HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

May 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Rubella (German measles) eradicated from Americas (BBC)
• Scientists Crack A 50-Year-Old Mystery About The Measles Vaccine (NPR) 
• Seasons affect 'how genes and immune system work' (BBC)
• Ebola Hides In The Eyes Of A Man Who Was Considered Cured (NPR) 
• Short On Sleep? You Could Be A Disaster Waiting To Happen (NPR)

TECH

• Planetary Society Set To Launch Solar Sail Experiment (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

HEALTH

Rubella (German measles) eradicated from Americas (BBC)

Up to 20,000 children were born with rubella in the Americas every year until mass vaccinations started. But the last endemic cases registered in the region were in Argentina and Brazil in 2009. The fact no new cases have been declared in five consecutive years, apart from those imported into the region, allowed global health chiefs to declare the Americas free of the virus.

Scientists Crack A 50-Year-Old Mystery About The Measles Vaccine (NPR) 

When the U.S. introduced the measles vaccine, childhood deaths from all infections plummeted. Scientists think they might know why: Benefits of the measles vaccine go way beyond the measles. Childhood deaths from all infectious diseases plummeted.

Seasons affect 'how genes and immune system work' (BBC)

The seasons appear to have a profound effect on how human genes work, according to scientists. A very interesting read.

Ebola Hides In The Eyes Of A Man Who Was Considered Cured (NPR) 

Weeks after being diagnosed with Ebola, a doctor came down with a dangerous eye infection. Ebola was lurking thereShort On Sleep? You Could Be A Disaster Waiting To Happen (NPR)

Mega-disasters like Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez oil spill were set off by people who were sleep deprived. Researchers say they're able to pinpoint how lack of sleep derails decision making.

TECH

Planetary Society Set To Launch Solar Sail Experiment (NPR)

The first of two satellites carrying the sail is set to launch later this month. A second, scheduled for launch next year, will go into higher orbit to fully test the concept.