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.
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Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are 90% effective in 'real-world' studyTwo doses of either vaccine were 90% effective at preventing infections, and a single dose was 80% effective.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Ex-CDC director believes COVID-19 escaped from a lab, but cites no evidenceMany experts have rejected that theory as unlikely.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Pfizer starts COVID-19 vaccine trial in young kidsPfizer is the latest COVID-19 vaccine maker to test its shot in young children.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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85% of COVID-19 long-haulers have multiple brain-related symptomsBy Rachael Rettner Published
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WWII-era stimulant drug discovered in weight loss supplementsThe drug was one of nine prohibited stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Best Educational Toys & Games for Infants & ToddlersThese educational and science toys could help infants and toddlers grow their little minds.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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5 kids hospitalized with liver failure after drinking ionized 'Real Water'Such water goes through an ionizing process to raise its pH so that it becomes more basic or alkaline.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Deadly hospital superbug found on a remote island beachThe study may provide clues to the origins of this superbug, Candida auris.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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More twins are being born than ever beforeSince the 1980s, the rate of twin births worldwide has increased by more than 30%.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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1st COVID-19 vaccine vial used in the US headed to museumThe historic shot was administered to New York nurse Sandra Lindsay on Dec. 14.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Man accidentally gets 2 COVID-19 shots in one day, goes into shockThere was a mix-up between patients at his rehabilitation center.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Why is China giving travelers anal tests for COVID-19?Travelers to some Chinese cities have been required to take anal swab tests for COVID-19.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Orangutans and bonobos at US zoo get experimental COVID-19 vaccineFour orangutans and five bonobos have been vaccinated.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Mysterious odor caused by BB pellet stuck in teen's nose for 8 yearsThe teen been shot in the nose with a pellet gun years earlier.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Microdosing with 'shrooms or LSD no better than placebo, study findsThe study had a unique design in which participants were "self blinded."
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Venomous spiders take advantage of pandemic, move into college buildingsSightings of these spiders in the university's library basement prompted staff to close the library for two days.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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New coronavirus variant in NYC has vaccine-evading mutationIt has a mutation that may help the coronavirus partially evade COVID-19 vaccines.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Why COVID-19 spreads more easily than SARSThe study researchers focused on the spike protein, the structure that allows coronaviruses to bind to and enter human cells.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Puppy born with 6 legs, 2 tails called a 'miracle'Despite her rare conditions, Skipper appears healthy and strong.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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'Homegrown' California coronavirus variant is more contagious and possibly deadlierLab studies found that the variant was 40% better at infecting human cells compared with earlier strains.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Woman contracts COVID-19 from lung transplant in a firstA lifesaving operation turned tragic when a Michigan woman contracted COVID-19 from her double lung transplant last year and died soon after.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Teachers may play a central role in spreading COVID-19 in schools, CDC saysThe findings highlight "the importance of preventing infections among educators in particular," the authors said.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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30% of people with COVID-19 experience symptoms up to 9 months laterMost participants in the study initially had mild cases of COVID-19.
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Endangered black-footed ferret cloned for the first timeThe adorable clone, named Elizabeth Ann, was created using cells that were frozen more than three decades ago.
By Rachael Rettner Published

