Health

a vaccine vial in front of a backdrop of cells

Personalized cancer vaccines are having a moment

Personalized cancer vaccines were a recurring theme at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in 2024.

Kristin Houser

Sustainability

Scientists have invented a method to break down “forever chemicals” in our drinking water

Researchers have discovered a way to eliminate “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, which usually take hundreds or thousands of years to break down.

Johnny Wood

X-ray image of a human chest showing lungs and rib cage, with visible abnormal dark patches indicating possible tuberculosis.

Medicine

AI can help predict whether a patient will respond to specific tuberculosis treatments

Instead of a one-size-fits-all treatment approach, AI could help personalize treatments for each patient to provide the best outcomes.

Sriram Chandrasekaran

Coronavirus

German concert experiment suggests large indoor events can be safe

A German concert study has found that hygiene standards, mandatory masks, and ventilation may allow for indoor events.

B. David Zarley

Biology

Earwax gives doctors easy access to cortisol levels

The Trears device could make it easier for doctors to monitor cortisol levels by allowing patients to extract their own earwax samples for analysis.

Kristin Houser

Neuroscience

Blood test for Alzheimer’s now available at doctors’ offices

For the first time, a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease has received approval to be used in doctors’ offices in the U.S.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Cough-analyzing AI detects asymptomatic COVID-19 infections

MIT has developed an AI that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 infections from the sound of a person’s forced-cough with incredible accuracy.

Kristin Houser

Neuroscience

Scientists test mind control with light — no surgery required

In a new breakthrough, scientists use optogenetics to manipulate brain cells in mice without surgery or brain implants.

Teresa Carey

Urban Living

Green space at daycare gives city kids an immune boost

Adding a green space to an urban daycare’s playground can boost a child immune system after just 28 days.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

This parent is helping push autism gene therapy forward

Not too long ago, autism gene therapy was a pipe dream. Now, armed with specific targets and new methods, a small wave of gene therapies is gathering.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Vampire bats social distance when sick, and so should you

Vampire bats are incredibly social creatures, living in colonies which can be massive. New research suggests that when they feel sick, they socially distance.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

How to safely celebrate Halloween during COVID-19

People celebrated Halloween during the 1918 flu pandemic and you can still celebrate Halloween during COVID-19 — just maybe not the way you usually do.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Can flu vaccines prevent COVID-19?

Researchers suspect that flu shots could prevent coronavirus infections, giving people yet another reason to get vaccinated.

Kristin Houser

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