Moderate Drinking Carries Health Risks—Here’s How to Imbibe More Safely
Consuming alcohol, even in moderate amounts, is associated with health harms, but participating in “Dry January” and using other strategies can help limit them
Uber Drivers Helped Evacuate L.A.—But Were Left Unprotected
Drivers for ride-hailing apps helped evacuate people during the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. But by classifying such workers as contractors, California’s Proposition 22 excludes them from state rules that require companies to protect employees from workplace exposure to smoke
WHO Withdrawal, Bird Flu News and the Way ‘Prehab’ Affects Surgical Outcomes
A rundown on what’s at stake for global health if the U.S. withdraws from the World Health Organization and an update on bird flu are in this week’s science news roundup.
Trump Abruptly Cancels Crucial Science Reviews at NIH, World’s Largest Public Funder of Biomedical Research
President Trump has placed an indefinite suspension on research grant reviews and travel at the National Institutes of Health and appears to have erased diversity programming pages at the agency’s website
What’s in ZYN, the FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch? Is It Harmful?
ZYN, the popular brand of flavored nicotine pouches, recently earned FDA authorization for reducing smoking, but some questions linger. Experts explain the efficacy and potential health risks of nicotine pouches
How ‘Dark Patterns’ in Sports Betting Apps Keep Users Gambling
Mobile sports betting apps’ frictionless designs, personalized notifications and 24/7 availability have many gambling addiction experts worried
What Trump’s Blitz of Executive Orders Means for Science
After his second inauguration, President Donald Trump signed a host of executive orders, some with important implications for science
Painful Endometriosis Can Affect the Whole Body, Not Only the Pelvis
This disease is now genetically linked to widespread inflammation, asthma, migraines, and more
Book Review: Tiny, Airborne Threats and Humans’ Reluctance to Face Them
Carl Zimmer’s new book dives into aerobiology and the reasons humans seem unwilling to confront airborne threats
A Mixed Bag for Private Spaceflight, a New Spider Species and the Health Risks of Alcohol
We discuss a big week for commercial spaceflight, a red dye ban and a scary spider species in this news roundup.
What to Know about the Ban on Red Dye in Foods and Drugs
The Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of the dye Red No. 3 in all food and ingested drugs. Here’s what foods and drugs contain the coloring, and how it compares with Red No. 40 and other artificial dyes
Mishandled Response to the Bird Flu Leaves U.S. Vulnerable to Outbreak
The U.S. government lost control of the bird flu because of a sluggish response and deference to industry.