
Michael Schubert
Michael Schubert is a veteran science and medicine communicator. He writes across all areas of the life sciences and medicine but specializes in the study of the very small — from the genes that make our bodies work to the chemicals that could support life on other planets. Mick holds graduate degrees in medical biochemistry and molecular biology. When he's not writing or editing, he is co-director of the Digital Communications Fellowship in Pathology; a professor of professional practice in academic writing at ThinkSpace Education; an inclusion and accessibility consultant; and (most importantly) dog-walker and ball-thrower extraordinaire.
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Radiation-resistant 'extremophile' microbe dubbed 'Conan the Bacterium' inspires new antioxidantA three-part complex based on the molecules that give "Conan the Bacterium" its radiation resistance may protect humans against damage from ionizing radiation.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Twin study reveals signs of MS that might be detectable before symptomsChanges in the gene activity of immune cells may help flag people who have multiple sclerosis or are likely to develop it, a study of twins hints.
By Michael Schubert Published
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More people are surviving avalanches than decades ago — here's whyA study of avalanche survival data shows that survival rates have increased and rescues are faster, but time is still critical for buried victims.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Saline nose drops may shorten colds and cut transmission, trial hintsGiving children saline nose drops at the start of a cold may shorten its duration and reduce the likelihood that they will pass the illness to others, a study hints. But it has some caveats.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Why are some people's mosquito bites itchier than others'? New study hints at answerA previously unrecognized type of immune cell may be responsible for the itchy feeling brought on by bug bites and other allergic reactions.
By Michael Schubert Published
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For C. diff, antibiotic resistance comes at a costResearchers have identified two distinct mechanisms of drug resistance in C. difficile, but its ability to withstand antibiotics comes with downsides for the bacteria.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Virus that causes COVID-19 uses a secret 'back door' to infect the brainA mutation on the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19 could help it infect the brain by forcing it to use a cellular "back door."
By Michael Schubert Published
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Single-shot HIV treatment suppresses virus 10,000-fold for months, animal study findsEngineered virus-like particles can outcompete HIV in the body, potentially offering long-term viral suppression after a single dose, a monkey study suggests.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Scientists finally explain MIS-C, the rare post-COVID sydrome seen in kidsMIS-C, a rare post-COVID inflammatory syndrome in children, may be triggered when the immune system mistakes its own proteins for those of the virus.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Heart attacks fell dramatically during the pandemic — and they're still droppingBetter prevention is driving down heart-attack rates in the U.S., but the sharp drops seen at the height of the pandemic were likely caused by people avoiding medical care.
By Michael Schubert Published
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What causes blood clots?Blood clots can be dangerous, especially if all or part of them break off and then travel through the bloodstream.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Anxiety and depression raise the risk of dangerous blood clots, study findsRecent research has drawn a link between anxiety, depression and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Scientists find secret 'back door' flu viruses use to enter cellsFlu viruses that can use a second cellular entry point may move more effectively between animals and humans, scientists say.
By Michael Schubert Published
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'This is what drives the migraine headache': Scientists uncover 'missing link' in why some migraines happenA new mouse study uncovered a previously unknown route between the brain and peripheral nerves that could explain the link between aura symptoms and migraine headaches.
By Michael Schubert Published
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New blood test could flag Parkinson's disease years before symptoms, study hintsBy analyzing the proteins in the blood, a new blood test and AI tool can identify which at-risk patients are most likely to develop Parkinson's disease.
By Michael Schubert Published
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DNA from dozens of human skeletons unravels history of malariaMalaria is often considered a tropical disease, but data hidden in historical human remains has shed new light on the parasite's world travels.
By Michael Schubert Published
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Vivid nightmares precede lupus diagnosis by over a year in some patientsSome lupus patients report having nightmares just before a flare, and of these, some report starting to have bad dreams long before their actual lupus diagnosis.
By Michael Schubert Published
