
Nicoletta Lanese
Nicoletta Lanese is the health channel editor at Live Science and was previously a news editor and staff writer at the site. She holds a graduate certificate in science communication from UC Santa Cruz and degrees in neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida. Her work has appeared in The Scientist, Science News, the Mercury News, Mongabay and Stanford Medicine Magazine, among other outlets. Based in NYC, she also remains heavily involved in dance and performs in local choreographers' work.
Latest articles by Nicoletta Lanese

HIV/AIDS: Facts about the viral infection that attacks the immune system
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Learn how HIV spreads, how it affects the body and what treatments are available.

New study raises big questions about taurine as anti-aging supplement
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Some studies suggested that declining levels of taurine, an amino acid, might be a key driver of aging. But a new study defies that idea.

A rare genetic disease stained a woman's heart black
By Nicoletta Lanese published
An older woman had a relatively common heart problem, but it had a very rare cause.

The rare condition that makes people unable to smile
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Moebius syndrome is a rare condition that affects several cranial nerves, impairing the muscles that control facial expressions and eye movements.

A man held in a sneeze — and it punctured his windpipe
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A man tore his windpipe, in part, due to hay fever.

35 optical illusions
By Patrick Pester last updated
Artists and scientists have been creating optical illusions for centuries. Here are 35 mind-bending examples that prove you can't always trust what your eyes are telling you.

US baby receives first-ever customized CRISPR treatment for genetic disease
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A baby known as KJ is the first person in the world to receive a customized CRISPR therapy designed to fix a specific mutation.

New CRISPR alternative can 'install' whole genes, paving the way to treatment for many genetic disorders
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A new gene editor takes advantage of CRISPR-associated proteins to insert whole genes into the genome, scientists report.

A rare disease that causes insatiable hunger
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes poor feeding in infancy but later triggers insatiable hunger.

Listeria outbreak that hospitalized 10 linked to California company's ready-to-eat products
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A likely source of contamination has been identified in an ongoing Listeria outbreak affecting California and Nevada.

Diagnostic dilemma: Botched penile tattoo left man with permanent semi-erection
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A man developed a rare condition after getting a tattoo on his genitals.

A single molecule may treat rare, devastating mitochondrial diseases
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Scientists found a compound that appears to counter common mutations behind POLG-related diseases, rare conditions that harm mitochondrial DNA.

A rash 'migrated' across a man's body from his anus
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A man being treated with corticosteroids developed a rare complication of an infection.

'Vaccine rejection is as old as vaccines themselves': Science historian Thomas Levenson on the history of germ theory and its deniers
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Interview Live Science spoke with author Thomas Levenson about his new book on the history of germ theory.

'How could it have been allowed to happen?': The threat of 'superbugs' was known from the first antibiotic, but we've failed to stop it.
By Thomas Levenson published
Book "What are sometimes called superbugs — microbes resistant to every available drug — are not merely the stuff of nightmares. They are taking lives right now."

Nearly 3 million extra deaths by 2030 could result from HIV funding cuts, study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese, Emily Cooke published
A modeling study looked at how anticipated cuts to international HIV funding would affect the rate of new cases and HIV-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries.

Scientists hijacked the human eye to get it to see a brand-new color. It's called 'olo.'
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Using an experimental technique called "Oz," researchers stimulated the human retina such that people saw a brand-new color.

Experimental 'Ozempic pill' shows promise in treating type 2 diabetes
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The drugmaker Lilly announced topline results of a clinical trial of a new pill in the same drug class as injectables like Ozempic.

Oregon officials investigating 3 cases of mad cow-like disease
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Hood River County in Oregon reported three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare human brain disease very similar to "mad cow."

Science of sleep quiz: How much do you know about sleep and dreams?
By Nicoletta Lanese, Emily Cooke published
Test your knowledge of how sleeping and dreaming work.

US measles outbreak tops 600 cases — what to know about the disease
By Emily Cooke last updated
As measles outbreaks in the U.S. continue, here's what to know about how the disease spreads, what its symptoms are, and how to protect yourself and community from the illness.

2 school-age children have died in Texas measles outbreak, as total cases pass 480
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Texas officials reported the death of a second school-age child in the state's ongoing measles outbreak.

$3 million Breakthrough Prize goes to scientists that completely changed our understanding of multiple sclerosis
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Two prominent scientists who study multiple sclerosis — Dr. Alberto Ascherio and Dr. Stephen Hauser — are co-winners of a 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.
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