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Carl Zimmer
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 8, 2023
Health experts warily eye XBB.1.5, the latest omicron subvariant
The young version of the coronavirus could worsen what is already shaping up to be a rough COVID winter as people gather indoors and don't receive boosters that can ward off severe disease.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 25, 2022
Lab manipulations of COVID virus fall under murky government rules
Mouse experiments at Boston University have spotlighted an ambiguous U.S. policy for research on potentially dangerous pathogens.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 25, 2022
How the ‘Black Death’ left its genetic mark on future generations
Scientists have discovered several genetic variants that protect Europeans from the bubonic plague — but also increase the risk of immune disorders.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 9, 2022
What makes your brain different from a Neanderthal’s?
For decades, scientists have been comparing the anatomy of our brain with that of other mammals to understand how our sophisticated faculties evolved.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 29, 2022
Climate change will accelerate viral spillovers, study finds
The shuffling of viruses among animals may increase the risk that one will jump into humans and cause a new pandemic, the researchers said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 3, 2022
Cuts in Britain could cause a COVID-19 data drought
As countries step back from tracking and tracing the virus, experts worry that it could hinder preparation for new surges or emerging variants.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 27, 2022
New research points to Wuhan market as pandemic origin
Two new studies represent a significant salvo in the debate over the origins of a pandemic that has killed nearly 6 million people and sickened 400 million more.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 1, 2022
Studies suggest why omicron is less severe: It spares the lungs
Compared with earlier variants, omicron may cause less damage to the lungs, new animal research suggests.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 16, 2021
New studies raise hopes that vaccines prevent severe omicron cases
Scientists reported on several studies suggesting that T cells in vaccinated people can put up a strong defense against the variant.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 7, 2021
New COVID-19 pills offer hope as omicron looms
Two new antiviral pills are coming soon, and are expected to work against all versions of the virus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2021
First known COVID-19 case was vendor at Wuhan market, scientist claims
The report will revive the debate over whether the pandemic started with a spillover from wildlife sold at the market, a leak from a Wuhan virology lab or some other way.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 7, 2021
Studies show vaccines are effective against delta variant
Jerusalem, however, announced that the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was seen to be 64% against all COVID-19 infections — down from about 95% in May.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 13, 2021
U.S. calls for pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine after clotting cases
The concerns about the shot mirror those about AstraZeneca's, which European regulators began investigating last month after some recipients developed blood clots.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 2, 2021
Study shows COVID-19 variant spreading in Britain could become resistant to vaccines
Experiments in test tubes suggest that some of its mutations allow the coronavirus to hold onto cells more tightly.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 21, 2020
Two companies say their vaccines are 95% effective. What does that mean?
You might assume that 95 out of every 100 people vaccinated will be protected from COVID-19. But that's not how the math works.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 17, 2020
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know
Coming a week after similar news from Pfizer and BioNTech, Moderna's announcement offered more hope that there's going to be a way out of the pandemic.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 24, 2020
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine advances, sparking optimism in race
The company's vaccine could require just one shot instead of two — important considering that the entire population of the world needs vaccination.

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