T/science

Bat Cave Footage Offers Clues to How Viruses Leap Between Species
Science, Yesterday

Video from a national park in Uganda depicted a parade of predatory species feeding on and dispersing fruit bats that are known natural reservoirs of infectious diseases.

To Protest Budget Cuts, Young Scientists Try Letters to the Editor
Science, Yesterday

Hundreds of graduate students are writing to their hometown newspapers to defend their research, as the Trump administration drastically reduces science funding.

Sotheby’s to Auction a Ceratosaurus, With Millions and More on the Line
Science, Yesterday

The 150-million-year-old specimen is valued at up to $6 million. Some paleontologists worry this auction and earlier ones are driving fossil market speculators.

What the Golden Ratio Says About Your Bellybutton
Interactive, Yesterday

The secret beauty in apples, stars and the center of you.

Radiation Risk From Israel’s Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites Is Low, for Now
Science, June 13

The radiological threat from the targets of the earliest attacks are relatively minor.

Traveling the Cosmos With Carter Emmart, One Last Time
Science, June 13

For nearly three decades he has created mesmerizing planetarium shows at the American Museum of Natural History. But other galaxies await.

Amanda Feilding, Eccentric Countess Who Backed Psychedelic Meds, Dies at 82
Science, June 12

She was ridiculed for drilling a hole in her skull to increase blood flow, but her foundation’s research into the therapeutic use of counterculture drugs proved visionary.

Shining a Light on the World of Tiny Proteins
Science, June 12

From viruses to humans, life makes microproteins that have evaded discovery until now.

Russian Scientist Released After Four Months in Federal Custody
Science, June 12

Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard researcher, still faces criminal charges for failing to declare scientific samples she was carrying in her suitcase.

People Can Be Identified by Breathing Patterns Alone, Scientists Find
Science, June 12

Every breath you take, they really may be watching you.

Google and U.S. Experts Join on A.I. Hurricane Forecasts
Science, June 12

The National Hurricane Center will experiment with the company’s DeepMind program to enhance the work of its expert meteorologists.

Early Humans Settled in Cities. Bedbugs Followed Them.
Science, June 12

A new study suggests that bedbugs were the first urban pest, and their population thrived in that environment. For the bloodsucking insects, it’s been the perfect 13,000-year-long marriage.

Una ‘Luna de fresa’ casi llena volverá a brillar el miércoles por la noche
En español, June 11

Este verano, el color rojizo de la Luna será especialmente pronunciado porque el satélite natural está en la posición más baja que alcanzará en unos 19 años.

A Near-Full ‘Strawberry Moon’ Will Shine Again on Wednesday Night
Science, June 11

June’s full moon, known as a “strawberry moon,” may appear reddish because of its low position on the Southern Horizon.

Las primeras imágenes del polo sur del Sol llegan a la Tierra
En español, June 11

Las imágenes del Solar Orbiter de la Agencia Espacial Europea revelan un magnetismo solar caótico en la región polar del Sol. Se esperan imágenes aún mejores en los próximos años.

This Elusive Antarctic Squid Was Seen for the First Time
Science, June 11

An expedition in the Southern Ocean captured video of a rare species of deep-sea cephalopod. Until now, it had been found only in fishing nets and in the bellies of seabirds.

First-Ever Images of Sun’s South Pole Released by European Mission
Science, June 11

Visuals from the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter reveal chaotic solar magnetism in the solar polar region. Even better images are expected in the years ahead.

Niede Guidon, 92, Archaeologist Who Preserved Prehistoric Rock Art, Dies
Science, June 10

Her work in Brazil challenged the prevailing theory of when humans first arrived in the Americas and led to the development of a forgotten corner of the country.

Don’t Overlook the Reality of Elon Musk’s Contracts and Their Importance to the U.S.
Opinion, June 9

One part of Musk and Trump’s public breakup should not get lost: the reality of Musk’s importance to American national security.

First Fossil Proof Found That Long-Necked Dinosaurs Were Vegetarians
Science, June 9

“It’s the smoking gun, or the steaming guts,” said a paleontologist from a team that also found that the sauropods didn’t chew their food.

Where Pi Equals 4 and Circles Aren’t Round
Interactive, June 9

In the world of taxicab geometry, even the Pythagorean theorem takes a back seat.

A Day With One Abortion Pill Prescriber
Science, June 9

A nurse practitioner spoke on the phone with patients in states with abortion bans, assessed their medical eligibility and sent pills. She took some unconventional steps to protect their privacy.

Farming Was Extensive in Ancient North America, Study Finds
Science, June 7

A millenniums-old settlement in Michigan has archaeologists rethinking the rise of agriculture on the continent.

Preludio de un colapso: así se derrumbó la alianza entre Trump y Musk
En español, June 7

La decisión del presidente Trump de retirar a un estrecho colaborador de Elon Musk de la candidatura para dirigir la NASA contribuyó a condenar una extraordinaria alianza.

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue
U.S., June 6

The president could tighten federal oversight of the tech titan’s businesses, even if heavy reliance by the Pentagon and NASA on them makes terminating Mr. Musk’s contracts less feasible.

Buildup to a Meltdown: How the Trump-Musk Alliance Collapsed
U.S., June 6

President Trump’s decision to pull a close associate of Elon Musk’s out of the running to lead NASA helped doom an extraordinary partnership.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump Are Splitsville, Until They Aren’t
Technology, June 6

For all the insults that Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump traded on Thursday, don’t be surprised if they make up again days from now. In the meantime, they both benefit.

Worried the World Is Falling Apart? That’s OK. It’s Happened Before.
Books, June 6

In “The Once and Future World Order,” by Amitav Acharya, and “The Golden Road,” by William Dalrymple, our best hope might be that history repeats itself.

The Humanist Who Designed a Deadly Weapon
Times Insider, June 6

For decades, Richard Garwin fought the apocalyptic bomb he had brought to life.

NASA and the Defense Department Rely on SpaceX in So Many Ways
Science, June 6

If President Trump cancels the contracts for Elon Musk’s private spaceflight company, the federal government would struggle to achieve many goals in orbit and beyond.

Marc Garneau, First Canadian in Space, Dies at 76
World, June 5

His career took flight with a newspaper ad in Ottawa — the same city where he would later help steer the country under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

How to Watch a Japanese Company Try to Land on the Moon’s Surface
Science, June 5

Ispace crashed on the moon in 2023. Its second spacecraft, Resilience, aims in the hours ahead to succeed where its predecessor failed.

Kennedy Says ‘Charlatans’ Are No Reason to Block Unproven Stem Cell Treatments
Health, June 5

The U.S. health secretary said people should have access to experimental therapies including unregulated uses of stem cells. But some methods have resulted in blindness, tumors and other injuries.

A How-To for the Self-Sacrificing Samurai, Now in English
Science, June 5

A gory set of manuals, one dating to the 17th century, advised Japanese warriors in the secret ways of seppuku.

Do You See Craters or Bumps on the Moon’s Surface?
Interactive, June 4

A picture taken recently by a Japanese company’s spacecraft shows how your interpretation of objective reality can be tested by the power of illusion.

Frank Graham Jr., Nature Writer Who Updated ‘Silent Spring,’ Dies at 100
Science, June 4

He worked for the Brooklyn Dodgers and wrote about sports but mostly focused on conservation, publishing a sequel to Rachel Carson’s exposé on the dangers of pesticides.

Ancient Trees, Dwindling in the Wild, Thrive on Sacred Ground
Science, June 4

Buddhist temples in China are home to trees from dozens of endangered species, a new study shows. Some of them are almost 2,000 years old.

Clever Cockatoos Have Figured Out How to Drink From Water Fountains
Science, June 3

They had also learned how to flip open garbage lids in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Scientists wonder what they’ll work out next.

Sharp Hike in Nuclear Arms Budget Sought as Science Funding Is Slashed
Science, June 3

The Trump administration asked Congress for roughly $11 billion more in annual spending for the federal agency that oversees nuclear weapon activities.

What Secrets Lie in a Particle’s Wobble? Physicists Still Can’t Say.
Science, June 3

The deviant behavior of a tiny particle called the muon might point to undiscovered forms of matter and energy in the universe. Or it might not.

What Happened to the Northern Lights?
U.S., June 2

A geomagnetic storm that was forecast to produce streaks of colorful light across much of the country was weaker than expected.

A.I. Is Coming for the Coders Who Made It
Opinion, June 2

A.I.’s takeover of jobs may come first for computer science.

Scientific Discoveries, and Dreams, in the Balance
Science, June 2

Research breakthroughs are often sagas of passion, curiosity and sacrifice. If Trump’s proposed budget cuts for 2026 are enacted, many such journeys may never get started.

Trump Is Said to Have Known About NASA Nominee’s Donations Before Picking Him
U.S., June 1

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Jared Isaacman, an ally of Elon Musk, because of donations he had made to Democrats. But people with knowledge of the events say Mr. Isaacman had disclosed the contributions.

Trump to Withdraw Musk’s Ally as Nominee for Top NASA Job
U.S., May 31

Jared Isaacman was a close associate of Elon Musk, whose SpaceX company has multiple contracts with NASA.

The Gem of a Town in North Carolina That Powers the World’s Tech
U.S., May 31

Residents have a saying in Spruce Pine, that a piece of their home is in tech across the globe. But could geopolitical tensions hurt their mining tradition, and their lucrative quartz business?

George E. Smith, Nobel Winner Who Created a Digital Eye, Dies at 95
Science, May 30

Together with Willard S. Boyle, he invented an imaging device that is an essential part of nearly every telescope, photocopier and digital camera used today.

Robert Jarvik, 79, Dies; a Designer of the First Permanent Artificial Heart
Science, May 29

He worked with a team at the University of Utah to create a mechanical heart. It was later used in patients awaiting an organ transplant.

Scientists Say They’ve Found a Dwarf Planet Very Far From the Sun
Science, May 29

The small world was found during a search for the hypothetical Planet Nine, and astronomers say the next time it will reach its closest point to the sun is in the year 26186.

Judge Says Government Should Release Russian Scientist
Science, May 28

The judge ordered ICE to release Kseniia Petrova, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, who also faces criminal charges.

Your Cat May or May Not Love You, but It Knows Your Scent
Science, May 28

Scientists found a way to get 30 kitties to cooperate with a study exploring the power of the feline scent of smell.

El cohete de SpaceX vuelve a fallar en su noveno vuelo
En español, May 28

El gigantesco cohete Starship de Elon Musk se jugaba mucho en el noveno vuelo, luego de los fracasos en los vuelos de enero y marzo, que alteraron el transporte aéreo.

China to Launch Mission to Capture Pieces of an Unusual Asteroid
Science, May 28

The robotic Tianwen-2 spacecraft will collect samples from Kamoʻoalewa, which some scientists suspect is a fragment of the moon.

A Fungus Devastated North American Bats. A New Species Could Deliver a Killer Blow.
Science, May 28

Scientists have learned that another species of fungus found in Europe and Asia causes white-nose disease, which has ravaged bat populations in the United States and Canada.

Manhattanhenge Is Back for 2025: When, Where and How to Watch
Science, May 28

It is time once again to head to your nearest crosstown view for New York City’s best annual sunsets, if the weather cooperates.

SpaceX to Try Starship Test Launch After 2 Explosive Failures
Science, May 27

Much is riding on Flight 9 for Elon Musk’s giant moon and Mars rocket after debris from January and March flights fell into the Atlantic Ocean, disrupting air travel.

What Sonic Detectives Listen for When Rockets Launch
Science, May 26

Physicists who record rocket launches and landings, most often by SpaceX, are learning important facts about the acoustics of spaceflight.

In the U.S., Archaeology Stares Down an Uncertain Future
Science, May 26

Federal layoffs and grant terminations threaten efforts to understand and preserve the nation’s past. “We are getting cut off at the knees,” said one archaeologist.

These Plants Protect Larvae From Wildfires
Science, May 25

Growths on plants formed by parasitic weevils help their offspring hunker down on a Brazilian savanna and outlast the flames.

Nuevos estudios descartan indicios de vida en un planeta lejano
En español, May 24

En abril, los astrónomos dijeron que habían detectado una posible señal de vida en el exoplaneta K2-18b. Ahora, tres análisis independientes descartan las pruebas.

Historic Shipwrecks Come to Light in the Great Lakes
Science, May 23

With an underwater drone named Rhody, archaeologists are mapping some of the dozens of sunken vessels in Lake Ontario.

New Studies Dismiss Signs of Life on Distant Planet
Science, May 23

In April, astronomers said they had detected a possible signature of life on the exoplanet K2-18b. Now, three independent analyses discount the evidence.

Funding Cuts Are a ‘Gut Punch’ for STEM Education Researchers
Science, May 22

More than half of the National Science Foundation grants terminated since April fund programs that would help students train in science, engineering and math.

El científico que protegió al mundo de su creación
En español, May 22

El papel de Richard Garwin en el diseño de la bomba de hidrógeno se ocultó al público, incluso a su familia, mientras asesoraba a presidentes y dedicaba su vida a deshacer el peligro que había creado.

Did Soccer Originate in Scotland? New Claim Draws Jeers in England.
Science, May 21

The discovery of a 17th-century “foot-ball” pitch in Scotland would relocate the birthplace of the modern game.

Humpback Whales May Not See Their Most Dangerous Threats
Science, May 20

These gentle giants have poor eyesight and may not be able to see fishnets and boats with which they have fatal encounters.

This Was Odd: These Monkeys Kidnapped Babies From Another Species.
Science, May 19

Male capuchin monkeys on a Panamanian island were documented carrying around infant howler monkeys for no clearly discernible reason.

A Scientist Fighting Nuclear Armageddon Hid a 50-Year Secret
Science, May 19

Richard Garwin’s role in designing the hydrogen bomb was obscured from the public, even his family, as he advised presidents and devoted his life to undoing the danger he created.

F.D.A. Approves Novavax Covid Vaccine With Stricter New Conditions
Science, May 17

The agency narrowed who can get the shot and added new study requirements that could cost the company tens of millions.

Genetic Study Retraces the Origins of Coronaviruses in Bats
Science, May 7

As China and the United States trade charges of a lab leak, researchers contend in a new paper that the Covid pandemic got its start, like a previous one, in the wildlife trade.

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.

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.