How the US patent system keeps drug prices high
Pharmaceutical companies can use overlapping patents to extend their exclusive rights to a drug, delaying production of cheaper generic forms.
A virus hunter in Nigeria has thoughts on the Ebola outbreak
A Nigeria-based molecular biologist breaks down the current Ebola outbreak, and what’s needed to improve disease monitoring across Africa.
How the financial industry has curbed drug development
“Pharma Monopoly” shows how the financial industry’s influence over pharmaceutical decision-making means fewer new drugs and higher prices.
Your brain vs. your phone: A screen time experiment
Investigate your digital habits using real research methods and discover how distractions change your focus, memory, and performance.
How did Neanderthals deal with illness and injuries?
Up to 94% of Neanderthals suffered at least one traumatic injury in their lifetime. How did their healthcare keep up?
Can the shingles vaccine stave off dementia?
A growing body of research suggests that some common vaccinations have benefits far beyond preventing the disease they were designed for.
Inside the Nebraska quarantine facility responding to hantavirus
The National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska is housing 18 people exposed to hantavirus, and preparing for possible cases of Ebola exposure.
How do clinical trials work, and who can participate?
A bioethicist walks us through the complexity of clinical trials, from their core scientific questions to patient selection to FDA approval.
Use of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s is on the rise in the US
A processing plant in Mississippi is leaking massive amounts of paraquat into the air. Its biological link to Parkinson’s is becoming clear.
How yawning might help clear dirty fluid from the brain
Research shows yawning might help clear waste from our brains. Plus, breaking down a CDC report on how little sleep Americans are getting.