When C-Sections Were Performed to Save Dead Babies’ Souls
In 1804, Charles IV, King of Spain, issued a legal admonition telling officials not to bury any pregnant woman without giving her a C-section first.
The Quest for A Faster Marathon
How big a difference does air resistance make when running a marathon? Nike tried to find out recently. A look at the science behind the 2-hour marathon.
Medical Leeches Are Back (Yes, You Read That Right)
Leeches are especially helpful when veins are damaged and unable to properly drain blood from extremities, for example, in recently reattached amputations.
America’s Long Fight Over Single-Payer Healthcare
With new calls for universal single-payer health insurance, President Harry Truman's derailed plan of 1945 is getting renewed attention.
Can Fiction Really Spark Suicide?
The Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why is so powerful—and so controversial—it's sparked a national debate about teenage suicide.
The Ongoing Practice of Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation seems totally foreign to the U.S., but versions of the long-outlawed surgery have seen a recent resurgence.
Should We Worry About Ancient Pathogens Being Revived?
Accidental exposure to bacteria trapped inside a crystal is unlikely. Frozen ancient pathogens, however, are another matter.
“Deaths of Despair”: What’s Really Killing Americans
Why a large swath of middle-aged, middle-class white Americans, especially those with lower levels of education, are dying more "deaths of despair."
What if We Acknowledged That People Use Drugs Because They’re Fun?
In the modern Western world, drug use fits well into economies that divide our days into disciplined, production-oriented “clock time,” and leisure time.
Whole Body Vibration Isn’t Quite As Crazy As It Sounds
Is whole body vibration the latest weight-loss fad? Or a legitimate medical treatment with potential to help those who can't exercise?