Science

Researchers used treats to coax young black bears to walk on their hind legs through mud to get footprints to compare to the fossils.

Science

Ancient footprints mistakenly attributed to bears were made by early humans

4:33pm December 01, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A new look at nearly 3.7 million-year-old fossil footprints uncovered in Tanzania shows that multiple species of early humans lived together at the same time.

Here's a computer generated image of the omicron variant of the coronavirus — also known as B.1.1.529. Reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.

The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters

3:23pm December 01, 2021

by Nurith Aizenman

How did this new strain of the novel coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person.

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Researchers at the University of Washington Medicine Retrovirology Lab at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle process samples from Novavax's phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in February 2021.

A different kind of COVID vaccine is about ready to roll

1:46pm December 01, 2021

by Joe Palca

Protein subunit vaccines work by injecting people with a tiny portion of a virus. In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, that tiny portion is the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to enter cells.

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A dozen organisms designed by artificial intelligence known as xenobots (C-shaped; beige) beside loose frog stem cells (white).

Science

Living robots made in a lab have found a new way to self-replicate, researchers say

1:29pm December 01, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Xenobots, a type of programmable organism made from frog cells, can replicate by spontaneously sweeping up loose stem cells, researchers say. This could have implications for regenerative medicine.

A tranquilized rhino is guided into crates at the andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa.

Conservationists flew 30 white rhinos to Rwanda in a huge operation to protect them

12:34pm November 30, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

The roughly 2,000-mile journey took the rhinos to their new home in Akagera National Park, where advocates hope the animals will be able to establish a new breeding stronghold and evade poachers.

Climate change and city lights are tricking trees into growing leaves too soon

4:51pm November 29, 2021

A study of trees in dozens of cities found that urban heat and light pollution are pushing urban trees to sprout leaves about a week earlier than trees in more rural settings.

(from left) Kevin Dedner founded Hurdle, a mental health startup that pairs patients with therapists. Ashlee Wisdom's company, Health in Her Hue, connects women of color with culturally sensitive medical providers. Nathan Pelzer's Clinify Health analyzes

How Black tech entrepreneurs are tackling health care's race gap

5:01am November 29, 2021

by Cara Anthony

Determined to improve the way doctors connect with their patients, a new wave of innovators are using technology to match people of color with culturally competent professionals.

Even doing a few simple tasks can be draining for Semhar Fisseha after her COVID diagnosis.

For patients with long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome may offer a guiding star

5:00am November 29, 2021

by Mallory Yu

Long COVID has been a reality since the beginning of the pandemic. The patients who have it are desperate for answers that doctors don't yet have.

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Vezna Hang and his son. Hang fell so ill with COVID-19 before being vaccinated that he needed a double lung transplant. He now encourages other people to get the shot.

Once rare, lung transplants for COVID-19 patients are rising quickly

8:23am November 28, 2021

by Kerry Sheridan

When it comes to receiving organ transplants, patients are not usually judged on prior behavior, but some doctors are questioning whether unvaccinated COVID patients should qualify for new lungs.

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A gas station attendant stands next to a newspaper headline in Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday. The new omicron variant has spread from South Africa to parts of Europe, and as far as Hong Kong.

How vaccine makers plan to address the new COVID-19 omicron variant

7:03pm November 27, 2021

by Dustin Jones

A new coronavirus variant, first discovered in South Africa, has begun to spread around the globe. Vaccine producers say they're working to get ahead of the new strain.