Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Why some heart patients may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19
Researchers don’t yet know if the way the coronavirus enters cells may have something to do with the risks to the heart.
- Archaeology
The Nazareth Inscription’s origins may refute ties to Jesus’ resurrection
Chemical analysis shows the tablet’s marble came from a Greek island, challenging the idea the decree concerned early Christianity in the Middle East.
- Health & Medicine
Young adults can face severe cases of COVID-19, too
While risk of having a severe case of COVID-19 rises with age, younger adults are also landing in the hospital and ICU, new U.S. statistics show.
- Health & Medicine
HIV drugs didn’t work as a coronavirus treatment in a clinical trial
Antiviral HIV drugs “showed no benefit” when given to patients severely ill with COVID-19.
- Health & Medicine
How parents and kids can stay safe and sane during the coronavirus pandemic
Infectious disease experts weigh in on playdates, playgrounds and other parenting questions.
- Health & Medicine
50 years ago, scientists were trying to get a grip on Lassa fever
In 1970, scientists were on the trail of a deadly new virus. Fifty years later, a vaccine is just now being tested in people.
- Health & Medicine
People who didn’t know they had COVID-19 drove its spread in China
A new study suggests that mild cases, in which people have no symptoms or don’t get sick enough to go to a doctor, are fueling the coronavirus pandemic.
- Archaeology
This is one of the largest Ice Age structures made of mammoth bones
A massive ring of mammoth bones, built by hunter-gatherers during the Ice Age, offers a peek at life 25,000 years ago.
- Health & Medicine
Coronavirus is most contagious before and during the first week of symptoms
As major efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic go into effect around the globe, researchers are figuring out just when patients are most contagious.
- Health & Medicine
A trick from cancer cells helps rats accept transplanted limbs
Rats that received microparticles that release a chemical signal to recruit immune cells tolerated hind limb transplants for more than 200 days.
- Archaeology
An ancient ball court sheds light on a game made famous by the Aztecs
A 3,400-year-old ball court in the southern mountains of Mexico suggests many societies contributed to the development of an ancient, well-known Mesoamerican ball game.
- Health & Medicine
Social distancing, not travel bans, is crucial to limiting coronavirus’ spread
Everything from waving hello instead of shaking hands to cancelling large gatherings of people will help slow the spread of COVID-19.
