VOL. 199 | NO. 10
Features 16
Science Museums in a Pandemic COVER STORY Institutions that invite in children and
adults for hands-on science experiences found ways to stay afloat when COVID-19 closed their doors. By Emily Anthes 22
Repurposed Remedy The BCG vaccine, used widely to prevent tuberculosis, is showing signs that it may offer protection against other infections and even tweak the immune system to fight some autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. By Amanda B. Keener
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FROM TOP: SCIENCE GALLERY DUBLIN; MORPHING MATTER LAB/CARNEGIE MELLON UNIV.; NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
News 6
Why some bacteria-killing viruses swap A for Z in their genetic alphabet
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7
A child’s grave is Africa’s oldest known intentional human burial
10 Untangling all the ways COVID-19 affects the brain could take years
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A neutron star’s matter may not be so squishy after all
12 A newfound group of archaea is unexpectedly climate-friendly
Astronomers scout out stars potentially made of antimatter
13 A clock’s accuracy may go hand in hand with disorder
One of Saturn’s rings spills secrets about the planet’s core
Lightning forges chemicals that scrub pollutants from the air 14 Wells dug by horses and donkeys are a welcome sight for other animals in U.S. deserts Corals combat a mystery illness with help from a common antibiotic 15 Mantis shrimp fisticuffs start soon after hatching
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Departments 2
EDITOR’S NOTE
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NOTEBOOK Citizen scientists spot infant stars “in utero”; cracking the Brazil nut effect
28 REVIEWS & PREVIEWS A new memoir tells the life story of a NASA “hidden figure” 31 FEEDBACK 32 SCIENCE VISUALIZED Flat pasta is designed to bend into shape as it cooks
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COVER One clever idea for keeping children safe in a pandemic: Suit them up for a NASA “clean room” camp. Space Center Houston
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