Rachael Rettner

Rachael Rettner

Rachael has been with Live Science since 2010. She has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She also holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an M.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has appeared in Scienceline, The Washington Post and Scientific American.

Articles by: Rachael Rettner

David Bennett Sr. (center) after his groundbreaking heart transplant. Bennett is pictured with his son, David Bennett Jr (left), and Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Pig virus may have contributed to death of man with 1st porcine heart transplant

By Rachael Rettner published

The man was the first person to receive a transplant using a heart from a genetically modified pig.

Demonstrators during an abortion-rights protest in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Roe v. Wade FAQ: What if abortion rights law gets overturned?

By Rachael Rettner, Nicoletta Lanese published

Here are answers to questions about what could happen if the landmark ruling is overturned.

Image of Strongyloides stercoralis, a type of roundworm, as seen under a microscope.

Man's 'shifting' rash caused by worms crawling under his skin

By Rachael Rettner published

The parasite can penetrate the skin.

This image shows the mid-section of a young girl in a hospital bed with an IV in her hand.

Mysterious hepatitis outbreak in children: What we know

By Rachael Rettner published

Nearly 200 cases of severe, unexplained hepatitis have been reported in children worldwide. Here's what we know so far.

Kane Tanaka at age 116 when she was recognized as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records.

World's oldest person dies in Japan at age 119

By Rachael Rettner published

She held the title of world's oldest living person for three years.

An illustration of coronavirus particles.

Longest COVID-19 infection reported: Patient had virus for 505 days.

By Rachael Rettner published

The case is the longest-known continuous infection with COVID-19 reported to date.

The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is a vector for Powassan virus.

Death from rare tick-borne virus reported in Maine

By Rachael Rettner published

People infected with Powassan virus can develop serious neurological symptoms.

An illustration of SARS-CoV-2.

Going viral: 6 new findings about viruses

By Rachael Rettner published

Here are six new things scientists have recently learned about viruses.

A southern tamandua, also known as the lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla).

Zoo anteater exposed people to rabies in first-of-its-kind case

By Rachael Rettner published

The infected animal may have exposed more than a dozen people to the deadly virus.

Woman checks her blood sugar levels with a glucometer.

Type 2 diabetes: Symptoms, causes and treatment

By Rachael Rettner published

Reference Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels.

Computer illustration of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which can cause meningitis

Large meningitis outbreak among gay, bisexual men in Florida, CDC warns

By Rachael Rettner published

People in this population are urged to get vaccinated against the disease.

An illustration of a torovirus, a type of RNA virus.

Thousands of new viruses discovered in the ocean

By Rachael Rettner published

More than 5,000 new virus species have been identified in the world's oceans, according to a new study.

computer illustration of bot fly larva

A dozen squirming fly larvae cause man's 'itchy eye'

By Rachael Rettner published

Doctors discovered "more than a dozen mobile, translucent larvae" on the man's eye.

Images depicting the process the researchers used to analyze prenatal brain scans. (a-b) In-utero MRI images used in the study, (c) an MRI image after processing to mask the brain from the external tissue, (d) automatic segmentation of the brain structures, and (e) analysis of the segmented structures.

Brain differences tied to autism can be detected in the womb

By Rachael Rettner published

A brain region known as the insular lobe was larger in those that went on to develop autism, compared with controls.

A woman pouring water from a bottle into a glass.

Staying hydrated may reduce the risk of heart failure

By Rachael Rettner published

Drinking enough fluids is important for numerous bodily functions, including helping the heart pump blood more easily.

An illustration of the brain showing the amygdala in red. The structure is located deep in the brain.

This brain structure may grow too fast in babies who develop autism

By Rachael Rettner published

Those with the fastest rate of growth of the amygdala had the most severe symptoms of autism.

A coronavirus particle binds to a human cell.

Coronavirus variants: Facts about omicron, delta and other COVID-19 mutants

By Rachael Rettner published

Here's a look at the science behind COVID-19 variants, such as omicron and delta, and which coronavirus mutants are the most concerning in different areas.

Close up of a lone-star tick on a person's finger.

Mysterious Heartland virus shows up in Georgia ticks

By Rachael Rettner published

The Heartland virus, which is spread by lone star ticks, was first identified in Missouri in 2009.

A woman squeezing liquid solution from an at-home COVID-19 test onto a test strip.

At-home COVID-19 tests linked to accidental injuries, FDA warns

By Rachael Rettner published

The agency also reminded people to keep the tests out of reach of children and pets.

Easton Sinnamon is the first person to receive a heart transplant along with implantation of thymus tissue from the same donor. On the left, Easton after his heart transplant; on the right, Easton at home during his first week out of the hospital.

1st-of-its-kind heart transplant in infant could prevent organ rejection

By Rachael Rettner published

The novel procedure involves transplanting a heart along with thymus tissue from the same donor.

David Bennett Sr. (center) after his groundbreaking heart transplant. Bennett is pictured with his son, David Bennett Jr (left), and Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Man who received 1st pig heart transplant has died

By Rachael Rettner published

The exact cause of the man's death is still unclear.

Ground coffee in a scoop.

Man dies from caffeine overdose after drinking equivalent of 200 cups of coffee

By Rachael Rettner published

Caffeine powders can be dangerous because they are much more potent than typical caffeine-containing beverages.

White-tailed Deer buck and doe in snowy field.

1st possible case of deer-to-human COVID-19 transmission reported

By Rachael Rettner published

Researchers also identified highly mutated clusters of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in deer.

Here's a look at the science of flu shots. Shown here, a vial and syringe.

Flu shot facts & side effects

By Rachael Rettner published

The seasonal flu shot is a yearly vaccine that protects against the flu, or influenza. Here's what you need to know about it.

An emergency sign outside a hospital.

10 strangest medical cases of 2021

By Rachael Rettner published

From yellow tongue to magic mushrooms growing in a man's blood, we take a look at 10 strange medical cases from 2021.