Rob Stein

Author's posts

Why Is It So Hard To Get Tested For The Coronavirus Months Into The Pandemic?

Many localities require a negative coronavirus test for various activities, such as traveling or visiting an older relative. But finding a test with a quick enough turnaround can be challenging.

Gene Therapy Shows Promise For Hemophilia, But Could Be Most Expensive U.S. Drug Ever

The first gene therapy for hemophilia could be approved by the FDA within six months, according to the drugmaker, raising hopes among families. But the drug’s price could be $3 million per patient.

Supplies Sent To Labs By Trump Administration To Boost Testing Are Not Always Helpful

The program shipping swabs and other supplies to labs is one of the Trump administration’s efforts to ensure sufficient coronavirus testing. But some of these supplies have turned out to be hazardous.

Getting An Antibody Test For The Coronavirus? Here’s What It Won’t Tell You

As more and more people get tested for antibodies to the coronavirus, infectious disease specialists worry that those tested — and their employers — may not understand the limits of the results.

A Next-Generation Coronavirus Test Raises Hopes And Concerns

An antigen test could be quick, and much simpler and cheaper than the PCR tests now used to spot people infected with the novel coronavirus. But some scientists worry about an antigen test’s accuracy.

Questions About Testing For COVID-19, Answered

An NPR science correspondent answers listener questions about testing for COVID-19, immunity and how testing capacity affects plans to reopen the country.

CDC Appears To Have Fixed Issue Delaying Coronavirus Testing In U.S.

There’s been a bottleneck in testing for the new coronavirus because of problems with the test kits the CDC has distributed to labs around the U.S.

CDC Has Fixed Issue Delaying Coronavirus Testing In U.S., Health Officials Say

A problem with one ingredient in test kits that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distributed to labs around the U.S. had created a frustrating bottleneck.

Gene-Edited ‘Supercells’ Make Progress In Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease

Researchers edited the DNA in bone marrow cells taken from a Mississippi woman with sickle cell disease to produce a treatment that could alleviate the excruciating effects of her inherited illness.

Doctors In The U.S. Use CRISPR Technique To Treat A Genetic Disorder For The 1st Time

For the first time, doctors have used the gene-editing technique CRISPR to treat a genetic disorder in the U.S. The patient, who has sickle cell disease, spoke with NPR about her treatment.