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New COVID vaccines get FDA approval
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON (NPR) — The Food and Drug Administration approved a new round of vaccines against COVID-19. The vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech were approved Monday for… Read More
Creating a sperm or egg from any cell? Reproduction revolution on the horizon
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — It’s a Wednesday morning at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in downtown Washington, D.C., and Dr. Eli Adashi is opening an unprecedented gathering:… Read More
The FDA considers first birth control pill without a prescription
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON (NPR) — For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration is considering allowing women to get birth control pills in the U.S. without a prescription. “It’s a very… Read More
FDA considers major shift in COVID vaccine strategy
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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Updated 10:30 a.m. ET WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — The Food and Drug Administration is considering a major shift in the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy. The goal is to simplify vaccination… Read More
CRISPR gene-editing may boost cancer immunotherapy, new study finds
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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PARKVILLE, Mo. (NPR) — Katie Pope Kopp went through round after round of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant to treat her non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But nothing could beat it. “I… Read More
Experts are concerned gatherings could accelerate a ‘tripledemic’
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — For each of the last two years, Thanksgiving helped usher in some very unwelcome guests: Devastating waves of COVID-19. No one thinks this year will be… Read More
New omicron subvariants now dominant in the U.S., raising fears of a winter surge
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Two new omicron subvariants have become dominant in the United States, raising fears they could fuel yet another surge of COVID-19 infections, according to estimates released… Read More
Early signs a new U.S. COVID surge could be on its way
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — As the U.S. heads into a third pandemic winter, the first hints are emerging that another possible surge of COVID-19 infections could be on its way…. Read More
How to time your flu shot for best protection
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — After virtually disappearing for two years in the U.S. as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down society, there are hints the flu could reemerge this fall, potentially… Read More
Flu is expected to flare up in U.S. this winter
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — The flu virtually disappeared for two years as the pandemic raged. But influenza appears poised to stage a come-back this year in the U.S., threatening to… Read More
Scientists debate how lethal COVID is. Some say it’s now less risky than flu
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Has COVID-19 become no more dangerous than the flu for most people? That’s a question that scientists are debating as the country heads into a third… Read More
Pfizer asks FDA to authorize booster shots for kids ages 5 through 11
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — Children ages 5 through 11 who’ve received two shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine may soon be eligible for a booster. That’s if the Food and… Read More
A more contagious version of omicron spreads in the U.S., fueling worries
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — As the omicron surge continues to decline in the U.S., infectious disease experts are keeping a close eye on an even more contagious version of the… Read More
Omicron will cause more infections but lower hospital rates, analysis shows
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPR) — A new analysis by the University of Washington shows the omicron surge will peak in a massive wave of infections by the end of January but… Read More
Blind Patients Hope Landmark Gene-Editing Experiment Will Restore Their Vision
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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The unprecedented study involves using the gene-editing technique CRISPR to edit a gene while it’s still inside a patient’s body. In exclusive interviews, NPR talks with two of the first participants.
Current, Deadly U.S. Coronavirus Surge Has Peaked, Researchers Say
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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Daily numbers of new cases are finally starting to wane, and hospitalizations are down slightly. But health care systems are still overburdened and another resurgence remains a threat.
A Next-Generation Coronavirus Test Raises Hopes And Concerns
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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An antigen test could be quick, and much simpler and cheaper than the PCR tests now used to spot people infected with the novel coronavirus. But some scientists worry about an antigen test’s accuracy.
Health Officials Warn Americans To Start Planning For Spread Of Coronavirus In U.S.
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to start to prepare for the possibility of more aggressive measures to stop the spread of the new coronavirus in the United States.
In A 1st, Doctors In U.S. Use CRISPR Tool To Treat Patient With Genetic Disorder
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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Victoria Gray, 34, of Forest, Miss., has sickle cell disease. She is the first patient ever to be publicly identified as being involved in a study testing the use of CRISPR for a genetic disease.
First U.S. Patients Treated With CRISPR As Human Gene-Editing Trials Get Underway
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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This could be a crucial year for the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR as researchers start testing it in patients to treat diseases such as cancer, blindness and sickle cell disease.
A Gulp Of Genetically Modified Bacteria Might Someday Treat A Range Of Illnesses
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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Researchers think genetically engineered versions of microbes that can live in humans could help treat some rare genetic disorders and perhaps help with Type 1 diabetes, cirrhosis and cancer.
Scientists Release Controversial Genetically Modified Mosquitoes In High-Security Lab
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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The insects were created, using CRISPR, to carry a powerful “gene drive.” The mosquitoes could provide a potent weapon against malaria, but they raise fears about unpredictable environmental effects.
New U.S. Experiments Aim To Create Gene-Edited Human Embryos
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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Despite outrage over gene editing in China that affected the birth of twins, research is underway in the U.S. to assess the safety and effectiveness of CRISPR tools to edit genes in human embryos.
Surgeon General Warns Youth Vaping Is Now An ‘Epidemic’
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a forceful advisory about vaping by U.S. teenagers, saying electronic cigarette use among young people has reached levels that require urgent action.
FDA Seeks Ban On Menthol Cigarettes To Fight Teen Smoking
By: Rob Stein | NPR
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In its latest effort to curb smoking by young people, the FDA wants to outlaw menthol cigarettes. The agency would also restrict sales of flavored e-cigarettes to reduce youth addiction to nicotine.