Vanessa Taylor

Zoom has exploded in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. For most apps, a surge in users is a good thing, but for Zoom it has led to increased scrutiny on its security practices, which it seems leave a lot to be desired. The most recent…

Social distancing is already isolating enough, especially if you live alone. But imagine not even being able to access the internet or a phone to check up on loved ones or have the ability to look — let alone walk — outside. That's now the case for…

Future astronauts heading to the moon may end up living in bases made out of their own pee. That's according to a recent study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, which found that human urine may be the perfect building material for…

The coronavirus has caused more than 2,500 deaths, and it's still not at its peak. Calls to continue social distancing have prompted federal judges to look into vulnerable populations for whom that isn't possible, like those incarcerated in jails or…

Australia’s Environment report is an annual scorecard of the country’s environmental standing. Now in its fifth year, the most recent edition was released on Sunday and paints a bleak picture. After examining a number of environmental conditions,…

President Trump has finally let go of his dream of packing churches on Easter despite the ongoing pandemic. On Sunday, Trump extended social distancing to April 30. Although it's certainly a switch-up from his earlier comments, the decision is…

Humans produce over 300 million tons of plastic waste each year. According to the UN, that’s roughly the weight of the entire global population. A lot of plastic! But a new study published today in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology reports that…

Under President Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back policy after policy. But coronavirus has apparently provided the Trump administration with perfect excuse to hack away at more environmental protections. On Thursday, the EPA…

How do apps designed to help you get out and explore avoid becoming obsolete when a global pandemic forces everyone inside? One company may have found a solution. The location-sharing app Zenly has made a game out of social distancing. Describing…

Throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, President Trump's responses have varied widely, from dismissing the virus as some kind of Democratic hoax to insisting he took it seriously as a global health threat from the beginning. And yet, new…

We've all had the frustrating experience of voice assistants like Siri or Alexa being unable to understand what we're saying, but according to a recent study it may be happening to Black users more than others. Published on Monday, the study from…

No matter where you are, capital punishment is sure to trigger debate. On Monday, Colorado outlawed the death penalty, becoming the 22nd state to do so. The decision has been met with wildly different reactions, with some praising the move while…

The U.S. healthcare system is in danger of being overwhelmed due to the quickly climbing number of coronavirus cases around the country. The private sector is jumping in to help, including a number of big tech companies that are launching chatbots…

Editor's note, 1:48 p.m. ET: International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told USA Today on Monday afternoon that "postponement has been decided" for the 2020 Tokyo Games. "The parameters going forward have not been determined," Pound said,…

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic brings a lot of stress, whether it's concern over finances, friends, health, or a general uncertainty about what the future will look like. Social distancing can take away people's first options for stress relief —…

From restaurants to gyms and movie theaters, businesses are shutting down due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. These closures have left many without a job, and now economists warn unemployment claims could climb to over 1 million by next week.…

As coronavirus continues to spread, the lack of available tests is a persistent problem in the U.S. Now, a company known for offering controversial gun, knife, and fight detection cameras says it’s selling a ‘Corona Virus Detection system.’ On its…

Big cities are amping up their responses to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In efforts to reduce the number of people in jail, Philadelphia police are changing their arrest procedures. The city is just one of many across the nation trying to…

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday evening the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which houses the CDC, was struck by a cyberattack, according to Bloomberg. Luckily, the attack did not appear to be successful. The attempts…