Rare neurological disorder, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, linked to COVID-19

As if the symptoms of COVID-19 were not disturbing enough, physicians have noted a rare neurological condition that emerges during some severe cases of this viral infection.

Neha S. Dangayach, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai • conversation
July 7, 2020 • ~10 min

How to manage plant pests and diseases in your victory garden

The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted interest in home gardening. Three scientists who garden explain some basic methods for controlling common insects and microbes that can spoil your crop.

Carolee Bull, Professor of Plant Pathology and Systematic Bacteriology, Pennsylvania State University • conversation
July 2, 2020 • ~9 min

A massive public health effort eradicated smallpox but scientists are still studying the deadly virus

The smallpox virus appears to have been with humanity for millennia before a global vaccination drive wiped it out. Current genome research suggests how smallpox spread and where it came from.

Patricia L. Foster, Professor Emerita of Biology, Indiana University • conversation
June 24, 2020 • ~12 min

Can people spread the coronavirus if they don't have symptoms? 5 questions answered about asymptomatic COVID-19

There is a lot of confusion and concern around asymptomatic spread of SARS-C0V-2. An infectious disease expert explains how many people are asymptomatic and how they can spread the virus.

Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine, Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
June 23, 2020 • ~8 min

How the coronavirus escapes an evolutionary trade-off that helps keep other pathogens in check

Pathogens typically face a trade-off between virulence and transmission. But that's not the case with SARS-CoV-2.

Joe Alcock, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico • conversation
June 17, 2020 • ~6 min

People are getting sick from coronavirus spreading through the air – and that's a big challenge for reopening

SARS-CoV-2 can be spread through the air. But just how much of a factor that is has been hard to determine. Recent evidence suggests it is common, posing problems as public places begin to reopen.

Douglas Reed, Associate Professor of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
June 16, 2020 • ~9 min

Are viruses alive? Perhaps we're asking the wrong question

We don't fully understand viruses, and we're still trying to understand life.

Hugh Harris, Postdoctoral researcher in Microbiology and Bioinformatics, University College Cork • conversation
June 8, 2020 • ~7 min

COVID-19, smell and taste – how is COVID-19 different from other respiratory diseases?

Many respiratory viruses cause us to temporarily lose our sense of smell. But SARS-CoV-2 isn't like those other viruses. Researchers are now exploring how it differs and whether patients recover.

Valentina Parma, Research Assistant Professor, Temple University • conversation
June 4, 2020 • ~8 min

Scientists tap the world's most powerful computers in the race to understand and stop the coronavirus

Scanning through billions of chemicals to find a few potential drugs for treating COVID-19 requires computers that harness together thousands of processors.

Jeremy Smith, Governor's Chair, Biophysics, University of Tennessee • conversation
June 3, 2020 • ~9 min

From the research lab to your doctor's office – here's what happens in phase 1, 2, 3 drug trials

Drugs and vaccines to fight the coronavirus are already in clinical trials. It is important to understand the difference between each step in this process as efforts to fight COVID-19 continue.

Mindy Aisen, Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Southern California • conversation
June 2, 2020 • ~8 min

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