The spread of a virus from animals to people and back again is not unique to COVID-19 and has occurred at least 100 times, according to a new study. This so-called disease “spillback” has recently attracted significant attention due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed mink, lions and tigers in zoos and wild white-tailed…  read on >  read on >

Uninsured Americans will no longer be covered for free COVID-19 tests and treatments because of the budget impasse in Congress, a Biden administration official said Tuesday. The program was to stop accepting claims at midnight Tuesday, according to Martin Kramer, a spokesman for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Associated Press reported. “The lack…  read on >  read on >

Science is moving closer to a male contraceptive pill, and human clinical trials of a non-hormonal version could begin later this year, researchers say. The experimental contraceptive works in mice, according to a preliminary study scheduled for presentation Wednesday at an American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in San Diego. “Scientists have been trying for decades…  read on >  read on >

At-home COVID-19 tests are a key tool in containing the spread of the coronavirus. But a few safety precautions are in order to prevent serious injury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The tests can cause harm if they’re not used according to manufacturers’ instructions, and they also need to be kept out of…  read on >  read on >