Julianna LeMieux
ACSH
New York, NY, United States
Contact Julianna
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Julianna:
Irish Social Media Campaign Increases HPV Vaccination Rates
How can we get more parents to vaccinate their children? That is one of the questions that keep me and others in the pro-science community awake at night. A new correspondence in The Lancet may bring us one step closer to an answer through their analysis of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Ireland that began in 2010. The HPV vaccination program targeted girls aged 12–13… → Read More
Simple Beam of Light Can Tell if Mosquitoes Carry Zika
It’s Memorial Day weekend - the three days that serve to honor our military and remember those that gave their lives for our country. It is also the unofficial kick-off off summer fever. The warm summer evenings by the lake and the barbeques in the park bring with them an unfortunate consequence - bug bites. And, in certain areas of the world, being bit by a mosquito is more than just a… → Read More
Simple Beam Can Tell if Mosquitoes Carry Zika
It’s Memorial Day weekend - the three days that serve to honor our military and remember those that gave their lives for our country. It is also the unofficial kick-off off summer fever. The warm summer evenings by the lake and the barbeques in the park bring with them an unfortunate consequence - bug bites. And, in certain areas of the world, being bit by a mosquito is more than just a… → Read More
A New Drug May Keep Those With Celiac Disease Gluten Free
For people with celiac disease, gluten enemy #1. For some celiac patients, an exposure to gluten can make them sick for days with pain, vomiting and diarrhea while causing intestinal damage. And, maintaining a 100% gluten free diet can be challenging, creating a great need for therapeutics to help keep the body free of gluten, even if a mistake happens. An experimental new drug may provide… → Read More
Five Days. 50 Events. Go to Know
Every year since 2008, the World Science Festival (WSF) has brought cutting edge science programs to New York City. If you love science and are looking for something to do next weekend (May 30th - June 3rd) check out the website at www.worldsciencefestival.com to take a look at the wide array of events. After taking a deep dive into the program this weekend, to choose which events I will be… → Read More
Experimental Ebola Vaccine Rolled Out During Outbreak in Africa. But, Will it Work?
It's been three and a half years since the last Ebola outbreak in West Africa, when 28,600 people in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone were infected and over 11,300 killed. Despite the WHO declaring the region Ebola-free two years later, there is a new wave of cases, this time in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.) One big difference between 2014 and today is the existence of a vaccine. In… → Read More
Getting Closer to a Much Needed RSV Vaccine
We may be one step closer to saving thousands of newborns from a potentially nasty illness and death. A press release this month from Novavax, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, states that they have reached a milestone in their clinical trial for the highly anticipated vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV.) What is RSV? Although you may not have heard of it, the Centers for Disease… → Read More
CRISPR Chocolate Would Help Farmers in Developing Countries
Some people are anti-GMO because they don't like the idea of their food being genetically manipulated. But, what about food that is altered using the gene editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9? And, what if the genetic change is one that would help the livelihood of farmers in developing countries? Lastly, what if the food that we're talking about is chocolate...? CRISPR-Cas9 chocolate may… → Read More
Dear NY Post, Bacteria and Viruses are Two (Very) Different Things
As a microbiologist, I have a pet peeve; when the words bacteria and virus are used interchangeably. It is not an infrequent mistake to see. And, a story this week in the New York Post is no exception. In an article entitled, "Mom dies after catching flesh-eating bacteria on family vacation," the tragic story of a woman who contracted (and subsequently died from) an infection is described. The… → Read More
Tick-Borne Diseases are on the Rise. Which Ones Should You Watch Out For?
Finally, the hats and gloves can be stowed away. The summer is almost here and it's time to get outside and enjoy the weather. But, this year, more than any other year, our time spent outside may not be as worry-free. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that the number of vector borne diseases (those carried and transmitted by arthropods - insects like ticks,… → Read More
Regeneron's Science Talent Search is Not Your Average Science Fair
Each year, the Society for Science & the Public and the biotech company Regeneron sponsor a science talent search (STS) - the most prestigious science and math competition for seniors in high school. For 77 years, this contest has selected and given money rewards to some of the leading young math and science talent in the country. In the competition, young scientists present original… → Read More
Dr. Oz Goes to the White House
The news that Dr. Oz has been appointed by the President to the President's Council on Sport, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCSFN) shouldn't surprise us. Not after President Trump went on The Dr. Oz Show to "discuss" his physical. Or, after President Trump met with Robert Kennedy Jr. (well known for his anti-vaccine stance) to talk about vaccines. But, the appointment of Dr. Oz to any position where… → Read More
A CRISPR-based Home Test for Zika
On an almost weekly basis, a new scientific discovery is being introduced with CRISPR technology at the heart of it. This week is no exception. Normally, CRISPR is synonymous with gene editing to correct mistakes in the genome. However, this new CRISPR-based tool is using CRISPR in a whole new appllication - to detect the presence of a specific DNA or RNA. In doing so, it may help millions of… → Read More
Stomach Flu Closes College Campus
For any student, the news that classes are canceled is like hitting the jackpot. An unexpected day off with no worries, no exams, and nothing to do. Unless, of course, the reason for the cancellation is that a significant portion of the campus has fallen ill with norovirus - sometimes referred to as the "stomach flu." That is a different type of day off altogether and one that happened at… → Read More
Bartender, I Don’t Mind Mouth Bacteria. Pour Me a Double
Alcohol causes many changes in our bodies - something that those who indulge probably know all too well. Some are more apparent, like impaired judgment, dehydration and liver damage. Others are less well understood. Because drinks enter the body through our mouths, it makes sense that that particular area of the body may sustain changes caused by drinking. And, a new study has found that that is… → Read More
Throw Out Your Romaine Lettuce
This week, another bacterial contamination of food is making headlines. Last week, it was eggs and Salmonella. This week, it's romaine lettuce and E. coli. Because E. coli infections can be very serious, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is expanding its warning regarding romaine lettuce. The new recommendation is to throw it out. All of it. This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine,… → Read More
Not Surprising: Bad Doctors Use Homeopathy, Study Shows
Sometimes, a study serves to uncover something completely unknown before. However, many times, it confirms something that we already suspected to be true. In the case of a recent report, the news out of the United Kingdom that homeopathy is more frequently recommended by bad physicians is something that we could have easily predicted. The UK’s National Health Service has been pretty vocal about… → Read More
Taking the 'Strep' Out of Strep Throat
More than likely, you are well acquainted with Strep throat testing. You know - when the super dry tongue depressor presses your tongue down so that the Q tip can reach the back of your throat - so far in the back that you gag a little. The Q tip is picking up the bacteria that are in the back of your throat. When cultured, it will either reveal the presence of Streptococus pyogenes, the main… → Read More
Check Your Eggs! 207 Million Recalled Due to Salmonella Outbreak
On any given day, about 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 10,000 eggs are contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. However, for Rose Acre Farms, the second-largest egg producer in the United States, this is not your average day. In fact, the company just voluntarily recalled over 2 million eggs because of potential contamination with Salmonella Braenderup bacteria. Salmonella infection symptoms (fever,… → Read More
Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Autoimmunity Strengthens
The cause of autoimmune diseases remains a black box. Sure, there is a genetic component, and certain environmental conditions that likely kick start them. But, as far as the complete cause of diseases such as lupus, celiac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the rest of the group - there are still a lot of unanswered questions. This is one of the reasons why a new paper published in Science… → Read More