Science

A mask is still an important protective measure for both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated. A new study looks at the best ways to encourage folks to mask up.

A Study In Bangladesh Tripled The Rate Of Mask-Wearing. Can It Help In The U.S.?

4:24pm August 13, 2021

by Adela Wu

Researchers looked at the impact of free masks, text reminders and celebrity endorsements. It's unclear if the best strategies will help counter anti-mask sentiment in the U.S. during the delta surge.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks holding his facemask during a press conference to address the rise of coronavirus cases in the state, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, on July 13, 2020.

Florida Gov. DeSantis Expands Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Amid COVID-19 Spike

2:09pm August 13, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

Monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat people with mild to moderate COVID-19, but the treatment doesn't work for those who've already developed more severe symptoms or are hospitalized.

A sample specimen of a dead Asian giant hornet, also known as a "murder hornet," from July 2020 in Bellingham, Wash.

1st Live Asian Giant 'Murder Hornet' Of 2021 Spotted In Washington State

12:26pm August 13, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Entomologists confirm the report of the world's largest hornet — a worrisome invasive species that originates from East Asia and Japan — by a person in a rural area near the Canadian border.

Detainees walk with their hands clasped behind their backs along a line painted on a walkway inside the Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, La.

COVID Cases Are Rising In ICE Facilities, Putting Detainees And The Public At Risk

9:18am August 13, 2021

by Shalina Chatlani

"Many people had coronavirus," says asylum seeker Raudel, adding there's little social distancing or mask wearing, and sick and healthy people are mixed. ICE denies this but cases doubled since June.

This image of Bennu, taken from a range of 15 miles, shows its unexpectedly rough and rocky surface.

Science

Got Plans For Sept. 24, 2182? This Big Asteroid Might, Too

6:08pm August 11, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A NASA mission to a potentially dangerous asteroid has let researchers map out its future trajectory like never before.

With the delta variant surging, "All people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future" should get vaccinated against COVID-19, the CDC urges.

Vaccinating During Pregnancy Has Become Even More Urgent As ICU Beds Fill Up

5:27pm August 11, 2021

by Ashley Lopez

Only 23% of those pregnant in the U.S. have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, statistics show. And with the delta variant surging, those who are unvaccinated are especially vulnerable.

The number of people that one sick person will infect (on average) is called R0. Here are the maximum R0 values for a few viruses.

The Delta Variant Isn't As Contagious As Chickenpox. But It's Still Highly Contagious

4:21pm August 11, 2021

by Michaeleen Doucleff

A leaked CDC document compared it to the highly contagious children's disease. Data does not support this claim. Nonetheless, the variant is one of the world's most contagious respiratory diseases.

Climate Report Co-Author: 'The Pile Of Evidence Is Now Enormous'

4:40pm August 10, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Kim Cobb, one of the lead authors of the U.N.'s new landmark climate report, about the urgency of acting to lower emissions and how oceans are impacted by climate change.

Scientists May Have Found A Marker Of How Effective COVID-19 Vaccines Are

4:40pm August 10, 2021

by Joe Palca

Scientists have been looking for some kind of marker in the blood that could be used to predict whether a COVID-19 vaccine is working or not — now, they think they have one.

3 Things To Know About What Scientists Say About Our Future Climate

12:53pm August 10, 2021

The latest report from climate scientists provides a stark warning about how fast the planet is changing. Here are the top takeaways.