Humans

  1. An illustration of two doctors carrying a giant syringe on their shoulders.
    Health & Medicine

    50 years ago, enzyme injections showed promise for treating a rare disease

    Enzyme replacement can offer relief to people with rare diseases. Now, scientists have found a way to treat one disease before a person is even born.

    By Maria Temming
  2. People wearing gloves and full-body personal protective equipment prepare a COVID-19 test for a person sitting in a car wearing sunglasses
    Health & Medicine

    WHO declares an end to the global COVID-19 public health emergency

    Global COVID-19 deaths are down and immunity is up. But with the virus here to stay, it’s time to shift to more long-term health measures.

    By McKenzie Prillaman
  3. A Lab-Q sign advertising free walk-up COVID-19 testing sits on a public sidewalk. People walk in the background.
    Health & Medicine

    The U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency is ending. What does that mean?

    The declaration, made early in the pandemic, made tests, vaccines and treatments free to all. On May 11, the proclamation ends.

    By Erin Garcia de Jesús
  4. A photo of a dark haired woman adjusting a mobile over a baby's crib.
    Health & Medicine

    Women who’ve had breast cancer can safely pause treatment for pregnancy

    Hormone therapy cannot be taken during pregnancy. A new study is reassuring for women who’ve had breast cancer and want to try for a baby.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  5. A photo of an RSV vaccine bottle with a syringe, stethoscope and other vaccine bottle on a white background.
    Health & Medicine

    The FDA has approved the first-ever vaccine for RSV

    GSK’s shot, for those 60 and over, can protect against severe respiratory syncytial virus. Other vaccines, including to protect newborns, are in the works.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  6. An overhead image of a small deer tooth pendant with a hole drilled into it
    Archaeology

    Ancient human DNA was extracted from a 20,000-year-old deer tooth pendant

    Insights into Stone Age people’s lives may soon come from a new, nondestructive DNA extraction method.

    By Bruce Bower
  7. A CT scan image showing a human brain in yellow with a big patch of green in the middle of the brain.
    Health & Medicine

    Ultrasound allows a chemotherapy drug to enter the human brain

    An early-stage clinical trial demonstrates a technique for getting a powerful chemotherapy drug past the usually impenetrable blood-brain barrier.

    By McKenzie Prillaman
  8. An overhead photo of a mouse with gray hair on a light blue background.
    Health & Medicine

    Mouse hair turns gray when certain stem cells get stuck

    Stem cells involved in giving hair its color must keep moving and changing maturity levels to prevent graying, a mouse study suggests.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  9. A wall of posters on a bulletin board in a classroom, one of which reads 'NALOXONE CAN SAVE YOU'
    Health & Medicine

    Fentanyl deaths have spiked among U.S. children and teens

    Wider access to naloxone, which reverses the deadly effect of fentanyl, is key as more children are exposed to the opioid, experts say.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  10. A photo of a South American tapir walking through a green grass field with some bushes in the background.
    Genetics

    Here are 5 cool findings from a massive project on 240 mammal genomes

    A new series of studies on mammal genetics is helping scientists start to answer questions about evolution, cancer and even what makes us human.

    By Meghan Rosen
  11. A close up photo of a toddler laying in a bed with a tube attached to his nose.
    Health & Medicine

    Here’s what we know about upcoming vaccines and antibodies against RSV

    New vaccines and monoclonal antibodies may be available this year to fend off severe disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  12. An overhead photo of a small dog sitting on the lap of a person in a yellow long sleeve shirt working on a laptop.
    Health & Medicine

    Pets and people bonded during the pandemic. But owners were still stressed and lonely

    People grew closer to their pets during the first two years of COVID. But pet ownership didn’t reduce stress or loneliness, survey data show.

    By McKenzie Prillaman