Science
More Than 1 Million People Around The World Have Now Died From The Coronavirus
Despite the grim marker, public health experts believe it is a gross undercount of the true devastation wrought by the virus.
America’s “Patchwork Pandemic” Is Why We Haven’t Gotten COVID-19 Under Control
The world’s most powerful nation has played whack-a-mole with the coronavirus, slowing its transmission in one place only for it to flare up somewhere else.
Top Health Officials Are Hitting The Brakes As Trump Rushes For An October Vaccine
"Some of the scientists have come to a point where they realize they have to speak out as a matter of life and death," said one expert.
The CDC Removed A New Guidance About Airborne Coronavirus Transmission Days After Posting It
"We need the public institutions to have a clear message based on science and not to be announcing something on Friday and pulling it out on Monday," said one scientist.
Two Pharma Companies Released Their Coronavirus Vaccine Blueprints In A Bid To Regain Public Trust
The disclosures from the two frontrunners, Pfizer and Moderna, come as public trust in a coronavirus vaccine is declining.
Trump Called The CDC Director’s Timeline For A Coronavirus Vaccine A “Mistake”
As the coronavirus vaccine is thrust into the center of the US presidential election, experts fear that public trust in the vaccine is taking a serious hit.
Wildfire Smoke Is Causing A New Public Health Crisis On The West Coast
The fires are likely already causing an upsurge in fatal heart attacks and hospitalizations for people with asthma — and it might also make people more vulnerable to COVID-19.
A News Report From A Utah Anti-Mask Rally Is Going Viral Because It Almost Feels Like An "SNL" Sketch
"I identify as a fresh air breather."
32 Truly Surreal Pictures Of Melted Objects That Show How Powerful The Fires In The Northwest Are
In some places, all that's left are puddles of metal.
Hurricane Sally Hit The Gulf Coast With Storm Surges, Heavy Rain, And 100 MPH Winds
On Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center warned of “historic and catastrophic flooding” from the slow-moving storm.
This Science Quiz Should Be Suuuper Easy, But Most People Can't Score Higher Than 50%
I was looking for a science pun, but all the good ones Argon.
Climate Scientists Have Warned It Was Coming, But Even They Are Freaked Out By The West Coast’s Inferno
“We have not reached the peak. In fact, no one knows where the peak is,” one expert said.
An FDA Deadline For Vape Shops Is Today. No One Knows What Comes Next.
“I worry it will be Armageddon for the vaping industry.”
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Was A Massive COVID-19 Superspreader Event, A New Study Claims
If the numbers stand up to subsequent analysis, the South Dakota rally would be the single biggest known superspreader event in the US coronavirus epidemic.
A Major Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Has Been Put On Hold
The trial, led by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, has been paused due to an "unexplained illness" in someone who received the vaccine.
The FBI Is Warning Scientists To Watch Out For “Suspicious” Packages
After COVID-19 researchers on the East Coast received a package containing an “unknown substance,” the University of Washington told 500 of its staff to be on alert.
COVID-19 Is Causing Heart Damage In Many Patients, Not Just Football Players
A Penn State official retracted saying a third of Big 10 football players with coronavirus infections had suffered heart injuries. But experts confirmed they are seeing heart muscle injuries in many patients.
COVID-19 Might Mean Humanity Has Entered An Age Of Pandemics, Tony Fauci Warned
“A deadly barrage” of pandemics is coming, a new report warns.
An NIH Panel Said There’s No Good Data To Show That Plasma Treats COVID, Contradicting Trump
Trump and the FDA chief rolled out the emergency authorization for plasma with great fanfare, to the alarm of many scientists. Now advisers to another arm of the administration, the NIH, have called the evidence for it “insufficient.”
She Was A “Twitter Warrior” Fighting Sexual Harassment In Science. Some Say She Threatened The Movement.
Neuroscientist BethAnn McLaughlin made headlines for posing on Twitter as an Indigenous professor she later said died of COVID. It was the culmination of a trail of abuse that has shaken a movement.
These Scientists Are Still Studying The World’s Most Controversial Drug, But They Can’t Find Enough People To Take It
Scientists launched clinical trials to see if a malaria drug could prevent COVID-19. What happened next shows how politicized and disorganized coronavirus research has become.
The H1N1 Vaccine Is A Cautionary Tale For The Coronavirus
The first lesson of any vaccination program? “You have to get people on board with getting the vaccine.”
The Republican National Convention Is Creating A False Coronavirus Fantasy
Melania Trump spoke to COVID-19’s devastation. But almost no one else at the RNC has.
The FDA Authorized The Use Of Convalescent Plasma To Treat COVID-19
Scientists say plasma collected from the blood of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 may be beneficial, but rigorous trials have not yet proven that it’s an effective treatment.
Justin Bieber Responded To A Doctor Who Challenged His "Food Is Medicine" Post And Yikes
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Hurricane Laura Hit Louisiana With Extreme Winds And Storm Surge
Laura is the strongest storm to hit Louisiana in more than 160 years.
COVID Is Making Younger, Healthy People Debilitatingly Sick For Months. Now They’re Fighting For Recognition.
Across the globe, scores of COVID “long-haulers” have been fighting for doctors to believe and help them. On Friday, they finally got a meeting with the World Health Organization.
A Trump Ethics Board Just Voted To Block Most Fetal Tissue Research
“People may die unnecessarily because the administration has allowed an ideological special interest group to hijack biomedical research,” one expert said, citing the wide use of fetal cells in coronavirus vaccine research.
The "Plandemic" Sequel Is Here. We Give It Zero Stars.
Bloated, confused, and filled with nonsense, Plandemic: Indoctornation goes where so many sequels have gone before.
USPS Delays Are Causing People To Get Their Prescriptions Late
“A lot of people are getting hurt by this senseless act.”
The Right Wing Has A New Theory For Why The Pandemic Will End Soon: T Cells
Right-wing commentators and Trump’s new science adviser, Scott Atlas, say new studies signal good news for ending the pandemic. Scientists say that’s a dangerous leap.
Their Conservative Boss Said “Take Off Your Mask Or You Can Go Home.” Now They’re Getting Sick.
Five employees at a Texas real estate company told us what it’s like working for a right-wing conspiracy theorist boss who lashes out if they try to wear masks.
Coronavirus Testing In Hot Spot States Is Declining — And Nobody Knows Why. That’s Bad.
“I think we should be very concerned,” one epidemiologist in Texas said.
Convalescent Plasma Is Looking Like A Coronavirus Success Story
US hospitals are now treating around 1,500 patients a day with antibodies found in the blood of COVID-19 survivors.
Australia Just Invented Shazam For Spiders And It's About Bloody Time
Siri, will this spider murder or just maim me?
The Truth Behind A Viral Picture Of A Reopening School Is Worse Than It Looked
An alarming photo of a hallway crowded by mostly maskless students in a Georgia high school raises issues with reopening schools all around the country.
This Coronavirus Testing Method Could Help Fix The US Backlog. So Why Did We Just Start Using It Now?
Running fewer tests would allow labs to maximize their supplies and time, both in desperately short supply.
A Woman's Obituary For Her Husband Who Died From The Coronavirus Is Going Viral
"Dave did everything he was supposed to do, but you did not. Shame on all of you, and may Karma find you all!"
At First It Looked Like A Scientist Died From COVID. Then People Started Taking Her Story Apart.
BethAnn McLaughlin, who has previously come under fire for harassing people in her group MeTooSTEM, faked an online persona: a woman of color who she said died of COVID-19.
It Will Be Very Difficult For Trump To Rush A Vaccine Before The Election, Even If He Tries
“I can’t see how this is done, frankly, before the middle of next year,” said one expert, of a coronavirus vaccine.
The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Making The Threat Of Summer Heat Worse For Pregnant Women
As summer heats up and coronavirus cases continue to surge, pregnant women of color in particular face the greatest health risks.
A Staff Member At A Summer Camp Got COVID-19. Then More Than 250 Others Tested Positive.
Almost half of the staffers and campers who tested were infected with COVID-19. The CDC said singing and cheering "might have contributed to transmission."
Trump Just Stacked A Fetal Cell Research Panel With Abortion Opponents
Seen as the “gold standard” in many areas of medical research, fetal cells are widely used in coronavirus vaccine research.
Here’s Where Storm Isaias Hit Hardest
The storm affected the Caribbean and much of the US East Coast.
Teachers Are Organizing To Protest School Reopenings Before The Coronavirus Is Under Control
Teachers who organized massive protests and strikes in 2018 are planning new activism to protest how their states and school districts are handling the coronavirus.
What's The Point Of A Coronavirus Test That Takes 19 Days For Results?
Private laboratories and health agencies are swamped, leading to communication and technical breakdowns, as well as extensive delays for results.
Here's What We Do And Don't Know About Coronavirus Immunity
There’s reason to be hopeful: "The coronavirus is starting to look a lot like other viruses that have led to good vaccines," said one expert.
An Elite Group Of Scientists Tried To Warn Trump Against Lockdowns In March
John Ioannidis’s controversial studies claim that the coronavirus isn’t that big a threat. Before the Stanford scientist did any of them, he wanted to take that message to the White House.
Trump Made School Reopenings An Election Issue. The Voters He Needs Just Don’t Agree With Him.
In suburban western Wisconsin, voters were unusually nuanced about how realistic Trump’s push to reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic really is.
She Had 30 Minutes To Say Goodbye To Her Dad. Now He's Dead And She's Alone In A Room For 14 Days.
Natalia Southern's dad did not have the coronavirus. Neither, as best as she knows, does she. But she had raced to see him from one of Australia's surging hot spots.
We Asked Coronavirus Experts Whether They're Taking A Summer Vacation
We asked coronavirus experts about their summer plans — and if it's safe to fly, rent an Airbnb, swim in a pool, or dine outside. Their responses varied greatly.
29 Pictures Of Global Tourism During The Coronavirus Pandemic
After the coronavirus pandemic brought global tourism to a virtual standstill, many destinations are slowly welcoming back visitors — cautiously.
A Security Breach Exposed More Than One Million DNA Profiles On A Major Genealogy Database
First GEDmatch, the DNA database that helped identify the Golden State Killer, was hacked. Then email addresses from its users were used in a phishing attack on another leading genealogy site.
New Early Coronavirus Vaccine Results Show Promising Signs Of Immunity
"The safety signals from these two important trials are reassuring," said two experts.
Trump Officials Are Attacking Anthony Fauci. Thousands Of Doctors Are Hitting Back.
"You cannot have a competent public health response without a clear communication strategy," one top medical expert said of the White House’s moves against Fauci. "This isn't it."
Moderna's Early Coronavirus Vaccine Results Show It Can Spur An Immune Response
Two doses of the vaccine triggered the production of antibodies in all 45 patients tested, though the results are still preliminary.
Fatal Drug Overdoses Are Likely Increasing Again Because Of The Coronavirus Pandemic
“Everything we have to do to fight the coronavirus pandemic — social distancing, closing businesses, limiting gatherings — makes the overdose crisis worse,” said one expert.
Texas, California, And Florida Are Now Seeing A Sharp Rise In COVID-19 Deaths
“We just reopened too fast and these are the consequences of it,” an emergency room doctor in Houston said.
Frat Parties. Dorms. Dining Halls. Here’s How College Campuses Are Trying To Stop Coronavirus Outbreaks This Fall.
“We don't know if things are going to necessarily get better. Or get worse.”
A Takeout Order At KFC At 1:30 A.M. Raised Suspicions. It Led To A $26,000 Coronavirus Fine.
A pair of KFC customers in Melbourne ordered food for 20 people. Authorities immediately suspected they were flouting lockdown rules.
The WHO Is Now Saying The Coronavirus Can Be Transmitted In The Air
The WHO issued new scientific findings on Thursday recommending people avoid large crowds and ensure good ventilation in buildings.
These Updating Charts And Maps Show The Coronavirus Pandemic’s Impact Across The US And The World
Follow the latest data on COVID-19 in the US and globally.
Tulsa's Top Health Official Said Trump's Rally Likely Contributed To The Surge In COVID-19 Cases There
Dr. Bruce Dart said he and his staff were "[connecting] the dots" between the rally and a surge in local coronavirus cases.
The Trump Campaign Isn't Selling Face Masks, So Etsy Sellers Are Stepping In To Meet The Demand
Donald Trump won’t wear a mask, even as coronavirus cases rise. But mask-makers are selling loads of masks brandishing his name.
Pregnant Women Have Received False Results From This DNA Paternity Test
After a decadelong battle, I won a libel suit filed by a Canadian company that has turned an untold number of pregnant women’s lives upside down.
The Coronavirus Spread In A Dallas Megachurch’s Choir And Orchestra. Then It Hosted Mike Pence.
A group of First Baptist Dallas choir and orchestra members contracted COVID-19 in the lead-up to Vice President Mike Pence’s visit on Sunday. An infectious disease expert called it “appalling.”
Experts Fear The Current Surge In US COVID-19 Cases Could Cause A Rise In Deaths
Coronavirus cases have been spiking since mid-June, particularly among younger Americans in the South and West. The big worry is that they will pass the virus onto older, more vulnerable people.
A University Of Florida Astronomer Called Racial And Gender Diversity “Nonsense”
To anyone “harboring any doubts that systemic and overt racism still exist in academia ... I would encourage you to read Haywood Smith’s racist screed,” one professor wrote in response.
At Least 18 Members Of One Family Have The Coronavirus After A Surprise Birthday Party
"Everybody says, 'Oh, it's my family. I'm going to go see my brother. I’m going to see my cousin,' and they think that’s a safe word."
The CDC Lost Control Of The Coronavirus Pandemic. Then The Agency Disappeared.
The world’s premier health agency pushed a flawed coronavirus containment strategy — until it disappeared from public view one day before the outbreak was declared a pandemic.
The Black Lives Matter Protests Have Taught Us More About The Coronavirus
Even though hundreds of thousands of protesters and police crowded onto the streets, overall social distancing actually strengthened in big cities with major protests.
The FBI Used Its Most Advanced Spy Plane To Watch Black Lives Matter Protests
The aircraft is normally used to provide surveillance for big federal drug and gang busts — but flew over the Black Lives Matter protests in DC earlier this month, as well as over Baltimore during the protests following Freddie Gray's death.
Experts Are Calling For A Top Science Journal To Retract A Paper On Face Masks And COVID-19
Scientists say that the paper by Nobel Prize winner Mario Molina is based on false statements and flawed statistical analysis.
These Pictures Show What It's Like To Survive COVID-19
"I’m alive and I kiss the ground literally every morning that I wake up.”
Yale Astronomers Questioned Systemic Racism Because They Hired One Black Employee 35 Years Ago, Emails Show
“Deeply entrenched systemic racism exists in every sector of our society, including at Yale and in this department,” a group of undergraduates wrote in response.
A Major Drug Trial Reduced Deaths In People With Severe COVID-19
"It is highly affordable, easy to make, can be scaled up quickly and only needs a small dosage," said one expert.
The FDA Just Pulled Chloroquine And Hydroxychloroquine As Coronavirus Treatments
The federal agency noted that the two drugs are "unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19" and could cause serious side effects.
The CDC Broke Its Three-Month Silence To Tell You To Keep Washing Your Hands
"There is no way to ensure zero risk of infection," said new CDC guidelines on safety as more states reopen.
The Coronavirus Is Shattering A Generation Of Kids
Interviews with more than 40 children across the country reveal American childhood in the midst of COVID-19 — and how race and class help define which children will emerge unscathed.
Health Experts Are Sounding The Alarm About A Coronavirus Surge In Arizona
“Healthcare providers and hospitals in Arizona are issuing dire warnings,” one state representative said. “I sure hope Governor Ducey is listening.”
Scientists Slammed The WHO’s Claim About “Very Rare” Transmission From Asymptomatic Cases
“All of the best evidence suggests that people without symptoms can and do readily spread SARS-CoV2,” a group of Harvard scientists said.
Scientists Are Questioning Past Research By The Founder of Surgisphere
“It’s like the guy went crazy with Photoshop,” said one expert in scientific image manipulation.
We May Get A Coronavirus Vaccine This Year. But It Probably Won’t Stop The Pandemic.
Hopes are running high that a coronavirus vaccine will be ready by the end of the year. But some scientists caution that the hype might be outpacing the reality.
A Major Study That Raised Concerns About Hydroxychloroquine Has Been Retracted
The study has been retracted by scientists who say they can no longer vouch for its data.
Some Cities Are Shutting Down Coronavirus Testing During The Protests
“Data is our eyes and ears in this pandemic. Without having it, we are operating blindly,” one public health expert said.
Protests Will Likely Spread The Coronavirus. These Doctors And Nurses Are Protesting Anyway.
“I’m an African American first before I’m a physician,” one doctor said.
A Dog Has Tested Positive For The Coronavirus For The First Time In The US
The victim in this case was a German shepherd. There's no evidence that pets help spread the virus.
Internal FDA Documents Show How Little Evidence The Agency Had Before Allowing Malaria Drugs To Be Used To Treat COVID-19
A May whistleblower complaint alleged that the FDA’s emergency authorization of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine came about as a result of political pressure from the White House.
If You Can't Label At Least 10/12 Of The Parts Of A Cell, You Need To Go Back To Seventh Grade
Mitochondria is truly the powerhouse of the cell.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Launched Two Astronauts Into Space
The Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken will dock with the International Space Station on Sunday.
If You’re Going Out To Protest During The Pandemic, Be Careful Of The Coronavirus Risk
Your chance of contracting COVID-19 increases if you’re in a group, and tear gas may make the illness worse.
Scientists Worldwide Are Questioning A Massive Study That Raised Concerns About The Malaria Drug Hyped As A COVID-19 Treatment
The study, which found that patients treated with hydroxychloroquine were more likely to die, just got a correction, though its conclusions remain unchanged.
NYC Is No Longer The Epicenter Of The United States' Coronavirus Epidemic
As the US surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 deaths, these charts show how the NYC metro area has changed its trajectory.
The CDC Released New Death Rate Estimates For The Coronavirus. Many Scientists Say They’re Too Low.
Public health experts are accusing the CDC of bending under political pressure to say the coronavirus is less deadly.
Hundreds Of Kids In The US Have Been Hospitalized For The Mysterious Coronavirus-Related Syndrome
“Nobody saw this coming,” said one health expert.
These Charts And Maps Show Where The Coronavirus Is Surging Across The US — And Where It Is In Decline
While some states and counties are slowly recovering from the ravages of COVID-19, others face a growing number of new cases.
The Coronavirus Has A Mysterious “Loop” That Lets It Quickly Attack Human Lungs. Here’s How It Works.
How does a relatively common type of virus turn into one so deadly it could spur a pandemic? The answer may lie in its microscopic spikes.
A Now-Retracted Study Claimed The Malaria Drug Touted By Trump Looked Deadly For Coronavirus Patients
A massive study claiming that hydroxychloroquine could increase the risk of death for coronavirus patients was retracted two weeks later.
These Are The Fake Experts Pushing Pseudoscience And Conspiracy Theories About The Coronavirus Pandemic
A guide to the spin doctors and conspiracy theorists clogging up your social media feed.
