Field: Coronavirus
Natural herd immunity to COVID-19 might be impossible
Coronavirus antibodies can disappear, according to a new study, potentially killing hopes that natural herd immunity will end the COVID-19 pandemic.
What we know about how the coronavirus affects the brain
Studies are finding that the coronavirus affects the brain as well as the lungs in some patients, causing delirium, strokes, and even fatal swelling.
Should we be using AI models for diagnosing COVID-19?
Researchers are training algorithms to help predict the severity of COVID-19. But is AI ready for COVID-19?
New air filter for COVID-19 could lower risk of being indoors
A new air filter for COVID-19 heats up to nearly 400 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the coronavirus in aerosols.
Is the coronavirus airborne, and does it matter?
Is the coronavirus airborne? More than 200 scientists have told the WHO that yes, it’s likely the coronavirus spreads through aerosols.
New images reveal which type of face mask is the best
To find out which type of face mask is the best, researchers rigged a mannequin’s head to a fog machine and then tested four masks on it.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine produces more antibodies than the disease itself
Early data shows Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine produces immunity as good as, or better than, recovery from the virus.
A guide to flying during the coronavirus pandemic
Flying during the coronavirus pandemic can increase your infection risk, but if you can't avoid it, here’s how to do so as safely as possible.
Can old vaccines be new weapons against COVID-19?
Well-established vaccines using weakened pathogens provide general immune benefits. Now researchers are proposing them to help fight COVID-19.
Ford factory workers rally to build ventilators for a nation in need
Ford Motor Company is putting its equipment and employees to work to counteract the extreme ventilator shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the risks for pregnant women with COVID-19?
Pregnant women have a lot to worry about, but is stressing over coronavirus worth it? Here's the latest research.
Reopening schools this fall could benefit children
Experts in favor of reopening schools as soon as possible argue that school closures could be hurting young people’s physical, mental, and social health.
This designer is making masks for people with disabilities
With special closures, see-through panels, and a riot of colors and patterns, designer Sky Cubacub is making face masks for people with disabilities.
The long-term health effects of COVID-19
As their numbers swell, some survivors are reporting long-term health effects of COVID-19.
Simple tips for choosing a face mask that works
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are now mandatory in many states. Here’s what you need to know about choosing a face mask.
Who is at high risk for COVID-19? Experts weigh in.
Two COVID-19 risk factors are particularly likely to increase a patient’s chances of having a severe case, according to a new CDC report.
Does a positive antibody test mean i’m immune? it depends.
As the conversation shifts from tracking and diagnosing COVID-19 to reopening society, people are now focused on antibody tests. But experts warn that an antibody screen may supply a false peace of mind.
How to stop COVID-19's killer cytokine storm
COVID-19 can cause a potentially lethal cytokine storm, a runaway immune system response. Researchers are studying drugs they hope can calm the storm.
How does the coronavirus spread? Expert consensus builds
Scientists are beginning to come to a consensus on coronavirus transmission.
The first life-saving coronavirus drug is a common steroid
A large clinical trial in the U.K. identified the cheap, widely available steroid dexamethasone as potentially the first life-saving coronavirus drug.
Street medics tend to protesters in the midst of a pandemic
Across the U.S., groups of volunteer street medics are dispensing medical care to police brutality protestors in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
How to keep hospitals safe with a pandemic still raging
This coronavirus screening app is helping 25,000 hospital employees get to work faster and safer.
How will businesses keep employees safe during COVID-19?
Lockdowns are ending but the coronavirus pandemic isn’t over, so what can businesses do to keep employees safe during COVID-19?
How organoids are helping scientists fight the coronavirus
Researchers are turning to organoids — lab-grown clumps of cells that mimic human organs — in an effort to better understand the coronavirus.
Fully see-through face mask ready for mass production
The HelloMask is a fully see-through face mask made of a breathable material that offers the same protection as a standard surgical mask.
Are handshakes gone for good?
The spread of COVID-19 has turned an age-old gesture into a faux pas. As more people are wary of spreading germs, handshakes are becoming less of a cultural norm, but are they gone for good?
“Social bubbles” could help end coronavirus lockdowns
Computer simulations show that “social bubbles” could help us end coronavirus lockdowns without causing a dramatic increase in cases.
Is it safe to go to the dentist now?
Is it safe to go to the dentist now that offices are reopening across the U.S.? Here’s what experts say you should consider before making an appointment.
“That is insane”: The strange, deadly coronavirus immune response
Research suggests the coronavirus immune response is different than with other viruses. It may help inform treatments and our understanding of COVID-19.
A soaring employment rate and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
First coronavirus antibody drug trial launches in us
An antibody drug developed to treat people with COVID-19 — and potentially prevent new infections — is now being tested in humans.
Hospitals, morgues, and drive-ins: Empty stadiums fill new purposes
Their roars dulled, empty stadiums are serving as field hospitals, supply depots, morgues, drive-in theaters … and an Airbnb.
Wearables can detect coronavirus symptoms early
A study involving more than 600 people found that the Oura Ring wearables can detect coronavirus symptoms 72 hours prior to onset with 90% accuracy.
Gamers are helping find COVID-19 vaccines
Developing COVID-19 vaccines is a challenge. RNA platforms show some promise, but overcoming their drawbacks requires help — perhaps from a video game.
The science behind your crazy pandemic dreams
If you’ve been having strange dreams and poor sleep during lockdown, you’re not alone. The anxiety-inducing pandemic, less activity, and more screen-time have many more people struggling with insomnia than usual.
Japan ends state of emergency, seniors DJ from home, and more
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
A new electric face mask kills the coronavirus
A new electric face mask prototype uses heat to kill the coronavirus. Another model generates an electric field that hinders its ability to infect cells.
This ultrasound connects to an iPhone to help catch COVID-19
Ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic tool for COVID-19. A portable ultrasound machine called the Butterfly iQ may make it safer.
Is it safe to hang out with friends now?
As more states ease up on lockdown restrictions, many of us are asking: is it safe to hang out with friends now? Here's everything you need to know.
Children and seniors to join Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine trial
Oxford University is enrolling people older than 70 and children between the ages of 5 and 12 in a Phase 2 coronavirus vaccine trial.
The pandemic time capsule
The novel coronavirus has changed life as we know it. Submit your story to a pandemic time capsule to help mark history.
Relaunching the NBA, repairing medical devices, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
The road to reopening, according to a Nobel Prize winner
In this episode of the Freethink Progress Report, we attempt to answer a question on all of our minds: what will it take for routines to return to normal in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns?
Virus-repellent coating could help end the PPE shortage
Researchers have created a virus-repellent coating for fabric that could help end the PPE shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Human challenge trials, schools reopening, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Eating out during the coronavirus looks a little different now
Restaurant owners are looking for — and finding — creative ways to convince patrons that eating out during the coronavirus can be safe.
A coronavirus-detecting face mask could arrive this summer
Researchers from MIT and Harvard are developing a coronavirus-detecting face mask that gives off a fluorescent signal when it senses the virus.
Blood enzyme could explain severe impact of coronavirus in men
A new study suggests that higher concentrations of the ACE2 blood enzyme could explain the particularly deadly impact of the coronavirus in men.
Why is an antigen test a big deal for COVID-19?
The FDA has issued its first emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 antigen test, a new type of test for diagnosing the coronavirus.
A nasal spray for coronavirus prevention is in development
Scientists are developing a nasal spray for coronavirus prevention that uses a protein found in red algae to stop the virus from taking hold.
Doctors test solution for COVID-19 phenomena, silent hypoxia
Doctors treating COVID-19 patients are testing the ability of common blood thinners to address silent hypoxia, one of the disease’s most alarming phenomena.
The truth about coronavirus mutations and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Ultraviolet cleaning robots kill coronavirus at US airport
Pittsburgh International Airport is using cleaning robots modified with ultraviolet light fixtures in an effort to kill the coronavirus.
The DIY heroes of the pandemic
Volunteers delivering meals to hospital workers, the 100-year-old man fundraising millions, and more inspiring stories in our weekly Progress Report.
Computer scientists build new tool to fight coronavirus
Computer scientists are using AI and text mining to sort through thousands of coronavirus research papers that could help fight the disease.
Cheap CRISPR-based coronavirus test delivers fast results
Scientists have unveiled STOPCovid, a CRISPR-based coronavirus test that avoids many of the shortcomings of existing diagnostic tests.
COVID’s unique challenge for the Navajo nation
With a lack of access to running water and other resources, the Navajo Nation faces a tough challenge in COVID-19. But the Diné are fighting back.
Newly discovered coronavirus antibody blocks infection in cell cultures
A newly discovered coronavirus antibody produced using mice was able to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from infecting cells in the lab.
Will the coronavirus end in the summer?
Will the coronavirus end in the summer as a result of warmer temperatures? The public is hopeful, but here’s what the experts say.
A proposal to infect volunteers, the race to a vaccine, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Where can you get tested for the coronavirus?
Everything you need to know to get tested for the coronavirus, including COVID-19 testing requirements and resources to help you find testing sites.
Why the MLB antibody study matters
10,000 MLB employees, from players to concession stand attendees, are volunteering to help scientists study how COVID-19 has spread throughout the country.
Every significant breakthrough that’s stemmed from the pandemic
A timeline of coronavirus solutions from the people on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.
Oxford coronavirus vaccine could be ready by September
Millions of doses of an Oxford coronavirus vaccine now in the human trial stage could be ready by September, according to researchers.
Twin study suggests genes factor into COVID-19 symptoms
Genetic factors may explain about 50% of the differences in people’s COVID-19 symptoms, according to a study of more than 2,600 twins in the U.K.
An “old school” COVID-19 vaccine appears to work in monkeys
An in-development COVID-19 vaccine has protected animals from catching the novel coronavirus for the first time, according to the team behind it.
Tons of groups are improvising coronavirus PPE. But who will test it?
A newly formed group is gathering designs for coronavirus PPE and coordinating with testers to make sure the makeshift supplies are safe for use.
DNA might be able to explain varying coronavirus symptoms
Scientists are looking for genetic factors that could explain varying coronavirus symptoms amongst seemingly similar COVID-19 patients.
Would you volunteer to be infected with COVID-19?
Coronavirus vaccine development could take months. There’s a potential shortcut though: purposefully exposing research subjects to the virus.
At-home test kits, new vaccine developments, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Face masks made from… LEGO?
The popular toy company that’s mass-producing PPE, how to fight the coronavirus from your computer, and more top stories in our weekly Progress Report.
We may need fewer ventilators for COVID-19 patients than we expected
A new study found that healthcare workers may be using ventilators for COVID-19 patients when they really don’t need to be.
FDA authorizes first at-home coronavirus test kit
The FDA has authorized LabCorp’s at-home coronavirus test kit, meaning people no longer need to leave their houses to find out if they have COVID-19.
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Catalysts
Staying sober in quarantine
In partnership with Stand Together
Isolation can be especially difficult for recovering addicts, so this sober active community is hosting virtual fitness classes for free.
A new device is protecting healthcare workers from airborne coronavirus
Researchers have developed a system for protecting healthcare workers while they treat coronavirus patients in need of respiratory support.
Ghana uses drones to speed up coronavirus testing
In Ghana, Zipline is helping speed up coronavirus testing by using drones to deliver test samples, and it wants to bring the service to the U.S.
Microsoft’s “Plasma Bot” helps you donate plasma for COVID-19
Microsoft is launching a "Plasma Bot" to make it easier for coronavirus survivors to donate plasma for research and trials.
Disease detectives: tracking invisible killers
Disease detectives on the frontlines of coronavirus track the person-to-person spread.
Chinese coronavirus vaccine advances to next trial phase
CanSino Bio’s Ad5-nCoV was the first Chinese coronavirus vaccine to be tested in humans. Now it’s the first in the world to enter Phase II trials.
Modifying the measles vaccine could stop the coronavirus faster
To stop the coronavirus from spreading, researchers are working on a vaccine that would use the measles vaccine as its delivery vehicle.
Scientists find a way to quickly ID coronavirus mutations
A new tool that allows scientists to quickly identify coronavirus mutations could help experts track and treat COVID-19.
The rise of simulated sports in the face of COVID-19
Because of the coronavirus, sports have come to a screeching halt. Unless you look online.
Contact-tracing tech advances, the new saliva test, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Lab plans to ship 20 million coronavirus antibody tests per month
Abbott Laboratories is shipping millions of coronavirus antibody tests to hospitals and labs across the United States.
FDA approves first saliva test for coronavirus
The FDA has granted a saliva test for coronavirus emergency use authorization, giving health officials a new way to diagnose COVID-19.
Hong Kong protests in Animal Crossing
Hong Kong's virtual protests, tech giants joining forces to slow the spread of COVID-19, and more top stories in our weekly Progress Report.
Major League Baseball joins massive coronavirus antibody study
More than 10,000 Major League Baseball players and employees agreed to have their blood tested for a massive coronavirus antibody study.
Major drugmakers team up on potential coronavirus vaccine
Major vaccine developers GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi are collaborating on a potential coronavirus vaccine to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doctors use AI to test new coronavirus treatments on patients
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center launched a new trial that uses artificial intelligence to test promising coronavirus treatments as quickly as possible.
Across America, libraries are fighting the coronavirus
Communities are using every resource available to fight the coronavirus. Across the country, libraries are using their resources and staff to join the battle.
Why scientists are turning the coronavirus’ structure into music
MIT scientists have translated a key part of the coronavirus’ structure into music — and the song could help researchers find a way to stop the virus.
Apple and Google join forces on coronavirus tracking project
Apple and Google are collaborating on a coronavirus tracking project they hope will eliminate the privacy concerns surrounding contact-tracing apps.
It's safe to order takeout during the coronavirus pandemic. here's why.
Many experts agree that you can safely order takeout during the coronavirus pandemic — you just need to follow these steps.
Mobile decontamination units could extend supply of PPE
To extend the supply of PPE at hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, a team of engineers transformed a shipping container into a decontamination unit.
Learning from disaster: An interview with Bryan Walsh
Human history is dotted with pandemics. We spoke with "End Times" author Bryan Walsh on how we can learn from them for the future.
Ford revs up production of coronavirus ventilators
Ford has promised to deliver 50,000 ventilators in 100 days. Here's how they can do it.
Hackers leak thousands of coronavirus research papers
Potentially life-saving medical research is often hidden behind expensive paywalls, limiting access for those in the developing world. So one modern-day Robin Hood illegally downloaded and shared over 5,000 coronavirus research papers on Reddit.
Vaccine factories, a promising new treatment, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Converting shipping containers into ICUs for coronavirus patients
The CURA project aims to address the shortage of room in ICUs for coronavirus patients by creating new units out of shipping containers.
Antiviral pill shows promise as treatment for coronavirus
The oral antiviral drug EIDD-2801 has emerged as a promising treatment for coronavirus, performing well in the lab and in mouse studies.