Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Global inequity in COVID-19 vaccination is more than a moral problem

    Wealthy countries are vaccinating at much higher rates than low-income countries. Such inequities could ultimately prolong the pandemic for all.

    By Jonathan Lambert
  2. Health & Medicine

    Can a COVID-19 vaccine’s second dose be delayed? It’s complicated

    New data indicate that delaying second doses of COVID-19 vaccines may still provide protection, but some scientists aren’t convinced it’s OK.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  3. Health & Medicine

    COVID-19 vaccines may be ready for teens this summer

    Vaccinating children against COVID-19 is a crucial step towards reaching herd immunity and returning to pre-pandemic life.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  4. Animals

    Having more friends may help female giraffes live longer

    A more gregarious life, even while just munching shrubbery, might mean added support and less stress for female giraffes.

    By Susan Milius
  5. Health & Medicine

    Redefining ‘flesh-colored’ bandages makes medicine more inclusive

    Peach-colored bandages label dark-skinned patients as outside the norm, says med student Linda Oyesiku. Brown bandages expand who gets to be normal.

    By Sujata Gupta
  6. Health & Medicine

    How 5 universities tried to handle COVID-19 on campus

    U.S. colleges opened in the fall with a patchwork of control measures to keep COVID-19 at bay.

    By Betsy Ladyzhets
  7. Health & Medicine

    The U.K. approved the world’s first COVID-19 human challenge trial

    Dozens of young, healthy volunteers will be deliberately exposed to the coronavirus to find out how much virus it takes to get someone sick.

    By Jonathan Lambert
  8. Health & Medicine

    The COVID-19 death toll sent U.S. life expectancy plunging in 2020

    Estimates show that American’s overall life expectancy declined by a year, but for Black Americans, the drop was almost three years.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  9. Health & Medicine

    Some Neandertal genes in people today may protect against severe COVID-19

    Neandertal DNA on chromosome 12 may affect genes involved in a biochemical chain reaction that ends with the destruction of viral RNA.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  10. Psychology

    In the social distancing era, boredom may pose a public health threat

    Boredom contributes to pandemic fatigue and may account for why some people don’t follow social distancing rules.

    By Sujata Gupta
  11. Health & Medicine

    Pfizer’s vaccine appears to reduce coronavirus transmission

    People who carry low amounts of the coronavirus in their bodies are less likely to spread COVID-19. Pfizer’s shot appears to help reduce viral loads.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  12. Health & Medicine

    Making masks fit better can reduce coronavirus exposure by 96 percent

    Double masking, rubber bands and other hacks can produce a tighter fit and prevent aerosol particles that can carry coronavirus from getting through.

    By Tina Hesman Saey