The Australian website referenced scientific research that found most movie villains are portrayed with skin conditions. Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch even stated that this portrayal may “foster a tendency toward prejudice in our society directed at those with skin disease.”

Even 40,000 years ago, we have evidence of diseases from animals affecting our ancient human cousins. The “Old Man of La Chapelle,” a partially fossilized Neanderthal skeleton discovered in a cave in central France in 1908, continues to provide new insights. New analysis suggests that he acquired an infection from butchering animals or preparing raw meat.

Mental illness is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. Dr. Sally Robinson explains.

In an era with easier social connections through the internet, text messaging and email, establishing and building friendships is harder than ever. Dr. Samuel Mathis encourages us to make new friends. Want to have coffee soon?

Even under the most optimistic climate scenarios, the coming decades will see roughly 300,000 first encounters between species that normally don’t interact, leading to about 15,000 spillovers wherein viruses enter naive hosts. “It’s a little harrowing,” said Vineet Menachery, a virologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch. The study suggests that the alarming pace at which new or reemergent viruses have caused outbreaks in recent decades is not some abnormal situation, Menachery said, “but what we should be expecting, maybe even with an acceleration.”

The Landmark Award winner in the medical category is the University of Texas Medical Branch League City campus expansion. UTMB's initial League City hospital opened in 2016, and its inpatient services and other service lines quickly reached capacity. The expansion gives the League City campus a total of 97 beds and was designed to support the growing mainland population over the next decade. The new five-story patient tower features several new departments and amenities, adding 60 new patient beds, lab spaces, new food service and dining, and an adjacent helipad. The tower also can support future vertical expansion of up to 12 floors and 360 beds. The first phase of the expansion also included a new parking garage and a pedestrian bridge.

Drs. Victor S. Sierpina and Michelle Sierpina review three books on living a long and fulfilling life. Here’s some advice: “Keep moving; cut calories; eat more plants; drink red wine in moderation; purpose now — take time to see the big picture; take steps to relieve stress; participate in a spiritual community; loved ones first — make family a priority; and right tribe — surround yourself with Blue Zone-minded people.”