Nell Greenfieldboyce
Nell Greenfieldboyce is a NPR science correspondent.
With reporting focused on general science, NASA, and the intersection between technology and society, Greenfieldboyce has been on the science desk's technology beat since she joined NPR in 2005.
In that time Greenfieldboyce has reported on topics including the narwhals in Greenland, the ending of the space shuttle program, and the reasons why independent truckers don't want electronic tracking in their cabs.
Much of Greenfieldboyce's reporting reflects an interest in discovering how applied science and technology connects with people and culture. She has worked on stories spanning issues such as pet cloning, gene therapy, ballistics, and federal regulation of new technology.
Prior to NPR, Greenfieldboyce spent a decade working in print, mostly magazines including U.S. News & World Report and New Scientist.
A graduate of Johns Hopkins, earning her Bachelor's of Arts degree in social sciences and a Master's of Arts degree in science writing, Greenfieldboyce taught science writing for four years at the university. She was honored for her talents with the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Journalists.
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Not only are a higher percentage of patients men than women, but they seem to suffer more severe symptoms. And they may be less likely to go in for testing. -
Bits of twisted plant fibers found on a stone tool show that Neanderthals used sophisticated yarns and cords. It pushes the date of the earliest-known fiber technology way back in time. -
The CDC issued a guide for when critical workers exposed to COVID-19 should return to their jobs. It should make it easier for essential workers, who are not in health care, to stay on the job.
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Infectious disease specialists say Ebola can't spread through the air, but many Americans remain deeply skeptical. The history of past outbreaks suggests airborne transmission isn't a threat. -
Numbers emerging from a few cities and states suggest higher death rates for African-Americans from COVID-19. The findings also reveal deeper disparities.
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Simply talking could produce tiny particles of mucus and saliva that might carry the coronavirus, experts say. How much these airborne particles matter for the spread of this disease is controversial. -
A scientific brief from the World Health Organization says "current evidence" points to infectious respiratory droplets passed in "close contact" situations, but some say it's too soon to be sure. -
Usually in health emergencies — HIV, vaping and more — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is key to shaping policy and explaining it. That's changing to America's detriment, leaders say. -
The hope is that a person who has recovered from COVID-19 would have some protection against reinfection in the future. Here's what researchers do — and don't — know. -
Modelers of epidemics at Imperial College of London now say months of strict social distancing may be needed to prevent overwhelming the U.S. health care system with COVID-19 cases.
