What’s Next in the Search for COVID’s Origins
A World Health Organization report makes a reasonable start, scientists say, but there are many questions yet to be answered
Stories by Smriti Mallapaty
Asteroid Dust Recovered from Japan’s Daring Hayabusa2 Mission
Scientists hope the dark grains from asteroid Ryugu will improve their understanding of the solar system’s formation
China Set to Retrieve First Moon Rocks in 40 Years
Chang’e-5 has just one lunar day to collect material from a previously unexplored region of the moon’s near side
Why COVID Outbreaks Could Worsen This Winter
It’s too soon to say whether COVID is seasonal like the flu—but where clusters aren’t under control, infections will continue to swell
Coronavirus Vaccine U.K. Trial Restarts, but Scientists Question Lack of Transparency
U.K. trials of the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine have resumed after a brief pause, yet key details of the events have not been released
Scientists React to Halt of Leading Coronavirus Vaccine Trial
Scientists urge caution in the global vaccine race as AstraZeneca reports an “adverse event” in a person who received the University of Oxford vaccine
‘Mini Organs’ Reveal How the Coronavirus Ravages the Body
The virus can damage lung, liver and kidney tissue grown in the lab, which might explain severe COVID-19 complications
Dogs Caught Coronavirus From Their Owners, Genetic Analysis Suggests
There is no evidence that dogs can pass the virus to people, however
How Do Children Spread the Coronavirus? The Science Still Isn’t Clear
Researchers are still trying to understand what the deal is with kids and COVID-19
Antibody Tests for the Coronavirus May Not Change Everything
Touted as society’s way out of widespread lockdowns, scientists say the true potential of these rapidly developed tests is still unknown
How Sewage Could Reveal True Scale of Coronavirus Outbreak
Wastewater testing could also be used as an early-warning sign if the virus returns
Cats Can Get Coronavirus, Study Suggests—but Pet Owners Need Not Panic
Scientists say it is unclear whether felines can spread the virus to people
Engineering a Biomedical Revolution in China
A permissive regulatory climate and a pragmatic approach have fostered soaring growth
11 Rising Stars of Science
These newcomers are making their mark in research across a variety of fields
African Scientists Launch Their Own Preprint
The free, online outlet allows academics on the continent to share their work
Farmers in Nepal Use Urine to Boost Crop Yields
New toilets allow villagers to collect urine to use as fertilizer
