Science

When women get a blood test during pregnancy that looks at free-floating DNA, they expect it to tell about the health of the fetus. But the test sometimes finds signs of cancer in the mother.

A new kind of blood test can screen for many cancers — as some pregnant people learn

5:08am December 23, 2022

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Testing pregnant people's blood to look at free-floating DNA can tell doctors about the health of the fetus. But these tests sometime turn up DNA that might be shed by cancerous cells.

Can dogs smell time? Just ask Donut the dog

11:02am December 22, 2022

by Michaeleen Doucleff

After decades of wondering, an NPR reporter finally figures out how her husband's family dog knew when the school bus would arrive everyday. She did some digging — and now it all makes scents.

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Artist Bryce Cobbs stands next to the drawing he created of Henrietta Lacks, which was unveiled in Roanoke, Va., on Monday. The drawing will be used in the design process of a larger-than-life bronze statue.

Henrietta Lacks' hometown will build statue of her to replace Robert E. Lee monument

7:23am December 22, 2022

by Giulia Heyward

A statue of the woman, whose cells were taken without her consent and became integral in several major medical breakthroughs, will be built in Roanoke, Va.

Print a poster version of this comic to hang up on your fridge or give away to friends. Download the poster here.

Popular COVID FAQs in 2022: Outdoor risks, boosters, 1-way masking, faint test lines

11:08pm December 20, 2022

by Marc Silver

Let's revisit some of 2022's still relevant queries. Like: Does one-way masking help? What's the risk of outdoor transmission? What's up with faint lines on tests?

2022 年 12 月 1 日，星期四，北京某小区的主要入口，居民从一名身穿防护服的保安身旁走过，他正在浏览手机。

"是奥密克戎变异了，还是专家变异了？"：中国放弃"清零"，困惑与假消息蔓延

9:06pm December 20, 2022

by Huo Jingnan

中国持续三年的"清零"政策突然转变之际，官方宣传让百姓困惑，虚假消息也在此间蔓延。

Residents walk by a security guard in protective suit browsing his phone at a main entrance gate to a neighborhood in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.

Confusion and falsehoods spread as China reverses its 'zero-COVID' policy

8:02pm December 20, 2022

by Huo Jingnan

As China lifts its stringent zero-COVID policy, public health messaging has taken a U-turn. People are grappling with the whiplash, trying to find a way to protect themselves and loved ones.

NASA's InSight Mars lander is covered in dust in its final selfie, taken on April 24. The following month its robotic arm was put into resting position, aka "retirement pose."

Goodnight, sweet spacecraft: NASA's InSight lander may have just signed off from Mars

1:54pm December 20, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

InSight's end has long been in sight, with NASA warning that it would likely be inoperative by the end of the year. The lander went quiet this weekend and shared a tweet it said might be its last.

The brain uses special neurons called time cells to organize our memories of events and experiences. But, despite their name, these cells don't work like a clock.

For 'time cells' in the brain, what matters is what happens in the moment

1:50pm December 20, 2022

by Jon Hamilton

The brain uses special neurons called time cells to organize our memories of events and experiences. But, despite their name, these cells don't work like a clock.

Dr. Esgar Guarín with his mobile vasectomy clinic parked at a Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, Mo.

Fewer abortions, more vasectomies: Why the procedure may be getting more popular

5:00am December 20, 2022

by Sarah McCammon

In response to growing abortion restrictions, many health care providers report a rising number of patients seeking vasectomy care.

Science

Why snow is turning pink at high altitudes

7:56am December 18, 2022

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Western Washington University environmental science professor Robin Kodner about algea that is turning snow pink at high altitudes.