Does omicron pose a risk to the vaccinated? Too early to tell, epidemiologist says
NPR's David Folkenflik speaks with Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage about what scientists know about the new omicron COVID-19 variant.
Science
The omicron variant spreads across Europe as new travel bans take effect
Cases of the latest COVID variant of concern — first identified in South Africa — have been reported in the U.K., Germany, Italy and elsewhere. Travel from southern Africa is now restricted.
COVID hit 13 members of their family the first time. A year later it struck again
The second time Vanessa Quintero's family caught the virus, probably from her 8-year-old daughter, fewer people got sick. They and their doctors credit the protection of vaccination.
New coronavirus variant in South Africa raises concern
The World Health Organization is holding an emergency meeting on Friday to review the variant. While it's too soon to tell exactly how the new variant functions, virologists are rushing to learn more.
A famously far-ranging gray wolf is found dead in Southern California
The Oregon-born gray wolf gained a following this year when it became the first to travel to Southern California in a century. Wildlife officials say it appears to have been struck by a vehicle.
Why people with mental illness are at higher risk of COVID
Federal health officials have been urging adults with psychiatric conditions to get a booster shot to increase their COVID protection. It turns out being mentally ill puts you at higher risk.
In a first test of its planetary defense efforts, NASA's going to shove an asteroid
NASA is about to launch the first mission of its new planetary defense office. A spacecraft will attempt to knock a small asteroid off course by ramming into it.
Republicans are changing state laws to try and get out of federal vaccine mandates
Nationwide, conservative lawmakers have come together to propose and pass bills aimed at nullifying federal vaccine mandates. Public health experts worry exemptions make the workforce vulnerable.
Move over blink of an eye, the snap of a finger is the fastest human motion
Researchers have determined that one of the fastest motions the human body can generate is a simple snap of the fingers.
How you can see the nearly total lunar eclipse Friday morning
It will be the second and final eclipse of the year. West Coast night owls and East Coast early risers could catch the peak of the cosmic event.