Malaria

In remote areas of the world, traditional lab testing for malaria can be difficult. Researchers are finding unexpected consequences in the use of rapid diagnostic tests.

Scientists here are engaged in what could be the most promising, and perhaps one of the most frightening, biological experiments of our time.

In her new book, “This is Your Brain on Parasites,” author Kathleen McAuliffe describes the numerous links between animals and parasites, how they’ve co-evolved, and how parasites may actually affect the behavior of humans and other animals.

It’s a story about mosquitoes, public health, water and women, which is why The World has sent its Across Womens’ Lives team to Brazil. They’re there to report on how Zika fits into the story of Brazilian women’s struggles to improve their lives in a time of rapid and often disturbing environmental change.

A new report in the British medical journal The Lancet says climate change poses a potentially catastrophic risk to human health. But it also says fighting climate change can bring big health benefits.