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Science News for March 7, 2002


Hurricane floods pose risk to environment, health, new research on 1999 storm reveals

A study analyzing satellite images of the 1999 hurricane flood area found that over 200 NC livestock operations were flooded, contaminating wells and posing a risk to local residents. The research highlights the need for improved monitoring and regulation of industrial animal farms in flood-prone areas.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMar 7, 2002

River blindness caused by bacteria, not worms, suggesting antibiotic treatment for the disease, Science researchers say

Recent studies suggest that treating river blindness with antibiotics like doxycycline could be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms. The bacteria Wolbachia is found in the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and is believed to play a major role in the development of the disease.