Elena Renken

Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?

Daniel Wood

View our map and graphics to see where COVID-19 is hitting hardest in the U.S., which state outbreaks are growing the fastest and which are leveling off.

When you listen to a story, your brain waves actually start to synchronize with those of the storyteller. And reading a narrative activates brain regions involved in deciphering or imagining a person's motives and perspective, research has found.

How Stories Connect And Persuade Us: Unleashing The Brain Power Of Narrative

Elena Renken

The power of shared storytelling to soothe or spur us to action may be more crucial than ever, scientists say. Here's what happens in the brain when we feel swept away by a story, book or film.

The hydra, a tiny aquatic creature, appears to never age. Scientists are studying it to learn what secrets it may hold to longevity.

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Opossums, Hydras And Hummingbirds: What We're Learning About Aging From Animals

Lulu Miller

Some animals live longer than they should for their size. Some have shorter lives. And others don't appear to age at all.

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Her Incredible Sense Of Smell Is Helping Scientists Find New Ways To Diagnose Disease

Alix Spiegel

Years before he got diagnosed with Parkinson's, Joy Milne noticed her husband's characteristic scent had changed. The discovery that she could smell his illness has opened up a new field of research.

Washing your hands often — and with proper technique — is critical in preventing the spread of communicable diseases and viruses such as COVID-19.

Hand-Washing Can Protect You From Coronavirus. But You Need To Do It Right

Maxwell Posner

It sounds so easy: Wash your hands and you can get rid of pathogens. But it does require a bit of forethought.

Chunlin Leonhard, is under quarantine at the Travis Air Force Base. She and others under quarantine are housed on base and where they receive delivered meals three times a day.

Life In Quarantine: What It's Like For The U.S. Evacuees From Wuhan

Rob Stein

Hundreds of American travelers returned from Wuhan, China and are now under federal quarantine for two weeks. Some are happy to be back in the U.S., but wish they weren't confined in military bases.

A growing field of science shows that friendship is vital to our health.

Survival Of The Friendliest: How Our Close Friendships Help Us Thrive

Elena Renken

In her new book, Lydia Denworth makes the case for the vital necessity of friendship, tracing its effects on your genes, on your brain and even on animals like sheep and fish.

A cyclist crosses the Yangtze River Bridge. Residents of Wuhan are allowed to leave their homes on a limited basis. With public transit shuttered during the quarantine, they use cars, cabs, scooters and bicycles.

PHOTOS: Scenes From The Epicenter Of The Coronavirus Outbreak

Elena Renken

A photojournalist in Wuhan, China, portrays a city under quarantine in the midst of COVID-19.

Research finds that more than 20% of patients got hit with surprise bills after elective surgeries, most often coming from either anesthesiologists or surgical assistants.

Study: 1 In 5 Patients Gets A Surprise Medical Bill After Surgery

Elena Renken

With two bills up for debate in the House this week aiming to stop surprise billing, research finds the average surprise bill post-surgery exceeds $2,000.

Sure, you can shoot your doctor an email, or hit the urgent care clinic when you have a sore throat. But those convenient alternatives may be less likely than regular visits to a primary provider to catch symptoms that ebb and flow, yet might signal a larger health problem.

As Out-Of-Pocket Health Costs Rise, Insured Adults Are Seeking Less Primary Care

Elena Renken

When's the last time you checked in with your primary care provider? U.S. adults under age 65 made nearly 25% fewer visits to primary care providers in 2016 than in 2008, a big study finds.