Science

Health experts say they're not yet sure about the level of immunity people may have after recovering from COVID-19. Here, a man wears a protective mask as he passes a mural in New York City, where the COVID-19 death toll has passed 10,000.

WHO Says COVID-19 Immunity Is An Unknown; Disease '10 Times Deadlier' Than 2009 Flu

3:34pm April 13, 2020

by Bill Chappell

More than 440,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 — and their status is an important question. If people are immune after recovery, they could resume normal life activities more quickly.

Rick Wittenmyer shops for groceries at the West Side Market, Friday, April 10, 2020, in Cleveland. There were fewer shoppers this year before the Easter holiday than in previous years due to the coronavirus.

Coronavirus Fears Prompt Suspensions Of Bans On Single-Use Plastic Bags

12:55pm April 13, 2020

by Hannah Hagemann

Manufacturers, lawmakers and grocery store workers say the reusable bags could transmit the virus, but according to scientists there aren't enough studies to know whether that's true.

How Antibody Tests Can Inform Public Policies To Mitigate Coronavirus Pandemic

1:20pm April 12, 2020

Stanford is testing for coronavirus antibodies so they can determine who has been exposed and who could potentially go back to school or work. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

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When you listen to a story, your brain waves actually start to synchronize with those of the storyteller. And reading a narrative activates brain regions involved in deciphering or imagining a person's motives and perspective, research has found.

How Stories Connect And Persuade Us: Unleashing The Brain Power Of Narrative

8:49pm April 11, 2020

by Elena Renken

The power of shared storytelling to soothe or spur us to action may be more crucial than ever, scientists say. Here's what happens in the brain when we feel swept away by a story, book or film.

What Happened Today: New Drug Study, Questions About COVID-19 Impact

9:25pm April 10, 2020

by Jon Hamilton

An NPR science correspondent takes listener questions about the specific impacts of the coronavirus — and the race to stop it.

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A man wearing a protective mask in Dubai on March 23.

The New Coronavirus Appears To Take A Greater Toll On Men Than On Women

7:39pm April 10, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Not only are a higher percentage of patients men than women, but they seem to suffer more severe symptoms. And they may be less likely to go in for testing.

Some people are now wearing disposable gloves with the hope of getting some protection against coronavirus pathogens. What do doctors have to say about that?

Coronavirus FAQs: Do Gloves HeIp? Is It Allergies Or COVID-19?

5:44pm April 10, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

Lots of people are talking about masks. But what about gloves? Do they offer any protection? If you're still going to work, should you isolate yourself from family members when you get home?

Chart showing COVID-19 deaths in New York, Louisiana, Washington and California on logarithmic scale.

Are We Flattening The Curve? States Keep Watch On Coronavirus 'Doubling Times'

5:08pm April 10, 2020

by Lauren Sommer

It is starting to take more time for cases, hospitalizations and deaths to double in several states, indicating social distancing is working. Here's how to make sense of those numbers.

A do-it-yourself mask culture is springing up in the Czech Republic. This woman was photographed on the Charles Bridge in Prague on March 28.

Why There Are So Many Different Guidelines For Face Masks For The Public

3:38pm April 10, 2020

by Huo Jingnan

Some agencies and places urged or required people to use face coverings in public early on. Others dismissed the coverings as ineffective, then revised their stance. Why the differences?

The coronavirus outbreak began during the cold of winter in Wuhan, China. Scientists are asking if heat and humidity in countries like Malaysia (right) — and in regions where summer is soon starting — could slow transmission.

Will Summer Slow The Spread Of COVID-19? Scientists Try To Figure It Out

11:23am April 10, 2020

by Jason Beaubien

Experts consider the effect of humidity on the virus and the method of transmission as they keep an eye on where the disease spikes next.

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