Exponentially Important: The Scientific Origins of PCR
Thanks to lab techniques like PCR, we can detect the presence of dangerous viruses with laser-sharp precision.
Seeing the Big Picture: Moving From One Molecule to Many
We are living through a so-called “omics revolution,” with new technologies that make cellular analyses much more comprehensive.
How Speeding up Science Aided the Fight Against COVID-19
High throughput technology is central to the COVID-19 fight.
Reading Genomes: The Key to Life and to Thwarting Death
Genome sequencing machines are essential to preventing viral outbreaks, but funding is key.
Seeing Is Believing: Exposing the “Invisible Monster”
In the battle between scientists and COVID-19, imaging gives scientists an upper hand.
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Pandemic Puts Mathematical Modeling Through Its Paces
Mathematical tools that proved essential during the pandemic were in many cases invented by mathematicians who had no particular goal in mind.
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The Arcane Research That Prepared Us for COVID-19
Decades of basic science research on an obscure virus helped fast-track COVID-19 vaccines.
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Scabs and Failure: Springboards for a History-Making Vaccine
The surprising history of vaccinology that helped produce a COVID-19 vaccine in record time with 95% efficacy.
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Harnessing the Power of Evolution in the Battle against COVID-19
Decades of basic science research have helped us to understand this evolutionary arms race and stay one step ahead of the pathogens in our midst.
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Put a Mask On It
Understanding How COVID-19 Spreads
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The Vast Viral World: What We Know (and Don’t Know)
Exploring the minuscule and mysterious world of viruses.
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A Conversation with “America’s Doctor” about Funding Research
Anthony Fauci discusses the battle against COVID-19 with Robert Bazell.
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Taking to the Stars
A look back at the Sloan Foundation’s successful 25-year partnership with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
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Obsessed With Blastocysts
Janet Rossant, a rockstar stem cell scientist, was first just curious about blastocysts.
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What to Savor about the Discovery of Gravity Waves
The new view of the cosmos.
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Why We Need More Intellectually Promiscuous Scientists
Inventions in one discipline can build on—and spur—basic research in many others, often unwittingly.
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Why It’s Good to Be Curious About Insects
Entomology—and all curiosity driven research—catalyzes unexpected, useful discoveries.
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Re-Inventing Gravity
Many scientists believe Einstein’s theory of general relativity will need to be modified. What new evidence will point the way?
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Mapping the Human Exposome
It’s now possible to map a person’s lifetime exposure to nutrition, bacteria, viruses, and environmental toxins—which profoundly influence human health.
