Disease

Staphylococcus aureus is the number one cause of hospital infections like blood poisoning and pneumonia, but early reports from the University of Chicago indicate it has become resistant to medicine's best antibiotic, vancomycin. Almost half of all staph strains have become resistant to all antibiotics except vancomycin, and now it is under attack, causing a worldwide health alert. Hospital-acquired infections affect more than 2 million Americans each year.

Drugs

The Internet is the latest "crack house." Anyone with a computer can find out how to get high on LSD, check the going price of marijuana or get a copy of the formula of methamphetamine. Online testimonials make recreational drugs sound like fun. One teen says, "I can place a call and within an hour get [cocaine] delivered."

Earthquakes

On July 9, a powerful 6.9 quake hit Venezuela, killing 70 people and injuring at least 469. It was that country's most devastating earthquake in three decades. A 5.6 temblor struck near Hilo, Hawaii, causing $1 million in damage.

Teen Thrill

A deadly game called "Catching a Breeze" is the latest death-defying teen thrill. Teenagers find parallel railroad tracks and stand between two passing trains. The thrill comes not only from the danger of being immediately hit, but also from the force of the wind as the trains rush by, which can pull a person under the wheels. Two Wisconsin boys were killed in two weeks, and other fatalities are being reported across the country.

Volcanos

» Mexico's Popocateptl volcano erupted in late June, spewing ash 5 miles into the air and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. This eruption, the worst since 1925, dropped ash, soot and sand on Mexico City 33 miles away.

» Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano erupted twice, once on June 28 and again on July 4, the most volatile it has been since 1995. Four people died and 20 are missing.

Weather

» Floods and landslides from 16 inches of rain forced Hong Kong schools, government offices and businesses to close after the worst rainstorms in 50 years. Flooding and heavy rains, some of the worst in centuries, also hit the British Isles and Central Europe.

» Slow-moving hurricane Danny dumped more than 30 inches of rain on Alabama's resort coast on July 20. Along the Fish River only the tops of some roofs were visible. As far away as Charlotte, NC, about nine inches of rain fell on July 23, causing local flooding and three deaths.

» Winds of more than 90 mph and heavy rain strafed Michigan, Indiana and Ohio on July 3. More than 400 homes were destroyed and 10 people were killed.