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Laura Beil

Laura Beil

Contributing Correspondent

Laura Beil is an independent journalist specializing in medicine, health policy and science. She was the recipient of the Victor Cohn Prize for Medical Science Reporting in 2018. In addition to being a contributing correspondent at Science News, her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Reader's Digest, Men's Health, and other magazines. She began freelancing in 2007 after working as medical writer for the Dallas Morning News from 1992 to 2006. In 2018, she reported and hosted the podcast Dr. Death, which has been downloaded more than 50 million times.

All Stories by Laura Beil

  1. illustration of a dark environment
    Microbes

    Microbial matter comes out of the dark

    Undiscovered bacteria challenge what scientists know about microbial life.

  2. a deer tick
    Life

    New species of bacteria found to cause Lyme disease

    Camping? Don’t forget the bug spray. Lyme disease covers new ground.

  3. girl with dog
    Life

    Fido and Fluffy could unleash drug-resistant microbes

    After discovering resistant microbes in pets, scientists worry about the role of companion animals in the spread of resistant urinary infections.

  4. Elizabethkingia bacteria
    Life

    Benign-turned-deadly bacterium baffles scientists

    Outbreak of Elizabethkingia continues to grow as disease investigators struggle to find source.

  5. hand sanitizer
    Life

    For cleanest hands, squirt and count to 30

    Rubbing hands for 30 seconds is the most effective way to use hand sanitizer, a study of health care workers finds.

  6. child brushing teeth
    Life

    For tooth decay microbes, many routes lead to kids’ mouths

    Mothers aren’t their children’s only source of bacteria that cause dental cavities, new research shows.

  7. ice freezer
    Microbes

    Tests turn up dicey bagged ice

    Tests of bagged ice found that 19 percent exceeded recommended thresholds for bacterial contamination.

  8. ice freezer
    Microbes

    Thaw tests turn up dicey bagged ice

    Tests of bagged ice found that 19 percent exceeded recommended thresholds for bacterial contamination.

  9. patients behind mosquito bed nets
    Life

    Vaccines may offer defense against dengue, Zika and chikungunya

    Mosquitoes carry several harmful viruses—dengue, Zika, chikungunya. Vaccines may be the best means of defense.

  10. illustration of bacteria between teeth and gums
    Health & Medicine

    Gum disease opens up the body to a host of infections

    Researchers are getting to the root of gum disease's implications for other diseases.

  11. Biden with doctors
    Health & Medicine

    ‘Cancer moonshot’ launch prep under way

    Details are trickling out for the president’s proposed “cancer moonshot,” but plan for launch is still months off.

  12. a vaginal ring
    Health & Medicine

    Vaginal ring somewhat effective at preventing HIV infection

    Studies of vaginal ring for HIV protection show promise, challenges.