Viruses | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/viruses/RSS feed for VirusesenMon, 24 Aug 2026 16:08:42 +0000Scientists Used A.I. to Design New Viruses. The Technology Could Be a Boon for Medicine, but Experts Worry About Harmful Pathogenshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-used-ai-too-design-new-viruses-the-technology-could-be-a-boon-for-medicine-but-experts-worry-about-harmful-pathogens-180989336/The findings represent the first genomes, or complete genetic instruction books, designed entirely with generative A.I. The resulting viruses attack only bacteria, which could one day help overcome the problem of antibiotic-resistant microbesMon, 24 Aug 2026 16:08:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-used-ai-too-design-new-viruses-the-technology-could-be-a-boon-for-medicine-but-experts-worry-about-harmful-pathogens-180989336/Covid-19 Can Reawaken Dormant Viruses in the Body, Which Might Worsen Symptoms of the Respiratory Illness, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/covid-19-can-reawaken-dormant-viruses-in-the-body-which-might-worsen-symptoms-of-the-respiratory-illness-study-suggests-180989322/Most people carry a sleeping virus in their bodies, such as the herpesvirus that causes mononucleosis, or the “kissing disease.” A new study hints that Covid-19 triggers their reactivation, which could worsen symptoms and increase the risk of long CovidFri, 14 Aug 2026 20:06:16 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/covid-19-can-reawaken-dormant-viruses-in-the-body-which-might-worsen-symptoms-of-the-respiratory-illness-study-suggests-180989322/For the First Time, an mRNA Flu Shot Will Be Available to Some People in the United States. Here's What You Should Knowhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/for-the-first-time-an-mrna-flu-shot-will-be-available-to-some-people-in-the-united-states-heres-what-you-should-know-180989305/The Food and Drug Administration just approved the new type of flu vaccine for adults ages 50 and older. It relies on the same technology as many Covid-19 jabs. However, it’s unclear whether insurance companies will pay for the novel flu shotTue, 11 Aug 2026 15:41:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/for-the-first-time-an-mrna-flu-shot-will-be-available-to-some-people-in-the-united-states-heres-what-you-should-know-180989305/Smallpox DNA Hidden for Centuries in Mummies Found in Chile Suggests European Colonists Brought the Virus to the Americashttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smallpox-dna-hidden-for-centuries-in-mummies-found-in-chile-suggests-european-colonists-brought-the-virus-to-the-americas-180989244/Researchers say they found the first direct, molecular proof of the deadly trajectory the virus tookMon, 03 Aug 2026 15:27:18 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smallpox-dna-hidden-for-centuries-in-mummies-found-in-chile-suggests-european-colonists-brought-the-virus-to-the-americas-180989244/Smallpox Scabs That British Doctors Used to Inoculate Patients May Have Introduced the Deadly Disease to Australia, New Research Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smallpox-scabs-that-british-doctors-used-to-inoculate-patients-may-have-introduced-the-deadly-disease-to-australia-new-research-suggests-180989093/Two new studies find that British colonists arriving via ship in the late 18th century likely introduced smallpox, which devastated Aboriginal communities far more than previously knownThu, 09 Jul 2026 14:14:36 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/smallpox-scabs-that-british-doctors-used-to-inoculate-patients-may-have-introduced-the-deadly-disease-to-australia-new-research-suggests-180989093/