Air pollution may contribute to Alzheimer’s and dementia risk – here's what we're learning from brain scans
The tiny air pollutants known as PM2.5, emitted by vehicles, factories and power plants, aren’t just a hazard for lungs. A study finds more brain shrinkage in older women exposed to pollution.
Jan. 5, 2021 • ~7 min
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Why it matters that the coronavirus is changing – and what this means for vaccine effectiveness
A new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 appears to be spreading fast in the the UK. What does this mean for vaccine developers and vaccinations?
Dec. 22, 2020 • ~6 min
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Who is doing all those COVID-19 tests? Why you should care about medical laboratory professionals
The pandemic is placing strain not just on doctors and nurses but the medical laboratory professionals who conduct the billions of medical tests behind the scenes.
Dec. 14, 2020 • ~10 min
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We scanned the DNA of 8,000 people to see how facial features are controlled by genes
Like it or not, the facial feature most influenced by your genes is your nose. Researchers investigate which genes are involved in sculpting the face.
Dec. 7, 2020 • ~9 min
health medicine genetics gene face inheritance chromosome
Genetic engineering transformed stem cells into working mini-livers that extended the life of mice with liver disease
New strategy helps build synthetic organs from scratch. This enabled the researchers to grow functioning liver tissue in the lab that could be transplanted into mice with liver disease.
Dec. 7, 2020 • ~8 min
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Rural hospitals are under siege from COVID-19 – here's what doctors are facing, in their own words
Hospitals are losing staff to quarantines as rural case numbers rise, and administrators fear flu season will make make it worse. And then there's the politics.
Nov. 20, 2020 • ~9 min
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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..
Oct. 28, 2020 • ~8 min
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The spooky and dangerous side of black licorice
Who knew that black licorice had a dark side? A scientist explains when this treat becomes a threat.
Oct. 26, 2020 • ~8 min
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Why males may have a worse response to COVID-19
A new study is the first to identify sex differences in inflammation and immune cell activation in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes COVID-19.
Oct. 12, 2020 • ~7 min
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What is COVAX and why does it matter for getting vaccines to developing nations?
The Trump administration wants to go it alone when it comes to vaccine development and distribution. What does this mean for the U.S. and the world?
Oct. 2, 2020 • ~8 min
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