Michael Schubert

Michael Schubert

Live Science Contributor

Michael Schubert is a veteran science and medicine communicator. He writes across all areas of the life sciences and medicine but specializes in the study of the very small — from the genes that make our bodies work to the chemicals that could support life on other planets. Mick holds graduate degrees in medical biochemistry and molecular biology. When he's not writing or editing, he is co-director of the Digital Communications Fellowship in Pathology; a professor of professional practice in academic writing at ThinkSpace Education; an inclusion and accessibility consultant; and (most importantly) dog-walker and ball-thrower extraordinaire.

Articles by: Michael Schubert

an illustration showing damaged neurons

Twin study reveals signs of MS that might be detectable before symptoms

By Michael Schubert published

Changes in the gene activity of immune cells may help flag people who have multiple sclerosis or are likely to develop it, a study of twins hints.

Plastic kitchen utensils.

Spatulas and takeout containers made from recycled black plastic may carry flame retardants

By Michael Schubert published

New research has detected high levels of flame retardants in some toys, kitchen utensils and other household items made from recycled black plastic. But the potential health effects remain unclear.

photo of an avalanche hurtling down a snowy mountainside toward the camera

More people are surviving avalanches than decades ago — here's why

By Michael Schubert published

A study of avalanche survival data shows that survival rates have increased and rescues are faster, but time is still critical for buried victims.

A young girl blows her nose with a cold while a woman looks after her

Saline nose drops may shorten colds and cut transmission, trial hints

By Michael Schubert published

Giving children saline nose drops at the start of a cold may shorten its duration and reduce the likelihood that they will pass the illness to others, a study hints. But it has some caveats.

A young girl looks down at a swollen, red mosquito bite on her arm

Why are some people's mosquito bites itchier than others'? New study hints at answer

By Michael Schubert published

A previously unrecognized type of immune cell may be responsible for the itchy feeling brought on by bug bites and other allergic reactions.

A 3d rendering showing purple rod-shaped bacteria with small hair-like structures

For C. diff, antibiotic resistance comes at a cost

By Michael Schubert published

Researchers have identified two distinct mechanisms of drug resistance in C. difficile, but its ability to withstand antibiotics comes with downsides for the bacteria.

illustration of brain with inset image of coronavirus

Virus that causes COVID-19 uses a secret 'back door' to infect the brain

By Michael Schubert published

A mutation on the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19 could help it infect the brain by forcing it to use a cellular "back door."

A 3D rendering of HIV molecules

Single-shot HIV treatment suppresses virus 10,000-fold for months, animal study finds

By Michael Schubert published

Engineered virus-like particles can outcompete HIV in the body, potentially offering long-term viral suppression after a single dose, a monkey study suggests.

A young girl lies sleeping in a hospital bed

Scientists finally explain MIS-C, the rare post-COVID sydrome seen in kids

By Michael Schubert published

MIS-C, a rare post-COVID inflammatory syndrome in children, may be triggered when the immune system mistakes its own proteins for those of the virus.

An older man clutches his chest in pain

Heart attacks fell dramatically during the pandemic — and they're still dropping

By Michael Schubert published

Better prevention is driving down heart-attack rates in the U.S., but the sharp drops seen at the height of the pandemic were likely caused by people avoiding medical care.

An electron micrograph showing disc-shaped red blood cells tangled up in a white fibrous matrix

What causes blood clots?

By Michael Schubert published

Blood clots can be dangerous, especially if all or part of them break off and then travel through the bloodstream.

An artist's rendering of a cross-sectioned artery. Red blood cells flow through the artery, but get stuck at a large clot.

Anxiety and depression raise the risk of dangerous blood clots, study finds

By Michael Schubert published

Recent research has drawn a link between anxiety, depression and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

An electron microscope image of flu virus particles, depicted in yellow and orange

Scientists find secret 'back door' flu viruses use to enter cells

By Michael Schubert published

Flu viruses that can use a second cellular entry point may move more effectively between animals and humans, scientists say.

A photo of a blonde woman holding a young child. Colorful zigzags are shown around the child's head, indicating that she's experiencing a migraine with aura

'This is what drives the migraine headache': Scientists uncover 'missing link' in why some migraines happen

By Michael Schubert published

A new mouse study uncovered a previously unknown route between the brain and peripheral nerves that could explain the link between aura symptoms and migraine headaches.

Rural nurse looking for the vein in the arm of a senior male patient.

New blood test could flag Parkinson's disease years before symptoms, study hints

By Michael Schubert published

By analyzing the proteins in the blood, a new blood test and AI tool can identify which at-risk patients are most likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

An artist reconstruction depicting a person in robes carrying a large bag of goods and leading pack animals up a mountain. This is a depiction of a long-distance trader whose remains were analyzed in the study

DNA from dozens of human skeletons unravels history of malaria

By Michael Schubert published

Malaria is often considered a tropical disease, but data hidden in historical human remains has shed new light on the parasite's world travels.

photo of a young woman lying in bed and covering her face with a blanket, as if having woken up from a nightmare

Vivid nightmares precede lupus diagnosis by over a year in some patients

By Michael Schubert published

Some lupus patients report having nightmares just before a flare, and of these, some report starting to have bad dreams long before their actual lupus diagnosis.