Podcasts by Science unscripted
Get the latest science news. Broadcast from Germany throughout the week. Stay safe by being informed.
Further podcasts by DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
Podcast on the topic Technologie
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Weekly roundup — Run fast&live happy from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.991054
A breakthrough in brain science for alcoholics (but not just them), a shoe tech revolution is underfoot, and the startling fact that living in a city means you're far more likely to suffer from dep...
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How long does it take for you to understand these words? from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.988230
As we age, we become slower at connecting words with the imagery that represents them. The interesting part is why.
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What makes a language'beautiful'(or not)? from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.985324
You probably have an opinion on which language is the'most beautiful.'And you're probably (objectively) wrong.
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Weekly roundup — Making sense of human sound from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.981913
Conor gets an email from a German island about his accent, Gabe does his best to make his mom'proud,'and an in-studio experiment takes all of us to India.
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A proliferation of positive language is making science more confusing from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.961685
In an unprecedented interview about a unique and novel study, an Austrian researcher explains why the first three adjectives you just read are part of a growing problem.
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Do younger siblings make you stupider? from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.956877
A longitudinal US study shows that having a younger sibling will tend to lower your cognitive development. But the effect vanishes after child number three.
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Weekly roundup — Keep an eye out for bad science from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.952327
Just about every study we talk about in this episode has a pretty significant caveat. Also, an emailed warning from a poet who chopped too much firewood.
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What was it like when the Earth formed? (And how could we ever know?) from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.947574
Does that seem like an impossible question to answer? It sure does. Because you'd have to go back in time to answer it. Or you'd need 30 hours on the planet's most powerful telescope (James Webb).
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Why are kids getting worse at math? from 2023-12-12T18:38:43.942331
Across the globe, 15-year-olds are doing worse on standardized tests than five years ago. And it may have nothing to do with the pandemic lockdowns.
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Weekly roundup — You can't deepfake this from 2023-12-10T04:05
Conor misplaces a telescope, our solar system is a ballerina, and how to protect your voice from being AI synthesized.
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Weekly roundup — There's a first time for everything from 2023-12-04T09:34:26.482269
On this week's show, we invite you to ponder roundworms in the human brain, a carbon tax that actually might have a chance and a way to inject insulin that uses music instead of a needle.
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Fasting doesn't work as well when you're older. Why? from 2023-11-28T04:05
As you age, your body can get stuck in'fasting mode,'leading to muscle loss and other problems. New research from Germany gives a clue at how to change that — and maybe live longer?
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Weekly roundup — Let's increase our healthspan from 2023-11-26T04:05
Once in a while there's a surfeit of positive news in the field of medicine. This week was one of'em.
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Is eye contact rude? from 2023-11-24T13:31
A study on eye contact suggests it isn't aggressive, but actually improves conversation. So why don't we do it more?
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Smartphone addiction, warring chimps&so little sulfur from 2023-11-18T04:05
Sometimes, improving pollution... makes global warming worse. Also, women are more addicted to their phones than men, chimpanzees use military strategy — and one of our new listeners didn't like us...
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Climate change: We need cooler (genetically modified?) cows from 2023-11-17T17:35
One solution to unprecedented cattle die-offs: Modify cows so they can deal with record heat.
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Weekly roundup — High temps&higher ground from 2023-11-17T04:05
The future of weather forecasting might have little to do with atmospheric physics. Also, our listeners had some really interesting things to say about a study on tattoos.
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Weekly roundup — We hear you from 2023-11-12T04:05
As expected, you had things to say about our interview with a masculinity influencer. Also, when a dozen parakeets are squawking, how do they know who's speaking?
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What do you think about people with tattoos? from 2023-11-11T04:05
If you're honest, you probably have an opinion on people with tattoos. And that makes you a lot like the police (and judges and juries).
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How old will I be when I'm happiest? from 2023-11-10T10:11
A large, longitudinal study has some surprising conclusions about when we're most satisfied with our lives — and it's connected to how we humans tend to fill out questionnaires.
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Weekly roundup — Music makes our hearts beat as one from 2023-10-28T03:05
A novel study out of Switzerland and Germany shows that human beings, under certain conditions, can end up synchronizing biologically — like a metronome.
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WARNING: This interview is toxically masculine from 2023-10-25T15:34
A few episodes back we did a deep dive into the science behind a toxically masculine mind. At that point not one of the influencers we'd reached out to had agreed to be interviewed — and it seemed ...
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The'super shoe'debate&eight drunk monkeys from 2023-09-30T03:05
By delivering a gene to the brain, scientists appear to have'cured'alcoholic primates of their booze lust. Also, why did the woman who shattered the marathon world record kiss her shoe as soon as s...
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Mental health: Depression 30% more likely in a city from 2023-09-29T08:34
Why is it that people who live in an urban environment are 30%+ more likely to suffer depression than those in rural areas? And why does that rule just... absolutely not apply in developing countries?
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Why do death tolls drop? from 2023-09-25T03:05
In the wake of natural catastrophes, the forensic work to identify the dead is critically important for loved ones'closure. But mistakes can be made.
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Weekly roundup — Sometimes it's better to know from 2023-09-24T03:05
Humility, which is great to have, is also connected to whether you trust scientists (or people like Gabe and Conor). Also, what a tooth can tell us after a tragedy, and a fun study on what people d...
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What would you do with $10,000? from 2023-09-23T03:05
It sounds like a thereotical question. But for 200 lucky participants in a pretty novel study, it became very real.
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'Moderate'knowledge leads to science skepticism from 2023-09-22T13:29
You'd think that the less someone knows, the more likely it is they'll buy in to misinformation. Right? Surprisingly, a new study suggests that, up to a point, it's actually worse to know more.
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Weekly roundup — What you don't know [will] hurt you from 2023-09-17T03:05
Anxiety about the climate crisis actually drops as you learn more about it. Also, to avoid dying unnecessarily early, you may need to get a new job.
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Risk of dying early rises 30% with'precarious work' from 2023-09-15T12:29
Want to live longer? Sure, there's exercise and nutrition. But a new study makes a convincing case that a less'precarious'work environment is the answer.
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Deep inside the toxically masculine mind from 2023-09-10T03:05
What pops into your head when you hear the term toxic masculinity? You probably feel a strong response, but can you put it into words?
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Is it time for a carbon tax on investors? from 2023-08-31T13:02
Recent data from the United States shows unequivocally that the rich are (by far) most responsible for CO2 emissions. Private jets, yachts...this is probably not new information. What might be new ...
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How to avoid getting a brain parasite from a snake from 2023-08-30T15:07
The worms that live inside pythons (and that can wriggle their way into a human brain) are a healthy reminder for all of us to — please — handle our food better.
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Weekly roundup — Back to school from 2023-08-27T03:05
It is possible to'download'a song clip directly from human brains — and that's good news for'brain-to-speech'technologies of the future. Also, SU listeners (and others) have weighed in on the debat...
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Tears of blood&the real-life Dracula from 2023-08-26T16:05
Do you wear Crocs? Because that's the material Italian researchers used to see if the Prince of Walachia (aka'Vlad the Impaler') was plagued by a rare condition called hemolacria.
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I know what you did this summer from 2023-08-26T03:05
A dog in Iceland, Australians in Italy, and Gabe back in studio. Once in a while we have an episode that's not about science. This is one of them.
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Was the Black Death really that deadly? from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.328171
If you haven't had enough morbid news out of Europe lately, this one might be for you. The Black Death wasn't as bad as we think (at least according to careful analysis of 14th century pollen levels).
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War in Ukraine — Important cyber security info from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.322492
The threat of cyber warfare has never been so real. What does that mean for you?
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Should I talk to my child about war? (Spoiler: YES. But how?) from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.319020
It's virtually impossible to avoid the topic these days. So what should you do when kids ask questions about war?
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Weekly roundup — As macabre as it gets from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.315691
When a child asks you about war and impending death, what exactly should you say? In other news, the Black Death may not have been all that bad.
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Conor's back from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.304782
Hi everyone! Conor's back after a bout with COVID, and this episode really is just about that.
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Science in wartime from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.300905
We're not sure if there's a meaningful way to discuss the upheaval of the last few weeks on this show. But it seemed wrong not to try.
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Weekly roundup — Millions&millions from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.203672
How could a diabetes medicine be connected with a'40% increase'in birth defects? And with stealth omicron now dominating... shouldn't we know a little more about it?
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Pigs&what they're saying from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.195813
If pigs could talk, what would they say? Researchers in Europe are beginning to find out.
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3 normal emails (&1 other one) from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.192812
We love hearing from our listeners around the globe. Especially Mark.
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Weekly roundup — Things we don't know (but should) from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.136428
We know now that pigs can express their happiness (or sadness) vocally. But did you know that those emotions can be manipulated - by music? Also, have you ever heard of endometriosis? And where did...
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COVID-19: Your omicron infection (probably) won't protect you from 2022-05-04T10:21:57.133162
People who've already had the original omicron can also be infected by the latest mutations of the variant, B.A.4 and B.A.5.
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Dogs can get a Lyme disease vaccine. Why can't we? from 2022-04-30T03:10
Ever met a dog that's anti-vax? Probably not. And that's why they can be protected from dangerous tick bites, but we can't (yet).
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Endometriosis: Crippling pain for so many women from 2022-04-29T13:53
An estimated 200 million women around the world suffer from an intense form of menstrual& abdominal pain called endometriosis. A new tool could improve their chances of diagnosis and treatment.
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Weekly roundup — If only the pandemic were over from 2022-04-24T03:05
A less healthy Gabe returns to talk long COVID, new variants& the best corona metric we still have.
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A'killer variant'? from 2022-04-22T11:38
Is it fair to say a potentially dangerous new variant of the coronavirus, a'killer variant,'is on its way?
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Gabe's BACK from 2022-04-21T13:35
And if there's a path to recovering from COVID-19, he's... getting there.
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Weekly roundup — This episode was bound to happen from 2022-04-17T03:05
He outran it for two years. But this week, COVID caught up with Gabe.
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'You'll just feel a little pinch' from 2022-04-16T05:25
Want your surgeon to do better, faster work? A new study suggests The Beatles and AC/DC can help.
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Gabe has COVID from 2022-04-14T14:05
It's bad enough being sick and quarantined with three young kids. It's worse when one breaks her hand.
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The (secret?) sex lives of old people from 2022-04-13T13:53
There are things we talk about. And things we don't. If you're into the"don't,"you'd love sex research journals.
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Your COVID emails from 2022-04-13T02:58:26.748097
We got a lot of emails accusing men of wearing masks less often than women. Is that actually true?
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Weekly roundup — Finally, a chance to discuss what you had to say from 2022-04-13T02:58:26.745826
We received so many messages this past week about the lopsided male COVID-19 mortality rate. Maybe you wrote one of them?
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What might be behind the trucker outrage in Canada? from 2022-04-13T02:58:26.743031
Just how much of Canada's political crisis is directly connected to COVID—and how much isn't?
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Weekly roundup — The human animal from 2022-04-10T03:05
It's important for us to know what animals are"saying."And new technology lets us do just that. Also, a select few of your emails.
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Whose life would you save? from 2022-04-06T01:28:33.414492
Your house is burning. So who do you save — your sibling, or your spouse? Surprisingly, new research suggests women and men have different answers.
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What was it about'the slap'? from 2022-03-31T16:38
Plenty of news stories happened this week. But there was only one that everyone talked about. Why?
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Omicron vs. stealth omicron — is one'better'to get than the other? from 2022-03-29T15:47
BA.1 and BA.2 infections are not equal. New data allows us to compare them directly.
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Weekly roundup — Can the circle be squared? from 2022-03-27T03:05
The coronavirus is spreading in Germany like never before. And restrictions are vanishing as if the pandemic didn't exist. Huh?
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The secret to (perhaps) solving genetic muscle decay from 2022-03-25T11:28
For anyone who knows anyone with muscular dystrophy, there's a ray of hope in Berlin, Germany. Scientists there are using stem cells to try and cure the incurable (and debilitating) genetic disease.
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Is it OK to watch war videos? from 2022-03-23T13:58
When war footage lands in your feed, does watching it"sensitize"you to the conflict? Or is it just needless trauma?
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A good question&a new word from 2022-03-15T16:21
Figuring out how to prevent COVID infections in Ukrainian refugees is a lot more important than you might think. Also, do you, or someone you know, suffer from"drunkorexia"?
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Weekly roundup — These are dark times from 2022-03-13T04:05
Just as a pandemic'ends,'a (potentially cataclysmic) war of aggression begins — with no end in sight.
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(More infectious) stealth omicron is taking over from 2022-03-12T04:05
BA.2 is the most contagious variant ever analyzed. We're dropping our mandates anyway.
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'Nobody in Ukraine is safe' from 2022-03-11T13:34
We spoke to a theoretical physicist on the ground in Ukraine about his life, his work during war — and the nuclear threat.
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Weekly roundup — Inside omicron from 2022-03-07T00:10:01.436614
Hospitals, animals and miniature human organoids are showing us how omicron causes disease. And the news is mostly good.
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Weekly roundup — Got omicron twice? from 2022-02-27T04:05
There is more than one kind of omicron. And data has just come out on whether you might get infected twice. Also, be careful with your phone. You might be jeopardizing your friendships.
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Can I get omicron again? from 2022-02-24T15:39
If omicron can escape our vaccines, can it also escape ... itself?
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How can I tell if people like me? from 2022-02-22T16:07
You meet a stranger, chat it up, walk away — and die inside. New research suggests you're being too hard on yourself.
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Are you being'phubbed'? from 2022-02-18T13:57
Phubbing is when people look at their phone instead of their conversation partner. And new research confirms that it's pretty damn rude.
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Weekly roundup — The wrong way to end things from 2022-02-18T12:20
As support drops for COVID-19 measures, the people who are violently opposed to them are gaining strength.
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Your emails on trucker convoy(s) from 2022-02-17T16:09
What, exactly, does the trucker convoy'movement'represent?
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Does anyone care about omicron anymore? from 2022-02-14T14:43
Public support for anything resembling a COVID health measure is plummeting.
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Weekly roundup — When the fire breaks out from 2022-02-13T04:05
What would make the trucker protests spread throughout Canadian society? And when your home starts on fire, who would you save first?
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The hole in your face that's leaking data from 2022-02-02T13:24:50.986520
At this point we should know that our phones are listening to us. But it's not just our words that are giving our private data away. It's how we say them.
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The lab full of mini brains (with 'eyes') from 2022-02-02T13:24:50.985559
If a free-floating brain could feel pain or 'wake up,' would we know? That question was important enough for us to travel to Düsseldorf, Germany.
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The deltacron debate&new stealth omicron data from 2022-01-31T16:04
The BA.2 subvariant is replacing omicron (BA.1). Does that matter?
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'Milder omicron' news is a dangerous distraction from 2022-01-31T00:05:23.633774
We all need a dose of positive pandemic news. But what if that makes us miss the far more alarming (and substantiated) data we have about this variant?
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Weekly roundup — Staying fertile (and together?) from 2022-01-30T04:05
Getting COVID-19 had an impact on getting pregnant — and also, what actually causes two people to stay together?
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Weekly roundup — Where are we? from 2022-01-30T00:04:44.153810
There was a LOT of news about the omicron variant last week. But which of it was actually important? Also, why are scientists in Germany growing thousands of miniature human brains with eyeballs on...
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Men die way more often from COVID-19 than women. Why? from 2022-01-28T14:42
At least twice as many men have died from COVID-19 than women. Why didn't vaccination campaigns reflect that?
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Did you really'choose'your romantic partner? from 2022-01-27T16:16
Your sexuality may be connected to your birth order, and staying with a partner has surprisingly little to do with love.
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COVID and pregnancy from 2022-01-24T16:30
New studies show how a COVID-19 infection changes the timeline and likelihood of getting pregnant.
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Weekly roundup ?— Omicron's aftermath from 2022-01-23T04:05
Mass viral infections have consequences. What will omicron's be?
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What is'stealth omicron'? from 2022-01-21T15:05
Some virologists are already considering stealth omicron a variant of concern. Should we be worried?
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COVID-19 vaccines and the'nocebo'effect from 2022-01-20T16:45
What if, instead of causing"more side effects"than reported, COVID-19 vaccines actually caused fewer?
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Your omicron questions answered from 2022-01-19T14:00
Is COVID causing diabetes in kids? Can omicron infect you outside now? And are 10% of people really infectious 10 days later?
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Omicron is peaking from 2022-01-18T15:11
Around the world, the data's clear: Omicron's rise (and fall) follow a very predictable path.
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Weekly roundup — When (almost) everyone has omicron from 2022-01-16T04:05
Take a look around — because this is the wildest part of the pandemic anyone's ever seen. And we've started to normalize a few things we shouldn't.
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Letting omicron spread is a deadly risk from 2022-01-13T16:56
Alpha, beta, delta ?— they were all more severe than the original. So why, after omicron, should the next variant be different?
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Do rapid (antigen) tests work for omicron? from 2022-01-11T02:50
Yes. They do. But since there's a chance they're less sensitive, how many tests do you need before you can say it's definitely COVID — or just a common cold?
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The deltacron'variant' from 2022-01-10T14:03
Not all coronavirus variants are equal. And this one may not even exist.
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Weekly roundup - The omicron'wall' from 2021-12-30T13:57
The omicron numbers are already awful. Yet there's a case for cautious optimism based on what we've seen so far.
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Weekly roundup — the omicron lockdowns from 2021-12-28T04:05
Omicron won't be a wave, it'll be a wall, says Germany's top virologist. And the best response is to lock things down — again. Can people tolerate that?
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What do women and men lie about on social media? from 2021-12-27T04:05
If you're on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, then surely you've seen some… less-than-truthful posts. But who's deceiving whom, exactly? And just what is it that they're lying about?
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A cold Christmas (and New Year) from 2021-12-22T16:35
Omicron will mean tougher restrictions for a lot of countries around the world. How should we be dealing with that news?
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Which COVID-19 booster is best against omicron? from 2021-12-21T16:25
Honest answer: It's too early to say. But a handful of small-scale, pre-print studies seem to be pointing in one direction.
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COVID-19: Novavax gets European approval from 2021-12-20T15:29
Several months behind schedule, the Novavax protein subunit vaccine has been approved for use in Europe. This is potentially very important news for the fight against COVID-19. Why?
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COVID-19: Is there a new vaccine coming? from 2021-12-18T10:26:37.893008
First dose, second dose, booster shot ... and then? BioNTech's co-founder gave DW an update.
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Why do we eat the same thing for breakfast? from 2021-12-18T10:26:37.891983
We'd never eat the same meal, day after day, for lunch or dinner. And yet somehow breakfast is just... different. Why?
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Weekly roundup — A very good morning from 2021-12-18T10:26:37.890568
COVID-19 vaccines are getting refined and retested as we speak. In the meantime, why not start your day ?with an extra dash of hedonistic pleasure?
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How do I get a pill that gets rid of COVID? from 2021-12-18T10:26:37.889753
It's the news we've all been waiting for: a handful of pills that promise to take our COVID-19 away. But how many people were they actually tested on? And what are the risks of taking them?
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Omicron news that's making everyone happy today from 2021-12-18T10:26:37.774139
How the tables turn. Today we look at two new omicron developments that feel a bit too euphoric.
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Weekly roundup — Winter's here from 2021-12-18T04:00
How do I keep the holidays focused on mistletoe instead of misinformation? And how will the pandemic play out in 2022?
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COVID conspiracies under the Christmas tree from 2021-12-17T11:51
What if all you want for Christmas ... is for your family to feel like a family again?
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Corona conspiracies under the Christmas tree from 2021-12-17T11:51
What if all you want for Christmas... is for your family to feel like a family again?
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This one's for you from 2021-12-15T16:16
Our favorite (and not-so-favorite) YouTube comments and emails from SU listeners.
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Why are omicron hospitalizations so low? from 2021-12-14T16:54
If omicron isn't 'milder' than delta, why are fewer people ending up in hospitals?
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Omicron: What this wave will look like from 2021-12-13T15:36
New models from the UK have given us a clear picture (almost to the day) of when the omicron curve will peak and flatten. The news is good and bad. Also, where do "natural immunity" and Novavax fit...
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Weekly roundup — Hopium and copium from 2021-12-11T04:00
Be honest: Do you find it harder to care about omicron than the variants before it? Also, how much info can be learned from your voice?
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Omicron: What the lab results can tell you from 2021-12-10T15:06
'Fully vaccinated' just got a new definition.
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Weekly roundup — What screens are doing to us from 2021-12-06T00:03:23.186029
What is "Zoom dysmorphia," and why are doctors in the US seeing so many cases of it? Also, new data show that kids are spending up to 30 hours a week staring at screens — and that might be OK.
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When do side effects happen from COVID-19 vaccines? from 2021-12-06T00:03:23.185212
Side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are really, really rare. But, if you're one of the unlucky ones, when would you find out? Also, the "supermarket question" has now been answered, and a few dozen...
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Weekly roundup — Space sex & COVID-19 from 2021-12-06T00:03:23.184428
How do astronauts deal with their sex drives when they're up in space for months on end? And why is it so embarrassing to even ask that question? Also, mRNA vaccines have, in very rare cases, led t...
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Omicron news that's scaring people today from 2021-11-30T15:42
A look at 3 widely shared omicron developments that aren't as scary when you dig a little deeper.
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Omicron variant: What we (don't) know from 2021-11-29T15:23
The real-world data we have on omicron is skewed — in a lot of different ways.
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Weekly roundup — Is it time? from 2021-11-27T04:00
Forcing people to vaccinate is not an appealing option — at all. It might happen anyway.
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A vaccine mandate for all Germans? from 2021-11-24T15:27
Should the German government force citizens to vaccinate against the coronavirus? You can learn a lot by asking people on the streets.
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The anti-COVID pills (the good news & the bad news) from 2021-11-24T00:10:38.197591
It's the news we've all been waiting for: a handful of pills that promise to take our COVID away. But how many people were they actually tested on? And do they carry any risks that might not be cle...
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The test that birds can beat kids at from 2021-11-23T16:25
How do you explain the concept of time to a bird? And why would they ever need to delay gratification?
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Birds can pass the 'marshmallow test' from 2021-11-23T16:25
How do you explain the concept of time to a bird? And why would they ever need to delay gratification?
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Weekly roundup — (The wrong kind of quiet) from 2021-11-20T04:05
What would it be like if birds just... didn't sing as much? Step outside and find out. Also, if you haven't met many atheists out there, maybe it's because they're scared to tell you?
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A vaccine mandate for all Austrians from 2021-11-19T15:26
With the 'pandemic of the unvaccinated' overwhelming European hospitals and forcing lockdowns, there's a difficult question in the air: Does your right to make a personal medical choice allow you t...
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Why is it so hard to come out as atheist? from 2021-11-16T17:48
"Not believing in god" just feels kind of... ugly. Or socially dangerous. Why is that?
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Do you care about birds? from 2021-11-15T17:12
It's a callous question to ask. But with new evidence showing a stark decline in bird numbers, it's worth trying to answer.
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Weekly roundup: Believe it from 2021-11-13T04:05
Yes, there really are two different pills you'll be able to take soon if you catch the coronavirus. Also, a new study shows that science deniers in various countries tend to have something in common.
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Why don't people trust science? from 2021-11-12T15:19
We really do live in a world where a decent amount of people just... don't believe in facts. Who — and where — are they? And what could have possibly 'made' them into that kind of person?
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Did Christmas just get canceled? from 2021-11-11T16:00
More than 50,000 new daily infections — an incidence of 250 — and a holiday season just kicking off. What is going on in Germany?
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Weekly roundup — Not like the other from 2021-10-29T15:48
Why are vaccinated people dying less often from non-COVID factors, too? Also, there was never any good reason to exclude women from research for being too 'emotionally variable' during menstruation...
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Are women more emotional than men? from 2021-10-28T15:24
Men, a new study has shown, are just as "moody" as women — no matter what time of the month it is.
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Women, men & emotions from 2021-10-28T15:24
Men, a new study has shown, are just as "moody" as women — no matter what time of the month it is.
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Why a vaccine mandate wouldn't work from 2021-10-27T03:39:39.535626
If you've ever wondered why governments don't just "end the pandemic" by forcing their citizens to get COVID-19 vaccines, data from Germany suggests that such a policy would likely have the opposit...
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COVID-19: Can I go clubbing? from 2021-10-27T03:39:39.534604
Dance clubs are open in countries around the world. But what does the science say about how risky it is to go inside one?
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Weekly roundup — It's your choice from 2021-10-27T03:39:39.533805
New research from Germany suggests that letting people choose whether or not to vaccinate may ultimately improve the overall vaccine numbers. Also, sometimes the hosts of this show mispronounce the...
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COVID-19 vaccine mandates — your emails from 2021-10-27T03:39:39.533014
We talked to a researcher about data on a (theoretical) government vaccine mandate. Then your responses poured in.
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Do you use your turn signal while driving? from 2021-10-27T03:39:39.532116
It's a pretty easy question. Where it starts to get interesting is when you ask yourself why.
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COVID-19: Can I check my immunity? from 2021-10-25T15:55
Over time, the protective power of a COVID-19 vaccination (or recovery) goes down. Could an antibody test tell you by how much?
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Weekly roundup — In your head from 2021-10-22T15:11
The evidence is in. Just by focusing your thoughts every day, you really can reduce the stress inside your body. Also, a wildly fascinating experiment out of Munich hints at a future where human be...
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Mindfulness reduces stress — measurably from 2021-10-21T15:52
Certain forms of meditation do actually lower stress levels over the long term. And scientists from Germany have proven it by looking at human hair.
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The delta plus variant from 2021-10-20T14:45
It's been called the "most infectious" variant yet. So what do we know about delta plus?
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Can people stay alive without breathing? from 2021-10-18T15:31
It sounds like a weird question. But researchers in Germany have shown that algae, if injected into the bloodstream, can provide oxygen to a brain. It worked on tadpoles — could it work on humans, ...
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Do we have to breathe to stay alive? from 2021-10-18T15:31
It sounds like a weird question. But researchers in Germany have shown that algae, if injected into the bloodstream, can provide oxygen to sustain a brain. It worked on tadpoles — could it work on ...
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Weekly roundup — Rectal from 2021-10-17T03:05
Like the COVID-19 vaccines? Then you'll love the way mRNA is being tried out on certain cancers. Also, a human stool sample from thousands of years ago reeks of surprisingly high living.
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What we can learn from a pile of poo in a salt mine from 2021-10-14T15:05
Nearly 3,000 years ago, someone in an Austrian mine pulled down their trousers — and gave scientists an astonishing glimpse into their rich culture.
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What we can learn from very old human poo from 2021-10-14T15:05
Nearly 3,000 years ago, someone in an Austrian mine pulled down their trousers — and gave scientists an astonishing glimpse into their rich culture.
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A vaccine for cancer? from 2021-10-13T13:43
Yes, there really is a cancer vaccine being tested in Europe and the US right now. So who is it for, and when will we (hopefully) see it in hospitals? Also, should we feed antibiotics to wild mice ...
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Is there a vaccine for cancer? from 2021-10-13T13:43
Yes, there really is a cancer vaccine being tested in Europe and the US right now. So who is it for, and when will we (hopefully) see it in hospitals? Also, should we feed antibiotics to wild mice ...
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'It'll be more difficult' to vaccinate kids from 2021-09-30T15:22
Kids over 12 are getting vaccinated — so it'll be easy to do the under-12s, too, right? Not according to the head of Germany's vaccine commission.
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Astronauts have sex drives, too from 2021-09-29T14:13
Why are we all pretending that sex and masturbation don't happen in space?
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Weekly roundup — Loneliness & the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines from 2021-09-29T01:04:47.722899
What's the deal with the (very rare) cases of heart inflammation after COVID-19 vaccines? And with so many people concerned about long-term side effects... is there any evidence to actually support...
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Why do I look so ugly? from 2021-09-27T15:39
Around the US, doctors have seen an increase in the number of people who are unhappy with how they look. One suspected culprit: Videoconferencing.
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Weekly roundup: Kids, dogs and political instability from 2021-09-25T03:25
The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine works great on 5-to-11-year-olds — so why isn't Germany in a rush to vaccinate them? Also, if you've felt a bit agitated during the pandemic, come on in.
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Screen time & kids — it may not matter from 2021-09-24T15:31
Children in the US spend four hours per day staring at tablets, phones, TVs or video games. And as shocking as it may sound, new research suggests they're developing just fine.
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Why did all those African penguins die? from 2021-09-23T15:05
It was a great mystery for conservationists in South Africa. At first, nobody had any clue what happened to a waddle of 65 African penguins found dead in Cape Town. And then they found the bee stings.
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COVID-19 vaccines: What are the chances of heart inflammation? from 2021-09-22T17:26:55.319893
In extremely rare cases, heart inflammation, or myocarditis, can occur after an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Now, new data from the US paints a much clearer picture of just how many people will suffe...
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What are the long-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines? from 2021-09-22T17:26:55.318307
Among those who haven't vaccinated (but also among some who have), there's a real fear that COVID-19 vaccines could have serious side effects that only become apparent many months — or even years —...
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Make this summer about emotional reconnection for kids from 2021-09-22T17:26:55.317528
There's been a lot of talk about academic loss during the pandemic. There has been less about emotional loss. A study from the UK suggests that what kids and adolescents need this summer — more tha...
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Safe swimming, infidelity, and a correction from 2021-09-22T14:49
We love getting emails from you — and this episode's full of them. Got something to say? We're SU@dw.com
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Why Germany will wait on vaccinating young kids from 2021-09-20T15:26
The BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine appears to be safe and extremely effective in 5-to-11-year-olds — even at low doses. But when can parents actually vaccinate them? Also, a look at an ongoing experiment ...
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COVID-19's connection to political violence from 2021-09-17T14:47
Do you know anyone who's become a bit more... politically agitated since the start of the pandemic? According to new research, it could be connected to pandemic psychology.
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Weekly roundup — Monkeys play video games & delaying that 3rd jab from 2021-09-16T14:33
What can we learn from a bunch of rhesus macaques playing video games and 'choking' under the pressure? Also, it may be better for all of us if you don't get a 3rd jab any time soon, and a deep div...
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COVID & cows from 2021-09-15T21:00
COVID-19 booster shots work really well, but public health officials from around the world are saying most people shouldn't get one. Also, why did scientists in Germany teach cows to urinate in one...
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Why are cows being potty trained? from 2021-09-15T21:00
Why did scientists in Germany teach cows to urinate in one spot only? Also, what is there to 'debate' about a COVID-19 booster shot?
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Have you ever 'choked' under pressure? from 2021-09-14T14:23
Just a tiny bit of psychological stress — and something you've been good at for as long as you can remember... becomes nearly impossible. Why?
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Weekly roundup — Social mindfulness from 2021-09-10T11:50
Are you the kind of person who takes the last piece of cake? Or would you leave it there for someone else instead? Also, we take a look at your responses to the idea of a vaccine mandate.
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Jabs for 5-to-11-year-olds — Pfizer-BioNTech to seek approval by 'mid-October' from 2021-09-10T11:16
BioNTech's co-founders have said that an application to vaccinate 5-to-11-year-olds will be submitted to health agencies around the world "in the coming weeks" — and that the data from those trials...
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Europe's COVID-19 prognosis & a new medicine for dwarfism from 2021-08-30T15:32
200,000 deaths by December — that's the WHO's dark prediction for Europe in the coming months. In better news, the EU has approved a first-of-its-kind drug that could help roughly 10,000 children g...
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What's the difference between a woman and a man? from 2021-08-29T03:05
It sounds like an easy question. But when you ask people on the street, they have a surprisingly difficult time talking about it. So — how much of that has to do with (rapidly) changing social norm...
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Weekly roundup — Sleep, COVID-19 & a strange-sounding ostrich from 2021-08-28T08:40:29.645494
If your genes make you a "night owl," the odds are higher you'll develop depression. Can we do anything to change that? Also, why is the EU planning to store our vaccination information inside a QR...
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Do you want to live a longer, more energetic life? from 2021-08-28T08:40:29.644648
The march of time is unrelenting. Sure. But scientists say they're on the cusp of changing how long we live – and HOW WELL we live those bonus years.
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COVID-19: Mixing doses, boosters & a warning for the unvaccinated from 2021-08-28T08:40:29.643820
Can you get more than one kind of COVID-19 vaccine? When will we need a booster shot? And what is inevitably going to happen to those who have chosen not to vaccinate?
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How do I talk to someone who won't get vaccinated against COVID-19? from 2021-08-28T08:40:29.642747
It can be really, really frustrating to talk to someone who's misinformed and doesn't plan to get vaccinated. And sometimes, the easiest thing to do is just avoid the topic entirely. But what if it...
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Weekly roundup — A 3rd jab & a 'psychologically rich' life from 2021-08-27T12:37
Get ready to roll up that sleeve again, because early data makes a clear case for a 3rd injection of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Also, would you read a book about your own life?
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Is your life interesting? from 2021-08-26T15:59
You might be happy. Or even feel like your life is meaningful. But if you've ever felt like there's something else that's just... missing somehow, come listen to a psychologist who's helping people...
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COVID-19: When the virus evades our vaccines from 2021-08-25T12:45
Yes, it is "likely" that a coronavirus variant will evade our vaccines. But there's a plan. Also, a look at swabs, schools and the misinformed people taking horse meds to stop COVID-19.
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Israel: Booster shots increase protection by 4x against delta variant from 2021-08-23T14:58
Data from Israel's health ministry shows that a 3rd jab of Pfizer-BioNTech significantly improves protection against the delta variant — especially when it comes to hospitalizations. The findings a...
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Weekly roundup — Why kids are virus killers and when to quit your job from 2021-08-20T08:16
A study out of Berlin that examined hundreds of thousands of nasal cells claims to have the definitive answer on why kids are better at killing COVID. Also, if you work in a toxic environment, you ...
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Is my workplace toxic? from 2021-08-19T16:18
A 300% increase in depression — that's the staggering mental health burden for people in a toxic work environment, according to research from Australia. But what makes a job "toxic" in the first pl...
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Kids beat COVID-19 faster because of their noses from 2021-08-19T16:11
New research from Berlin has shown that cells inside children's upper airways are "primed" for a faster immune response than in adults. This antiviral difference is probably why kids tend to have a...
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We're BACK! from 2021-08-16T14:26
Despite the rise of the delta variant and some lax local attitudes toward COVID-19, your hosts of science unscripted are back from summer vacation — and just in time, too.
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The parabolic flight from 2021-07-13T08:00
Have you ever seen a video of someone floating, just like in space, except it looks like they're inside an airplane? Well, one of the hosts of science unscripted got to go on one of those "zero g" ...
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People rate themselves as more attractive at closing time — even sober from 2021-07-05T12:20:48.755556
The later it gets at a bar or pub, the more likely it is you'll meet someone who thinks they're pretty hot stuff. Oddly, though, a new study suggests this "closing time" effect has nothing to do wi...
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Weekly roundup —Breastfeeding, happiness & bad drinking from 2021-07-05T12:20:48.754518
From a risk/reward standpoint, does it make sense to fly to another country to get vaccinated there? Also, is it OK to breastfeed if you have COVID-19 but don't know it yet? Or if you just got vacc...
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Violent religious scripture leads to increased support for deadly violence from 2021-07-05T12:20:48.753727
"A life for a life, an eye for an eye." There's a tendency to downplay, or even willfully ignore, some of the most blatant, barbaric language that's tucked inside the holy books of Christians, Musl...
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3 quick ways to get more people to vaccinate against COVID-19 from 2021-07-05T12:20:48.752945
Will countries actually reach herd immunity? It's an open question. But studies have shown that there are a few "tricks" to get people to immunize — even if they've already decided not to.
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Weekly roundup — Moral judgments & the fear of reopening from 2021-06-25T13:18
Is it fair to say you've been outraged by some of the risky things you've seen people doing during this pandemic? And is it also fair to say that maybe (just maybe) your assessment of how risky tho...
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Why don't I want the pandemic to end? from 2021-06-24T15:06
No, you're not alone. As the world re-opens, hundreds of millions of people are feeling completely overwhelmed at the idea of 'going back to the way things were before.' This feeling (which is abso...
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90% of COVID-19 cases in the EU will be delta variant by 'end of August' from 2021-06-23T13:30
Nine out of 10 new infections. That's how dominant the delta variant is set to become in the EU within 10 weeks, says the ECDC. That has dramatic consequences for Europe's vaccine campaign.
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How to talk to someone who won't vaccinate against COVID-19 — your emails from 2021-06-20T05:05
A ruined wedding, an ugly scene in a coffee shop, a letter to a local newspaper. Listeners from all over the world have had a terrible time navigating our post-vaccinated world. Their stories get u...
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COVID-19: Risky places & a 'toxic' claim about spike proteins from 2021-06-18T15:06
Is it riskier to play a football game outside, or to meet one-on-one with a colleague inside? (Note: Your answer will say a lot more about your morality than you think.) Also, why is a professor of...
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Weekly roundup — COVID-19, aging brains & very cold computers from 2021-06-16T14:44
Will mutations change our vaccination strategy? Also, a controversial step in the fight against Alzheimer's, and how to tell a six-year-old what a quantum computer is.
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What's the deal with Aduhelm? from 2021-06-15T15:42
It's a 'breakthrough' drug for Alzheimer's… but no one's sure if it actually works. There are also clear risks of side effects... and yet it was approved by the top US drug agency (prompting three ...
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What is a quantum computer, exactly? from 2021-06-14T12:54
They look weird, they're outrageously cold, and they're "stupider" than your smartphone. So why are governments throwing billions at quantum computers? And is it possible for a normal person to eve...
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COVID-19: Delta variant danger & 'magnetic' misinformation from 2021-06-11T13:04
How concerned do we have to be about the rapidly spreading Delta variant? (And why are they calling it 'Delta' anyway?) Also, what's with the TikTok videos where metal objects are sticking to vacci...
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Weekly roundup — Dealing with the hesitant, vaccine mixing, and super mice from 2021-06-10T09:53
If you don't vaccinate, you will get COVID-19 at some point. That's a fact. There's also the social argument. But a lot of people in the world remain against immunization. How do we deal with these...
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A quiet Easter from 2021-06-02T01:04:30.209437
When we look back on this pandemic, 'Corona Easter, part 2' may very well mark the low point in people's moods (at least here in Germany). But all signs indicate that better days really are are jus...
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Why does music make us feel so good? from 2021-06-02T01:04:30.208824
We all know that feeling when the right song hits at the right moment and it's just ... really, really good. No other form of art can quite match the feeling of music-induced pleasure. And brain sc...
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Herd immunity & why crosswords or sudoku don't help your brain from 2021-05-31T15:17
Know someone who does puzzles to "keep their brain sharp"? We've got bad news for them. Also, it's time to forget herd immunity and embrace the idea of booster shots.
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How will 'COVID-19 passports' work? from 2021-05-28T12:00
In a month or so, EU citizens are supposed to get a "digital COVID-19 vaccine passport" which they will be able to use to travel. But what will it actually look like? Where will this (private) heal...
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YOUR ANSWERS to the bird quiz from 2021-05-26T15:21
Seven birdcalls. That was the challenge we put to you just over a week ago. And now, it's time for a reckoning.
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Weekly roundup — Black fungus, pregnant women & the closing time effect from 2021-05-25T15:05
What is "black fungus," and how is it related to COVID-19? What are the arguments for — or against — vaccinating pregnant women? And why do people think they're more attractive right before a bar c...
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Should pregnant women get vaccinated against COVID-19? from 2021-05-19T15:14
More than 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated against COVID-19. What does the data show?
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Weekly roundup — Birds, babies & COVID-19 from 2021-05-18T13:21
Have an ear for birdsong? Neither do we. But with a couple clues (and a digital tool), we think you can solve our bird quiz. Also, some new fertility data shows some pretty wild differences between...
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COVID-19: Vaccine updates & getting pregnant from 2021-05-17T14:55
Some surprisingly positive news about China's CoronaVac, a formal complaint against Russia's Sputnik V, and Germany bucks the baby trend.
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What bird was that? from 2021-05-14T14:24
Chirp, chirp. It's time to relax. So kick off your shoes, put your feet up, lean back and just enjoy the birdsong. And if you recognize a few of the calls in our quiz, please take a second and send...
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Weekly roundup — Flourishing & the undecided from 2021-05-11T13:08
The more people who vaccinate, the quicker life goes back to normal. But is there a (proven) way to convince the "on the fence" crowd to go get jabbed? Also, once life does get back to normal, how ...
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How do we start feeling good again? from 2021-05-10T10:23
COVID-19 vaccination rates are going up. Spring birds (at least here in the northern hemisphere) are chirping an end to the winter of Corona. But research says we might need help recalling how to f...
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What's actually happening to your brain when you get 'Zoom fatigue'? from 2021-05-04T01:01:58.680673
You've heard the complaints, and you may have even experienced it yourself: the exhaustion that comes from too much videoconferencing. But, if traditional face-to-face meetings also make us yawn, t...
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Tweets about 'blackout' drinking doubled during lockdown from 2021-04-30T15:05
One more beer? Or an extra glass of wine? Sure. It's a pandemic. But drinking to the point of blackout — entirely ON YOUR OWN — really is a problem. And if previous pandemics are any clue, what hap...
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People get unhappier (not happier) as they get older from 2021-04-29T15:27
Researchers in Germany have disproven the idea that happiness is 'u-shaped' — saying the data clearly shows we're more likely to become unhappier over time. So... what on earth are we supposed to d...
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Weekly COVID-19 roundup — Inhalers & underwear from 2021-04-27T16:11
If you’ve happened to hear about an asthma medication that will ameliorate or perhaps prevent COVID-19, think twice before you go looking for an inhaler. And, of all the things that have changed in...
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EU to reopen for some summer travelers, a malaria vaccine with huge potential & do COVID-19 curfews actually work? from 2021-04-26T15:12
Want to visit the EU this summer? There's a good chance you'll be able to (if you've got the right vaccine and passport). Also, some fantastic news in the fight against a disease that infects 200 m...
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Don't use asthma drugs to fight COVID-19 — yet from 2021-04-22T16:35
It was called a "breakthrough" — a study showing that a common asthma medication could be used to improve people's chances of surviving COVID-19. Now, doctors in Germany and Austria are not only ca...
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COVID-19: Human beings are taking fewer showers now? from 2021-04-22T15:53
"Life is different now than before." Blah-blah-blah you've probably heard that once or twice over the past year - ever since the pandemic put a proverbial straitjacket on life and warped what we th...
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Weekly roundup — The (not-so) great indoors from 2021-04-21T14:24
Just how high are the number of COVID-19 infections that happen inside compared to outside? So high that aerosol experts are recommending we drop the masks outside as long as we're social distancin...
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People with lower-pitched voices cheat on their partners more often from 2021-04-20T16:42
It's one of the most frequently asked questions on the internet: "Is my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner cheating on me?" Now, a new study out of Germany suggests part of the answer may lie in the pitc...
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Germany's curfews, the Chile question & COVID-19 from 2021-04-19T13:21
What's it like being stuck inside your home from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.? Well, just ask one of the hosts of this show. Also, amongst the world's best-vaccinated countries, why are Chile and Uruguay seein...
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99.9% of COVID-19 infections happen indoors from 2021-04-16T14:54
1 in 1,000 — those are the absurdly low odds you'll contract the coronavirus outside as opposed to inside. So with social distancing in place, does it make sense to require face masks when people a...
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Weekly roundup — Mental aerobics, Mars & music from 2021-04-15T14:42
What is going wrong in the minds of conspiracy theorists when they end up jumping to false conclusions? Also, why are people talking about a helicopter on Mars? And finally, when music makes us fee...
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The psychology of a haircut in the COVID-19 pandemic from 2021-04-15T01:02:02.195786
If the coronavirus crisis has shown us anything, it's that human beings apparently have an irrepressible NEED to get their hair cut, styled and colored — virus be damned. But at a time when lockdow...
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Weekly roundup — Hair, needles, boredom & dreams from 2021-04-15T01:02:02.194647
Are there COVID-19 vaccines that don't require a needle? How, exactly, do feelings of boredom affect the spread of the coronavirus? And if we can solve math problems and answer questions while slee...
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COVID-19: Germany's new approach, the AstraZeneca 'over 65' question & a coronavirus controversy in Guatemala from 2021-04-15T01:02:02.193259
With vaccinations lagging (and infections stagnating), what is Germany's new plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic? Also, promising new data from the UK on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and how Gu...
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Anal COVID-19 swabs — why is China doing them? from 2021-04-15T01:02:02.191143
Immigration, baggage, customs, rectal probe — according to reports from diplomats and foreigners visiting China, this is the uncomfortable sequence of events that has greeted some of them upon arri...
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Most Germans want a lighter lockdown from 2021-04-15T01:02:02.188658
The data's clear, and so are the voices on the streets: After almost three months of strict lockdowns, Germans really seem to want their country to be more open than it is right now — even with dai...
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We humans have a lot of cognitive biases — but only a few tend to correlate with COVID-19 conspiracies from 2021-04-14T15:06
Whenever we're confronted with new information (see: the internet), we tend to use cognitive shortcuts to try and make sense of it all. But as we reconfigure that information to fit our understandi...
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Wait —there's a helicopter on Mars? from 2021-04-13T12:35
Yes, there really is. Perched inside a crater on Mars, a boxy little drone-copter is set to become the first aircraft to ever fly on another planet. But how'd it get there? Who's controlling it? Wh...
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COVID-19: First data shows BioNTech-Pfizer '100% effective' in young teenagers from 2021-03-31T14:21
Initial data (that has yet to be peer reviewed) suggests the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine may work even better for young teens than it does for adults — due to an even stronger antibody reaction. The an...
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Weekly COVID-19 roundup — vaccines, variants & very tired parents from 2021-03-30T15:29
Can vaccines stop the mutations? According to a large-scale study out of Israel, it appears the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine can — for now. Also, an unexpected link between the flu vaccine and lower cor...
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Does the flu vaccine protect against COVID-19? from 2021-03-29T15:35
Research suggests that people vaccinated against influenza are less likely to get COVID-19 — and if they do, it's less severe and for a shorter period of time. But is it real immunity, or is it jus...
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Coronavirus: Parents are burned out. Is there a solution? from 2021-03-26T17:39
To the parents reading this: You probably don't need "science" or "data" to tell you that the COVID-19 lockdowns led to the most grueling, exhausting year you've ever experienced. Or that your rela...
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Sputnik V vaccine trial: 'I decided to take the risk' from 2021-03-26T00:01:11.189897
Sergey was one of the volunteers who got two jabs of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine last year — one in November, one in December. It turned out to be very good timing.
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Why the EU took longer to order vaccines from 2021-03-26T00:01:11.187963
It's easy, and even logical, to blame Brussels for vaccine shortages in Europe. Is it fair, though? Or, did the way the negotiations happen actually reflect European values — and fears?
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South Africa variant — which COVID-19 vaccines work? from 2021-03-26T00:01:11.183884
Forget the "90% effective" headlines. Many of those vaccine trials were conducted before new variants had spread around the world — and have very little to say on South Africa. Figuring out whether...
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Weekly roundup — The South Africa variant & how the EU fell behind from 2021-03-26T00:01:11.180553
Of all the COVID-19 vaccines out there, do any work well against the B.1.351 variant that's spread around the globe? And why is it that we don't have a clear answer to that question at this point? ...
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UPDATE: The Easter reversal & some good news (kind of?) for introverts from 2021-03-25T15:57
"The mistake was mine, and mine alone." Following an apology from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Easter lockdown is off the menu. But at what cost? Also, new research appears to contradict ou...
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Weekly roundup — A story from inside a nursing home & some non-COVID science from 2021-03-25T00:00:57.670016
At this point in the pandemic, shouldn't we be able to stop the spread of COVID-19 inside nursing homes? And for those of you looking for a break from the coronavirus, we offer some fresh air, a fe...
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Easter staycation, emails about blood clots and 'reactivated corona' from 2021-03-23T16:48
Here we go again. After months of lockdown and a few weeks of reprieve, Germany's heading right back into what might be the hardest lockdown yet. Also, if you've had blood clots in the past, should...
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Inside the mind of a German anti-corona protester from 2021-03-22T14:51
It's frustrating, and even depressing, to attend a small anti-corona rally on a cold, rainy night in March of 2021. But it's also important to find out what the people in those crowds are trying to...
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'Breakthrough' could lead to therapies for rare blood clots linked to AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from 2021-03-19T17:09
Doctors from Germany and Austria say they've not only figured out the mechanism behind a rare form of thrombosis linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, but have also developed a diagnostic tool and a s...
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The benefits of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the (very low) risks of blood clots from 2021-03-18T17:47
Extremely rare blood clots — and nine deaths in Europe — are possibly linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Also true: 3,500 EU citizens died of COVID-19 yesterday.
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Weekly roundup — From chocolate to cryptocurrencies from 2021-03-16T16:14
Have people really gained more weight during the pandemic? How did brain researchers predict stock movements (or, by extension, cryptocurrency performance) an entire day in advance? And, finally, w...
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COVID-19: Introverts vs. extroverts, long COVID & vaccinating kids from 2021-03-15T16:27
OK, place your bet. Who's done better during lockdowns: introverts or extroverts? Also, what percentage of hospitalized patients still have COVID symptoms half a year later? Finally, what's the lat...
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COVID-19: We eat and drink differently now from 2021-03-15T06:05
Your eating habits have probably changed during this pandemic — and in ways you might not have realized. But as three separate studies have shown, a few variables really do matter when it comes to ...
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How can you predict if a stock will go up or down? from 2021-03-12T17:46
It's a question that consumes millions of investors every single evening: Is a stock going to rise or fall tomorrow? The crazy thing is, we might actually be able to answer this question — if we co...
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Weekly roundup — Germany's reopening, China's rectal COVID-19 swabs & videoconference burnout from 2021-03-10T14:43
Do Germans have a good case for wanting things to reopen? Or it based more on psychological fatigue and social isolation? Also, does China have any science on its side when it compels (some) people...
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YOUR ANSWERS: Where Science unscripted should go from here from 2021-03-06T00:00:47.249600
We asked, and you... flooded our inboxes. Your messages have made it clear what we need to be covering on this show. So thank you! (Plus, a fresh tip on alcohol and vaccines.)
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Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is 91.6% effective: study from 2021-03-06T00:00:47.248501
The "Russian vaccine" works — that's according to an interim analysis of 20,000 people reviewed and published by the medical journal "The Lancet." The news gets even better when you dive into the d...
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While dreaming, we can solve math questions asked by someone in the room from 2021-02-27T05:05
4 + 3? Easy. But what if someone asked you that question when you were deep in REM sleep, in the middle of the night? Depending on how you dream, you might be able to hear such questions — and resp...
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In a pandemic, boredom leads to rule-breaking from 2021-02-26T15:19
You might think people who are "bored" would be lounging around inside, streaming content from their sofas and generally following lockdown protocols. But data from Germany shows they do the opposi...
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COVID-19 testing — why do false negatives happen? from 2021-02-26T01:54:27.350973
From the very beginning, testing for COVID-19 was one of the most essential - and challenging - aspects of controlling the spread of the disease. Even after the swab is taken and the results are in...
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DO NOT ORDER A COVID-19 VACCINE ONLINE from 2021-02-26T01:54:27.350147
The message is simple — but very important. At this point, demand for one of the handful of approved COVID-19 vaccines around the world is enormous. And fake vaccines are in circulation.
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COVID-19 FAQs: A scandal, a dose & a phobia from 2021-02-24T16:30
Is it possible to take a sample of someone's blood (like a politician's) and figure out whether they "cut in line" and got vaccinated earlier than they should have? Also, why aren't more countries ...
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Weekly roundup: Social contagion & birth rates from 2021-02-23T16:57
Efficacy, side effects, dosage, intervals: It seems like every day we're bombarded with new information about COVID-19 vaccines and how well they work (or don't) in the real world. But when this mi...
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COVID-19 psychology: Should I take the AstraZeneca vaccine? from 2021-02-22T17:03
Would you get jabbed with AstraZeneca? Your answer probably has less to do with the vaccine's actual efficacy — and more to do with recent headlines, how you consume media and a phenomenon called "...
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Antivirals are still vital against COVID-19 from 2021-02-21T17:43:09.945618
We check out a medication in development that promises to destroy COVID-19 — at least in ferrets. Even if the results were similar with humans, do we still need such therapies now that the vaccines...
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Whether to close schools 'more than just a scientific question' from 2021-02-21T17:43:09.944980
Across Europe, schools are closed to hamper the spread of COVID-19. There is ample data that justifies the move from an epidemiological perspective. And yet, it's divisive. Why?
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COVID-19 FAQs: Babies, immunity & a haunting song from the ice age from 2021-02-17T17:30
Do vaccines actually stop people from spreading COVID-19? And is it important for them to do so? Also, did the lockdowns cause a baby boom, or was it a baby bust? And finally, a mysterious sound fr...
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Weekly roundup — Kids, vaccines & being beautiful from 2021-02-16T17:21
Are parents planning to vaccinate their kids? And are there any reasons not to? Also, a study reaches the strange conclusion that you actually look better with a surgical mask on.
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Wearing a facemask makes you more attractive from 2021-02-15T17:11
Feeling ugly in your facemask? You couldn't be further from scientific fact. A study suggests you actually look better donning a surgical mask. The effect is even stronger in faces deemed "less att...
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COVID-19: Should I vaccinate my child? from 2021-02-12T17:14
Kids tend to have asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infections. And schools don't seem to be coronavirus "hotspots." So what is the logic behind plans — and phase III trials — to vaccinate children thi...
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Deaths after COVID-19 vaccines — coincidence, not causality from 2021-02-10T17:42
The headlines are scary. And misleading. In this case-by-case analysis, a fact-checker explains why COVID-19 vaccines are not causing the deaths that occurred after vaccinations.
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Weekly roundup — Long Covid and loneliness from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Gabe makes a house call with Conor in quarantine to find out he's tested negative for the coronavirus. But he's not out of the woods yet. Also, why do some COVID-19 patients have symptoms long afte...
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Long Covid - why won't it just go away? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Around a third of COVID-19 patients suffer symptoms well after the infection is gone, according to a German doctor who has been studying "Long Covid" since March. We hear from Götz Richter and one ...
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'Will you take the vaccine?' from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's a simple enough question. And yet a stunning number of people are either saying 'no,' or they aren't sure how to answer. Follow us to the streets of Mainz, Germany — to the spot where one of t...
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Weekly roundup — The vaccines (and the people who might not take them) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Surely, in the face of a deadly pandemic, people would give anything to get a vaccination. Right? Think again. On this show, you'll hear from people who fall in that "not so sure" zone — and whethe...
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How COVID-19 gets to the brain from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
We all know the coronavirus usually gets inside our bodies through the nose, the mouth or the eyes. But from there ... how does it meander its way into our brain? New research from Berlin shows jus...
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A swine flu shadow hangs over the COVID-19 vaccine from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
With Europe gearing up to vaccinate, people's willingness seems low — and is even going down in some countries. Why? In part, it's because people here remember what happened in 2009.
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COVID-19 FAQs on minks, misinformation & the 'vaccine app' from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Will the 'mink mutation' make our new vaccines less effective? And what percentage of people are NOT planning get vaccinated in the first place? Also, what's with the rumors of a 'coronavirus vacci...
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The Merkel who saved Christmas? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
A dark milestone has been reached in Germany, with confirmed COVID-19 cases crossing the 1 million mark, as well as a record number of people dying this week. The government has extended the partia...
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Vaccine efficacy v. effectiveness — and what it all means from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
What's the difference between a vaccine's efficacy and effectiveness? And how do the recent vaccine candidates from Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and BioNTech stack up compared to existing vaccines ...
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Stuck at home from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
An announcement for our regular listeners: Conor and Gabe are in quarantine due to emergency protocols at DW with regard to the coronavirus. They will be back in the office next Thursday, December 3.
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The German doctor who saw COVID's invisible spread — Part 1: Alarm bells from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
In late January 2020, a doctor in Munich made a startling discovery about COVID-19 with major implications. It ended up being one of the most important aspects of this emerging disease and, at leas...
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When looking back at science in 2020, where exactly do you start? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Sifting through the 100+ episodes we've done this year about the coronavirus has given us time to reflect on what we've actually learned. And the things that are most important don't have anything ...
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Weekly roundup — Christmas plans, vaccine gender gap & COVID in the brain from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Will Germans change their Christmas plans enough to avert a coronavirus catastrophe in January? Also, why are women so much less likely to take a vaccine? And how, exactly, does SARS-CoV-2 reach ou...
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'Corona Christmas' — How Germans say they'll be celebrating from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Wait — is it four people? Or four households? And do children count as well? In Bonn, there's a fair amount of confusion as holiday lockdown rules come into effect. But with COVID-19 infections soa...
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3 ways help the elderly feel less lonely from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Lonely people die earlier. That much is known. And with new studies showing increased levels of isolation for older adults during the pandemic, it means the elderly are now facing dual threats to t...
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Why are women so much less willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Just 51% of women to 69% of men — that's the staggering gender gap in COVID-19 vaccine willingness, according to a US survey. But how on earth did that happen? And how do we go about fixing it?
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Open questions about the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Brand new medicines tend to scare people. And their concerns deserve an answer. So: What are the side effects of this new vaccine? Will it work equally well for everyone? Was it rushed in the name ...
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Weekly roundup — Swine flu, bonkers 'science' & who shouldn't be vaccinated from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Which lessons should — and shouldn't — be drawn from the H1N1 immunization campaign of 2009? Are there anti-vax 'arguments' that really are worth debating? And which groups will be excluded from th...
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Weekly roundup — Dealing with death in times of COVID-19 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
With coronavirus deaths rising, it's important to ask: What is grief, exactly? What actually happens inside our brains, at the chemical level, when we mourn the loss of a loved one? Are there studi...
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Kids, pregnant women & the COVID-19 vaccines from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
At this point it's clear that healthcare workers, the elderly or other at-risk groups should get vaccinations ASAP. But there are also people who, for reasons of health or medical ethics, should not.
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On grief, part II from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Where does the pain come from when we lose people we love? Can it be reduced to chemicals in our brain? If so, are there ways to prevent it? Listen to our part two of our deep dive into the phenome...
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On grief - part I from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's one of the sickening questions often overlooked with regard to the coronavirus. How should we deal with the pain of losing loved ones right now? Listen to part one of our deep dive into the ph...
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Weekly roundup — Testing, death rates & Belgium's COVID collapse from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Is the rapid increase of confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus around the world due simply to more tests being done? A Belgian doctor says the nation's healthcare system is trembling on the p...
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No sides in science - until now from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Science journals in the United States are endorsing Joe Biden for president. A line has been crossed by the current administration, the editors write. But isn't taking sides in journalism itself ou...
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Belgium's COVID-19 collapse 'will happen in 10 days' from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The highest COVID-19 infection rate in the world right now is in the Belgian city of Liege. Doctors who have tested positive are being asked to continue working - because there is no other option. ...
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Panic buying: 'Who are we to tell people how to behave?' from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Toilet paper, noodles, disinfectant, wipes. As "Lockdown 2" gets underway here in Europe, people are hoarding an embarrassing amount of goods all over again. But what if, instead of condemning that...
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Why is the autumn 'wave' rising so fast? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Yes, it's a bit cooler outside. But does that really explain why the COVID-19 numbers have gone up so high? And so quickly? And if it doesn't, what does?
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Weekly roundup — Europe, the COVID-19 surge & young adults from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
What, exactly, is behind the frightening surge in Europe's COVID-19 numbers? And are we blaming the wrong groups of people for it? Join us in the world's hottest coronavirus hotspot as we search fo...
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Europe is the world's worst coronavirus hot spot from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's not even close. Across Europe, coronavirus infections and deaths are surging in a way that has left people living here in disbelief.
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Stop blaming young people from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
They party hard, hang out with friends, and don't really care if they get COVID-19. Right? Or could it be, as a new study from Germany suggests, that we've completely misjudged how young adults fee...
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Friends, family, infections from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Be honest: Have you ever dropped the social distancing ('Just this once!') to make an exception for friends or family? And if so, did it somehow feel... less risky than if you'd done it for a stran...
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Horror fans & pandemic psychology from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Are horror fans better prepared for a pandemic? And if so, why? We speak with a researcher about how scary movies, haunted houses, and apocalyptic video games may help your psyche during this pande...
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Weekly roundup — Neanderthals, horror films & saunas from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Could having Neanderthal DNA be beneficial if you contract COVID-19? How can scary movies, haunted houses, and apocalyptic video games help us weather a pandemic? And we tackle a few listener quest...
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COVID-19 FAQs on saunas, groceries & surfaces from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Are saunas safe (or safer) during the coronavirus pandemic? And when it comes to groceries, do we need to be disinfecting items when we bring them home?
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When science gets political from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Scientific journals have been breaking with precedent this year and endorsing a candidate for US president, in light of the country's high death toll from the coronavirus pandemic. But what does th...
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How would I know if I had (dangerous) Neanderthal genes? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Having Neanderthal DNA in your body means you face a higher risk of a severe COVID-19 infection. But how much higher? And how can I figure out if I'm part Neanderthal?
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Predicting an election's aftermath with game theory from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Humans are unpredictable, reality, chaotic. So how is it that from this mess, a certain kind of theorist can use tools and social science to look into the future — and often get it right? And what ...
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A coronavirus 'gargle test' from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Let's face it: Swab tests kind of hurt. And if people are asked to do something that's painful and unpleasant, they'll tend to stop doing it over time. That's why it's so important that a new kind ...
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Bad news from Germany from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
A sharp rise in new COVID-19 infections suggests Germany's second wave is building faster — and will rise far higher — than the initial outbreak in spring. What's going on?
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COVID-19 FAQs: Swab skeptics, brain effects & eyeglasses from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
DW has been getting angry emails from people who don't believe PCR swab tests show an actual infection. So who's right? Also, new research shows an alarming rate of brain impairments in COVID-19 pa...
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Weekly roundup — Eyewear, gargling & sex from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
A small Chinese study suggests wearing glasses correlates with lower COVID-19 rates. The question is, why would that be? Also, a German city rolls out coronavirus "gargle tests," and we hit the str...
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The sex lives of Germans from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The only way to find out if having sex leads to a healthier life... is to ask people some really uncomfortable questions. And that is what the German government is doing right now in a national sur...
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COVID-19 FAQs: Germany's going to have how many cases by Christmas? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Chancellor Merkel says roughly 20,000 Germans will contract COVID-19 by Christmas — every single day. And the only way to prevent that is with new rules. So, just what are Germans going to have to ...
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Weekly roundup — Stillbirths, ethics & satire from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Why have stillbirth rates gone up during the pandemic? What does it mean to behave "ethically" during this crisis? And why on earth did scientists create a knife out of human feces?
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Laugh, then think from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's important to talk about non-Coronavirus science. And it's also important to have a good laugh. With that in mind, we present the 2020 winners of the Ig Nobel Prize (the satirical alternative t...
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Behaving 'ethically' in times of a pandemic from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Are we doing too little for elderly coronavirus victims (and potential ones) — or sacrificing too much? Why can't we test vaccines on people who want to get COVID-19 anyway? And how can we navigate...
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The stillbirth question from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
During the coronavirus pandemic, stillbirths have increased at alarming rates. But why? We ask Asma Khalil — a professor of obstetrics and maternal fetal medicine from St. George’s Hospital in Lond...
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Where should we go with this show? from 2021-01-29T15:46
Is there such thing as too much COVID-19 reporting? Are you ready for "other science"? And is there anything else you'd like us to change about this podcast? This is our open, honest call for your ...
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COVID-19 in nursing homes: 'I wouldn't blame anyone for my father's death' from 2021-01-28T16:00
There are statistics, and then there's a story that helps you understand. This one is from Andreas, whose father passed away from COVID-19 inside a nursing home a few weeks ago.
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Weekly roundup — Vaccination frustrations, the rise in myopia & a viral video from 2021-01-26T17:03
Remember those jokes about "2020 vision"? Well a new study suggests that stay-at-home measures during that year may have caused irrevocable damage to children's eyes — and to ours, by extension. Al...
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COVID-19 lockdowns have permanently damaged children's eyes from 2021-01-25T17:17
Nearsightedness, or myopia, has gone up dramatically during periods of lockdown — that's according to a study of more than 100,000 children in China. Though the damage is irreversible, there are th...
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What's happening in the night skies in 2021, and the outrageous, immoral life of astronomer Tycho Brahe from 2021-01-22T17:02
This year's going to be a fun one for stargazers — with planets lighting up the summer nights, a telescope that'll take us back to the birth of stars, and a solar eclipse that... well, very few peo...
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'German vaccine' shortage — are Germans OK with that? from 2021-01-21T18:14
Of all the places in the world for there to a shortage of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, it seems odd for it to be happening in the country of its creation. And, though the selfless, European motivat...
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DEBUNKED: 3 new anti-vaxx arguments emerge as COVID-19 vaccinations accelerate from 2021-01-20T16:55
They're all false or misleading: A distressing video of a woman convulsing in a hospital bed. Another singling out nasty-sounding chemicals "used in COVID-19 vaccines." And, finally, the cherry-pic...
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Weekly roundup — Good news, bad news & a dose of humor from 2021-01-19T16:21
As Germany doubles down on the lockdown, new data suggests vaccines will keep us all safe for a long, long time. But even as health care workers get vaccinated, their suffering will continue well b...
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Can we laugh about COVID-19? from 2021-01-18T15:27
A news story, if delivered with a joke or a punchline, is remembered more clearly and shared more often — that's the indication of a new US study. But does that mean that the news should be funny? ...
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The unseen scars of COVID-19 frontline workers from 2021-01-15T14:44
Over half of the health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic have reported symptoms of mental illness, according to an ongoing investigation. What can be done to help these people?
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'Immune memory' gives shot in the arm to vaccine hopes from 2021-01-13T18:13
Our immune system will remember the coronavirus for a long time, years maybe, according to new data. This is potentially huge news for global vaccination efforts.
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Weekly roundup — Variants, anti-virals & fake vaccines from 2021-01-12T15:09
We are told that contagious mutations of Sars-CoV-2 have ushered in a new phase in the pandemic. How important are anti-viral therapies now that the vaccines are out? And — when is the right time t...
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Variants are a wake-up call for pandemic's new phase from 2021-01-11T17:15
That the new Sars-CoV-2 genetic variants can spread so quickly through communities already under strict lockdown has experts alarmed. How should we respond to this data streaming in from all over t...
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The German doctor who saw COVID's invisible spread — Part 2: Vindication from 2020-12-29T12:01
After Dr. Camilla Rothe and others working on the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany had sounded the alarm regarding asymptomatic transmission, their warning fell on deaf ears. Why did it take s...
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