Lots of Americans believe that getting the flu is no worse than getting a cold. Or that the flu vaccine can give them flu. We separate truth from fiction. See more »

There are some diseases that we associate with past centuries, such as the black plague. But the plague is a relative newcomer when compared to some of the oldest outbreaks. See more »

Most of us know what causes a case of the Mondays or tennis elbow -- Mondays and racquet sports -- but what about other conditions and illnesses? You can't always judge a disease by its name. Do you know what causes the stomach flu? See more »

Molecular biology isn't all fun and games -- except when it is. How did a bunch of gamers handily solve a decade-old problem in three weeks flat? See more »

Many world leaders agree that we're losing the war on AIDS. AIDS is one of the deadliest human diseases ever -- worldwide, it claims approximately 5 lives every minute of every day. Learn how the AIDS virus attacks the body. See more »

Biofilms form when single microorganisms attach to a hydrated surface and undergo a "lifestyle switch." But why should we care about biofilms? See more »

If you've kept up with the news lately, you've probably heard dire warnings about avian flu, or bird flu. In this article, we'll review the basics of how viruses and influenza work, and we'll learn the answers to these and other questions about avian flu, including whether it is likely to cause a global flu epidemic. See more »

Hand sanitizers can only get you so far in preventing a viral infection. Scientists are discovering how visible light can be used to destroy viruses. Learn about the laser technique and what it means for the future. See more »

The journal "Nature" recently published a paper describing how a cell transplant had allowed blind mice to see again. What does this mean for humans? See more »

How can spam e-mail help fight HIV? Find out how spam e-mail and HIV are linked and learn about new methods for HIV treatment. See more »