Public HealthOctober 12, 2016
DEA Drops Ban on Herbal Supplement Kratom
The agency faced a fierce backlash from users who call the plant a safer alternative to opioid painkillers
Stories by STAT
STAT delivers fast, deep, and tough-minded journalism. We take you inside science labs and hospitals, biotech boardrooms, and political backrooms. We dissect crucial discoveries. We examine controversies and puncture hype. We hold individuals and institutions accountable. We introduce you to the power brokers and personalities who are driving a revolution in human health. These are the stories that matter to us all.
MedicineOctober 11, 2016
What Radiation-Resistant Space Fungus Can Do for Drug Discovery
Resilient fungi survived Chernobyl, was sent into space and is now being studied in California
FitnessOctober 8, 2016
Could There be a “Liver-Friendly” Vodka?
One company claims its proprietary blend of additives reduces stress on the body
PolicyOctober 6, 2016
DEA May Reconsider Its Ban on Herbal Painkiller Kratom
The “legal high” plant has been used to self-treat opioid withdrawal, pain and anxiety
NeuroscienceOctober 5, 2016
The Bigger Your Brain, the Longer Your Yawn
This bizarre correlation has at least some biological plausibility
Public HealthOctober 5, 2016
Novel Pancreatic Cancer Effort Aims to Give Patients More Treatment Options
A national nonprofit is launching an unusual study that will allow patients to switch between several therapies
Public HealthOctober 4, 2016
When Babies Need Donated Breast Milk, Should States Pay?
Premature infants, the newborns who need this resource the most, are also the least likely to get it
NeurologySeptember 30, 2016
How Lewy Body Dementia Gripped Robin Williams
Hit by a vicious case, the actor said he wanted to “reboot” his brain
PolicySeptember 30, 2016
Kuwait Law Mandating DNA Tests for All Residents Fuels Discontent
The controversial requirement would require 3.5 million people to submit samples to a new government database
PolicySeptember 29, 2016
Congress Approves $1.1 Billion in Zika Funding
The funding, which will support vaccine research and health care, caps months of delay
Public HealthSeptember 28, 2016
A Guide to the Changing Science of Flu Shots
Despite new findings, certain advice still holds true
NeuroscienceSeptember 27, 2016
Stroke Study Sparks Call for Revamping Emergency Care Plan
The brain-saving benefits of clot removal are most pronounced with quick intervention
Public HealthSeptember 23, 2016
2 Chemicals Together May Knock Out Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes
The CDC reports that spraying a controversial insecticide and applying larvicide may be best tools for combating local Zika
EnvironmentSeptember 23, 2016
Monsanto Nets First CRISPR License to Modify Crops—with Key Restrictions
The genome-editing technology will be used for seed development
MedicineSeptember 19, 2016
FDA Approves First Drug for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The approval follows a protracted debate about the benefit of the medication
Public HealthSeptember 13, 2016
Sugar Industry Secretly Paid for Favorable Harvard Research
Newly uncovered documents reveal that a sugar industry trade group initiated and paid for the studies, examined drafts and laid out a clear objective to protect sugar’s public reputation
Public HealthSeptember 9, 2016
Investigators Find Another Superbug Case in the U.S.
This is the fourth time this new antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been detected domestically
Public HealthSeptember 8, 2016
FDA Seeks to Rein in Health Claims for Baby Formula
The agency has proposed the $3 billion industry should show proof behind their advertising
Public HealthSeptember 7, 2016
Cancer "Moon Shot" Plans Should Include Tumor Profiling, Panel Urges
Researchers have been clamoring for such controversial action as a key part of the White House initiative
NeuroscienceSeptember 6, 2016
He May Have Invented One of Neuroscience's Biggest Advances--but You've Never Heard of Him
Two researchers could win the Nobel for optogenetics, but Zhuo-Hua Pan might have been there first
NeurologySeptember 6, 2016
U.S. Cracking Down on “Brain Training” Games
The Federal Trade Commission will be sending out rebates to thousands of Lumosity customers misled by company ads
Public HealthAugust 31, 2016
DEA Set to Ban Chemicals Contained in Kratom
Many use the herbal supplement to self-treat pain, PTSD and opioid addiction
Public HealthAugust 30, 2016
Superbug Resistant to 2 Last-Resort Antibiotics Found in U.S. for First Time
The worrisome combination has been detected before in other countries
Public HealthAugust 29, 2016
Most Pediatricians Say Parents Have Refused Vaccines for Their Kids
Almost 90 percent of children's doctors have encountered such resistance