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 tornado coming through a field with blue mountains in the background

Climate change and tornadoes: what the science says

Climate change and tornadoes have a complicated relationship, and these 10 points explain what researchers know about tornado trends, shifting risk and why the record is hard to read.

The silhouette of a person on a stand-up paddleboard next to a bunch of mangroves

A report says nature-based solutions could be answer to climate change issues

A recent report recommends nature-based solutions as part of New Mexico's response to climate change issues.
A small leopard in the middle of the jungle

The Tropical Forest Forever Facility  rainforest fund needs billions before it launches

The TFFF rainforest fund aims to make forest conservation more profitable than deforestation. But a lack of money may prevent it from getting off the ground.
Heavy flooding from monsoon rain and tide from river in Dohar Bangladesh
Credit: sohelparvezhaque/BigStock Photo ID: 141461279

El Niño will increase risk of death in childbirth for millions, say midwives

Effects of extreme weather expected in countries that already have high maternal and newborn death rates.

Data center giving the appearance of newly constructed and empty of personnel

Climate funders convened a data center forum. They triggered a reckoning

One of the country’s biggest climate funders tried to bring tech giants, green groups, energy associations and labor unions together on data centers. Now it’s become the target.

Illustration of sun beating down on an overheating Earth
Credit: revers/BigStock Photo ID: 398245823

Global warming remains unchecked, experts warn at UN’s COP31 climate summit

Current climate and energy policies will have devastating consequences for ecosystems and communities worldwide, new reports show.
Data Center with multiple semi-trucks backed up to multiple loading docks

Data center outrage swept Pennsylvania Democrats into office. What comes next?

Democrats who flipped seats in the state legislature say they’ll prioritize regulating data centers in 2027.
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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