Ignaz Semmelweis, the doctor who discovered the disease-fighting power of hand-washing in 1847

A Hungarian obstetrician was the first to nail down the importance of handwashing to stop the spread of infectious disease.

Leslie S. Leighton, Visiting Lecturer of History, Georgia State University • conversation
April 14, 2020 • ~8 min

Viruses live on doorknobs and phones and can get you sick – smart cleaning and good habits can help protect you

The coronavirus, like many infectious diseases, can live and spread on inanimate objects in the world around us. An epidemiologist explains how and gives some advice on how to minimize the risk.

Joseph Eisenberg, Professor and Chair of Epidemiology, University of Michigan • conversation
March 17, 2020 • ~7 min

Homemade hand sanitiser recipes that could help protect against coronavirus

With shelves cleared of hand sanitiser, many people are starting to to make their own.

James McEvoy, Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Sciences, Royal Holloway • conversation
March 16, 2020 • ~5 min

Coronavirus could hit homeless hard, and that could hit everyone hard

Many homeless people already have compromised immune systems. They are targets -- and conduits -- for COVID-19.

Michael Cousineau, Professor of Clinical Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~8 min

Vodka won't protect you from coronavirus, and 4 other things to know about hand sanitizer

Most commercial hand sanitizers are mainly alcohol, but forget about hitting the liquor store and mixing your own.

Jeffrey Gardner, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~4 min

Coronavirus: not all hand sanitisers work against it – here's what you should use

It needs to contain at least 60% alcohol content to be effective.

Manal Mohammed, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~5 min

Fingertip injuries may be a clue to child abuse

"We found that children who had been coded at some point with physical abuse were more likely to have also been brought in for treatment of a fingertip injury."

Patti Verbanas-Rutgers • futurity
Feb. 13, 2020 • ~2 min

Longer thumbs lead to more smartphone touch errors

When it comes to making errors on your smartphone touchscreen, it's all in the thumbs. But it's length, not thickness, that matters.

Maria Hornbek-Copenhagen • futurity
Feb. 12, 2020 • ~4 min

‘AuraRing’ could let you control games with a flick

The AuraRing system can track hand movements and the user's finger, which could allow finer control over games, smartphones, VR, and more.

Sarah McQuate-Washington • futurity
Feb. 6, 2020 • ~5 min

Harvard researchers find ways to improve on soap and water

Harvard researchers have devised what they hope is a better way to disinfect hands, using tiny aerosolized nanodroplets of water and nontoxic disinfectants that not only leave hands sterile, but use so little water the hands stay dry.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 23, 2020 • ~11 min

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