Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Interactive map tracks obesity in the United States

    An interactive online map illustrates the rise in U.S. obesity since 1990.

    By Nathan Seppa
  2. Health & Medicine

    Zero calories and other awe-inspiring science tales

    In this issue, reporters look at artificial sweeteners, resurrecting a West Coast plant, quasiparticles and the future of our magazine and its parent non-profit, SSP.

    By Eva Emerson
  3. Health & Medicine

    Pregnant women’s immune systems overreact to the flu

    A new study offers an exception to the assumption that a pregnant woman’s immune system fades to keep from attacking the growing fetus.

    By Laura Sanders
  4. Health & Medicine

    Still waiting on a cure for diabetes

    Diabetes diagnoses have skyrocketed in the past 50 years. While there are now better medications and options for control, there is still only hope of a cure.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  5. Neuroscience

    High blood sugar could worsen effects of spinal injury

    Studies in people and mice suggest reining in blood sugar can improve recovery from a spinal cord injury.

    By Nathan Seppa
  6. Health & Medicine

    The sour side of artificial sweeteners

    A new study found that saccharin alters the gut microbiome of mice and produces insulin resistance, but it’s not the first to show the sour side of diet drinks.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  7. Neuroscience

    White House gives progress report on BRAIN Initiative

    More pieces of President Obama’s ambitious BRAIN Initiative announced April 2013 have fallen into place.

    By Science News Staff
  8. Health & Medicine

    Ebola case identified in Dallas

    The first case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States was announced September 30 in Texas.

    By Science News Staff
  9. Neuroscience

    Mighty muscles may stave off depression

    Strong muscles protect the brain from stress-induced toxin associated with depression, a study in mice suggests.

    By Laura Sanders
  10. Health & Medicine

    Recovery time from surgery foretold

    Blood samples taken from patients after surgery might reveal who is destined for a quick rebound.

    By Nathan Seppa
  11. Health & Medicine

    The debate over spanking is short on science, high on emotion

    Spanking to discipline a child sparks heated debate that reflects deep divides in our society. Studies generally show negative effects of spanking, but there are many caveats.

    By Laura Sanders
  12. Health & Medicine

    More than 1 million Ebola cases may hit West Africa by January

    New projections of the outbreak suggest that without drastic improvements, weekly cases could increase from hundreds to thousands.

    By Nathan Seppa and Janet Raloff