Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Tuberculosis could be eradicated. So why isn’t it?
John Green’s new book, Everything Is Tuberculosis, reveals how social injustice sustains the disease, despite available cures and vaccines.
- Health & Medicine
Avoidable deaths increased in the U.S. as they dropped elsewhere
In the United States, deaths that could have been avoided rose, on average, from 2009 to 2019. That’s in contrast to European Union countries.
- Health & Medicine
A deep brain stimulation volunteer discusses life after depression
In this bonus episode of The Deep End, you’ll hear an update from Jon Nelson, who is living what he calls his "bonus life."
- Neuroscience
Human memory is flawed. But a new book says that’s OK
The new book Memory Lane convincingly demonstrates how memories are like Lego buildings that are constantly being rebuilt.
- Health & Medicine
An mRNA cancer vaccine may offer long-term protection
A vaccine kept patients free of pancreatic cancer for years, yet new reports say the NIH is advising against mentioning mRNA tech in grants.
- Space
Two astronauts stuck in space for 9 months have returned to Earth
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore’s extended stay in the International Space Station will add to what we know about how space affects health.
- Health & Medicine
Hear what it’s like to recover from depression with deep brain stimulation
In the sixth episode of The Deep End, listen to what’s next for Jon Nelson and for deep brain stimulation research for depression.
- Health & Medicine
Measles is spreading. Here’s what experts say you should know
The uptick in measles cases has left many people wondering about early signs of measles, whether they need an updated vaccine and treatment options.
- Health & Medicine
Therapy dogs can ease young patients’ anxiety in the emergency room
A clinical trial found that spending about 10 minutes with a therapy dog reduced patients’ anxiety in a pediatric emergency room.
- Archaeology
These ancient Maya-era puppets may have been used in rituals
The puppets, unearthed in El Salvador, have movable heads, strange facial expressions and may have been dressed for ritual roles.
- Anthropology
Western Europe’s oldest face adds new wrinkles to human evolution
Face bones unearthed in a cave suggest that members of our genus, Homo, reached northern Spain as early as 1.4 million years ago.
- Neuroscience
Parenthood may help the brain stay young
A study of nearly 38,000 adults shows that the number of kids correlates with coordination of brain regions’ activities — regardless of parents’ sex.
