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USA Today
18-04-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Lyrid meteor shower 2025: Where and when to view
Lyrid meteor shower 2025: Where and when to view Sky watchers will be treated to something special as the Lyrids meteor shower reaches its peak. The Lyrids are expected to peak April 21 and April 22, according to NASA. On those nights, the moon will be at 40% brightness, which may interfere with viewing, according to the American Meteor Society. It may be best to view the meteor shower on the evening of April 21 – just before the waning crescent moon rises. In the best conditions, the Lyrids average 10 to 15 meteors an hour, but it can bombard the sky with up to 100, according to NASA. Where to view in the night sky Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. The American Meteor Society describes the Lyrids as a "medium-strength shower." Though the Lyrids bring fast and bright meteors, they're not as plentiful as showers like the Perseids in August, according to NASA. "Lyrids don't tend to leave long, glowing dust trains behind them as they streak through the Earth's atmosphere, but they can produce the occasional bright flash called a fireball," NASA says. Parent comet of Lyrid meteor shower Lyrids are pieces of debris from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. In mid-April each year, the Earth runs into the stream of debris from the comet, which causes the meteor shower. First sightings of the Lyrids The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 B.C. in China. Observers there said the Lyrids were "falling like rain." Earthsky said that in 1982, American observers saw an outburst of nearly 100 Lyrid meteors an hour. Japanese observers saw about 100 meteors an hour in 1945, and Greek observers saw that number in 1922. What are meteors made of? Meteors are space rocks that are as small as a grain of sand or small rock. As they enter Earth's atmosphere, they create a tail of debris as they disintegrate. Meteorites that have made their way to the Earth's surface are small pieces of an asteroid. Some have been traced back to Mars and the moon. CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice and Jim Sergent SOURCE NASA, Sky & Telescope, EarthSky, and This story was updated to add new information.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Two additional tick species can transmit red meat allergies: See where they are
Two additional tick species can transmit red meat allergies: See where they are Ticks have been known to transmit diseases to humans, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but now a recently discovered red meat allergy could become more common. The red meat allergy, or alpha-gal syndrome, was first reported in 2009 and is still relatively rare. Once a person is bitten and infected, symptoms appear after they eat red meat or if they're exposed to other animal products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Until recently, scientists thought only the lone star tick could spread the disease. But a new study finds bites from two other tick species – the blacklegged tick and Western blacklegged wood tick – can trigger the allergy, too. Where the three tick species linked to red meat allergies are found The eastern and southern U.S. is home to the majority of lone star tick populations. The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is widespread in the East. Western blacklegged wood ticks are found on the West Coast. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Where alpha-gal syndrome cases have been reported the US More than 110,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome were documented in the U.S. from 2010 to 2022, according to CDC data, but the agency estimates up to 450,000 people may have been infected and most didn't report it. "The overwhelmingly vast majority of cases occur within the range of the lone star tick, which is why most cases of AGS are found in the eastern, southeastern and the south-central parts of the United States," Dr. Johanna Salzer, veterinarian and disease ecologists at the CDC, told USA TODAY in a statement. What are the symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome? Alpha-gal, a sugar molecule, enters the body via a tick bite. In certain people, this sets off a response from the immune system, the body's defense mechanism. Red meats such as lamb, beef and pork can trigger mild to severe allergic responses, according to the CDC. Reactions to other foods that come from animals, such as dairy or gelatins, also can occur. Are you risking Lyme disease? Here's how to remove ticks Are you removing ticks correctly? Here's everything you need to know about ticks and how you can combat Lyme disease. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY Ways to prevent tick bites If you expect to be in an area where ticks live, such a backyard, park or campsite, be extra careful when venturing outside. Ticks can be a year-round annoyance, but they are most active in the warmer months of April through September. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent, Ahjané Forbes and Julia Gomez SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota and USA TODAY research This story was updated to add new information.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Science
- USA Today
February planetary alignment: Skywatchers will be treated to a celestial event Friday
February planetary alignment: Skywatchers will be treated to a celestial event Friday Skywatchers will get a cosmic treat this week with a celestial gathering of planets. A planetary alignment, or a "planet parade," according to the internet, will grace our night sky just after dusk, according to SkyatNightMagazine. You can expect to see seven planets align Friday when Mercury joins Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn. But not all of them will be easy to see, especially with the naked eye. You'll need a good pair of high-powered binoculars or a telescope to see Uranus and Neptune. Where to view the planetary alignment Regardless of how you're viewing them, the hardest planets to see will be Saturn and Neptune because they are close to the horizon and the sun, according to StarWalk. If you can see them, they'll be toward the west just after the sun sets. The time will vary based on your location. Mercury also should be visible in the western part of the sky just after sunset. You'll have the best chance of viewing the alignment if you can find a location free of light pollution and a view of the horizon free of obstructions like trees or tall buildings. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. More: There's still time to see the 'planet parade' that began in January: Here's what's visible Is a planetary alignment unusual? It's not especially remarkable for a few planets to line up in the sky, but when we see four or five brilliant planets at once, it's less common, according to NASA. The planets orbit the sun continuously in the solar system, so at times, they slowly catch up to one another. Because they travel along the same path, or ecliptic, as they pass Earth, it appears they are aligned. The alignment formation, however, is short-lived because planets move at different speeds. Profiles of the planets With eight planets in our solar system, which includes Earth, they all have some very interesting traits. Here's a quick look at the planets aligning this month: When will the planets align again? According to Starwalk, skywatchers can look forward to more planetary alignments in 2025-2026: April 17 (four planets): Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus. (four planets): Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Venus. Aug. 10 (six planets): Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. (six planets): Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn. Feb. 28, 2026 (six planets): Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE BBC and NASA
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Measles cases are on the rise, mostly among unvaccinated people. Know the symptoms
Cases of measles, a highly contagious virus that primarily affects children, are surging in Texas and several other states. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported Tuesday that an outbreak in northwest Texas escalated from two cases among unvaccinated children in Gaines County to 58 cases across five counties. The majority of the infected children were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. On Feb. 14, New Mexico officials declared an outbreak in Lea County, just across state lines from Gaines County. Three residents tested positive for measles during the week. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data through Feb. 6 showed five states with measles cases: Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas. Measles outbreaks are low but not gone The last major outbreak of measles in the U.S. occurred six years ago when 22 outbreaks led to 1,249 cases from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1. According to the CDC, the 2019 outbreak was the highest in a single year since 1992 – eight years before measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Where states allow vaccination exemptions Nationwide, childhood immunization rates against serious diseases like measles are declining as more parents request non-medical exemptions from recommended vaccinations, according to the CDC. In the 2023–2024 school year, more than three-quarters of states had kindergartener MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination coverage rates below the CDC's Healthy People target of 95%. Of note, even states with high immunization rates may have pockets of unvaccinated people. More:Measles continues to spread as Texas outbreak rises to 48 cases: Here's what to know Given that measles is extremely contagious and can cause severe complications including pneumonia and brain swelling, the drop in vaccination rates is concerning. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles, and the CDC advises people be vaccinated twice. What are measles symptoms? According to the CDC, measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms. Other signs and symptoms of measles include: Koplik's spots, tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots (the spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body) When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104 degrees CONTRIBUTING John Bacon and Jim Sergent This story was updated to add new information.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Flu has officially hit a second high in the US: Know the symptoms
Flu has officially hit a second high in the US: Know the symptoms U.S. influenza infections are at or near their highest levels in at least 15 years and are still rising, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cold and flu season is in full swing as respiratory viruses circulate throughout the country. Forty-four states reported "very high" and "high" levels of the flu, according to a CDC report released Friday. So far this season, the flu has contributed to at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 fatalities, according to the CDC. What to know about the flu virus in the U.S. Wastewater map tracks rise in flu activity The main objective of wastewater testing is to give public health experts an early warning system so they may contain outbreaks. Wastewater, or sewage, can be tested for infectious diseases even when the people living in a community are not exhibiting any symptoms. The CDC's data can identify potential shifts in the number of illnesses in your state. 28 states' wastewater testing shows 'very high' flu activity Know the symptoms of the flu Doctors and health professionals are recommending that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against influenza during the flu season because the symptoms overlap with COVID-19's. Your immune system may be weakened by one infection, leaving you more vulnerable to others. The flu and COVID-19 have several symptoms in common. Here's how you can tell between the two viruses: Six habits for staying healthy this flu season Get the flu vaccine; it's not to late. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, not your hands, when sneezing or coughing. If you're feeling symptoms developing, don't go to work or school. This will prevent spreading the illness to others. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch something that is contaminated with germs, it can easily spread disease. Clean and disinfect your home frequently, especially surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and countertops. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic and Reuters
