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infectious disease

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Insights puzzle

How to Design (or at Least Model) Mixed Dog Breeds

By Pradeep Mutalik
July 31, 2020
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Readers simulated the genetics of dog breeding to solve a puzzle about mixed breed percentages and sexual reproduction.

Illustration of a woman brandishing a shield to keep viruses at bay. One virus has slipped through a small hole in it.
infectious disease

Our Genes May Explain Severity of COVID-19 and Other Infections

By Monique Brouillette
July 27, 2020
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Researchers are examining the power of subtle genetic weaknesses in the immune system to affect the severity of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Animated illustration showing vulnerable red shapes become “infected” and turn green, amid immune blue shapes.
Abstractions blog

The Tricky Math of Herd Immunity for COVID-19

By Kevin Hartnett
June 30, 2020
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Herd immunity differs from place to place, and many factors influence how it’s calculated.

People in India stand near a red van that serves as a mobile testing center for COVID-19 .
infectious disease

Why South Asia’s COVID-19 Numbers Are So Low (For Now)

By Puja Changoiwala
June 23, 2020
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Many theories have been offered for why the official COVID-19 toll on the Indian subcontinent has been surprisingly low. The best explanation may be the shortage of good, timely data.

Insights puzzle

How to Breed a Pomsky and Other Questions About Dogs and Sex

By Pradeep Mutalik
June 18, 2020
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Solve a puzzle about mixed dog breeds, sexual reproduction and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Computer model of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Abstractions blog

Sugary Camouflage on Coronavirus Offers Vaccine Clues

By Jordana Cepelewicz
May 5, 2020
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In the fight against viruses and other pathogens, scientists are looking beyond genes and proteins to the complex sugars, or glycans, on cell surfaces.

Quantized Columns

What Other Coronaviruses Tell Us About SARS-CoV-2

By Tara C. Smith
April 29, 2020
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As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, our extensive knowledge of other coronaviruses informs our understanding.

Illustration of a connection between a bat and a human, with a backdrop of coronaviruses.
Quantized Columns

The Animal Origins of Coronavirus and Flu

By Tara C. Smith
February 25, 2020
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Zoonotic diseases like influenza and many coronaviruses start out in animals, but their biological machinery often enables them to jump to humans.

Illustration of pathogens, vaccines, and other necessary factors for eradicating a disease.
Quantized Columns

How to Permanently End Diseases

By Tara C. Smith
December 3, 2019
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Smallpox was eradicated relatively quickly, but other diseases have proved harder to eliminate. The reasons are a mix of biology and psychology.


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