Mice and humans infected with dengue emit acetophenone, a mosquito-attractor Some mosquito-borne viruses turn mice into alluring mosquito bait. Mice infected with dengue or Zika viruses — and people infected with dengue — emit a flowery, orange-smelling chemical that tempts hungry mosquitoes, researchers report June 30 in Cell. In mice,Continue Reading
A squirt up the nose could reduce coronavirus transmission, but the vaccines have challenges to overcome A few weeks ago, I was obsessed with my nose and throat. I was on a trip to Seattle to speak at a small, masks-required virology meeting about being a journalist during a pandemic.Continue Reading
A complete guide to coconut milk nutrition and how this plant-based drink stacks up against other milk alternatives Due to its distinctive flavor and creamy texture, coconut milk can add a nice twist to coffees, protein shakes and desserts. Although it’s nowhere near as popular as other plant-based milk alternativesContinue Reading
After vaccines, antivirals and a monoclonal antibody are the next line of defense Maybe you’ve heard that the pandemic is over in the United States. (It’s not.) Masks are no longer required in most places and large gatherings are becoming commonplace again. Most of the country is in the green,Continue Reading
The country is about to reach an unthinkably grim milestone. Nearly 200,000 children have lost parents, many more elderly have been killed, and family well-being has been ripped apart Laura Jackson feels the loss of her husband Charlie like she is missing a part of herself. He died of COVIDContinue Reading
A regular round-up of the latest coronavirus news, plus insight, features and interviews from New Scientist about the covid-19 pandemic Covid-19 caused 5.6 per cent of all deaths in England in February Covid-19 was the third leading cause of death in England and the sixth biggest driver of fatalities inContinue Reading
A growing body of evidence suggests that doing things that make your sense of self fall away can make people happier, less stressed and even kinder to others. Here’s our short guide to achieving this state A FEW years ago, psychiatrist Roland Griffiths published the results of some intriguing workContinue Reading
The idea was inspired by the connection between poor oral health and preterm birth Chewing a sugar-free gum daily reduced preterm births in a large study in Malawi. The oral intervention was inspired by past research linking poor oral health and preterm birth. The gum contains xylitol — a chemicalContinue Reading
Only the most successful campaigns are highlighted on social media, giving a skewed impression of success Online crowdfunding for medical expenses raises less money than social media posts suggest and deepens health care inequities, a new study reports. The first large-scale assessment of medical crowdfunding in the United States showsContinue Reading
Scientists have long suspected a link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis — an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord — may emerge after infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). An estimated 90% to 95% of people catch EBV, also called human herpesvirus 4, by theContinue Reading