Public Health
WHO Declares the Coronavirus Outbreak a Pandemic
The virus will likely spread to all countries on the globe, but actions can still limit its impact
Stories by Andrew Joseph
Public Health
Disease Caused by the Novel Coronavirus Officially Has a Name: COVID-19
The World Health Organization chose the name based on the type of virus and the year the first cases were seen
Public Health
U.S. to Quarantine 195 Americans Evacuated from Wuhan
CDC officials raised the possibility that the coronavirus could become a pandemic, but hoped it would not be
Public Health
Study Reports First Case of Coronavirus Spread by Asymptomatic Person
A woman from China infected a person in Germany before she began displaying symptoms
Public Health
WHO Declares Coronavirus Outbreak a Global Health Emergency
The declaration was made because of the risk the virus poses to countries outside China, where limited person-to-person spread has occurred
Public Health
WHO Declines to Declare Coronavirus Outbreak a Global Health Emergency
The agency’s director-general said it is an emergency in China, but not yet globally
Medicine
CRISPR Babies Scientist Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
A Chinese Court jailed He Jiankui for an “illegal medical practice” in editing embryos’ DNA
Medicine
New Alzheimer’s Therapy Approved in China, Delivering a Surprise but Raising Questions
The drug targets the connection between the brain and the microbiome
Biology
What a Koala Virus Tells Us about the Human Genome
A study illuminates how genes defend against viral invasions
Public Health
Vaping-Related Lung Injuries Resemble Chemical Burns
A study of 17 patients with the mysterious illnesses revealed inflammation suggestive of inhaled toxic substances
Policy & Ethics
Congress Revives Ban on Altering the DNA of Human Embryos Used for Pregnancies
Some scientists had called for lifting the ban to allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the new technologies
Medicine
Doctors Prescribe Fewer Opioids after Learning of Patient Deaths
Clinicians were contacted about fatal overdoses
Public Health
1 in 7 Babies Exposed to Zika in the Womb Have Health Problems
Some of the children looked healthy at birth
Medicine
FDA Approves Country’s First Marijuana-Based Medicine
The drug will treat two rare forms of epilepsy
Biotech
Gut Sensor Could Monitor Health—and Beam Results to a Smartphone
The swallowable device looks promising in pigs
Policy & Ethics
After Controversy over Industry Funding, NIH Halts Enrollment in Moderate Drinking Study
The agency is investigating how money for the study was raised and whether it is still worth pursuing
Neurological Health
Possible Autism Biomarker Found in Monkeys
Low levels of vasopressin linked to social behavior differences
Medicine
Panel Recommends FDA Approval of Epilepsy Drug Derived from Marijuana
Decision paves path to the U.S.'s first medication made from marijuana
Public Health
Surgeon General Urges Public to Carry Overdose-Reversal Medication
The rare public health advisory is aimed at saving opioid users
Policy & Ethics
Columbia’s Dismissal of Prominent Neuroscientist Prompts Demand for Answers
An online petition calls for transparency about the removal of neuroscientist Thomas Jessell
