COVID-19
COVID and “gain of function” research: should we create monsters to prevent them?
Gain-of-function mutation research may help predict the next pandemic — or, critics argue, cause one.
Not just COVID: mortality rates are up from homicides, drug overdoses, accidents
Some of these trends may be due, in part, to the lockdown.
The power of group identity: 22 percent of Americans remain skeptical of vaccines
According to this research, eight percent of Americans always refuse vaccines. Why?
Contact-tracing apps have serious physical, biological limitations
Contact-tracing apps can be a useful tool for public health, but they have considerable false positive and false negative rates.
The Great Resignation: COVID revealed how abnormal the modern workplace is
Is working from home the ultimate liberation or the first step toward an even unhappier "new normal"?
For some, the pandemic eased mental health distress
Children with pre-existing mental health issues thrived during the early phase of the pandemic.
Cotton masks outperform synthetic fibers in humidity test
Cotton mask fibers prove 33 percent more effective at blocking viruses in trials.
5 big predictions for 2021
A deeper appreciation for science and less unnecessary spending could be in our future.
How to have a constructive conversation with vaccine skeptics
Jonathan Berman wants us to have better dialogues.
New study argues that migrating from cities, not travel bans, slows spread of disease
Of course, it's all about where you move. The authors argue that it needs to be less populous regions.
Denmark to kill 17 million mink to prevent spread of mutated coronavirus
It's a precautionary measure stemming from fears that mutated coronavirus strains may reduce the efficacy of future vaccines.
COVID-19 may cause ‘significant’ cognitive deficits, study says
A growing body of research suggests COVID-19 can cause neurological damage in some patients.
Optimism may be dangerous in a pandemic, say behavioral psychologists
Most people believe themselves to be less at risk from COVID-19 than others similar to them, according to a recent UCL survey conducted in the U.S.
Plant-grown vaccines: the next step in medicine?
Medicago is growing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in a relative of the tobacco plant right now.
One important benefit of quarantine: reduced noise
Noise pollution is terrible for our health, yet we don't discuss it often enough.
Typeface matters: Donations go up depending on typeface choice
A study in the hospitality industry shows the importance of design, including during a pandemic.
Why do some people suffer worse from COVID-19? New studies identify a genetic mutation
94 percent of men in the study have this mutation, which explains why men are more likely to die.
6 books to help you through anxious times
Americans lose an estimated 321 million work days every year due to anxiety and depression.
A key COVID-19 immune response in children has been identified
This could change how researchers approach vaccine development.
The spread of ancient infectious diseases offers insight into COVID-19
Archaeology clues us in on the dangers of letting viruses hang around.
Study shows why face shields don’t work as well as face masks
Some people choose alternatives to masks for comfort. A study shows the difference in effectiveness.
Social isolation is hard. New research identifies a potential intervention.
A team at Mount Sinai has discovered the neural mechanism behind social isolation.
Anxiety related internet searches hit new high during pandemic
More people are looking up panic and anxiety attacks in quarantine.
Study identifies animal species that may be susceptible to coronavirus
On the list of animals at risk are several endangered species.
First case of COVID-19 reinfection reported in Hong Kong
The patient's second infection was asymptomatic, suggesting that subsequent infections may be milder.
Promising COVID-19 studies show hope for long-lasting immunity
The immune system seems able to "remember" the coronavirus, and therefore able to prevent — or minimize the severity of — reinfection.
Face mask study reveals worst material for blocking COVID-19
A study published Friday tested how well 14 commonly available face masks blocked the emission of respiratory droplets as people were speaking.
COVID-19 survivors share their harrowing tales
The virus is unlike anything many people have ever experienced.