disease

A woman living with a one-in-a-million disease that makes her age ten times faster than the average person says aging is a “privilege.” Tiffany Wedekind, 47, was only diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome at age 31. She had already defied the odds, as the syndrome kills most people in their teens. Over time, Tiffany has gradually lost all her natural hair and teeth and has aortic stenosis. She will eventually need an aortic valve replaced. Tiffany Wedekind. (Pix via SWNS) But she says it hasn’t stopped her from living life to the fullest—she got a divorce, started her own businesses,…

SWMRsquirrel – by Lauren Beavis Scotland’s red squirrels have among the lowest genetic diversity of any species leaving them vulnerable to disease outbreaks, a study shows. Their lack of diversity could explain why they are slow to develop resistance to the squirrelpox virus, which is carried by non-native grey squirrels and fatal to reds, scientists say. Continued genetic monitoring and interventions are urgently needed to improve red squirrel diversity and boost conservation efforts, experts warn. Genetic diversity is important for species’ survival, scientists say. It helps populations adapt to environmental changes and makes them more resilient to threats such as…