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

16

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 By Amanda B. Keener

News

6 Why some bacteria-killing viruses swap A for Z in their genetic alphabet

7 A child’s grave is Africa’s oldest known intentional human burial

8 A neutron star’s matter may not be so squishy after all

Astronomers scout out stars potentially made of antimatter 9 One of Saturn’s rings spills secrets about the planet’s core

10 Untangling all the ways

COVID-19 affects the brain could take years

12 A newfound group of archaea is unexpectedly climate-friendly

13 A clock’s accuracy may go hand in hand with disorder 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

8 32

Departments

2 EDITOR’S NOTE

4 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

COVER One clever idea for keeping children safe in a pandemic: Suit them up for a NASA “clean room” camp. Space Center Houston