If you squeeze the coronavirus, does it shatter?
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
Katherine J. Wu
Katherine J. Wu is a reporter for The New York Times, covering science and health. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunobiology from Harvard University.
Previously, she was a AAAS Mass Media Fellow at Smithsonian magazine. Her work has also appeared in Undark, National Geographic, Popular Science, Scientific American and more. She is also a 2020 Early Career Fellow at The Open Notebook and a senior producer for The Story Collider.
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If You Squeeze the Coronavirus, Does It Shatter?
Scientists are exploring the physics of viruses, to understand how these pathogens assemble themselves — and might be rent apart.
By Katherine J. Wu
During one pandemic, students are training for the next.
By Katherine J. Wu
Amid One Pandemic, Students Train for the Next
Researchers have banded together to find safe, virtual ways to teach the principles of microbiology and epidemiology.
By Katherine J. Wu
TrilobitesYour Cat Isn’t Just Getting High Off Catnip
A new study hints that plants like catnip and silver vine may also protect your feline friend from mosquitoes.
By Katherine J. Wu
Could a Smell Test Screen People for Covid?
A new modeling study hints that odor-based screens could quash outbreaks. But some experts are skeptical it would work in the real world.
By Katherine J. Wu
TrilobitesFinally in 3-D: A Dinosaur’s All-Purpose Orifice
This cloaca is more than 100 million years old, and it did a lot of work for this extinct species.
By Katherine J. Wu
TrilobitesA Surprise in a 50 Million-Year-Old Assassin Bug Fossil: Its Genitals
Scientists were surprised to find the insect’s preserved penis, which suggests it was an unknown species.
By Katherine J. Wu
Twins With Covid Help Scientists Untangle the Disease’s Genetic Roots
“I want to know,” one twin said, “why did she have Covid worse than me?”
By Katherine J. Wu
A leading public health organization takes stock of U.S. testing strategy.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
Participants in Moderna’s early clinical trials are being offered a booster shot.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Denise Grady and Katherine J. Wu
Participants in Moderna’s early clinical trials are being offered a booster shot.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Denise Grady and Katherine J. Wu
Adriano Espaillat is the latest member of Congress to test positive for the virus after Capitol siege.
By Emily Cochrane and Katherine J. Wu
Traveling (or Returning) to the U.S.? Prepare to Take a Coronavirus Test
Beginning Jan. 26, international travelers bound for the United States must show negative coronavirus test results before boarding their flights. Here’s what you need to know.
By Katherine J. Wu
Experts urge caution in delaying the second dose of the vaccine.
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By Katherine J. Wu
States Told to Vaccinate Everyone 65 and Over as Deaths Surge
The Trump administration ordered states to use Covid-19 vaccines set aside for second doses to get the shots to more people more quickly.
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Abby Goodnough
One Mask Is Good. Would Two Be Better?
Health experts double down on their advice for slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
By Katherine J. Wu
The Trump administration calls for wider vaccine eligibility, including people 65 and over.
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By Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Michael D. Shear, Katherine J. Wu and Katie Thomas
Three lawmakers test positive after being in lockdown at the Capitol.
By Tracey Tully, Katherine J. Wu, Apoorva Mandavilli and Emily Cochrane
Here’s what to know about the South African and U.K. virus variants.
By Katherine J. Wu
Congressional memoDid Mixing a Riot With a Pandemic Yield a Superspreader Event?
Members of a mob, many unmasked, roamed the halls of the Capitol. Unmasked Republicans jammed into secure rooms. The outcome is worrisome to many members of Congress.
By Emily Cochrane
Two lawmakers test positive after being in lockdown in Capitol.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Tracey Tully, Katherine J. Wu and Apoorva Mandavilli
TrilobitesBaby Megalodons Were 6-Foot-Long Womb Cannibals, Study Suggests
The research appears to confirm that, even as newborns, the extinct sharks were very, very big.
By Katherine J. Wu
Biden pledges action on the pandemic and the economy.
By Michael D. Shear, Jim Tankersley, Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Katherine J. Wu
Biden Plans Coronavirus Vaccination Blitz After Inauguration
The incoming Biden administration plans to set up federally run mass vaccination sites and to release all government-held vials, rather than hold some back for second doses.
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Katherine J. Wu
2 Arthritis Drugs Reduce Deaths in Very Ill Covid Patients, Study Finds
The big dip in mortality shown in the trial of about 800 patients has caught some experts by surprise because previous studies of the drugs showed little benefit.
By Katherine J. Wu
Biden plans to release nearly all available vaccine doses in an attempt to speed delivery.
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Katherine J. Wu and Karen Zraick
Two arthritis drugs are found to reduce deaths of critically ill Covid patients.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
Blood Plasma Reduces Risk of Severe Covid-19 if Given Early
Thousands of people received convalescent plasma as an experimental treatment for Covid. A new study shows that it works — but only when given within a few days of the onset of illness.
By Katherine J. Wu
F.D.A. is questioning the accuracy of a coronavirus test Congress is using.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Emily Cochrane and Katherine J. Wu
In Europe, more countries delay second vaccine doses or mull plans to do so.
By Katherine J. Wu and Rebecca Robbins
As Rollout Falters, Scientists Debate New Vaccination Tactics
Should second doses be delayed? Should most adults receive half-doses? Scientists are pondering ways to get more shots into more arms.
By Katherine J. Wu and Rebecca Robbins
U.S. officials consider half-doses of Moderna’s vaccine to give more people at least some immunity.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
The U.K. tinkers with its vaccination procedures while the U.S. balks at changes.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
Britain authorizes mix-and-match vaccinations, but experts warn vaccines may not be interchangeable.
This was featured in live coverage.
By Katherine J. Wu
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