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.
-
How did cement end up in a man's heart?The cement had traveled through the man's bloodstream after a medical procedure.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Boy dies from rare 'brain-eating' amoeba found in splash pad at Texas parkWater from the splash pad tested positive for Naegleria fowleri.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Why did this man have copper-colored rings in his eyes?The rings were a clue to the man's rare disease.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Viruses found in Laos bats are closest known relatives to SARS-CoV-2Strengthening case for natural origin.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
World's oldest identical twins are 107 years (and 300 days) oldGuinness World Records certified the title this month.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Wyoming woman catches rare pneumonic plague from catsCats are highly susceptible to plague and are a known source of infections in people.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Horse tranquilizer crops up in overdose deaths around USHalf of U.S. states reported detecting the tranquilizer in fatal drug overdose cases in 2019.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Delta-8 marijuana products can be dangerous, health officials warnProducts with delta-8 THC are sometimes labeled in misleading ways, officials said.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Deadly Nipah virus kills boy in India, prompts worries over outbreakOfficials rushed to identify and isolate people who had come into close contact with the patient.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
COVID-19 test caused man's 9-month-long brain fluid leakThe patient thought he had allergies.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Health officials quietly moved the date of the 1st US COVID-19 death to January 2020The first death occurred a month earlier than previously thought.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
New 'mu' coronavirus variant could escape vaccine-induced immunity, WHO saysThe variant was first detected in Colombia in January 2021.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Flu season will be bad this year, research predictsThe findings underscore the importance of flu shots this year.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Ivermectin won't treat COVID-19, but it might kill you, CDC warnsIvermectin does not treat or prevent COVID-19, and it can cause deadly side effects.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness dropped to 66% against delta, CDC findsThe findings should be interpreted with caution.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Thousands of sand dollars mysteriously wash ashore in Oregon in 'mass die-off'The sand dollars were alive when they washed in during high tides and became stranded.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
How a Salmonella outbreak ravaged a Michigan restaurant for 11 yearsDespite several remodels and deep cleanings, the building continued to harbor the bacteria.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Man gets 'flesh-eating' bacterial infection from eating raw oystersThe man spent three weeks on life support.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Here's why you need to wash your hands for 20 seconds, according to physicsThe authors created a simple mathematical model to simulate the movement of particles during hand washing.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
Child dies from rare brain-eating amoeba in CaliforniaThe child most likely acquired the infection from swimming in a freshwater lake in Tehama County.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
3 men die in manure pit: Here's why it's a 'death trap.'Decomposing manure produces hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
How deadly is the coronavirus delta variant?Early data suggests the delta variant may cause more severe disease.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
CDC investigating 2 deaths, 2 illnesses from rare bacterial diseaseThe disease, called melioidosis, is usually only seen in countries with tropical climates.
By Rachael Rettner Published
-
California woman got typhus from a neighborhood ratRats are notorious for spreading disease.
By Rachael Rettner Published

