Stories by Sara Reardon

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in older adults and young children—vaccinations are an effective way to reduce illness

Wiring diagram lays out connections between nearly 140,000 neurons and reveals new types of nerve cell

The FDA recently approved three sickle cell drugs, and dozens more are in development

Infectious disease specialists explain whether vaccines will curb the mpox outbreak that was recently declared a global health emergency

Mysterious nerve structures called Krause corpuscles respond to specific low-frequency vibrations, scientists finally confirm

The drug donanemab slows progression of symptoms in people with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but questions linger about the durability of its effect

Scientific advisers vote overwhelmingly that the risks of MDMA treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder outweigh the benefits

The bioengineered immune players called CAR T cells last longer and work better if pumped up with a large dose of a protein that makes them resemble stem cells

The FDA recently approved semaglutide (Wegovy) for preventing serious heart conditions in some people, but questions remain about how it works

A genetically modified pig liver successfully filtered the blood of a human who had completely lost brain activity and did so for three days. The achievement offers a potential temporary treatment for people with acute liver failure

A huge cache of ancient genomes spanning tens of thousands of years reveals the roots of traits in modern Europeans

Experts hope a recent FDA approval for the first commercial at-home test for sexually transmitted diseases may help increase access to testing and curb rising rates

Most people with sickle cell disease who received a new gene editing treatment saw their pain resolve for at least one year, but longer follow up is needed

The active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes in a large trial of people with cardiovascular disease who were considered overweight or had obesity, but the cost and side effects remain barriers

Novavax’s protein-based vaccine is the latest FDA-authorized COVID booster available this fall. Here’s what you should know

Draft CDC guidelines recommend doxycycline for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in some populations

For the first time in the U.S., research with cephalopods might require approval by an ethics committee

New research suggests that blood clotting from COVID infections could contribute to long-term brain fog and other cognitive issues

An Alzheimer’s drug that attacks the protein amyloid does not work as well in people with more advanced disease

Ozempic and similar medications may target brain circuitry involved in addiction as well as appetite control

Therapy apps are incorporating AI programs such as ChatGPT. But such programs could provide unvetted or harmful feedback if they’re not well regulated

Genetic resilience found in a person predisposed to early-onset dementia could potentially lead to new treatments

Findings suggest that the amyloid-targeting drug candidate slows cognitive decline in some people, but questions remain over its potential side effects

These elements, dubbed “UNICORNs,” sit close to genes that affect smell, sleep and ways that people and other mammals interact with their surroundings