The Surprising Importance of Tickling
Tickling is a unique application of the sense of touch that surprisingly has developmental and cultural importance. Experts discuss the science and sociology of tickling.
Narcolepsy and Cataplexy
Sleep disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat. A science journalist discusses his efforts to overcome narcolepsy, which produces extreme daytime sleepiness, and cataplexy, which produces instant sleep-like paralysis, as well as the science behind sleep disorders.
The Coming “Hothouse Earth” (2018)
If the earth’s natural cooling systems start to fail, each could feed failure of the next, resulting in a hothouse with large portions of the planet uninhabitable. Authors of a major report on this phenomenon explain.
Saving Talk Therapy for Mental Illness
Decades ago, psychiatric treatment meant talk therapy. Now it usually means drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy for an extremely short time. A noted clinical psychologist and author explains why patients are better served when talk therapy is an option for recovery.
Baseball Pitchers and Arm Injuries
Major League Baseball teams spend $1.7 billion annually on pitchers, yet it is an extremely risky investment. Teams haven't figured out how to prevent all-too-frequent arm injuries, which are now filtering down to children as well. A journalist who investigated the science of pitching injuries explains.
The “Other” Side of Military Science
Most people think of military science in terms of defeating the other side. But it also involves keeping our troops sheltered, clothed, fed, and protected from adversaries like exhaustion, infection, heat and noise. A noted investigative journalist explains the less well known side of military research.
Firefighters and PTSD
Firefighters have extremely high rates of PTSD, similar to combat soldiers, yet are very reluctant to seek help. Experts discuss reasons for this reluctance, results of it, and how new efforts at peer counseling may help ease the psychological strain.
The Vaccine Race and Ethics
Dr. Meredith Wadman discusses the controversial history of vaccines, and the balance of need and ethics in science and medicine.
Teaching Doctors to Listen (2018)
Experts discuss how to help doctors better listen to their patients when diagnosing their illness in order to improve care plans and decrease healthcare costs.
Medical Notes: Week of December 24, 2017
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of December 24, 2017.
CIA Behavioral Science
Experts, including an active CIA analyst, describe how they use psychological techniques to predict behavior and decisions throughout the world.
Medical Notes: Week of August 20, 2017
A look at important medical, health and science headlines for the week of August 20, 2017.
