Epidemiology
Are New Omicron Subvariants a Threat? How Scientists are Keeping Watch
In South Africa, a network of researchers are studying whether new lineages BA.4 and BA.5 escape immunity from COVID-19 vaccines and prior infections
Stories by Amy Maxmen
Epidemiology
New Studies Support Wuhan Market as Pandemic’s Origin Point
The reports’ authors say that the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, jumped from animals sold at the market to people twice in late 2019—but some scientists want more definitive evidence...
Policy
Two Scientists Will Replace U.S. Science Adviser Eric Lander
Celebrated sociologist Alondra Nelson and genome leader Francis Collins will temporarily split Lander’s duties
Reproduction
Hundreds of Scientists Weigh In on a High-Stakes U.S. Abortion Case
Studies suggest that a reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision would be detrimental for many
Vaccines
Scientists Hail Historic Malaria Vaccine Approval—But Point to Challenges Ahead
The WHO-approved RTS,S vaccine has a modest efficacy and requires a complex regimen of doses, so ample funding and clear communication are crucial to success
Public Health
The COVID Lab-Leak Hypothesis: What Scientists Do and Do Not Know
An examination of the arguments that SARS-CoV-2 escaped from a lab in China and the science behind them
Public Health
Divisive COVID ‘Lab Leak’ Debate Prompts Dire Warnings from Researchers
Allegations that COVID escaped from a Chinese lab make it harder for nations to collaborate on ending the pandemic—and fuel online bullying—some scientists say
Public Health
Will COVID Force Public Health to Confront America’s Epic Inequality?
In California’s San Joaquin Valley, some researchers are turning political to address the social determinants of health
Policy
In Shocking Move, U.S. Backs Waiving Patents on COVID Vaccines
The development from the Biden administration draws cheers from public health researchers and ire from drugmakers
Public Health
WHO Report on COVID Pandemic Origins Zeroes In on Animal Markets, Not Labs
Scientists say the conclusions make sense but note that supporters of the lab-leak theory are unlikely to be satisfied
Policy
First Openly Transgender Top U.S. Official Is Set to Tackle Inequity
Biden health official Rachel Levine has a strong track record of fighting for social justice in health care, researchers say
Public Health
Massive Google-Funded COVID Database Will Track Variants and Immunity
Open repository will give free access to more than 160 million data points with details about individual infections
Policy
What a Joe Biden Presidency Would Mean For Science
The coronavirus pandemic, climate change and space exploration are among the issues that Biden will influence if he wins the upcoming U.S. election
Public Health
Why the United States Is Having a Coronavirus Data Crisis
Political meddling, disorganization and years of neglect of public-health data management mean the country is flying blind
Public Health
Two Decades of Pandemic War Games Failed to Account for Donald Trump
The scenarios foresaw leaky travel bans, a scramble for vaccines and disputes between state and federal leaders, but none could anticipate the current levels of dysfunction in the U.S.
Public Health
World’s Second-Deadliest Ebola Outbreak Ends in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The epidemic killed more than 2,000 people—but involved the first widespread use of a vaccine against the virus
Public Health
What a U.S. Exit from the WHO Means for COVID-19 and Global Health
As President Trump terminates the U.S.’s relationship with the agency, experts foresee incoherence, inefficiency and a resurgence of deadly diseases
Public Health
More U.S. Labs Could Be Providing Coronavirus Tests
An online survey reveals bottlenecks, challenges and barriers faced by more than 1,700 biology labs
Public Health
Thousands of Coronavirus Tests Are Going Unused in U.S. Labs
The lack of a national strategy has stymied the efforts of academic labs that underwent huge efforts to retool for COVID-19 testing
Public Health
How Blood from Coronavirus Survivors Might Save Lives
New York City researchers hope antibody-rich plasma can keep people out of intensive care
