Science

CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array at the Paul Wild Observatory.

Science

In A Far-Off Galaxy, A Clue To What's Causing Strange Bursts Of Radio Waves

4:03pm February 24, 2016

by Joe Palca

Astronomers have known about the powerful pulses but had never been able to catch one in the act to help figure out what's producing them. Last year, they got one.

Most women get prenatal care from the doctor they expect will deliver the baby, which can make it difficult if the doctor and hospital are far away.

More Rural Hospitals Are Closing Their Maternity Units

11:37am February 24, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Facilities for delivering babies are expensive to run and hard to staff. But when small rural hospitals close their birthing units, pregnant women must travel much farther for care.

An artist's rendering shows gas falling into a supermassive black hole, creating a quasar.

Science

Solving The Mystery Of The Disappearing Quasar

10:32am February 24, 2016

by Joe Palca

Scientists were studying the properties of the light coming from a quasar — one of the brightest objects in the universe — when the light just seemed to wink out. Now they think they know why.

Queue Listen Now

Two More U.S. Cases Of Zika Virus Likely Shared Via Sex

8:55pm February 23, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

U.S. health officials say they have confirmed the two women had Zika. And their only risk factor was having slept with male partners who had recently traveled to places with active virus transmission.

Academic Medical Centers Get An F In Sharing Research Results

8:20pm February 23, 2016

by Harlan Krumholz

There's no excuse for not reporting all findings within two years of finishing a clinical study, says Yale University's Dr. Harlan Krumholz. He calls on his colleagues to do a better job.

NASA Receives Record Number Of Astronaut Applicants

6:33pm February 23, 2016

When NASA asked who wanted to be an astronaut, thousands of people said yes. The agency received a record number of applicants for the next class of astronaut candidates.

Queue Listen Now

The baby gorilla born by C-section in the Bristol Zoo is under round-the-clock care.

WATCH: Aborable Baby Gorilla Born By Rare, Risky Cesarean Section

5:38pm February 23, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

It's highly unusual for veterinarians to perform C-sections on gorillas. The western lowland gorilla is critically endangered.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a Las Vegas high school last Friday.

Hillary Clinton Hitches Her Health Care Wagon To Obamacare

4:33pm February 23, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Rather than sweeping reform, Clinton's health plan is a collection of tweaks to the Affordable Care Act. The proposed changes are aimed at trimming consumer costs and improving coverage.

This aerial photo shows the island village of Kivalina, Alaska, a community of 400 people that is already receding into the ocean as a result of rising sea levels.

Sea Levels Rose Faster Last Century Than In Previous 2,700 Years, Study Finds

1:53pm February 23, 2016

by Geoff Brumfiel

And researchers predict things are going to get worse — their findings suggest sea levels will rise between 1 to 4 feet by 2100.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, has proposed a health care policy he calls "Medicare for All." But some left-leaning economists say the plan doesn't pencil out.

Sanders' Health Plan Renews Debate On Universal Coverage

1:08pm February 23, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Left-leaning economists and Democratic analysts are sparring over Sanders' proposal of health care for all, paid for by the government. Some who like his aspiration say the numbers don't add up.

Queue Listen Now