Pandemic
Genetic Evidence Ties Covid's Origin to Raccoon Dogs
New data support the theory that the virus causing Covid-19 first spread to humans from animals
As Bird Flu Spreads to Mammals, Health Officials Urge Caution
Transmission between minks has called attention to the potential risks to humans, though experts say not to panic
World’s Oldest Known Person, a French Nun, Dies at 118
Sister André survived both world wars, the 1918 influenza pandemic and even a Covid-19 diagnosis at the age of 116
Six Lessons We’ve Learned From Covid That Will Help Us Fight the Next Pandemic
Public health experts weigh in on the steps America needs to take to stem a future outbreak
'Goblin Mode' Is Oxford's 2022 Word of the Year
The term describes behavior that's "unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy"
Smithsonian Scholars Pick Their Favorite Books of 2022
This wide-ranging list offers context for our rapidly changing world
'Gaslighting' Is Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year
Searches for the term, defined as the "practice of grossly misleading someone," skyrocketed in 2022
Can Pathogens at the Opera Haunt a Performance?
New results show performers’ breath control can prevent disease from spreading
Alcohol Caused One in Eight Deaths of Working-Age U.S. Adults
CDC research shows excessive drinking is killing Americans in the "prime of their life"
Could UV Light Reduce the Spread of Covid-19 in Indoor Spaces?
Some wavelengths of light in a range called far-UVC kill microbes in experiments and appear to be harmless to people
Has the Pandemic Changed Your Personality?
Research suggests younger adults’ dispositions shifted the most during Covid-19
Needle-Free Covid-19 Vaccines Approved in China and India
Doses inhaled through the mouth or nose might provide better protection against mild infections and transmission, preliminary studies show
CDC Recommends New Covid-19 Boosters Targeting Omicron Subvariants
The updated shots could be available within days
How Long Will It Take to Understand Long Covid?
Covid long-haulers experience a litany of symptoms, and researchers have proposed a variety of theories to explain them
FDA Authorizes Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use
The shots work similar to the way that vaccines against influenza and shingles work
Where Did the Black Death Start? Thanks to Ancient DNA, Scientists May Have Answers
The devastating disease possibly began in what is now northern Kyrgyzstan
Some Allergies Associated With Lower Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
An NIH study found that food allergies reduced risk of infection by 50 percent
This Museum Is Asking People to Remake Famous Artworks With Cake
Through its annual bake-off, the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, provides a fun way for the public to engage with its collections
The Civil War Drastically Reshaped How Americans Deal With Death. Will the Pandemic?
Around 750,000 people died during the conflict—2.5 percent of the country's population at the time
Why It’s So Hard to Make Risk Decisions in the Pandemic
Our brains weren’t built to do public health calculus like this, but following a few pieces of advice from the experts will help as you weigh your options
