How do mRNA vaccines work – and why do you need a second dose? 5 essential reads

So far, most vaccines in the US are mRNA vaccines. These represent a new technology and are likely to take over the vaccine world. But how do they work? What are their weaknesses? Five experts explain.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Editor: Science, Health, Environment; Co-Host: The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
March 16, 2021 • ~6 min

6 COVID-19 treatments helping patients survive

A year after it became clear that COVID-19 was becoming a pandemic, there is still no cure, but doctors have several innovative treatments. Some are keeping patients out of the hospital entirely.

Tomeka L. Suber, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
March 1, 2021 • ~10 min

The body's fight against COVID-19 explained using 3D-printed models

A biologist explains what proteins do in viruses, how they interact with human cells, how the vaccine delivers mRNA into the cell and how antibodies protect us.

Nathan Ahlgren, Assistant Professor of Biology, Clark University • conversation
Jan. 26, 2021 • ~8 min

Delaying second COVID-19 vaccine doses will make supplies last longer but comes with risks

With vaccine shortages looming, experts are debating whether it is important to receive two doses or whether it's better to give one dose to more people and give a second when the supply is better.

Sanjay Mishra, Project Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Jan. 11, 2021 • ~11 min

Achieving COVID-19 herd immunity through infection is dangerous, deadly and might not even work

Some have suggested the US allow healthy people to return to normal life, catch the coronavirus and get the population to herd immunity. The science says this plan is doomed to fail from the start.

Steven Albert, Professor and Chair of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Oct. 28, 2020 • ~10 min

Cigarette smoke can reprogram cells in your airways, causing COPD to hang on after smoking ends

A new discovery offers hope for ways to treat a debilitating disease that has become a leading cause of death in the US..

Bradley Richmond, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Oct. 28, 2020 • ~8 min

COVID-19 causes some patients' immune systems to attack their own bodies, which may contribute to severe illness

Are antibodies that attack a patient's own organs contributing to severe forms of COVID-19? A new study suggests specific antibody tests that may reveal the answer.

Matthew Woodruff, Instructor, Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Oct. 23, 2020 • ~8 min

Coronavirus nanoscience: the tiny technologies tackling a global pandemic

Nanotechnology has an impressive record against viruses.

Josh Davies, PhD Candidate in Chemistry, Cardiff University • conversation
Sept. 7, 2020 • ~7 min

A man was reinfected with coronavirus after recovery – what does this mean for immunity?

Reports describe a Hong Kong man who was reinfected with the coronavirus after returning from Europe. Does that mean he wasn't immune after the first infection?

Megan Culler Freeman, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Aug. 25, 2020 • ~5 min

I'm a lung doctor testing the blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors as a treatment for the sick – a century-old idea that could be a fast track to treatment

In the blood of COVID-19 survivors are antibodies that can defeat SARS-CoV-2. Researchers are testing whether these antibodies can be collected and injected into others to save them from the virus.

Jeffrey M. Sturek, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia • conversation
Aug. 21, 2020 • ~8 min

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