Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Archaeology
The biblical warrior Goliath may not have been so giant after all
Archaeological finds suggest the width of the walls of Goliath’s home city were used to metaphorically represent the Old Testament figure’s height.
- Health & Medicine
Here’s why COVID-19 vaccines like Pfizer’s need to be kept so cold
Both Pfizer and Moderna built their vaccines on RNA. Freezing them keeps their fragile components from breaking down.
- Health & Medicine
New Pfizer results show its COVID-19 vaccine is nearly 95% effective
With final results – including showing its vaccine is 94 percent effective in the elderly – Pfizer is poised to request emergency use authorization.
- Anthropology
Ardi and her discoverers shake up hominid evolution in ‘Fossil Men’
A new book covers the big personalities, field exploits and scientific clashes behind the discovery of the hominid skeleton nicknamed Ardi.
- Neuroscience
Psilocybin may help treat depression, a small study finds
Researchers found that a compound in psychedelic mushrooms eased depression symptoms, but larger studies are needed.
- Health & Medicine
Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is nearly 95 percent effective
Another coronavirus vaccine appears to be very effective in preventing people from developing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Health & Medicine
Measles has come back with a vengeance in the last several years
The steep number of measles cases in 2019 doesn’t bode well for 2020, considering disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Anthropology
Bolivia’s Tsimane people’s average body temperature fell half a degree in 16 years
A new study echoes other research suggesting that people’s average body temperature is lower today than it used to be.
- Health & Medicine
Protecting the brain from infection may start with a gut reaction
In mice, immune cells in the meninges are trained to battle infections in the gut before migrating to the brain.
- Health & Medicine
Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Here’s what it will take to gain control
Basic public health measures can still curb COVID-19, if everyone does their part.
- Health & Medicine
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective, preliminary trial data show
An analysis of 94 COVID-19 cases shows that the mRNA-based vaccine can protect people from getting sick, though the trial is ongoing.
- Genetics
Penicillin allergies may be linked to one immune system gene
Researchers have located a shared hot spot — on the HLA-B gene — in the immune system in people who say they have penicillin allergies.
