Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Can fabric masks stem the coronavirus’ spread?

    It’s unclear whether homemade masks made from fabric will prevent an infected person from spreading the virus to others, experts say.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  2. Health & Medicine

    Warm weather probably won’t slow COVID-19 transmission much

    While some evidence has suggested higher temperatures can affect coronavirus transmission, summer’s arrival probably won’t curb the pandemic much.

    By Jonathan Lambert
  3. Health & Medicine

    Can plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients treat the sick?

    Researchers are racing to set up clinical trials of antibody-rich convalescent plasma from recovered patients to treat or prevent COVID-19.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  4. Health & Medicine

    Just breathing or talking may be enough to spread COVID-19 after all

    Until now, experts have said that the virus spreads only through large droplets released when people cough or sneeze, but it may spread more easily.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  5. Math

    How large a gathering is too large during the coronavirus pandemic?

    Mathematical models explain why large gatherings are especially dangerous in an epidemic, and identify how large is too large.

    By Dana Mackenzie
  6. Health & Medicine

    How coronavirus control measures could affect its global death toll

    Slowing the virus’ spread will save millions of lives, but differences among countries could vary the pandemic’s toll in different places.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  7. Animals

    A cat appears to have caught the coronavirus, but it’s complicated

    While a cat in Belgium seems to be the first feline infected with SARS-CoV-2, it’s still unclear how susceptible pets are to the disease.

    By Helen Thompson
  8. Health & Medicine

    Social distancing comes with psychological fallout

    Keeping people apart can help slow the new coronavirus’ spread. But such social distancing may cause or worsen mental health problems.

    By Sujata Gupta
  9. Health & Medicine

    How antibody tests work and could help fight the coronavirus

    Coronavirus antibody tests look for signs in the blood that someone has had an infection and recovered, and could take only a finger prick.

    By Dawn Fallik
  10. Health & Medicine

    Face mask shortages have sparked creative solutions. Will they work?

    Homemade masks, reusing masks and even scuba gear are some of the ideas for dealing with health care workers’ lack of supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By Laura Sanders
  11. Health & Medicine

    There’s no evidence the coronavirus jumped from pangolins to people

    Pangolins captured in anti-smuggling activities in southern China were found to harbor viruses related to the new coronavirus.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  12. Genetics

    No, the coronavirus wasn’t made in a lab. A genetic analysis shows it’s from nature

    Scientists took conspiracy theories seriously and analyzed the coronavirus to reveal its natural origins.

    By Tina Hesman Saey