VIDEO: See A Controversial Swarm Of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes In A Lab In Italy
NPR
NPR was the only news organization allowed into the lab to witness the moment the releases began this year. The goal is to create a powerful new weapon in the fight against malaria.
'The Blob,' A Smart Yet Brainless Organism Fit For Sci-Fi, Gets Its Own Exhibit
NPR
Is it an animal? A type of fungi? No, it's "the blob." The amorphous "slime mold" may not have a nervous system, but it's the star of a new exhibit at the Paris zoo.
What's Behind The Research Funding Gap For Black Scientists?
NPR
Black scientists more often seek grants for community health studies, but molecular-level research proposals win more funding. More diversity throughout the process could help close the gap, says NIH.
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Food | Science | Flora and Fauna
Most U.S. Dairy Cows Are Descended From Just 2 Bulls. That's Not Good
The drive to make more milk has had an unsavory side effect: Cows have become more genetically similar and less fertile. Scientists are trying to recover valuable genetic variation that was lost.
Nation | Science
California To Unveil Earthquake Alert System Thursday
The system will detect the beginning of a quake and send out alerts warning residents that they have a few seconds to prepare for a possibly deadly temblor.
Food | Health | Science
Changing Your Diet Can Help Tamp Down Depression, Boost Mood
Depression symptoms dropped significantly in a group of young adults who ate a Mediterranean-style diet for three weeks. It's the latest study to show food can influence mental health.
Health | Science
A Boy's Mysterious Illness Leads His Family On A Diagnostic Odyssey
Alex Yiu was born a healthy seeming baby. But by age 2, his muscle control and speech were deteriorating. His baffling condition took a decade to diagnose. The reanalysis of a DNA test was the key.
Health | Science
Exercising To Ease Pain: Taking Brisk Walks Can Help
Never mind a runner's high — the buzz some people say they get after a run. Neuroscientist Benedict Kolber was more interested in how to generate pain relief via a brisk walk. It can really work.
Arts | Books | Health | Science
Bill Bryson's 'The Body' Is Missing His Characteristic Wit, Ingenious Way Of Analysis
The author of the magisterial work A Short History of Nearly Everything turns his sights inside, but without the magic touch of the past that made his very big books transcend the common textbook.
Technology | Health | Science
An App That Can Catch Early Signs Of Eye Disease In A Flash
After his son developed a rare eye cancer, a chemist in Texas developed a smart phone app that uses a camera and artificial intelligence to detect early signs of eye disease.
Health | Science
A Patient Hopes Gene-Editing Can Help With Pain Of Sickle Cell Disease
She's the first patient with a genetic disorder to be treated with the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR. The treatment has wrapped up and now she's waiting to see if it brings relief.
Arts | Books | Health | Science
Bill Bryson's Latest Is A Different Kind Of Journey — Into 'The Body'
Bryson is beloved for his travel writing, but in his new book he's undertaking an interior journey, looking at everything from medical oddities to the amazing way your body fights off most cancers.
Education | Agriculture | Sustainability | local | News | Land | Land use | Food | Climate change | Science | Environment
Climate Change Has Some Willamette Valley Farmers Adapting An Ancient Way To Grow Food
As the climate gets warmer, farmers in the Willamette Valley are testing an agricultural technique called dry farming. Instead of irrigating crops, they rely on the moisture stored in the soil.