I have written hundreds of science and health news stories, but these are a few of my favorites. For more clips, check out this list or my page on Contently. And for email alerts of my future stories, subscribe here: Evolving Stories
Also, I’m currently on book leave so if the rate of articles is slower than usual, don’t worry, it will pick up after my book is done!
Selected articles on coronavirus:
The Pandemic Set Off a Boom in Diagnostics
Scientific American, March 1, 2022
Do Your Genes Know What’s Making You Sick?
The Atlantic, January 6, 2022
The Double-Whammy COVID-Flu
The Atlantic, November 17, 2021
A Better Way to Think About Your Risk for COVID
The Atlantic, October 6, 2021
The world needs more vaccines, faster. A tiny tube could make all the difference.
National Geographic, August 11, 2021
COVID-19’s Effects on Kids Are Even Stranger Than We Thought
The Atlantic, July 15, 2021
Why the Most Unusual Covid Cases Matter
The New York Times, July 12, 2021
Pfizer, AstraZeneca … or Both? A Mixed Approach May Hold Promise.
The New York Times, June 13, 2021
Is It Covid or the Flu? New Combo Tests Can Find Out.
The New York Times, May 11, 2021
The Blood-Clot Problem Is Multiplying
The Atlantic, April 16, 2021
The Mysterious Aftermath of Infections
The New York Times, April 6, 2021
The Coronavirus Is a Master of Mixing Its Genome, Worrying Scientists
The New York Times, February 4, 2021
May I Borrow Your Covid Immunity?
WIRED, January 28, 2021
Rogue antibodies could be driving severe COVID-19
Nature, January 19, 2021
Here’s a Plan to Stop the Coronavirus From Mutating
WIRED, December 24, 2020
Covid-19 Can Scar Lungs. Preventing It With Drugs Is Debated.
Elemental, December 14, 2020
This Pandemic Must Be Seen
WIRED, November 20, 2020
A Lack of Transparency Is Undermining Pandemic Policy
WIRED, November 16, 2020
‘Proning’ Covid Patients Seems to Save Lives. But How Many?
WIRED, November 12, 2020
New Science Suggests How to Shorten Quarantine
Elemental, November 10, 2020
Covid-19 Vaccines Could End Up With Bias Built Right In
WIRED, September 22, 2020
Hydroxychloroquine Is Toast. Now Say Hi to Its ‘Dirty’ Cousin
WIRED, August 20, 2020
The Coronavirus May Mess With Thyroid Levels, Too
Elemental, August 10, 2020
Scientists May Be Using the Wrong Cells to Study Covid-19
WIRED, August 6, 2020
The Mystery of Why Some People Keep Testing Positive for Covid-19
Elemental, July 28, 2020
Why those most at risk of COVID-19 are least likely to respond to a vaccine
National Geographic, July 17, 2020
America Has a Sick Obsession with Covid-19 Polls
WIRED, July 8, 2020
Here’s how we’ll know when a COVID-19 vaccine is ready
National Geographic, June 30, 2020
If the Virus Slows This Summer, It May Be Time to Worry
WIRED, June 18, 2020
Covid-19’s Scary Blood Clots Aren’t That Surprising
WIRED, May 5, 2020
… in which doctors note that the flu shot can protect you against a heart attack.
Coronavirus in context: Scite.ai tracks positive and negative citations for COVID-19 literature
Nature, May 1, 2020
… in which AI reveals if a study is supported or contradicted by subsequent research.
A Tiny Hospital in Texas Might Help Solve the Mask Shortage
Elemental, April 16, 2020
… in which hospital administrators in Texas tell me about an alternative to N95 masks.
The History of Pandemics Teaches Us Only That We Can’t Be Taught
WIRED, April 10, 2020
… in which I try to understand why we’ve ignored the lessons from SARS.
If a coronavirus vaccine arrives, can the world make enough?
Nature, April 9. 2020
… in which I ask investigate how many doses against SARS-CoV-2 manufacturers could make.
They Say Coronavirus Isn’t Airborne—but It’s Definitely Borne By Air
WIRED, March 14, 2020
… in which scientists disagree what the word “airborne” means.
(For more, listen to my interview about this story on the EPIDEMIC podcast here.)
Can’t Stop Touching Your Face? Science Has Some Theories Why
WIRED, March 10, 2020
… in which I ask learn that we “sniff” our hands subconsciously after handshakes.
What It Takes to Annihilate a Coronavirus
Elemental, February 19, 2020
… in which virologists talk about whether viruses are ever truly ‘alive’.
Coronavirus Is Bad. Comparing It to the Flu Is Worse
WIRED, February 8, 2020
… in which I look at the science communication challenges around COVID19.
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Other selected articles:
Gene therapy could offer an inclusive cure for cystic fibrosis
Nature magazine, July 29, 2020
Living, breathing proof
Nature magazine, July 29, 2020
The biologist on the hunt for extracellular ribosomes
Nature magazine, June 17, 2020
Plant vesicles inspire methods to protect crops
Nature magazine, June 17, 2020
Computer algorithms find tumors’ molecular weak spots
Science magazine, June 11, 2020
… in which a company tries to shut down cancer by targeting common linchpin genes.
Problems with Preprints: Covering Rough-Draft Manuscripts Responsibly
The Open Notebook, June 1, 2020
How the Cystic Fibrosis Miracle Drug Is Playing Out in Real Life
Elemental, March 31, 2020
… in which I find out why a heralded new medicine only works for some people
The Darwin Treatment
WIRED, April 2019
… in which scientists try keeping cancer cells in check using Darwinian principles.
Medicine’s Moveable Feast
Nature Medicine, July 11, 2017
… in which I find out how ancient viruses behave inside our genome.
Pooched Out
The New York Times Magazine, May 21, 2017
… in which I delve into dog genetics and what it means for human obesity.
A Peanut’s Progress
The New York Times Magazine, December 18, 2016
… in which I taste test a peanut treated with enzymes to make it less dangerous.
Metabolism in mind
Nature Medicine, July 7, 2016
… in which I listen in to the conversation between the gut and brain.
Newly Risen From Yeast: THC
The New York Times, September 14, 2015
… in which I learn how microorganisms can be engineered into cannabinoid factories.
Rethinking the formula
Nature Medicine, May 2013
… in which I meet with patients advocating for vital medical foods to be covered by insurance.
An unexpectedly bright idea
The Economist, June 9, 2005
… in which I spoke with one of the inventors of laser technology.
Up, up and away
Plenty Magazine, June/July, 2005
… in which I traveled to see a presentation by Boeing engineers designing a fuel-cell airplane.
Skype beyond the hype
MIT Technology Review, June 1, 2004
… in which I interviewed the engineers behind Skype in a renovated Soviet-era factory in Tallinn.