Coronavirus

US researchers have revealed the molecular 'key' that allows the 2019-nCoV virus to gain access to our cells. And they found it is many times more tenacious than the previous SARS virus.

Viruses are basically parasites and, as such, can wreak havoc -- but not always. Viruses are within you right now. Viruses cause the most damage when they jump from a familiar host to a new host.

Many aspects of new virus outbreaks are predictible, and the world should be preparing for the next one now.

The official naming of COVID-19 has the tone of a committee decision. Historically, names for diseases have not been quite so well thought out and were more likely to offend.

Researchers around the world are working together to control the coronavirus outbreak, now known as COVID-19. This is what's behind the global effort to develop a vaccine.

There's no evidence the new coronavirus is airborne. It appears to spread by larger droplets, direct contact and contaminated surfaces or objects.

Poor communication and misinformation is yet another way an epidemic can cause harm. So it's important health authorities get their messaging right.

New contagious diseases are scary. They frighten us because they are unknown and unpredictable - and media coverage can increase those fears.