about Covid the choices of others may be worrisome, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read more »