The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Make it Quicker and Easier to Trial Drugs
Remote clinical trials and other changes could permanently alter pharmaceutical development
Stories by Heidi Ledford
CRISPR Gene Editing in Human Embryos Wreaks Chromosome Mayhem
Three studies showing large DNA deletions and reshuffling heighten safety concerns about heritable genome editing
Coronavirus Drug Remdesivir Shortens Recovery, But Is Not a Magic Bullet
Despite conflicting data, the highly anticipated results will make the treatment a standard of care in the United States
Chloroquine Hype Is Derailing the Search for Coronavirus Treatments
With politicians touting the potential benefits of malaria drugs to fight COVID-19, some people are turning away from clinical trials of other therapies
Quest to Use CRISPR against Disease Gains Ground
As the first clinical trial results trickle in, researchers look ahead to more sophisticated medical applications for genome editing
CRISPR Treatment Inserted Directly into the Body for the First Time
The experiment tests a gene-editing therapy for a hereditary blindness disorder
Why U.S. Officials Investigating Mysterious Vaping Deaths Are Focusing on Flavorings
As lung injuries among e-cigarette users mount amid a youth vaping epidemic, the impact of new restrictions remains unclear
Cancer Cells Have “Unsettling” Ability to Hijack the Brain’s Nerves
The startling discovery could open up avenues for treating some aggressive tumors
The Human Body Is a Mosaic of Different Genomes
Survey finds that “normal” human tissues are riddled with mutations
A Question of Control
Clinical-trial participants and their carers are gaining influence over how experiments are run. As they take to social media, that could make things messy for the science
Experimental Gene Therapy Frees “Bubble-boy” Babies from a Life of Isolation
Treatment restores immune-system function in young children with severe disorder
Trump Seeks Big Cuts to Science Funding—Again
The president wants to cut spending at the National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency, but it is not clear whether Congress will go along
Gene-Silencing Technology Gets First Drug Approval after 20-Year Wait
The U.S. FDA decision comes after fits and stops for RNA-interference therapies
Debate Blooms over Anatomy of the World's First Flower
Some researchers say statistical prediction of the ancestral blossom yielded an unlikely structure
The Lost Art of Looking at Plants
Advances in genomics and imaging are reviving a fading discipline
Gut Microbes Can Shape Responses to Cancer Immunotherapy
Studies find that species diversity and antibiotics influence cutting-edge treatments
Lights, Cameras, CRISPR: Biologists Use Gene Editing to Store Movies in DNA
Technique demonstrated in E. coli suggests way to record events
Massive Database of 182,000 Leaves Is Helping Predict Plant Family Trees
The technique could be used on everything from flowers to cells to examine the factors that influence the shapes of plant parts
Overlooked Water Loss in Plants Could Throw Off Climate Models
Errors could cause researchers to overestimate the rate of photosynthesis when water is scarce
Ancient Oak’s Youthful Genome Surprises Biologists
DNA of a 234-year-old tree has few mutations, giving weight to idea that plants protect their stem cells
