Science
These People Lost Their Hearing After COVID Months Ago. They Still Haven’t Fully Recovered.
There’s no definitive proof that COVID is causing hearing loss, but based on what researchers know about other viruses’ effects on the auditory system, it’s not an unreasonable connection to make.
The FDA Is Considering A New Plan To Make COVID Vaccines A Lot More Like Your Annual Flu Shot
In a decision that could come this week, the FDA is looking to step away from the confusing array of COVID shots and boosters that are currently recommended and create an easier-to-understand schedule.
Weight Loss Drugs Aren’t A Quick Fix
The popularity of drugs like Ozempic and a new pediatric recommendation that encourages fat teens to get weight-loss surgery show we still view fatness as a moral flaw that needs extreme intervention.
How We Stopped Mpox This Year And What’s Next For The Disease Formerly Known As Monkeypox
Mpox case numbers are low and trending lower. Here’s how science saved the day and where the White House and CDC are currently focusing their efforts to fight the outbreak.
Masks May Be Necessary Again. Here’s Why.
With SARS-CoV-2, RSV, flu, and other germs circulating, experts emphasize that masks do protect you — and it’s probably a good idea to start wearing them again in certain circumstances.
Celebrities Are Again Under Scrutiny For Their Private Jet Usage, So Let's See How Far You Can Get Using The Same Amount Of CO2 Emissions
I, in no way, would actually want to take the trips in this quiz because they are so long, but it puts into perspective how a short private plane ride can contribute so much more CO2 than a commercial flight.
This Woman’s “Kiss Of Death” Shows Just How Serious Allergic Reactions Can Be
Although it’s rare, kissing can elicit a serious allergic reaction in some people with food allergies.
Katie Couric’s Cancer Diagnosis Sheds Light On Breast Density And Why It Matters For Mammograms
Katie Couric was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year after a routine mammogram. Here’s how often you should get checked and what kind of screening you need, particularly if you have dense breasts.
Norovirus, That Icky Stomach Bug, Is Back
Norovirus cases are surging back in 2023. The bug seems to be making brutal rounds in the Northeast, but the CDC said cases are on the rise nationally.
Flu Season Is Here And This Is Why You Should Take It Seriously
Based on what’s happening in the Southern Hemisphere, experts are predicting that flu season may be especially bad this year.
Breast Implants Can Cause Complications And, In Rare Cases, Cancer. Here’s What To Know.
Breast implants don’t last a lifetime, and often have to be replaced or removed due to complications or, in very rare cases, cancer. We spoke to experts to better understand their risks.
No, The Pandemic Isn’t Really Over. Here’s Why.
“Whether or not the pandemic part of this is over is irrelevant. COVID is here to stay.”
Here’s What May Be Happening Every Time You Get COVID
“Getting hit with a baseball bat once is better than getting hit five times,” one expert said.
How To Choose Climate-Friendly Foods If You Care About The Environment
It’s easier than you think to choose environmentally friendly foods at the grocery store. Here are some quick tips if you care about climate change, sustainability, and the environment.
Monkeypox Has Been Linked To Serious Heart Inflammation In A 31-Year-Old Man
A monkeypox patient in Portugal was hospitalized with heart inflammation, and this week a severely immunocompromised person diagnosed with monkeypox died in Texas. Here’s what we know so far about the worst risks of the virus.
Do You Really Need This New Omicron Booster? Here’s What Experts Say.
Get ready to roll up your sleeves again: A new COVID booster that targets the latest variants is ready for your arm.
Moderna Is Suing Pfizer And BioNTech, Alleging They Stole mRNA Technology For COVID Vaccines
The girls are fighting!
Life Expectancy Dropped In Every State And DC In 2020. Here’s What That Means.
The declines in life expectancy we’re seeing are actually “historically unprecedented,” one expert said.
TikTokers Say Energy Drinks Caused Their Heart Problems. We Asked Experts If That’s A Thing.
TikTokers are going viral blaming energy drinks for heart problems. We asked experts about the possible health risks of these products.
These Tweets Show Just How Mad Public Health Experts Are About The CDC’s New COVID Guidelines
The CDC recently relaxed its COVID guidelines involving quarantines, screening tests, and social distancing. That’s a terrible idea, some experts say, given that over 400 people die from the disease every day.
Let’s Speak Clearly: Monkeypox Is Mostly Being Transmitted Via Sex
“What’s challenging is communicating that while this not a ‘gay disease,’ our limited resources need to go to the people at the highest risk,” one expert said. “It’s also important to communicate the risk is highest with sexual activity without shaming the queer community.”
Here’s How Bad Taylor Swift’s And Other Celebs' Private Jet Emissions Really Are For The Environment
The stakes are higher than you think.
It’s Time We Talk About Polio In The US And How To Protect Yourself
Polio is a life-threatening disease that’s long been eradicated in the US. But a recent New York state case and traces of the virus found in NYC wastewater have experts recommending that unvaccinated adults and children get immunized ASAP.
People Can Now Get One-Fifth Of A Monkeypox Vaccine Dose To Stretch Limited Supply
The need for the monkeypox vaccine has far outstripped supply. These are the steps US officials are taking to stretch vaccines and make more doses available.
Why Experts Aren’t That Concerned Monkeypox In Wastewater Will Spread To Rats
While it’s theoretically possible for rats and mice to become a US reservoir of monkeypox, the experts we talked to said virus-containing wastewater is not a concern at the moment — and you definitely don’t need to bleach your toilet water.
Here’s What To Know About Monkeypox Risk For Dogs (Or Cats)
Experts say the chances you can give your dog or cat the virus are slim, but there has been at least one reported case of a dog that contracted monkeypox from its owners.
Monkeypox Has Been Declared A Public Health Emergency In The US
More than 6,600 Americans have contracted the rare but serious infection, which is now spreading in 87 countries.
Adult Ex-Smokers Say They May Pick Cigarettes Back Up If Juul Is Banned
Some people are stocking up on Juul pods since the once-popular high-nicotine vape may soon be off the market.
Here's What You Should Know About Monkeypox In Children
Although there have been at least nine cases of monkeypox in kids in the US, public health officials say that they believe the chance of widespread infections in youngsters is remote, even with a new school year just around the corner.
Men Who Have Sex With Men Should Reduce Their Partners For Now To Avoid Monkeypox, The WHO Has Advised
The head of the World Health Organization also urged these men to reconsider new sexual partners and exchange contact details in order to follow up if needed.
Europe Is Having A Heat Wave And People Are Freaking Out Because We’re Not Built For This Kind Of Weather
“This emergency — these heat waves and future weather disasters — have come about because of a system where the richest among us, like Kylie Jenner, can consume on an unimaginable scale.”
A Climate Activist Smeared Cake On The "Mona Lisa"
"Think about the Earth. There are people who are in the process of destroying the Earth. Think about them!"
How To Protect Yourself (And Your Dogs) From Toxic Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae look like foamy scum on the water’s surface and have the potential to cause great harm, and even death, to you and your pets.
A Monkeypox Vaccine Was Approved By The FDA In 2019. Here’s What To Know About It As The Virus Spreads.
A handful of cases of the rare but serious monkeypox virus have occurred in the US and other countries where it normally doesn’t spread, but there is a vaccine that can prevent serious disease. Here’s what to know about the Jynneos shot.
A Black Doctor Tried To Diversify Medicine. Then She Lost Her Job.
A Black doctor and her trainees risked their careers to accuse their school of systemic racism. It would be a diagnosis with no easy cure.
The US Government Now Has 400 Official Reports Of UFOs But Congress Wants You To Know There’s Still No Proof Of Aliens
“Unidentified aerial phenomena are a potential national security threat, and they need to be treated that way,” the committee chairperson said.
The First Image Of The Black Hole At The Center Of Our Galaxy Has Been Unveiled
The "gentle giant" at the heart of the Milky Way is a black hole 4 million times the mass of the sun.
Drug Overdoses Killed More Than 107,000 People In The US In 2021, Marking A New, Tragic, Record
“The pandemic has just poured fuel on the fire of the overdose epidemic,” one expert said.
The Abortion Debate Highlights Challenges People Face To Get Their Tubes Tied
People who want tubal ligations often face serious obstacles, and it's been a persistent problem even in post-Roe America.
Trump Showed How Easy It Is To Break The EPA. It's Much Harder To Fix It.
“The EPA is still in crisis,” one environmentalist said.
Extreme Heat Can Be Deadly. Here’s How To Stay Safe.
“Climate change is killing people today, to put it as bluntly as possible,” one expert said.
College Football Referees Penalized Teams With Black Coaches More Often Than Those With White Coaches, A Study Suggests
College football teams with Black coaches average around five to seven more penalties per season than teams with white coaches, regardless of team or school quality.
The WHO Has Nearly Tripled Its Estimate Of The Pandemic’s Death Toll
The UN’s health agency has embraced statistical methods that put the true toll of the pandemic at around 15 million. Will it shock nations that are denying the severity of COVID-19 into action?
This Activist Group Tapped Into Partisan COVID Politics To Make Big Trouble For Anthony Fauci And The NIH
The White Coat Waste Project has pulled the “lab leak” strings and channeled right-wing anger over COVID to pursue its goal of defunding animal experiments backed by the federal government.
Long COVID Patients Say Doctors Are Ignoring Their Symptoms
Long COVID can be debilitating and occurs in up to 30% of people who have had the coronavirus, but the people experiencing it often find that doctors dismiss, ignore, or downplay their unusual symptoms.
Many Abortion Images Are Misleading Or Manipulative. These Photos Show The Reality.
"Most people don't know what a fetus looks like. Abortion takes place behind closed doors — for medical privacy and for safety — but I also believe something is gained by creating visuals for this process."
Biden Is Going Big On COVID Pills For Pharmacies Nationwide
Paxlovid pills are now widely offered at pharmacies through Biden's "test to treat" plan, as COVID cases are beginning to mount again in the US.
Here’s How Homelessness And Politics Meet Amid An HIV Outbreak In One US City
“We are the capital of pain.”
Women Falconers Unleash Their Hawks In This Incredible Photo Series
“Nature is a brutal place, as beautiful as it can be. It's a fight to survive.”
EPA Employees Want To Put Protections Against Attacks On Science Into Their Union Contract
“We are looking to be the first union in the nation to have a scientific integrity article in our contract."
A Federal Judge Struck Down The CDC's Mask Mandate For Public Transportation
The federal judge in Florida, who was appointed by Donald Trump, said the CDC had exceeded its statutory authority in issuing the mask mandate.
Tell Us How Long COVID Wrecked Your Otherwise Perfect Health
Long COVID can affect anyone, even the young and healthy. If you can relate, we want to learn more about your story.
We Might Be Looking At COVID “Seasons” For Years To Come
“I know everybody wants great news, that we can be done with COVID and everything’s gonna be fine, but that’s not really true.”
Why Bugs Are The High-Protein And Fiber-Rich Food You Should Be Eating
Whether you’re consuming them as a protein powder or the intact critters themselves, here’s what you need to know about the vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fats you can get from crickets and other edible insects.
“It’s Now Or Never”: The Next Three Years Are Crucial To Preventing The Worst Impacts Of Climate Change
"We are on a fast track to climate disaster," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said.
How Long Do Boosters Last? Here’s The Deal On Whether You Need Another One.
Now that months have passed since getting boosted against COVID, you may be wondering if the shot is still protecting you. Here’s everything experts do — and don’t — know.
Here’s What 5 People With Alopecia Think About That Chris Rock Joke
Many people with alopecia felt that Chris Rock’s joke at the Oscars was insensitive, to say the least, but others feel like it might lead to more awareness of the autoimmune condition.
Ukrainian Peace Negotiators Reported Poisoning Symptoms After Engaging In Recent Talks
Two negotiators and a Russian oligarch mediating the talks suffered eye irritation and peeling skin on their faces, according to news reports.
Dozens Of Nuclear Workers Got Sick At A Secret Training Exercise In 1991. They’re Still Fighting For Answers.
“I had mucus running from my nose to the ground and was coughing uncontrollably to the point that I nearly threw up.”
A Possible Senate Change To CDC Leadership Has Public Health Experts Worried
“This is a really bad idea,” one public health expert said. “It just creates an opportunity for people to grandstand.”
The War In Ukraine Exposes The World's Utter Reliance On Fossil Fuels
“The role of oil and gas in the global economy is very deeply embedded, so any shift is going to take a long time,” one expert said.
The White House Said My COVID Tests Would Be Fully Covered. Instead I Got Charged $43.
The United States’ messy plan for at-home COVID tests made the pandemic even more chaotic. Can we get it together before the next surge?
Here’s What The New Climate Report Says About The Future Of My 1-Year-Old Daughter
Not halting global warming, said one expert, “would be the final, truly unfair thing to do to a generation of kids coming up right now.”
A Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Is Now A War Zone. Here’s What That Means.
“We are in completely uncharted waters,” the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
New York's Attorney General Is Calling For Emergency Alerts In More Languages
“Language should never be a barrier to critical information that could save lives,” New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote in a letter to federal officials.
The Housing Crisis Led Them to Basement Apartments. Climate Change Flooded Them Out.
As a growing number of intense storms batters the country, more Americans are at risk of losing everything as high rents push tenants below ground.
These 14 Indian Women Were "Firsts" In Their Field And You Should Totally Know About Them
We have so much to thank them for.
This Doctor Has Pushed Unproven Drugs And Questioned COVID Vaccines. She’s Now Pleaded Guilty To Crimes In The Jan. 6 Insurrection.
Simone Gold’s group America’s Frontline Doctors has fought the medical consensus on COVID. Critics want her license to practice medicine to be revoked.
How Open-Source Intelligence Is Helping Clear The Fog Of War In Ukraine
From high-resolution satellite images to TikTok videos, governments no longer control information from the front lines.
Climate Change Threatens Life As We Know It And The Only Way To Minimize The Damage Is To Act Now, Hundreds Of Scientists Warn
“Scientific evidence is unequivocal: Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health,” concludes the report.
Gas Stoves Emit Pollutants. Here’s How They Impact Your Health.
People are moving away from gas stoves because of the impact on the environment, but they also aren’t risk-free when it comes to your health. Here’s what experts recommend.
How The Pandemic Is Changing Our Bodies
Whether it’s your eyes, skin, teeth, or something else, the pandemic is having an impact on bodies that has nothing to do with COVID.
Eric Lander Has Resigned As Biden's Science Adviser After Bullying Staff
Biologist Eric Lander, who had a seat on President Biden’s Cabinet, was billed as the most powerful scientist in US history. Now he has resigned, after an investigation found he bullied women in his office.
“I Have Nowhere To Go”: This Woman Lost Her New Jersey Apartment Due To Ida’s Flooding. Government Officials Just Evicted Her From Her Temporary Housing.
Lataiyyah Washington is one of more than 600 people who lost their subsidized housing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, due to the storm.
Microwaves Or Ultrasound Might Explain Open "Havana Syndrome" Cases, US Intelligence Report Says
“We will stay at it, with continued rigor, for however long it takes," said a joint intelligence agency statement about the remaining, unsolved, Havana Syndrome cases.
If You Think You Have COVID But Your Rapid Test Is Negative, Here’s Why
Can you test negative for COVID but still have it? This is why it seems to take so long for a rapid test to turn positive.
You Can Get Free N95 Masks. Here Are 11 Things To Know About Where To Find Them And How To Use Them.
The government is shipping free N95 masks to a store near you. Here’s where to get them, when to use them, and why they work better than other masks.
Republicans Are Changing State Medical Board Rules So It’s Easier For Doctors To Prescribe Hydroxychloroquine And Ivermectin
Republicans in state legislatures across the country are pushing, and in some cases passing, bills that limit medical boards’ authority over COVID treatments.
People Of Color Don’t Get Monoclonal Antibodies As Often As Their White Counterparts, According To A New Analysis
When it comes to treatment with monoclonal antibodies, a CDC report finds that some people with COVID are less likely to get them than others.
What Happens After Omicron? Four Key Questions About Where The Pandemic Goes Next.
“I think in many ways, we are just as flabbergasted as the rest of society about how Omicron has seemingly come from nowhere,” one scientist said.
A Volcanic Eruption In Tonga Has Triggered A Tsunami Advisory For The Western US
The massive blast caused atmospheric shock waves seen by orbiting weather satellites.
The Biden Administration Is Purchasing 500 Million More Rapid Tests. Here’s How You Can Get One.
The announcement is part of a plan to expand access to rapid testing, but most tests won’t be available for at least two weeks.
Congrats: If You’re Reading This, You Just Survived One Of The Hottest Years Ever
“Temperatures will keep rising as long as we keep increasing greenhouse gases,” one climate scientist said.
Omicron May Be “Milder,” But It’s Making More People Sick Than Ever Before
“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” one doctor said.
“People Aren’t Going To Realize It Until They Call 911 And No One Comes”: How Omicron Could Push Hospitals Over The Edge
The cruel irony is that what appears to be the mildest widespread variant of the coronavirus is the one that risks pushing the US hospital system to the brink.
The Federal Government Is Still Undercounting Extreme Weather And Climate Deaths
NOAA announced that at least 688 people died from extreme weather in 2021, but BuzzFeed News has shown that the true toll is much higher.
We Asked Experts To Tell Us The Most Important Things To Know About Kids And COVID Because Honestly, It’s Confusing
Here’s what to know right now about protecting children from COVID-19, how dangerous it is for them, and the real risk of long COVID in kids.
The CDC Is Warning That Child Hospitalization Rates Are Breaking Pandemic Records
“Pediatric hospitalizations are at the highest rate compared to any prior point in the pandemic,” the CDC’s director warned.
Texas Is Still Not Recognizing The Full Death Toll Of Last Year’s Devastating Winter Storm
The state now says that 246 people were killed in last February’s winter storm. An updated analysis by BuzzFeed News puts the number at more than 750.
Jail Time For An “Imaginary Crime”: It’s Almost Impossible To Overdose Just By Touching Fentanyl, But People Are Being Locked Up For It Anyway
“People should not be in jail for imaginary crimes,” one expert said.
The CDC Might Recommend Asymptomatic People Test Negative For COVID-19 Before Breaking Isolation
Anthony Fauci says the CDC is aware of recent pushback to its changes to isolation guidelines and may soon alter them.
“This Is Climate Change Barging Through The Front Door”: Water Scarcity Is Forcing Changes In How The Colorado River Is Shared
Huge decisions will be made in the next few years about who gets water from the shrinking Colorado River. Basin tribes are fighting to get their share.
The White House Is Defending The CDC’s New 5-Day Coronavirus Isolation Guideline For Asymptomatic People
“We are standing on the shoulders of two years of science,” the CDC director said.
Boosters Aren’t The Answer To Omicron (or Pi)
Why one global health expert is urging more focus on vaccine sharing.
The CDC’s New COVID Isolation Guidance Surprised Experts, Too
Experts welcomed the decision to shorten the isolation period to five days, but many are still concerned testing negative first hasn't been prioritized.
We Don’t Know How Many People Are Killed By Extreme Weather. This Means Even More People Will Die.
No one is accurately measuring how many people are dying from climate change and extreme weather. This is a fatal mistake that takes pressure off political leaders.
E.O. Wilson, Heir To Darwin’s Legacy And King Of The Ants, Has Died At Age 92
He put nature conservation on a scientific footing, battled colleagues who were enraged by his biological explanations of human behavior, and won two Pulitzer prizes — all inspired by ants.
This Is What You Should Know Before Taking A Rapid COVID Test
Every day, decisions are being made based on rapid COVID tests. How common are false negatives, and can you trust the results?
The Rapid Spread Of Omicron Has Cities Scrambling To Cope With Demand For COVID Tests
“This spreads so fast that if you look at what's going on today, it's actually already happened 10 to 14 days ago,” one expert said.
