T/science

Trump Takes a Major Step Toward Seabed Mining in International Waters
Climate, Today

A new executive order pits the United States against the rest of the world over the question of who can exploit mineral resources in shared waters.

The ‘Bone Collector’ Doesn’t Play With Its Food. It Wears It.
Science, Today

Carnivorous caterpillars discovered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu have a freaky fashion sense.

Who’s a Carthaginian? Genetic Study Revises Ancestry of Rome’s Ancient Nemesis
Science, Today

The inhabitants of Carthage were long thought to have derived from Levantine Phoenicians. But an eight-year study suggests they were more closely related to Greeks.

These Apes Are Matriarchal, but It Doesn’t Mean They’re Peaceful
Science, Today

Females reign supreme in bonobo society by working together to keep males in their place.

La física del café de filtro perfecto
En español, Today

Un grupo de científicos utilizó la dinámica de fluidos para aprender a obtener el máximo sabor del café de filtro.

A Roman Gladiator and a Lion Met in Combat. Only One Walked Away.
Science, Yesterday

A discovery in an English garden led to the first direct evidence that man fought beast to entertain the subjects of the Roman Empire.

The Physics of the Perfect Pour Over
Science, Yesterday

Scientists used fluid dynamics to learn how to get the most flavor from pour-over coffee.

Go to Mars, Never Die and Other Big Tech Pipe Dreams
Book Review, Yesterday

In “More Everything Forever,” the science journalist Adam Becker subjects Silicon Valley’s “ideology of technological salvation” to critical scrutiny.

Glimpses of the Final Frontier at the American Museum of Natural History
Special Sections, Yesterday

Stranded astronauts and celebrity space tourism have piqued interest in space — and a photography exhibition in the museum is making the most of it.

How Bats Enjoy an In-Flight Beverage Service
Science, April 22

Bats are not only masters of aerodynamic flight — they’re skillful at multitasking while flying, too.

National Science Foundation Terminates Hundreds of Active Research Awards
Science, April 22

The agency targeted grants focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as research on misinformation.

The Lyrids Meteor Shower Is Peaking. Here’s How to Watch.
Science, April 21

Active since last week, the shower is formed from a comet’s debris and is forecast to produce the most fireballs overnight.

E.T., Phone the White House
Op Ed, April 21

Space science at NASA is on the chopping block.

He Was a Prophet of Space Travel. His Ashes Were Found in a Basement.
Metro, April 21

During his life, Willy Ley predicted the dawn of the Space Age with remarkable accuracy. How did his remains end up forgotten in a co-op on the Upper West Side?

Hidden Above a Trap Door, 17th-Century Frescoes Come to Light
Science, April 21

While inspecting a sumptuous villa in Rome, an electrician stumbled across long lost works by the Baroque painter Carlo Maratta.

It’s Springtime on Polaris-9b, and the Exoflowers Are Blooming
Science, April 20

An artist imagines the flora of distant, nonexistent worlds.

A Fireball Near Mexico City Lit Up the Sky and the Internet
Express, April 18

The glowing object was a bolide, fireballs that explode in a bright flash, according to experts. It streaked across Mexico’s predawn skies on Wednesday.

Joe Nickell, Paranormal Investigator and ‘Real-Life Scully,’ Dies at 80
Obits, April 18

A professional skeptic, he took on hundreds of mysteries, offering rational explanations for the Loch Ness monster, the Shroud of Turin and countless hauntings.

On New Website, Trump Declares Lab Leak as ‘True Origins’ of Covid
Science, April 18

The White House has thrown its weight behind the lab leak theory, an idea that has divided intelligence agencies.

Astrónomos detectan una posible señal de vida en un planeta lejano
En español, April 17

Se necesitan más estudios para determinar si K2-18b, que orbita alrededor de una estrella situada a 120 años luz, está habitado, o incluso es habitable.

Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet
Science, April 16

Further studies are needed to determine whether K2-18b, which orbits a star 120 light-years away, is inhabited, or even habitable.

It Took a Century to Find This Colossal Squid
Science, April 15

An expedition spotted a baby of the species in the South Sandwich Islands. This cephalopod can grow to more than 20 feet and has proved elusive in its deep-sea environs.

El turismo espacial disfrazado de acto feminista
En español, April 14

El vuelo exclusivamente femenino de Blue Origin muestra que las mujeres ya pueden disfrutar de los beneficios más extravagantes del capitalismo junto a los hombres ricos.

One Giant Stunt for Womankind
Culture, April 14

Blue Origin’s all-female flight proves that women are now free to enjoy capitalism’s most extravagant spoils alongside rich men.

DOGE Cuts Hobble Office That Would Aid NASA and SpaceX Mars Landings
Science, April 14

The Astrogeology Science Center, which has helped astronauts and robots reach other worlds safely, is facing a substantial number of job reductions.

How to Evade Taxes in Ancient Rome? A 1,900-Year-Old Papyrus Offers a Guide.
Science, April 14

A manuscript discovered in the Judean desert contains trial notes on an intricate tax-evasion scheme that involved forgery, fiscal fraud and the false sale of slaves.

Blue Origin Crew Including Gayle King and Katy Perry Returns Safely After Space Launch
Express, April 14

They were among the six women who made a 10-minute trip on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, as the first all-female space crew in more than 60 years.

A Cautionary Tale of 408 Tentacles
Science, April 13

One pet octopus suddenly became more than four dozen. They went viral. Then it all went south.

Su traje espacial, a su manera
En español, April 12

Lauren Sánchez se asoció con Monse para rediseñar los trajes del próximo vuelo de Blue Origin, que incluye a Katy Perry y Gayle King.

Their Space Suit, Their Way
Styles, April 12

Lauren Sánchez teamed up with Monse to redesign the Blue Origin flight suits with its all-female launch in mind.

There’s a Lot of History to Unpack for This Space Expert
Science, April 12

Jonathan McDowell is retiring from studying the universe. But he’s ramping up efforts to chronicle humanity’s exploration of space.

She Worked in a Harvard Lab to Reverse Aging, Until ICE Jailed Her
Science, April 11

President Trump’s immigration crackdown ensnared Kseniia Petrova, a scientist who fled Russia after protesting its invasion of Ukraine. She fears arrest if she is deported there.

Neutrinos Are Shrinking, and That’s a Good Thing for Physics
Science, April 10

A new estimate of the ghostly particle’s maximum possible mass brings physicists a tad closer to understanding the universe.

With a Jawbone, Scientists Expand the Ancient Range of a Mysterious Human Relative
Science, April 10

A bone discovered in Taiwan turns out to have belonged to a Denisovan, a lineage previously identified only thousands of miles away.

Launch of First Amazon Project Kuiper Internet Satellites Is Scrubbed
Science, April 9

The spacecraft are the online giant’s entry into beaming wireless service from space, but the company has much to do before it can compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

Xavier Le Pichon, Who Modeled Movement of Earth’s Crust, Dies at 87
Obits, April 9

With a computer rendering, he helped scientists understand that the earth, with its shifting tectonic plates, is “an extraordinary living being” that is “continuously changing.”

An Advance in Brain Research That Was Once Considered Impossible
Science, April 9

Scientists achieved “a milestone” by charting the activity and structure of 200,000 cells in a mouse brain and their 523 million connections.

Chinese Lunar Rocks Suggest a Thirsty Far Side of the Moon
Science, April 9

Using samples gathered from the Chang’e-6 mission, scientists found that the interior of the moon on the half we never see from Earth might be drier than the near side.

Lauren Sanchez, Sheryl Sandberg and the Death of Celebrity Feminism
Op Ed, April 9

A rocket trip can only go so far.

Let Yourself Rage With Poet Laureate Ada Limón
Podcasts, April 9

Limón has been on a mission to help Americans experience the full range of human emotion.

Trump’s NASA Nominee Questioned Over Moon Plans and Elon Musk
Science, April 9

Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur who has twice launched to orbit in a SpaceX vehicle, faced pointed questions from senators of both parties before the Senate on Wednesday.

The Skin on Mysterious Medieval Books Concealed a Shaggy Surprise
Science, April 8

The material on the covers of books from a French abbey was too hairy to have come from calves or other local mammals. Researchers identified its more distant origin.

Nuclear Testing Not Advised, Trump’s Nominee Says in Senate Hearing
Science, April 8

Brandon Williams, the nominee to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration, said he would recommend reliance on “scientific information” rather than a restart of explosive testing.

King K. Holmes, 87, Dies; Researcher Destigmatized Study of S.T.I.s
Obits, April 8

He took a down-to-earth approach to sexually transmitted infections, a subject no one wanted to discuss, arriving at novel methods of treatment and prevention.

Ideology May Not Be What You Think but How You’re Wired
Science, April 8

In her new book, “The Ideological Brain,” the neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod outlines what makes some people prone to rigid thinking.

Jeremiah Ostriker, Who Plumbed Dark Forces That Shape Universe, Dies at 87
Obits, April 7

There’s more to the universe than meets the eye, he found. His studies led astronomy to the dark side, changing our view of what’s out there.

Scientists Revive the Dire Wolf, or Something Close
Science, April 7

Dire wolves, made famous by “Game of Thrones,” went extinct some 13,000 years ago. Now, researchers have bred gray-wolf pups that carry genes of their ancient cousins.

The Pandemic Is Not the Only Reason U.S. Students Are Losing Ground
National, April 7

For years, the country’s lowest-scoring students were steadily improving on national tests. Starting around 2013, something changed.

Dave Pelz, Scientist Turned Golf Guru of the Short Game, Dies at 85
Obits, April 5

After working at NASA, he became an expert on putting and shots close to the green through his coaching, books, television appearances and training aids.

An Endangered Galápagos Tortoise Is a First-Time Mother at 100
Express, April 5

Mommy, a Western Santa Cruz tortoise, recently welcomed four hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she has lived since 1932.

Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes Four Endangered Tortoise Hatchlings
Video, April 4

Four endangered Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoises hatched at the Philadelphia Zoo.

SpaceX Astronauts Splash Down Off California Coast for the First Time
Science, April 4

After years of NASA and private crews returning to Earth near Florida, the company shifted its landing zone to the West Coast for the private Fram2 mission.

The Very Territorial Caterpillar
Science, April 4

As they cling to leaf tips, newborn warty birch caterpillars produce vibrations that can ward off invaders approaching their millimeter-size domain.

One Bird Nest, 30 Years of Human Trash
Interactive, April 3

A coot’s nest reveals that what humans throw away doesn’t really go away.

In the Calls of Bonobos, Scientists Hear Hints of Language
Science, April 3

Hundreds of hours of recordings suggest that the apes can generate meaning by stringing sounds together in pairs. But some scholars are skeptical.

Scientists Reveal the Hairy Truth About Giant Ground Sloths
Science, April 3

New research painted a more accurate picture of the megafauna that spread widely around the Americas before they went extinct.

Ralph Holloway, Anthropologist Who Studied Brain’s Evolution, Dies at 90
Obits, April 2

It wasn’t the size of human brains that distinguished people from apes, he theorized, but the way they were organized. He found a creative way to prove it.

A love letter to the Division of Violence Prevention
Interactive, April 2

Read the letter

This Tree Wants to Be Struck by Lightning
Science, April 1

Before a discovery in a Panamanian rainforest, “it seemed impossible that lightning could be a good thing for the trees,” a scientist said.

How the Myanmar Earthquake Shook Skyscrapers in Bangkok
Science, April 1

Large quakes produce shaking at a variety of frequencies. Some waves can travel hundreds of miles, and are amplified by local geological conditions.

SpaceX Puts Humans in Orbit Over Earth’s Poles for the First Time
Express, April 1

Chun Wang, a Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur, paid an undisclosed amount for the mission. Some satellites are already in polar orbit, and researchers called it a routine flight.

Astronauts Emphasize Gratitude as NASA Contends With Uncertainty
Science, March 31

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spoke in their first news conference since returning to Earth two weeks ago from an unexpectedly long I.S.S. stay that lasted more than nine months.

Eating ‘Family Style’ May Have Set the Stage for Life as We Know It
Science, March 31

Under microscopes, scientists found that giant single-cell organisms were able to vacuum up more food when they are stuck together.

Trump Administration Has Begun a War on Science, Researchers Say
Science, March 31

Nearly 2,000 scientists urged that Congress restore funding to federal agencies decimated by recent cuts.

A New Dinosaur Museum Rises From a Hole in the Ground in New Jersey
Science, March 31

The museum hopes that after learning about the planet’s prehistoric past, people will do more to preserve Earth’s future.

El eclipse solar parcial de 2025: cuándo, dónde y cómo verlo
En español, March 28

En algunas partes de Norteamérica, el acontecimiento comienza por la mañana temprano, alrededor del amanecer, y para cuando salga el Sol, este ya estará parcialmente eclipsado.

The 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse: When, Where and How to Watch
Science, March 28

If you’re on the East Coast, wake up early to try and catch the moon take a bite out of the sun on Saturday.

As Military Spending Soars, Demand for Spy-Proof Real Estate Booms
Business, March 28

Leasing for defense and aerospace start-ups is up as global tensions and conflicts buoy investments in manufacturing.

A Shark Breaks Its Silence With Some Clicking Sounds
Express, March 27

Researchers in New Zealand have made what they believe is the first recording of a shark actively making noise.

Farewell to Gaia, the Milky Way’s Cartographer
Science, March 27

After more than a decade of mapping the stars, the European spacecraft was shut down on Thursday. But its legacy lives on.

Auroras Are Spotted on Neptune for the First Time, and Lead to a New Mystery
Science, March 26

The James Webb Space Telescope identified the lights in the distant planet’s atmosphere, which could not be seen by earlier telescopes or spacecraft.

Abel Prize Awarded to Japanese Mathematician Who Abstracted Abstractions
Science, March 26

Masaki Kashiwara received the honor, often regarded as the Nobel Prize in mathematics, for work that combined different mathematical fields to solve challenging problems.

Covid Learning Losses
N Y T Now, February 11

We explain the ways students haven’t recovered.

American Children’s Reading Skills Reach New Lows
National, January 29

With little post-pandemic recovery, experts wonder if screen time and school absence are among the causes.

U.S. Students Posted Dire Math Declines on an International Test
National, December 4

On the test, American fourth and eighth graders posted results similar to scores from 1995. It was a sign of notable stagnation, even as other countries saw improvements.

Hoping for Allies Among Trump’s Health Picks, Pharma Faces Hostility
Science, November 27

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other candidates for top health posts are at odds with the drug industry, setting the stage for tense battles over regulatory changes.

The Education Crisis Neither Candidate Will Address
Op Ed, October 9

Covid learning loss and chronic absenteeism aren’t going to fix themselves

Fauci Grilled by Lawmakers on Masks, Vaccine Mandates and Lab Leak Theory
Science, June 3

Dr. Fauci testified before a House panel investigating Covid’s origins. The panel found emails suggesting that his aides were skirting public records laws.

Supernova or Coronavirus: Can You Tell the Difference?
Science, May 21

A scientist finds beauty in the “visual synonyms” that exist in images seen through microscopes and telescopes.

U.S. Tightens Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, May 7

A long-awaited new policy broadens the type of regulated viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxins, including those that could threaten crops and livestock.

Republicans Step Up Attacks on Scientist at Heart of Lab Leak Theory
Science, May 1

A heated hearing produced no new evidence that Peter Daszak or his nonprofit, EcoHealth Alliance, were implicated in the Covid outbreak.

Biotech Exec Gets 7 Years in Prison for False Claims About Rapid Covid-19 Test
Express, April 13

Prosecutors said Keith Berman falsely claimed he had invented a blood test that could detect Covid-19 in 15 seconds. His lawyer said he had put “genuine effort” into developing such a test.

¿Cuál es la siguiente fase del coronavirus?
En español, March 23

Los científicos que estudian la evolución continua del virus y las respuestas inmunitarias del organismo esperan evitar un rebrote y comprender mejor la covid prolongada.

What’s Next for the Coronavirus?
Science, March 22

Scientists studying the virus’s continuing evolution, and the body’s immune responses, hope to head off a resurgence and to better understand long Covid.

Where the Wild Things Went During the Pandemic
Science, March 18

A new study of camera-trap images complicates the idea that all wildlife thrived during the Covid lockdowns.

A Fern’s ‘Zombie’ Fronds Sprout Unusual Roots
Science, February 25

In the Panamanian rainforest, scientists found the first known plant species to transform decaying tissue into a new source of nutrients.

Before the Coronavirus Pandemic, Overlooked Clues From Chinese Scientists
Science, January 18

Newly released documents indicate that a U.S. genetic database had received the sequence of the coronavirus two weeks before it was made public by others.

Omicron, Now 2 Years Old, Is Not Done With Us Yet
Science, November 21

The dominant variant of the coronavirus has proved to be not only staggeringly infectious, but an evolutionary marvel.

Lab Leak Fight Casts Chill Over Virology Research
Science, October 16

Scientists doing “gain-of-function” research said that heightened fears of lab leaks are stalling studies that could thwart the next pandemic virus.

Inside a High-Security Virus Lab
Interactive, October 16

High-security labs, like this one at Penn State, are at the center of a debate over research that alters viruses to make them more dangerous.

The Nation’s Top-Performing Public School System
N Y T Now, October 10

Schools run by the Defense Department educate 66,000 children of civilian employees and service members.

We Can Fight Learning Loss Only With Accountability and Action
Op Ed, September 5

Let’s bring back an era of accountability.

U.S. Students’ Progress Stagnated Last School Year, Study Finds
National, July 11

Despite billions in federal aid, students are not making up ground in reading and math: “We are actually seeing evidence of backsliding.”

What the New, Low Test Scores for 13-Year-Olds Say About U.S. Education Now
National, June 21

The results are the federal government’s last major data release on the academic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wild Mammals Roamed When Covid Kept Humans Home
Science, June 8

Strict pandemic lockdowns may have allowed animals to range more widely and spend time closer to roads, a new study suggests.

Schools Received Billions in Stimulus Funds. It May Not Be Doing Enough.
Washington, June 5

Pandemic aid was supposed to help students recover from learning loss, but results have been mixed.

Many Women Have an Intense Fear of Childbirth, Survey Suggests
Science, May 16

Tokophobia, as it’s called, is not often studied in the United States. But a new survey finds that it may be very common, particularly among Black women and in disadvantaged communities.

We Could Easily Make Risky Virological Research Safer
Op Ed, May 10

Lab safety doesn’t need to torpedo scientific progress.

It’s Not Just Math and Reading: U.S. History Scores for 8th Graders Plunge
National, May 3

The latest test results continue a nearly decade-long decline. Try a sample quiz to test your knowledge.

Scientist Revisits Data on Raccoon Dogs and Covid, Stressing the Unknowns
Science, April 29

After analyzing genetic data swabbed from a Wuhan market in early 2020, a virologist said it was unclear if animals for sale there had been infected.

Can Africa Get Close to Vaccine Independence? Here’s What It Will Take.
Science, April 25

Leaders on the continent have vowed that if there is another pandemic, they won’t be shut out of the vaccine market.

China Publishes Data Showing Raccoon Dog DNA at Wuhan Market
Science, April 5

Scientists from the Chinese C.D.C. confirmed that DNA from raccoon dogs and other animals susceptible to the coronavirus was found at the market in early 2020.

Wuhan Market Samples Contained Covid and Animal Mixtures, Report Says
Science, March 21

In a much-anticipated study, experts described a swab that was positive for the coronavirus and contained loads of genetic material from raccoon dogs.

New Data Links Pandemic’s Origins to Raccoon Dogs at Wuhan Market
Science, March 17

Genetic samples from the market were recently uploaded to an international database and then removed after scientists asked China about them.

Biden Proposal Would Ban Online Prescribing of Certain Drugs
Science, February 25

Some medications, like Ritalin and Vicodin, would require an in-person doctor’s visit under the new rules, a reaction to the pandemic-era rise of telemedicine.

After Long Delay, Moderna Pays N.I.H. for Covid Vaccine Technique
Science, February 23

Moderna has paid $400 million to the government for a chemical technique key to its vaccine. But the parties are still locked in a high-stakes dispute over a different patent.

She Helped Unlock the Science of the Covid Vaccine
Science, February 9

Kizzmekia Corbett helped lead a team of scientists contributing to one of the most stunning achievements in the history of immunizations: a highly effective, easily manufactured vaccine against Covid-19.

When Animals Are Used in Research
Letters, January 31

Readers discuss experimentation on lab animals. Also: Racism in America; preparing for the next pandemic; maternal deaths; Amazon’s donations.

Expert Panel Votes for Stricter Rules on Risky Virus Research
Science, January 27

The White House will decide whether to adopt the panel’s recommendations on so-called gain of function experiments.

N.I.H. Did Not Properly Track a Group Studying Coronaviruses, Report Finds
Science, January 26

An internal federal watchdog said that the health agency had not given adequate oversight to EcoHealth Alliance, which had been awarded $8 million in grants.

Health Experts Warily Eye XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Subvariant
Science, January 7

A young version of the coronavirus makes up one-quarter of Covid cases across the United States and over 70 percent of new cases in the Northeast.

Your Tuesday Briefing: China’s Space Push
N Y T Now, December 12

Plus China’s vaccination pivot and the year’s most stylish “people.”

Your Monday Briefing: The World Cup Semifinals Loom
N Y T Now, December 11

Plus, China’s sluggish economy and the arrest of the Lockerbie bombing suspect.

Ómicron cumple un año. Así ha evolucionado
en Español, November 29

Al cumplirse el aniversario del descubrimiento de la variante, los expertos en virología siguen intentando ponerse al día con la rápida transformación de ómicron.

Happy Birthday, Omicron
Science, November 26

One year after the variant’s discovery, virologists are still scrambling to keep up with Omicron’s rapid evolution.

The Pandemic Generation Goes to College. It Has Not Been Easy.
National, November 1

Students missed a lot of high school instruction. Now many are behind, especially in math, and getting that degree could be harder.

Pandemic Learning Loss Is Not an Emergency
Op Ed, October 29

In a vacuum, test score declines look like bad news. But none of this happened in a vacuum.

G.O.P. Senator’s Report on Covid Origins Suggests Lab Leak, but Offers Little New Evidence
Science, October 27

The report, signed by Senator Richard Burr, foreshadows a new wave of political wrangling over Covid’s origins if Republicans gain control of the House or Senate.

Math Scores Fell in Nearly Every State, and Reading Dipped on National Exam
National, October 24

The results, from what is known as the nation’s report card, offer the most definitive picture yet of the pandemic’s devastating impact on students.

Lab Manipulations of Covid Virus Fall Under Murky Government Rules
Science, October 22

Mouse experiments at Boston University have spotlighted an ambiguous U.S. policy for research on potentially dangerous pathogens.

How One School Is Beating the Odds in Math, the Pandemic’s Hardest-Hit Subject
National, October 15

Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Connecticut overhauled the way it taught — and the way it ran the classroom. Every minute counted.

Russia’s New Onslaught Against Ukraine
Letters, October 10

Readers respond to the latest Russian attacks in Ukraine. Also: The wonders of math; pandemic spending; Republicans and crime.

¿Quién tenía la culpa de que los alumnos de la Universidad de Nueva York estuvieran reprobando química orgánica?
en Español, October 5

Maitland Jones, un profesor respetado, defendió sus estándares. Pero los estudiantes hicieron un reclamo y la universidad lo despidió.

At N.Y.U., Students Were Failing Organic Chemistry. Who Was to Blame?
National, October 3

Maitland Jones Jr., a respected professor, defended his standards. But students started a petition, and the university dismissed him.

N.Y.C. Children Held Ground in Reading, but Lagged in Math, Tests Show
Metro, September 28

The first standardized test results that capture how most city schoolchildren did during the pandemic offered a mixed picture.

¿La variante ómicron llegó para quedarse?
en Español, September 27

La decimotercera variante con nombre del coronavirus parece tener una capacidad sorprendente para evolucionar con nuevas particularidades.

Why Omicron Might Stick Around
Science, September 22

Omicron, the 13th named variant of the coronavirus, seems to have a remarkable capacity to evolve new tricks.

The Quiet Cost of Family Caregiving
Science, September 4

Many employees reduce their hours or stop working to help ailing family members. But it may be years before they fully return to the work force, studies indicate.

The Pandemic Erased Two Decades of Progress in Math and Reading
National, September 1

The results of a national test showed just how devastating the last two years have been for 9-year-old schoolchildren, especially the most vulnerable.

How Bad Is the Teacher Shortage? Depends Where You Live.
National, August 29

Urgently needed: teachers in struggling districts, certified in math or special education. Perks: maybe a pay raise, or how about a four-day week?

Wastewater Disease Tracking: A Photographic Journey From the Sewer to the Lab
Interactive, August 17

Here’s how a scrappy team of scientists, public health experts and plumbers is embracing wastewater surveillance as the future of disease tracking.

El viaje evolutivo de la COVID-19 ha sido funesto e impresionante
en Español, August 11

El coronavirus, como muchos otros virus, evoluciona deprisa. ¿Los seres humanos y su ingenio podrían adaptarse más rápido a él?

We Are Still in a Race Against the Coronavirus
Op Ed, August 10

Human ingenuity must keep up with the coronavirus.

Combined nasal and throat testing swabs would detect more Omicron infections, two papers suggest.
Science, July 22

The papers, which have not yet been published in scientific journals, suggest that testing just a single type of sample is likely to miss a large share of infections.

Students Are Learning Well Again. But Full Recovery? That’s a Long Way Off.
National, July 19

A new report estimates that it may take students at least three to five years to recover from the pandemic. Federal relief money will most likely have run out by then.

Did Nature Heal During the Pandemic ‘Anthropause’?
Science, July 16

Covid precautions created a global slowdown in human activity — and an opportunity to learn more about the complex ways we affect other species.

Bat Virus Studies Raise Questions About Laboratory Tinkering
Science, July 15

Working in a laboratory in Paris, scientists gave a close relative of the Covid virus the chance to evolve to be more like its cousin.

The pandemic kept many children less active around the world, researchers find.
Express, July 11

Pandemic shutdowns and restrictions led to a 20 percent drop in average daily physical activity among children and adolescents, a new analysis shows.

The U.S. government will buy 3.2 million doses of Novavax’s Covid vaccine.
Science, July 11

The vaccine has not yet been authorized but is expected to be soon.

Think All Viruses Get Milder With Time? Not This Rabbit-Killer.
Science, June 20

The myxoma virus, fatal to millions of Australian rabbits, is a textbook example of the unexpected twists in the evolution of viruses and their hosts.

Unexplained hepatitis is not more common in U.S. children than before the pandemic, a C.D.C. study suggests.
Science, June 14

Officials have also been trying to determine whether the cases represent a new phenomenon or are simply a new recognition of one that has long existed; there have always been a subset of pediatric hepatitis cases with no clear cause.

Mysteries Linger About Covid’s Origins, W.H.O. Report Says
Science, June 9

“The lack of political cooperation from China continues to stifle any meaningful progress,” one expert said.

Reckoning With a Pandemic, as a Doctor and a Human
Book Review, June 8

In his essay collection “Virology,” Joseph Osmundson examines the myriad ways we coexist with viruses.

Two new versions of Omicron are gaining ground in the U.S., according to C.D.C. estimates.
Science, June 8

The spread of the subvariants adds more uncertainty to the trajectory of the pandemic in the United States.

He Helped Cure the ‘London Patient’ of H.I.V. Then He Turned to Covid.
Special Sections, June 6

Ravindra Gupta, who led the efforts that resulted in the second case of a patient being cured of H.I.V., was drawn into pandemic research.

In Florida, Social-Emotional Learning + Math = Rejection
Letters, May 2

Readers discuss the Florida Department of Education’s objections to some of the topics in math textbooks. Also: The Ukraine war; mask mandates.