The Global Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN)–COVID-19 Study sought to understand risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in youth. By conducting a large prospective cohort study that included children seeking emergency department (ED) care, we were able to describe some of the risk factors associated with this particular population.

During pregnancy, COVID-19 presents significant risks both to the mother and the developing fetus. However, little was known about the immune responses elicited in pregnant women, and their developing fetuses, by this novel coronavirus. Therefore, we applied a multifaceted approach to characterize immune responses taking place in expectant mothers with COVID-19, their fetuses and their placentas.

Antibiotics are the cornerstone of modern medicine, but their effectiveness is threatened by the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Recent research has identified a new strategy with the potential to restore the effectiveness of a range of currently used antibiotics, including drugs of last resort.

At the dawn of recorded history, ancient Egyptians already used different colors of inks to highlight important messages on papyri. We studied the composition of 12 red and black inks on ancient Egyptian papyri (c. 100–200 CE) and were able to detect different lead-containing compounds in both red and black inks, revealing that lead was used as a dryer rather than a pigment.

Female moles develop as intersexual – they have ovotestes, containing both ovary and testicular tissues. Ovotestes produce testosterone that makes female moles stronger and more aggressive, so that they can survive a demanding underground lifestyle. We sequenced the mole genome and discovered that the shuffling of large DNA segments directed mole’s evolution towards intersexuality.

Dystonia is a debilitating neurological disorder that severely impacts patient’s quality of life. Its diagnosis is challenging partly due to the absence of a measurable indicator. Some patients may go undiagnosed for up to 10 years. We show that artificial intelligence can identify changes in the brain and provide an objective and accurate diagnosis of dystonia in less than a second.