Science

Express Scripts assures patients it has a policy of not putting cancer medicine or mental health drugs on the list of products it excludes from its formulary.

Will Your Prescription Meds Be Covered Next Year? Better Check!

7:24am August 15, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Insurers have released the latest lists of prescription drugs they won't cover in 2017. Express Scripts is excluding 85 drugs and CVS Caremark, 131. Some drugs for diabetes and asthma are out.

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The Lobotomy Of Patient H.M: A Personal Tragedy And Scientific Breakthrough

9:13pm August 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

Known as Patient H.M. to the medical community, Henry Molaison was lobotomized — and lost his ability to create memories in the process. His story is one of tragedy and scientific breakthrough.

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Alexander Naddour, of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, bears the circular mark of cupping on his right arm as he prepares to compete on the pommel horse at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on August 6.

How The Placebo Effect Could Boost An Olympic Performance

6:00am August 14, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

One athlete's "psych-up" ritual may psych out an opponent. And even treatments that lack hard evidence of benefit, scientists say, might provide a competitive edge if the athletes believe they work.

In A Remote Vault In Norway, Repository Stores The World's Seeds

5:09pm August 13, 2016

Cary Fowler, senior adviser to the Global Crop Diversity Trust, talks about a giant vault of millions of seeds stored away in an icy mountain in Norway. Fowler is the author of Seeds on Ice.

Science

How To Keep Your Coffee In Its Cup: The Claw Grip

9:14am August 13, 2016

What's the best method for holding a cup of coffee so it doesn't spill? NPR's Scott Simon learned that an overhand claw-like grip is best.

Science

Bird Myth Busters: Do Birds Fly To The Moon In Winter? And Other Unknowns

9:14am August 13, 2016

Do hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese? And will rice thrown at weddings really make birds explode? Scott Simon gets to the bottom of some bird myths with Ray Brown, host of "Talkin' Birds."

The Japanese Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii has the right attributes for searching for Planet Nine.

Astronomers Are On A Celestial Treasure Hunt. The Prize? Planet Nine

9:14am August 13, 2016

by Joe Palca

Earlier this year, a pair of scientists predicted the existence of a ninth planet based on computer modeling of the solar system. This fall, the race is on to be the first to spot it in a telescope.

In The Pacific Northwest, Oil Train Derailment Highlights Potential Dangers

6:25pm August 12, 2016

by Conrad Wilson

The number of trains carrying oil along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington could dramatically increase. There's a plan to ship more oil from the Bakken region of North Dakota to a proposed oil terminal in southwest Washington state. An oil train derailment earlier this year has shown the potential danger faced by the region.

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The healthy bees managed by Jonathan Garaas are checked every two weeks for signs of a possible mite infestation.

The Colony-Killing Mistake Backyard Beekeepers Are Making

4:38pm August 12, 2016

by Dan Gunderson

Bee experts warn that novices may be inadvertently putting their hives in danger by not keeping the mite population in check.

Researchers at the New York Genome Center are working with IBM Watson to make better treatment plans for cancer patients.

Why Doctors Want A Computerized Assistant For Cancer Care

12:35pm August 12, 2016

by Mark H. Kim

There's more information on genetic mutations and in the scientific literature than cancer doctors can process easily. Smart, fast computers might be able to help.