Articles by Rachael Rettner, Contributor

Rachael is a Live Science contributor, and was a former channel editor and senior writer for Live Science between 2010 and 2022. 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

photo of a student holding a pen and notebook as she looks at a 3D model of the systems of the human body

What are the systems of the body? Fast facts about the human body and how it works

By Rachael Rettner, Scott Dutfield, Nicoletta Lanese last updated 5 April 24

Reference Learn all about the human body's many systems and some of its individual organs, both vital and vestigial.

What's the rarest blood type?

By Rachael Rettner last updated 12 February 24

Blood typing is particularly important for blood transfusions.

photo of a toddler recovering from rsv in a hospital bed; he's sitting up and holding a toy care while sucking on a binky. An oxygen tube is inserted into his nostrils and secured to his face with colorful adhesive bandages

RSV: Symptoms, treatments, antibodies and vaccines

By Rachael Rettner last updated 24 August 23

In healthy children and adults, RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can cause more serious disease in infants, young kids and older people.

A coronavirus particle depicted in bright red and yellow binds to a human cell depicted in light yellow

Coronavirus variants: Facts about omicron, delta and other SARS-CoV-2 mutants

By Nicoletta Lanese, Rachael Rettner last updated 8 August 23

Here's a look at the science behind SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the now-dominant omicron and its many defunct relatives.

an older man with brown skin and a salt-and-peppered mustache reclines on a sofa with overear headphones on. His hands are behind his head, as if he's resting, and he's looking into the distance

Musician's head injury triggered rare synesthesia, causing him to 'see' music

By Rachael Rettner published 18 May 23

A man's head injury resulted in a rare neurological condition that caused him to "see" music, and simultaneously, he became more creative.

close up of purple gummy supplements being spilled out from a clear jar onto on a white table

Most melatonin gummies have higher doses than what's on the label

By Rachael Rettner published 26 April 23

A new analysis reveals that most melatonin gummies sold in the U.S. contain more of the hormone than noted on their labels.

older white woman with grey hair being loaded into ambulance by two paramedics, at night as the ambulance lights flash

Fatal drug overdoses have quadrupled in US seniors

By Rachael Rettner published 5 April 23

The rate of fatal drug overdoses among U.S. seniors has quadrupled in the last 20 years.

illustration of dna – pink and blue DNA strands in a helix shape

What is DNA?

By Rachael Rettner last updated 17 March 23

DNA is a molecule that contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce.

woman holding her breasts to check for signs of cancer

Breast cancer: Symptoms, treatment and prevention

By Rachael Rettner last updated 2 March 23

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States.

middle aged woman holds a hand over her mouth as if gasping

Italian woman's rare 'foreign accent syndrome' caused her to sound Canadian

By Rachael Rettner published 10 February 23

A woman's strange case of "foreign accent syndrome" left doctors unsure of its cause.

Insomnia: Causes, symptoms and treatment

By Rachael Rettner last updated 26 January 23

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep.

Sleep apnea: Symptoms, causes and treatments

By Rachael Rettner last updated 20 January 23

Sleep apnea is a condition in which people experience pauses in breathing, or shallow breathing, during sleep.

Close up of young woman's face whilst she is listening to ear buds whilst running on the beach.

1 billion teens and young adults risk hearing loss from listening devices

By Rachael Rettner published 24 November 22

More than one billion teens and young adults worldwide may be at risk for hearing loss, a new review study suggests.

The 8.1-magnitude earthquake occurred at 8:28 a.m. local time near New Zealand's Kermadec Islands.

Powerful 8.1-magnitude earthquake off New Zealand triggers tsunami warnings

By Rachael Rettner last updated 18 October 22

The powerful earthquake occurred at 8:28 a.m. local time near New Zealand's Kermadec Islands.