Dial M For Money: Can Mobile Banking Lift People Out Of Poverty?
We look at the remarkable findings from a new study of Kenya's M-PESA system, out in 'Science.'
Health & Safety
Actress Sofia Vergara Sued By Her Own Frozen Embryos
A lawsuit has been filed against actress Sofia Vergara on behalf of her two frozen embryos. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Susan Crockin, who teaches assisted reproductive law at Georgetown University Law School.
Adding A Funny Form Of Carbon To Silly Putty Creates A Heart Monitor
Graphene comes in sheets barely an atom thick and is extremely good at conducting electricity. By adding the unusual form of carbon to Silly Putty, scientists created flexible sensors.
Liver Cancer Is Becoming A Top Killer In Poor Countries
It's one of the cancers highlighted in a new report that looks at the growing number of cases worldwide.
Born In Sudan, Based In Brooklyn. A Singer Remixes Her Identities
Please, says the singer-songwriter, don't pigeonhole her as some sort of "refugee artist." She calls her music "East-African Retro-Pop."
Say, What? Monkey Mouths And Throats Are Equipped For Speech
Monkeys weren't thought to have the right sort of vocal tracts to speak. But a study finds they can make many sounds common in human speech; it's just that their brains aren't "language ready."
Pets Help People Manage The Pain Of Serious Mental Illness
People living with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses say a pet can be not just a comforting companion but a reason to stay engaged with other people — and with life.
In Flint, Mayor Works On Rebuilding Pipes — And Trust In The City
Almost one year has passed since Flint Mayor Karen Weaver declared a state of emergency. Water lines are being replaced, but residents are still relying heavily on bottled water and filters.
Retired Coal Miners At Risk Of Losing Promised Health Coverage And Pensions
A fund guaranteeing health coverage and pensions to retired mine workers is about to run dry. Congress has been reluctant to pick up the tab. Democrats from coal country say it's time to act.
A Mummy's DNA May Help Solve The Mystery Of The Origins Of Smallpox
Scientists have found the oldest complete set of smallpox genes in a sample of skin from a mummified child in a crypt underneath a Lithuanian church.