States Continue Push To Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
Although the Republican-led House decided not to vote to ban abortions after 20 weeks, 10 states already have such measures and more states are considering them.
Medical Treatments
Scientists Give Genetically Modified Organisms A Safety Switch
By making E. coli dependent on an artificial amino acid, scientists hope to show that engineered organisms can be safer and more useful for industrial processes like drug production.
One Scientist's Race To Help Microbes Help You
Moving the American Gut Project to a biotech hub like San Diego may speed the jump from basic research to real treatments. At least that's microbe tracker Rob Knight's plan.
This Year's Flu Vaccine Is Pretty Wimpy, But Can Still Help
The vaccine is only about 23 percent effective against the dominant flu strain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's because the strain mutated slightly.
When Bariatric Surgery's Benefits Wane, This Procedure Can Help
Bariatric surgery works for severely obese patients because it shrinks the size of the stomach. But years later, the stomach starts to expand and some patients regain the weight they lost.
A Weight-Loss Device Aims To Curb Hunger By Zapping A Nerve
A surgically implanted device similar to a pacemaker gained FDA approval after showing some weight loss in people who are obese. But people in a study who had sham devices lost weight, too.
U.S. Funding of Health Research Stalls As Other Nations Rev Up
It's not just government-sponsored medical research that's dwindled in the last few years in the U.S. Drug firms have curbed their investment, too, especially in early-stage hunts for new drugs.
Imagining A Future When The Doctor's Office Is In Your Home
You can now monitor your heart rhythm with your cellphone. Dr. Eric Topol imagines a day when patients will be doing a lot more of their own medical testing, with doctors as advisers.
The Sources And Symptoms Of A Disease With A Global Reputation
Following the news of an Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Robert Siegel speaks with Pierre Rollin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the virus' symptoms, transmission and containment.
Bariatric Surgery Cuts The Risk Of Death Years Later
People considering weight-loss surgery haven't had much evidence on long-term risks or benefits. A study finds lower death rates after surgery, even for people who were older and less healthy.