Public Health

We discuss a big week for commercial spaceflight, a red dye ban and a scary spider species in this news roundup.

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

The U.S. government lost control of the bird flu because of a sluggish response and deference to industry.

Two open letters from scientists and science advocacy groups reflect a growing anxiety about the future of federal science under President-elect Trump

Wildfires burning in cities unleash a toxic, unpredictable combination of compounds into the air

Wildfires are storming into urban areas more frequently, and toxins in homes and cars are increasing cancer risk for firefighters

Eggs can carry nasty viruses and bacteria. Here’s how to store and eat them safely

The prion disease that causes deer, elk and other cervids to waste away could someday jump to humans, but many hunters are not convinced they should worry

A new study found that flood deaths can rise by 25 percent three months after a disaster

The Trump administration may undermine U.S. leadership and the international system of global health cooperation. Pandemic preparedness, resilient health systems and reproductive rights will suffer worldwide

Rising temperatures might be altering the atmosphere in ways that cause more extreme winter weather, scientists say

A common respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, has been spreading in some countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. Here’s what we know