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SARS Treatment Shows Promise

NPR's Joe Palca reports that in less than a year, scientists have been able to find at least one promising drug for SARS, and more may be on the way. Although testing is underway, a drug suitable for human use may not be available in time if there's another outbreak this fall, as many officials fear. Scientists are also looking for a better test to detect SARS, as doctors try to distinguish SARS from bad cases of the flu.

Copyright 2003 NPR

Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, "Joe's Big Idea." Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca is also the founder of NPR Scicommers – A science communication collective.