Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    U.S. opioid deaths are out of control. Can safe injection sites help?

    A new NIH study will evalute the only two officially sanctioned sites, in New York City, and a future site in Providence, R.I.

    By Tara Haelle
  2. Neuroscience

    A new device let a man sense temperature with his prosthetic hand

    A device that can be integrated into prosthetic hands capitalizes on phantom sensations to enable users to sense hot and cold.

    By Simon Makin
  3. Health & Medicine

    A 25-year-effort uncovers clues to unexplained deaths in children

    When Laura Gould’s daughter died in 1997, there was almost no research in unexpected deaths in children older than one. Gould helped change that.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  4. Microbes

    Bird flu viruses may pack tools that help them infect human cells

    Bringing along their own ANP32 proteins may give avian flu viruses a jump-start on copying themselves to adapt to and infect humans and other animals.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  5. Health & Medicine

    Under very rare conditions, Alzheimer’s disease may be transmitted

    Alzheimer’s isn’t contagious. But contaminated growth hormone injections caused early-onset Alzheimer’s in some recipients, a new study suggests.

    By Laura Sanders
  6. Humans

    Here’s why COVID-19 isn’t seasonal so far

    Human immunity and behavior may be more important than weather for driving seasonality when it comes to COVID-19.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  7. Health & Medicine

    Is aging without illness possible?

    Researchers are harnessing basic biology to develop drugs that foster healthy aging. Just don’t call them antiaging pills.

    By Cassandra Willyard
  8. Health & Medicine

    The teen brain is especially susceptible to the harms of THC

    Marijuana that’s higher in THC and concentrated cannabis products may pose even higher risks of addiction and psychosis.

    By Aimee Cunningham
  9. Health & Medicine

    Fetuses make a protein that causes morning sickness in pregnancy

    A hormone called GDF15 triggers a part of the brain involved in nausea and vomiting, a new study finds. Blocking its action may lead to treatments.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  10. Health & Medicine

    When it comes to physical activity, every bit counts

    Biking to the store. Raking leaves. Playing with your kids. Scientists are getting a clearer picture of all the activities that offer health benefits.

    By Meghan Rosen
  11. Health & Medicine

    Here are some of the biggest medical advances in 2023

    The first CRISPR gene-editing therapy, a new Alzheimer’s drug and RSV vaccines were among the big developments in medicine this year.

    By Erin Wayman
  12. Health & Medicine

    Why weight-loss drugs became more popular than ever this year

    Ozempic and related drugs can drastically reduce body weight, and more potent versions are on the way. But questions remain about who should take them.

    By Meghan Rosen