What does ending the emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US mean in practice? 4 questions answered

The emergency status allowed the federal government to cut through a mountain of red tape, with the goal of responding to the pandemic more efficiently.

Amy Lauren Fairchild, Dean and Professor of Public Health, The Ohio State University • conversation
May 10, 2023 ~11 min

Chemists’ technique reveals whether antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2

The method could enable a rapid test to determine whether individuals are producing antibodies that help protect against Covid-19.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
May 10, 2023 ~6 min


Alcohol-related liver disease soared during pandemic, hitting one race hardest

During the pandemic, American Indian and Alaska Native populations experienced nearly six times the mortality of white people from alcohol-associated liver disease.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
May 2, 2023 ~4 min

Study: Covid-19 has reduced diverse urban interactions

Mobility-related data show the pandemic has had a lasting effect, limiting the breadth of places people visit in cities.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News Office • mit
April 28, 2023 ~7 min

Challenging the FDA's authority isn't new – the agency's history shows what's at stake when drug regulation is in limbo

As the government’s oldest consumer protection agency, the FDA has long butted up against drugmakers, activists and politicians. But undermining its work could be harmful to patient health and safety.

Christine Coughlin, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University • conversation
April 26, 2023 ~9 min

Increases in opioid overdoses in Pennsylvania varied by county during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pennsylvania has long had one of the highest death rates from drug overdose in the US. But new studies suggest counties throughout the state have different rates of opioid deaths.

Ruchi Patel, Doctoral Student in Geography, Penn State • conversation
March 21, 2023 ~6 min

William Hanage on COVID lessons we still need to learn

Harvard epidemiologist looks back and ahead.

Alvin Powell • harvard
March 16, 2023 ~9 min

As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what's the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered

Avian influenza viruses have evolved to infect birds, but the current H5N1 outbreak is also infecting a wide range of mammals. This suggests that it could mutate into forms that threaten humans.

Sharon Wu, PhD Student in Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
March 16, 2023 ~9 min


Creating a versatile vaccine to take on Covid-19 in its many guises

Aided by machine learning, scientists are working to develop a vaccine that would be effective against all SARS-Cov-2 strains.

Steve Nadis | MIT CSAIL • mit
March 9, 2023 ~9 min

Tool finds existing meds that could fight future pandemics

A new algorithm calculates how to effectively repurpose existing drugs that could be used in future pandemic outbreaks.

James Devitt-NYU • futurity
March 7, 2023 ~5 min

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