Do I have the right to know if the health care workers taking care of me got the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
June 22, 2021
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 22, 2021
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 21, 2021
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: You absolutely can ask your clinician (or any other professional you are interacting with) if they got the COVID-19 vaccine. But they don’t have to answer you. You do not have the right to know their vaccine status. But if you would be uncomfortable with a “no” or a no-answer, you should feel empowered Read more…
What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
June 22, 2021
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 21, 2021
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
Q: It seems like COVID-19 can have some short and long-term effects on the brain. What is the likelihood that psychiatric issues will arise in COVID-19 survivors?” THE QUICK ANSWER: We do not yet know if SARS COV-2 can get to the brain (cross the blood brain barrier), but we have some evidence that more Read more…
If the Delta variant is more transmissible, are normal precautions (masks, 6 foot distance, being outside) less effective?
COVID Variants Staying Safe Vaccines
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
June 21, 2021
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 21, 2021
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: Luckily, no. Virus mutations still don’t defy the laws of physics. But we need to be more vigilant about existing precautions, including getting BOTH doses of your vaccination. TL;DR: The new variants are transmitted the same way as all the other variants of SARS-CoV-2, so you can reduce risk by using your #SMARTS: ↔️ Read more…
What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it?
Infection and Spread Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
June 21, 2021
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. This can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding Read more…
BIG Thank You to All School Nurses!
Families/Kids Women in STEM
Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
June 20, 2021
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
Sending a BIG thank you to all the school nurses for everything they have done to keep students safe through an unpredictable school year. School nurses are a vital link between education and health for students. As health providers with expertise in school-age children, they are responsible for preventative measures and daily health management of Read more…
If I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, can I get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if a booster shot is needed?
Vaccines
Amanda Simanek, PhD MPH
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
June 19, 2021
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: Most likely. In fact, this “mix and match” strategy can lead to a more robust immune response overall, because different vaccines often cause the body to generate an immune response targeted against SARS-CoV-2 in slightly different ways! TL; DR Vaccines work by showing our immune system a W.A.N.T.E.D. poster of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so Read more…
Do COVID-19 vaccines lower sperm counts?
General Health Vaccines
Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
June 18, 2021
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: Nope! You can knock that worry off your list. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not lower sperm counts. A recent study looked at sperm counts before and after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna). The long and the short of it, there was no significant change in sperm count or any Read more…
Can COVID-19 vaccines alter or weaken my existing immune response against other viruses?
Biology/Immunity Vaccines
Vijaya Knight, MD PhD (D)ABMLI
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
June 18, 2021
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A. No. COVID-19 vaccines do not affect existing immune cells or antibodies that you have made against other viruses. Nor will it prevent you from making an immune response to another virus when you encounter it. 👉 TL;DR: Our immune system is designed for IMMENSE flexibility to be able to respond to thousands of pathogens Read more…
What’s the link between COVID-19 and air pollution?
Infection and Spread Travel
Lauren Hale, PhD MA
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
June 17, 2021
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A. TL;DR. The relationship between COVID-19 and air pollution likely goes in both directions. First, air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 mortality risk. Second, the lockdowns associated with the pandemic initially resulted in a large reduction in air pollution in some regions, with more modest and temporary reductions in other regions. The Nerdy Girls Read more…
Has normal body temperature changed from 98.6F?
General Health
Verdena Jennings, DO
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
June 17, 2021
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
Q: I thought a normal temperature was 98.6° F (37° C). Has that changed? If it has, what is a fever? A: Yes. The change is proposed by many in the medical community. New research reveals that the average adult body temperature has dropped 1 degree Fahrenheit since the standard temperature was established in the Read more…
Are over-the-counter COVID-19 tests reliable?
Data and Metrics Data Literacy Testing and Contact Tracing
Chana Davis, PhD
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
June 16, 2021
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are now available in the United States. For 30 to 50 bucks, you get an answer in 25-45 minutes in the comfort of your home, much like the free rapid antigen tests used in the UK. Can you trust the results? It depends. Dr. Chana Davis from Fueled by Science gives us Read more…
How to Think Like a Scientist
Uncertainty and Misinformation
Lindsey Leininger, PhD MA
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
June 15, 2021
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
Scientists share certain habits of mind, regardless of whether we study pathogens, people, or plants. As legendary astronomer Carl Sagan wrote: “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Today we launch an occasional series on “How to Think Like a Scientist,” starting with three key values we Read more…
So who’s getting COVID-19 these days?
Data and Metrics Infection and Spread Vaccines
Alison Buttenheim, PhD MBA, Co-founder & Advisor
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
A: Unvaccinated people, for the most part. Q: Will the “delta” variant change that? A: Not likely. As new cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in the US 🇺🇸and Canada 🇨🇦, but are rising steeply elsewhere (UK 🇬🇧and South Africa🇿🇦, we see you 🤗💕!), you might be wondering who is bearing the burden of new Read more…
