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.

Many solar panels arranged in a circular pattern viewed from above

Solar power in Morocco's desert: Bold vision, mixed results

A massive solar tower in the Moroccan desert is the beacon of an ambitious push for a clean energy future. But fossil fuels and grid constraints stand in the way.
Two farmers crouching in a field reviewing the soil

Farmers struggle to rebuild soil after Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods

After Hurricane Helene washed away or buried vital topsoil across the Southeast, farmers are facing years-long efforts to restore the foundation of their livelihoods.

A row of solar panels in the snow with the setting sun in the background

‘A ray of hope’: EU governments gathering to plan way out of fossil fuel reliance

Energy crises could be a thing of the past if reliable, cheap and abundant clean energy is given precedence over fossil fuels.
A farmer walking through his fields on a sunny day

Farmers sue US EPA over dismantling of climate policy

New York farmers say the Environmental Protection Agency’s rollback of greenhouse gas regulations will make it harder for them to grow food.

An ethanol plant with green fields in the foreground

Iowa moves to shield farmers, ethanol plants, from lawsuits over emissions

Climate lawsuits are a largely nonexistent threat to farmers in the state of Iowa, but ethanol producers could benefit from the law.

A woman holding a protest sign saying 'There is no planet B'

Is it time for planetary health to become a core clinical responsibility?

As climate change and environmental degradation increasingly drive illness, clinicians are being urged to treat planetary health as inseparable from patient care.

A person holding a pile of organic soil in his hands

Deep soils could hold keys to climate resilience

A new research center is investigating how ancient soils could help farmers adapt to climate change and a warmer future.
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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