Health

a head of lettuce on a colorful background

Insulin grown in lettuce can be taken orally

New synthetic insulin harvested from lettuce plants can be made cheaply, taken orally, and transported at room temperature.

Kristin Houser

Brain

Cancer med appears to prevent brain aneurysms

Japanese researchers have discovered that the cancer drug sunitinib can prevent the formation of brain aneurysms in mice.

Kristin Houser

“Nature’s own Ozempic” or berberine is all over social media

Does berberine work as well as Ozempic to help people lose weight? Social media seems to think so, but it’s not likely.

Rebecca Roubin and Nial Wheate and Tina Hinton

Drugs

MDMA effects, risks, and rewards explained

MDMA, also known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a synthetic psychoactive drug. MDMA effects include enhanced pleasure and a heightened sense of touch and sound.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

How to make 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine in a year

Creating a new vaccine is slow and expensive. One biotech firm thinks a “plug-and-play” vaccine could change that.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Medical cannabis explained

Medical cannabis is everywhere. We're answering your basic questions and unpacking the promises and pitfalls, based on the latest research.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Ibogaine: The psychedelic cure?

Ibogaine, an African psychedelic drug which comes from the iboga plant, is used for both religious rites and drug addiction treatment.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

THC could help women with endometriosis

Hundreds of thousands of women suffer with endometriosis, a disorder that causes painful tissue growth outside of the uterus. Pending clinical trials around THC may finally spell relief.

Sarah Wells

Sports

The strange science of sports recovery with Christie Aschwanden

From infrared pajamas to cryo chambers, athletes swear recovery methods give them an edge on the playing field. But what does science have to say about it?

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Psychedelic mushrooms explained

Psychedelic mushrooms, AKA magic mushrooms or psilocybin mushrooms, are currently being researched as a treatment for depression, addiction, and more.

B. David Zarley

Brain

Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s, Tourette’s

6:33

Deep brain stimulation surgeries have the power to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, and other involuntary movement disorders.

Healthcare

The first universal flu vaccine could be coming soon

After flu season, vaccines are outdated and researchers must predict next year’s virus. But soon, we may have a universal flu vaccine that doesn't expire.

Teresa Carey

Healthcare

Understanding health insurance doesn’t have to be a burden

6:09

In partnership with Collective Health

A recent study found that the vast majority of Americans can't accurately explain terms like "deductible" and "copay." And more than half of all bankruptcies are linked to medical expenses. This Silicon Valley startup’s model could be just what we need to turn the tide.

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