ASCLS eNewsBytes

• Summer Marks Peak Season for Tick-Borne Diseases August 18, 2026
  Emergency department visits for tick bites in the U.S. have reached their highest rate since 2017, as reported by the CDC. Although the visits are primarily outside the South Central region, tick bites are a significant concern nationwide, with an estimated 31 million cases annually.
• Wastewater Testing Explored to Track Michigan's Cyclospora Outbreak August 18, 2026
  Researchers at Michigan State University propose using wastewater surveillance, a method successful during the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify hotspots, monitor outbreak progression and inform public health responses.
• Stem Cells Create Humanlike Heart Valve Tissue to Model Disease and Test Treatments August 18, 2026
  Researchers have developed lab-grown human heart valve tissues from stem cells, which closely mimic natural heart valves. This advancement enhances understanding of the development, maturation and damage of human heart valves, potentially improving treatments for childhood heart diseases.
• FDA Approves Furosemide Autoinjector for Treatment of Edema in CKD or Heart Failure August 18, 2026
  The FDA has approved furosemide injection via an autoinjector to treat edema in adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
• Scientists Uncover the Hidden Nerve Network Fueling Breast Cancer August 18, 2026
  Researchers found that triple-negative breast cancer can manipulate the body by enlisting macrophages to produce BDNF, a protein that attracts nerves into the tumor, potentially aiding cancer growth, treatment resistance and spread.