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Latest by Jenny McGrath

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Why is the CDC still using fax machines in its coronavirus response?

While many health records are electronic, not all public health agencies have the technology to efficiently get the needed data amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Your Fitbit may be able to detect a key coronavirus symptom

Newer Fitbit devices have a feature that tracks blood-oxygen levels. Some coronavirus patients develop serious symptoms related to low blood-oxygen levels.
Anova Precision Cooker WiFi review

Anova Precision Cooker Wi-Fi review: Never cook meat on a stove again

If you want to dip your toe into the low-temperature waters of sous vide, the Anova precision cooker is a good way to start. It has a robust app and an easy-to-use interface the just may convert you to a whole new way of cooking. You'll never cook meat in a stove again.
Rutgers Spectrum Coronavirus Saliva Test.

FDA authorizes at-home coronavirus test that uses your spit

The coronavirus test from a Rutgers University laboratory allows you to collect a saliva sample at home before sending it back to the lab for a diagnosis.
Researcher in Lab with Blood Sample Test

Coronavirus antibody tests aren’t created equal. Here’s what you need to know

The Food and Drug Administration recently changed its standards around accuracy for coronavirus antibody tests. Previously, there wasn't a lot of guideance.
Disaster preparedness kit

It’s a disaster! Are you prepared?

Have a disaster preparedness kit can save your life and make riding out a storm or other natural disaster far more comfortable. Here's what you need in yours.
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FDA authorizes experimental drug remdesivir as coronavirus treatment

The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization to Gilead Sciences' remdesivir drug to treat the coronavirus. It's shown promising results.
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How to watch the Disney Family Singalong: Volume II

ABC will air a second Disney Family Singalong on Mother's Day. There will be songs from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and more, and plenty of songs to belt out.
Elon Musk

Elon Musk sends Tesla stock tumbling after bizarre tweets

In another Twitter rant, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said the company's stock was too high, causing the stock to drop immediately. He's been having quite a week.
GMC Hummer EV teaser

GM postpones the reveal of its new electric Hummer

GM was poised to reveal its electric Hummer in May, but now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the debut has been postponed. A new date hasn't been announced.
iPhone lock screen

Google, Apple promise to encrypt data from contact-tracing tech

Amid privacy concerns about coronavirus contact tracing plans, Apple and Google announced new protections to their systems on Friday, such as encrypted data.
Lady Gaga

How to watch tonight’s One World: Together at Home benefit concert

One World: Together at Home is a benefit concert for frontline healthcare workers. Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and many more will perform to fund PPE for workers.
spacex and nasa collaboration

On May 27, NASA will launch a crew from U.S. soil for first time in a decade

NASA hasn't launched a crewed mission from U.S. soil in nearly 10 years. With SpaceX's help, it will do so on May 27, with the Crew Dragon and two astronauts.
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WHO says these six things need to happen before lockdowns are lifted 

The World Health Organization has six recommendations countries need to follow before ending lockdowns, if they don't want COVID-19 cases to spike again.
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Need online lessons for your kid? This site lets them Skype with a scientist

Skype a Scientists is a free service that connects teachers and families with experts in every scientific field, from astronomy to zoology, via a virtual call.
Amazon Go Grocery Store

How to buy groceries online: Tips for shopping in quarantine

Shelter-at-home orders are making competition for grocery delivery and pickup options fierce. Here are some tips to get the food you need.
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How do ventilators work?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, hospitals are needing ventilators in greater numbers. Here's how the life-saving machines work, and why they're needed.
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Climate change is killing coffee farms, so Atomo is brewing it without beans

Atomo Coffee doesn't use beans. Instead, it upcycles seeds and husks, while still keep the flavor and aroma of coffee, thanks to similar volatile compounds.
Amazon Warehouse Worker

Need something from Amazon? Here’s how shipping delays will affect your package

Amazon stopped receiving nonessential items at its U.S. and U.K. warehouses last week, and now people are seeing longer wait times for all kinds of products.
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Why the coronavirus could remake school as we know it

School districts are closing down for weeks at a time, and parents, students, and teachers aren't ready to go online. That all could change, post-coronavirus.
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From the Arctic to Antarctica, Erika Bergman pilots submarines to the seafloor

Erika Bergman has been piloting submarines for a decade, and she's also been getting girls excited about engineering so she has some company in the ocean.
Animal skulls on shelf

Minority Report for poachers: Can predictive algorithms prevent wildlife crime?

Dr. Meredith Gore is a conservation criminologist who uses data to stop wildlife trafficking before species are poached, taking techniques from criminology.
A doctor on a remote video call.

If you think you have the coronavirus, don’t go to the doctor. Call one 

There are many benefits to telemedicine, doing a virtual visit with your doctor when you're sick, especially during a potential outbreak, like the coronavirus.
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Turn any food into caviar-like pearls with the Wonka-like Spherificator

Our fancy parties never involve caviar, but they could, thanks to the Imperial Spherificator. Well, it will still be fake caviar but in the familiar roe form. Use any liquid to make little spheres that burst when you bite them.
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Inside the groundbreaking plan to truly anonymize your 2020 Census data

The U.S. Census Bureau wants to keep its data secure with differential privacy measures, but researchers are worried about how the protected data will affect their work, funding, and other issues.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at CES 2019

SXSW 2020’s fate uncertain after Twitter, Facebook pull out amid coronavirus fears

Both Facebook and Twitter have cancelled appearances at SXSW 2020, and it's likely only the first couple companies to do so over coronavirus fears.
MIT researchers used a machine-learning algorithm to identify a drug called halicin that kills many strains of bacteria. Halicin (top row) prevented the development of antibiotic resistance in E. coli, while ciprofloxacin (bottom row) did not.

MIT Technology Review predicts the 10 breakthrough technologies of 2020

From tiny A.I. to satellite mega-constellations, the MIT Technology Review predicts the biggest breakthrough technologies of 2020 and why they matter.
layla launches its mattress delivery kickstarter matress set up

Layla is a mattress-delivery company that also throws in the bed frame

There are lots of mattress-in-a-box companies that will ship you a foam mattress, but Layla will also throw in a foundation for the bed. It's made out of the box it ships in.
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Brazilian students created an app that keeps even slackers on track

The Minha Jornada TCC is an app for Brazilian students working on their final thesis project. The process can take between six months to a year, and it's easy for students to miss deadlines. Ketlen Komorek and Tiago Hermano created an app to help them keep track of the process.
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Listen and learn with Audvice, a Spotify for education recordings 

Audvice is a learning app that helps students study by letting them create playlists of personal notes and public lectures. Co-founder Sophie Bolzer and her team won the Red Bull Basement University competition, which showcased solutions for improving students' lives.
Jimmy Wales speaking

What does it take to make a social media network that doesn’t exploit users?

Social media sites can be fun and silly but also grab all your data to keep you hooked. Some sites want to be a refuge from harassment but haven't caught on the way Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok have. Is there a way to be both popular and good?
Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Bernie Sanders at the Democratic debate

How CNN made its Election Center your primary (and caucus) destination

Ahead of the 2020 election, CNN's election center has data-driven modules for following the primaries and caucuses, including today's New Hampshire primary.
Google Maps Review of Labrador Sea

How Earth rates, according to Google Maps location reviews

People leave reviews on Google Maps for all sorts of things, including natural landmarks. Seas, mountain ranges, and other phenomena wow and underwhelm many reviewers.
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Historians at the Movies mixes fun and fact-checking for your favorite films

Ever wonder what historical scholars think of movies like 300 or The Irishman? They'll gladly tell you with the Historians at the Movies hashtag #HATM.