Rachael Rettner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Mother checking temperature of her sick son who has thermometer in his mouth

The flu (influenza): Causes, symptoms and treatment

By Rachael Rettner last updated

The flu (short for influenza) is a respiratory virus that affects the throat, nose, bronchi and, sometimes, the lungs.

A man receiving a flu shot from a doctor

When should I get my flu shot?

By Rachael Rettner published

Fall has arrived, and with it the annual call to get your flu shot. But when's the best time to get the jab?

An illustration of the influenza virus (giant blue sphere) surrounded by human antibodies (small y-shaped orange shapes).

Which flu shot should I get?

By Rachael Rettner published

With so many different types of flu vaccines available for the 2022-2023 season, which flu shot is right for you?

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

Flu shot facts and side effects

By Rachael Rettner, Nicoletta Lanese 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.

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 last updated

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 last updated

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

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