The New Siberians
As heat waves induced by climate change roil the Arctic Circle, Siberians are articulating a distinct identity.
Herd Immunity Won’t Solve Our COVID-19 Problem
Without a vaccine, the only route to "herd immunity" to SARS-CoV-2 is through infection.
A Deadly Virus is Lurking in East Coast Mosquitoes
Eastern Equine Encephalitis may be brewing in the bog near you. Should you worry?
Plant of the Month: The Dragon Tree
Dragon's blood is all the rage now, but where does the scarlet resin come from?
Will the Saharan Dust Cloud Damage Our Lungs?
The airborne particles carry microbes and fungi, and can react with human lung tissue.
The Great Grape Graft That Saved the Wine Industry
Grape varieties from North America seemed harmless to French winemakers. But destructive bugs were imported with the plants.
How Children Took the Smallpox Vaccine around the World
In 1803, nearly two dozen orphan boys endured long voyages and physical discomfort to transport the smallpox vaccine to Spain's colonies.
What Happens to All That Used PPE?
Gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment have kept us safe during the pandemic. Now they're washing up on beaches around the world.
Blaming People for Getting Sick Has a Long History
Four major theories of disease transmission dominated scientific discourse in the nineteenth century. As one scholar writes, all were political.