It has spread across the globe in just a few short months, sickening hundreds of thousands, but the new coronavirus has the dubious distinction of not really being a living organism, biologists say. “Viruses aren’t considered alive — in class, I call them pseudo-alive,” said Eric Mendenhall, an associate professor of biological sciences at the…  read on >

In a lesson for what can be achieved with social distancing, researchers report that school and workplace closures in Wuhan, China, reduced the number of coronavirus cases there. And officials are extending those measures until April now instead of March, which could hold off a second wave of cases until later this year, the researchers…  read on >

Smokers and vapers who get COVID-19 can probably expect a more severe infection, health experts warn. Many advisories have focused on the risk facing older people, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients. But doctors also caution that users of electronic cigarettes and tobacco are…  read on >

The new coronavirus continues its steady march through the U.S. population, bringing with it a second plague: potentially dangerous myths and rumors about COVID-19, spread via the internet. You may have already heard some of these coronavirus myths, which, if subscribed to, could at best mean wasted effort or — at worst — make you…  read on >

Everyone is learning to deal with the threat of the new coronavirus, but for people with cancer, the virus is even more concerning. Cancer can increase people’s risk of catching the coronavirus. It increases the odds of complications from the infection, too. “Patients with cancer are at a higher risk, especially if treatment is active…  read on >