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Don't just blame rat fleas. Lice may have helped spread 'black death' plague
The mystery: How did bubonic plague spread so rapidly? Could rat fleas have done it all? A new study points the finger at lice as possible accomplices.
Health & Safety
Step aside BMI, body composition tests are on the rise. Here's what to know
If you dread getting on a scale to calculate your body mass index, there’s a good reason to ignore the measure. Body composition tests are an increasingly popular way to gauge health. Here’s why they're better than BMI.
What to make of the new COVID variants, FLiRT
As much as we would all love to ignore COVID, a new set of variants that scientists call “FLiRT” is here to remind us that the virus is still with us.
Misconduct claims may derail MDMA psychedelic treatment for PTSD
People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may soon have a new treatment option: MDMA, the chemical found in ecstasy. In August, the Food and Drug Administration plans to decide whether MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD will be approved for market based on years of research. But serious allegations of research misconduct may derail the approval timeline.
NPR science reporter Will Stone talks to host Emily Kwong about the clinical trials on MDMA-assisted therapy research and a recent report questioning the validity of the results.
Read Will's full story here.
NPR science reporter Will Stone talks to host Emily Kwong about the clinical trials on MDMA-assisted therapy research and a recent report questioning the validity of the results.
Read Will's full story here.
Girls in the U.S. are getting their period earlier. Here's what parents should know
Girls in the U.S. are getting their first period earlier than in decades past. Researchers say there are multiple factors causing early puberty, including obesity and environmental pollutants.
7 surprising facts about dreams -- why we have them and what they mean
Dreaming is often misunderstood. But in a new book, a neuroscientist argues that it’s one of the most vital functions of the human brain, and just about anyone can tap into dreams’ insights.
Can friendship work with an ex? 3 questions to ask yourself
Should you be friends with your ex? It's a toughie. NPR's Life Kit has advice for transforming a once romantic relationship into one that is purely platonic.
Abortion bans that grant exceptions to 'save the life of the mother' are a gray area
Florida recently issued new guidance on when an abortion can be performed, but providers say it has caused even more confusion.
When an adoptee reunites with birth siblings abroad: 'There's no instruction manual'
Reuniting with birth siblings after an international adoption is a challenging — and emotionally charged — mission. Here are stories from four families.
Girls are getting their first periods earlier. Here's what parents should know
Girls in the U.S. are getting their first menstrual period about 6 months earlier on average than they did in the 1950s and ‘60s. And the number of girls starting their period before age nine has doubled. Researchers say parents can help prepare their kids for early puberty.