Health & Medicine

Health & Medicine

Teen depression linked to how the brain processes rewards

Depression in teens alters their brains’ pathways in ways that may put those kids at risk of lifelong mental-health problems — unless they get help.

Health & Medicine

Bringing COVID-19 vaccines to much of world is hard

The price of not vaccinating nearly everyone across the world could be a longer pandemic and more troubling variants of the new coronavirus.

Science & Society

When COVID-19 comes for your science fair

When labs shut down due to COVID-19, teens took their science fair projects to the internet and … sometimes even to the bathroom.

Microbes

Some microbial hitchhikers may weaken body’s attack on COVID-19

New research identifies an altered mix of microbes in the body — ones commonly seen in people with poor diets — that may worsen coronavirus disease.

Brain

Active bodies build stronger brains

Aerobic fitness and physical activity correlate with widespread brain health in adolescents, according to a new imaging study in England.

Health & Medicine

Some young adults will volunteer to get COVID-19 for science

Researchers will soon give some healthy people the new coronavirus. Their young volunteers have agreed to get sick to speed coronavirus research.

Space

Space travel may harm health by damaging cells’ powerhouses

Biochemical changes after going to space suggest that harm to cells’ energy-producing structures, called mitochondria, could explain astronauts’ health issues.

Health & Medicine

Five questions about COVID-19 vaccine trials in teens, answered

Scientists are now testing COVID-19 vaccines in teens. Why do teens need a separate trial? And what would happen? We’ve got answers.

Environment

Unmasking the pandemic’s pollution problem

Discarding all the materials people use to protect themselves from COVID-19 has created a growing environmental problem.

Health & Medicine

Let’s learn about taste

Taste tells us what’s good to eat, but scientists are still learning about how it works.

Health & Medicine

Scientists Say: Body Mass Index

This is someone’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. But it’s not a measure of someone’s health.

Health & Medicine

What kids need to know about getting a COVID-19 shot

COVID-19 vaccines are already being administered to some adults. Here’s what that means for kids and teens.