Mosquitoes are a growing public health threat, reversing years of progress

Don't miss this compelling global health series by The New York Times: The fight against mosquitos has never been more urgent as climate change and the rapid evolution of the insect have thwarted efforts to combat devastating diseases like malaria and dengue. Scientists are innovating, reports Stephanie Nolen, pursuing new strategies to protect public health.

Nolen traveled to five countries in Africa and Latin America to cover multiple aspects of this growing global challenge:

Mosquitoes are a growing public health threat, reversing years of progress

Climate change and the rapid evolution of the insect have helped drive up malaria deaths and brought dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses to places that never had to worry about them.

An invasive mosquito threatens catastrophe in Africa

A malaria-carrying species that thrives in urban areas and resists all insecticides is causing outbreaks in places that have rarely faced the disease.

The gamble: Can genetically-modified mosquitos end disease?

Working on a remote island, scientists think they can use genetic engineering to block a malaria-carrying species of mosquito from spreading the disease — and do it in just a few months. But governments are wary.

One village, two houses and a new tactic to win the war on mosquitos

A different way of thinking about mosquito-borne diseases could save billions of dollars and end them for good, some health experts believe.

Unleashing a new weapon on the mosquito: a mosquito

What if, instead of killing the mosquitoes, you could disarm them? Even if you couldn’t keep them from biting people, what if you could block them from passing on disease? What if you could use one infectious microbe to stop another?

Insecticides can't stop the mosquitos. Now what?

Old weapons like bed nets and insecticides don't work well anymore: Mosquitos have evolved to resist and evade them. The world needs to ways to fight mosquitos.

A group of people silhouetted against an orange sun-tinged sky

Europeans’ ‘psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study

A new analysis of global research suggests most people believe climate change will affect others more than themselves, a cognitive bias scientists say could slow climate action.

A large drill making a hole in dry earth

Corpus Christi drills wells to prevent looming water crisis

After an industrial building boom on Corpus Christi Bay, the city is drilling wells to meet water demand, and rural Nueces County residents say their own wells are being impacted.
wind turbines under blue sky during daytime

Wyoming's top officials promise to reckon with ever-increasing wind projects, other development

Wyoming residents have urged leaders to slow wind energy projects, citing cumulative impacts on communities, land and water.

A dry river valley with a town surrounded by green fields

Himalayan winters are seeing less snowfall as more ice melts

Much of the Himalayan region is seeing far less winter snow than normal, leaving mountains bare and accelerating glacier melt, according to scientists.

black electricity tower under a pink sky during sunset

Data centers, Greenlink, and your electricity bill

Nevada’s $4.2B Greenlink grid project, meant to cut carbon, is boosting power bills as costs soar and AI data-center demand spikes.

aerial view of Louisiana Delta
Getty Images For Unsplash+

Supreme Court to hear case on Louisiana’s eroding coast

Local governments are suing oil companies over environmental damage. The companies want the suits moved out of state courts, to friendlier venues.
Oil barrels on background of the flags of Venezuela and USA.
Photo credit: Copyright: Yakobchuk/ BigStock Photo ID: 455109239

Big Oil knows that Trump’s Venezuela plans are delusional

The president’s thinking is stuck in the 1980s.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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