Series| Catalysts
Teen helps 52-year-old pursue high school diploma
In partnership with Stand Together
30 years after dropping out of school, this factory worker is trying to get his high school diploma—with the help of a teen tutor on the internet.
Great apes get vaccinated against COVID-19
Great apes, our closest living relatives, are susceptible to COVID-19. The San Diego Zoo has given some an experimental vaccine to protect them.
New test can show if you’ve had COVID-19, even if antibodies fade
The FDA has approved a T cell test for COVID, a first-of-its-kind assay that looks to the immune system’s memory.
Series| Catalysts
Applying Silicon Valley thinking to the fight against poverty
In partnership with Stand Together
“Change happens from the bottom up.”
Nurturing dads raise emotionally intelligent kids
Nurturing dads raise more emotionally intelligent children, helping make society more respectful and equitable.
Series| Catalysts
Research grants, the silicon valley way
In partnership with Stand Together
What if there was a way to fast-forward innovation? An economist and tech billionaire recently joined forces to make research grants available within 14 days.
AI maps psychedelic “trip” experiences to regions of the brain – opening new route to psychiatric treatments 
To better understand how these effects manifest in the brain, we analyzed over 6,000 written testimonials of hallucinogenic experiences.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster targets mutant strain
Moderna is trialing a COVID-19 vaccine booster designed to increase protection against a South African strain of the coronavirus.
Electric planes are coming: Short-hop regional flights could be running on batteries in a few years
Aerospace engineer Gökçin Çınar discusses sustainable aviation concepts, including hybrid-electric planes and hydrogen fuel alternatives.
Ohio announces $1M vaccine lottery, shots surge 33%
Ohio’s vaccine lottery, which will give five vaccinated residents $1 million each, appears to have sparked the desired increase in new vaccinations.
These innovative projects are tackling homelessness around the world
It’s been estimated that at least 150 million people, which is about 2% of the world’s population, are homeless.
A common virus may be the key to a COVID vaccine for young children
Researchers have reverse-engineered a common children’s virus to show the spike protein, potentially leading to a new COVID vaccine for young children.
FDA authorizes first over-the-counter COVID-19 test
The FDA has authorized the first over-the-counter COVID-19 test for home use, but buyers still have to send their samples to a lab for processing.
Your questions about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine answered
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in the U.S., this is your place to find answers.
How “centaur AI” will radically reshape the future of healthcare
With healthcare, it is not enough to spot patterns: we need to understand biological mechanisms. Ai can help us do it.
Are weight-loss meds the next wonder drugs?
Evidence is mounting that GLP-1 agonists could treat many health issues — including ones that aren’t obviously related to weight.
A malaria antibody prevented infections in purposefully-infected volunteers
In a small study, researchers found an antibody that prevents malaria infection in people purposefully infected with the parasite.
Study: Strong immunity without Pfizer vaccine’s second dose
The Pfizer vaccine's second dose might not be as necessary as thought — and ultra-cold storage of the COVID-19 vaccine might not be necessary at all.
Electric school buses are taking students back to school
Can electric school busses bring cleaner air and lower maintenance costs to school districts across the country?
The quest for a “warm” COVID-19 vaccine
Developers are on the hunt for a warm COVID-19 vaccine, one that could be distributed in places where a reliable cold chain isn’t available.
What it’s like to do a human challenge trial
Human challenge trials are risky, but they could help us avoid another prolonged pandemic.
Tobacco-based COVID-19 vaccine moves to human trials
British American Tobacco has FDA approval to begin human trials on a tobacco-based COVID-19 vaccine that could potentially be stored at room temperature.
How we doubled our life expectancy in the last 100 years
“The idea of taking a pill and getting better is actually a very recent invention.”
Why employers might pay your parents to watch your kids
The Helpr app makes it easy for working parents to get their employers to pay for backup childcare provided by friends and family members.
These "Nanotraps" can capture SARS-CoV-2
Inspired by cancer cells, researchers have developed “Nanotraps” which lock up SARS-CoV-2 for the immune system to kill it.
Tissue implant extends lives of children born with athymia
A treatment that could dramatically extend the lives of children born with the rare condition athymia has been approved by the FDA.
Oxford says its COVID-19 vaccine is up to 90% effective
The University of Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine was up to 90% effective in a phase 3 trial and could be easier to distribute than other coronavirus vaccines.
What’s going to happen with COVID-19 this winter?
There may be an increase in cases of COVID-19 this winter as people move indoors, but there are actions we can take to prevent it.
What does China’s crypto ban mean for the tech world?
The ban could lead to an exodus of Chinese crypto entrepreneurs and a diffusion of crypto technology in Southeast Asia.
Coffee mug company builds high-tech box to keep vaccines cold
Smart mug company Ember has created a shipping container to help bolster the medicine cold chain.
Could hydrogen-fuelled flights be a reality by 2035?
By 2035, hydrogen fuel cells could be used to electrify mid-range flights and hydrogen combustion aircraft could be used on long-haul flights.
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.
Ending world hunger: Can data pave the way?
In partnership with Palantir
The mission to end world hunger is one of today’s most pressing challenges. Here’s how big data is helping solve it.
FDA authorizes first at-home COVID-19 test
The FDA has authorized an at-home COVID-19 test that delivers results in 30 minutes, but you can’t get it without a prescription.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appears 95% effective (updated)
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appears to be 95% effective at preventing coronavirus infections, according to an early analysis of a Phase 3 trial.
MIT turned a robo-dog into a robot doctor
MIT converted a robo-dog built by Boston Dynamics into a robot doctor and then asked patients how they felt being treated by it.
"Autoantibodies" may be causing COVID-19 blood clots
COVID-19 blood clots may be caused by autoantibodies, which attack the body’s own tissues and organs instead of intruders.
When will we have a COVID-19 vaccine?
Several developers have reported incredible coronavirus vaccine progress, so when will we have a COVID-19 vaccine ready for distribution?
Series| Catalysts
A new youth empowerment model: 10 year volunteer families
In partnership with Stand Together
He lost his grandparents and was about to fail out of high school. Two strangers stepped in to help. He turned his whole life around, and changed theirs, too.
Moderna is developing an mRNA vaccine for HIV
Moderna is using the same technology behind its COVID-19 vaccine to develop an mRNA vaccine for HIV.
Rwanda is blasting killer mosquitoes with drones
Rwanda is deploying drones to target mosquito larvae — spraying anti-mosquito insecticides in areas where the frequency of mosquito-borne illness remains high.
Johnson and Johnson's coronavirus vaccine is 66% effective
Data from phase 3 trials of Johnson and Johnson's coronavirus vaccine suggests the vaccine is ready to go to the FDA for approval.
HIV prevention injection approved by FDA
The FDA has approved Apretude, an HIV prevention injection that replaces daily PrEP pills with a single shot every 60 days.
The shift to remote work is helping solve the housing shortage
Converting empty office buildings into apartment units through “adaptive reuse” is helping address the housing shortage.
Oxford launches COVID reinfection study
To try and understand the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, including the threat of COVID reinfection, the University of Oxford will purposely infect volunteers.
New COVID-19 treatment uses stem cells
Umbilical cord stem cells may provide life-saving care for people with a serious case of coronavirus.
Smart vaccine device could speed up development process
An in-development smart vaccine device uses a microneedle patch to both deliver a vaccine and measure the immune response it generates.
Researchers find a new target for a universal flu vaccine: the “anchor”
There’s a new target in the battle for a universal flu vaccine: the "anchor,” a part of the virus’ proteins less likely to mutate.
Series| Catalysts
Transforming teacher’s lesson plans
In partnership with Stand Together
Teachers and students are burnt out from today’s education system. Here’s how to get the spark back.
The hunt for a universal coronavirus vaccine
A universal coronavirus vaccine that protects against multiple coronaviruses could stop the next potential pandemic from ever starting.
Second patient clears own body of HIV, hinting cure is possible
Two “elite controllers” that no longer have any replicable HIV virus in their bodies may hold the key to a cure for HIV.
Beyond COVID: mRNA vaccines may treat cancer and more
The technology used to make the COVID-19 vaccine could be used to treat other diseases too.
Blood and stool samples from 1980s link HIV to gut microbiome
A person’s chances of getting HIV appears to be influenced by the gut microbiome, suggesting it might help us prevent the disease.
Congo just used vaccines to beat Ebola. What they learned could stop COVID, too.
Congo’s recent success delivering frigid Ebola vaccines to remote areas may provide invaluable experience for a COVID-19 vaccine cold chain.
Can flu vaccines prevent COVID-19?
Researchers suspect that flu shots could prevent coronavirus infections, giving people yet another reason to get vaccinated.
Virtual patients help doctors improve bedside manner
The Virti platform lets doctors and med students interact with computer-generated virtual patients so they can improve their bedside manner.
UK to launch first human challenge trial for COVID-19
The U.K. is funding a $44 million human challenge trial for COVID-19 during which healthy volunteers will be deliberately exposed to the coronavirus.
Patients report sudden hearing loss from COVID-19
Patients are experiencing sudden hearing loss from COVID-19, but if caught early enough, doctors can prevent the problem from becoming permanent.
How long will coronavirus immunity last?
Coronavirus immunity might last for years, according to a new study that measured the levels of virus-fighting immune cells in COVID-19 survivors.
Post-COVID-19 clinics offer hope to coronavirus survivors
Post-COVID-19 clinics are helping coronavirus survivors cope with lingering symptoms while helping researchers better understand the disease.
Google trends reveal a boredom pandemic. How can we help?
Google trends showed that online searches for subjects linked to boredom and loneliness jumped dramatically, according to a study.
Yale study: asthma and allergies may actually protect children from severe COVID-19
The interplay of asthma, children, and COVID-19 is complex. A new study suggests that kids' asthma immune response may help protect against COVID-19.
The “recovery paradox” explains why you’re burnt out
There's regular job stress, and then there's uncertainty, dread, and constant change. Here's how to actually recover from it.
Comparing COVID-19 vaccines just got way easier
A newly formed network of labs will make it easier to compare COVID-19 vaccines by testing them all in exactly the same way, using the exact same supplies.
How mRNA and DNA vaccines could treat autoimmune disorders, genetic diseases, and more
Using DNA or an mRNA vaccine, researchers are investigating the feasibility of essentially replacing missing genes that cause disease.
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.
Facebook’s vaccine hunters are helping Americans get vaccinated
COVID-19 shots are here, but making an appointment can be a pain. Vaccine hunters are playing matchmaker on Facebook to get jabs into arms.
Should we delay the second doses of COVID-19 vaccines?
As vaccination campaigns begin, researchers are divided over whether the two-dose strategy should be delayed to get more people’s first dose done quicker.
Did the flu lose diversity during the pandemic?
After a record-low flu season, an entire clade of flu may be gone. If so, making vaccines may have become easier.
The science of habits
Whether you’re trying to break a bad habit or start a good one, psychologists have some tips to get you started.
The hep C cure may also fight COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 uses a number of key proteins to infect us, including its main protease. New research has found hepatitis C drugs can bind this protein.
How heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of the future
With ever-improving efficiencies, and rising sales in multiple countries, heat pumps are only getting harder for their detractors to dismiss.
Antivenom scientists are using horse antibodies for COVID-19
In Costa Rica, horse antibodies for COVID-19 are about to enter human trials.
The coronavirus can survive on surfaces for 28 days
The coronavirus can survive on surfaces, including money, for up to 28 days. But does that change what you need to do to avoid catching COVID-19?
Exercise boosts the brain — and mental health
New research is revealing how physical activity can reduce and even ward off depression, anxiety and other psychological ailments.
The new coronavirus mutation: What we know & what we need to figure out
A new coronavirus mutation is spreading quickly in the U.K. Here’s what we know about the coronavirus strain and what we need to figure out.
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?
Trial suggests Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective
Another win for mRNA vaccines: Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective at preventing COVID-19, according to initial trial data.
The “great resignation” is a trend that began before the pandemic – and it may be the new normal
The current resignation behavior may seem like a new trend, data shows employee turnover has been rising steadily for the past decade.
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine reaches final trial stage
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine isn’t the first to reach the final human trial stage, but it may have several advantages over its predecessors.
Can RNA create a malaria vaccine?
An effective malaria vaccine could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Can RNA vaccines like the ones fighting SARs-CoV-2 tackle another disease?
$5 COVID-19 test could be a game changer in the US
Abbott Laboratories’ $5 COVID-19 test has secured an FDA authorization, meaning the U.S. now has access to a fast, accurate antigen test.
Pfizer is testing a coronavirus antiviral
Pfizer is testing a new coronavirus antiviral that has stopped SARs-CoV-2 from replicating in the lab in humans.
What we know about COVID-19 reinfection so far
Researchers have reported four cases of COVID-19 reinfection, with patients recovering from the coronavirus and later testing positive for another strain.
A patient’s sex may affect their COVID-19 immune response
Key differences in the COVID-19 immune response of men and women could potentially explain a disparity in patient outcomes.
Want better nasal vaccines? Look to the bacteria in your nose.
Researchers are investigating the link between the bacteria inside your nose and how effective nasal vaccines can be.
Immune proteins show promise as COVID-19 treatment
Immune proteins called interferons appear useful as a COVID-19 treatment if given to patients before an infection becomes severe.
The future of AR isn’t in gaming. Here are 5 industries to watch.
Putting aside interactive filters and fantasy games, augmented reality has the potential to be a vital tool for future innovation.
U.S. troops test wearables for early detection of COVID-19
The Department of Defense wants to use wearable sensors, Dutch AI, and thousands of personnel to develop markers for early detection of COVID-19.
The 2021 Disney Accelerator sheds light on Disney’s metaverse ambitions
From AI to AR to live video shopping: these are the 8 companies selected for the Disney’s yearly accelerator program.
Robots are running COVID-19 drug development
IBM’s new online platform, RoboRXN, combines artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and robotics to automate the COVID-19 drug development process.
Stamp-sized wearable health monitor can do it all
Researchers at UCSD have developed a wearable health monitor that can measure both cardiovascular and biochemical signals at once.
UK researchers are growing the Delta variant for human challenge trials
Responding to the variant’s rise, UK researchers are growing the Delta variant for trials.
Pfizer’s RSV vaccine 100% effective in human challenge trial
An RSV vaccine developed by Pfizer was reportedly 100% effective in a small human challenge trial and caused minimal side effects.
New mask design from Beats by Dre designer
The designer of the original Beats by Dre headphones is working on a next-generation face mask that combines fashion and functionality.
Open-source COVID-19 saliva test could be a game changer
SalivaDirect, a COVID-19 saliva test funded by the NBA and NBA players’ union, could be the cheap, accurate testing method the U.S. desperately needs.
Reasons to be optimistic in 2022
It can be tough to feel positive after the past two years. But a closer look at the recent past provides reasons for optimism in 2022 and beyond.
10-minute grocery delivery service to debut in U.S.
German grocery delivery startup Gorillas, which delivers orders within 10 minutes, is bringing its ultra-fast operation to the U.S.
Bitcoin is now ‘legal tender’ in El Salvador
If more countries follow, what will this mean for consumers and businesses around the world?
A tiny house village for the homeless is coming to Minnesota
This tiny house village for homeless people is designed to overcome traditional shelters' limitations and help residents stay safe during the pandemic.