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By Dave Heller - February 8th, 2010
The Obama administrations 2011 federal budget has scrapped visits to the moon. Many people see manned space exploration as the jewel and crown of the United States, however expensive and risky it might be. Now private companies are teaming with NASA to make in-roads in manned space exploration.
The diagnosis of Autism has risen sharply over the last decade. WHYY's Health and Science desk reports on the latest research, studies, and resources for families affected by this developmental disorder.
We follow one woman's battle with depression as she takes part in a University of Pennsylvania study on DBS – Deep Brain Stimulation.
Recovering Haitians wisked across border
Healthcare workers from Cooper University Hospital treating wounded Haitians in the Dominican Republic were troubled to learn Saturday morning that 40 patients they'd treated at the border town of Jimani had been shipped out to Haiti by the Dominican government.
When the Perelman Center, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's new cancer treatment facility in University City opened two years ago, some knocked it as sterile. All that glass, all that beige. So to make the space more welcoming, the hospital installed sculptures.
By Kerry Grens - February 5th, 2010
So far none of the lawsuits have made it to trial, but several are scheduled for hearings later this month in a New Jersey court.
By Taunya English - February 4th, 2010
Last year Congress agreed to temporarily chip in more to help states pay for health care, Now, President Obama is proposing to extend that aid a few extra months.
By Susan Phillips - February 3rd, 2010
The doctors, nurses and technicians describe the experience as life-changing.
By Taunya English - February 2nd, 2010
For years, the federal government poured money into abstience-only, sex education programs – while some experts complained bitterly that abstinence-only courses don't protect children from teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease.
By Dave Heller - February 1st, 2010
Where is the Mars Spirit Rover now? Unfortunately stuck in some dust, but still doing a great job of observing conditions on Mars. Also, life coming to earth from space is a concept that has been studied for centuries. Find out more in this week's SkyTalk.
By Kerry Grens - February 1st, 2010
Pharmaceutical companies paid out record-breaking fines last year for mis-marketing their drugs. The cases began with allegations leveled by whistleblowers.
By Kerry Grens - February 1st, 2010
Restaurant inspectors from Philadelphia's health department will begin citing restaurants that lack calorie counts on their menus.
By Kerry Grens - January 31st, 2010
Extraordinary Measures tracks the pursuit of a lawyer-turned pharmaceutical entrepreneur as he sets out to find a cure for his children's rare disease.
By Taunya English - January 31st, 2010
Policy experts say the plan to overhaul the health system needs to include a crack down on health care fraud. Local insurance companies and law enforcement groups say they're pursuing more cases than ever.
By Taunya English - January 31st, 2010
On Wednesday a federal judge cleared the way for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin deepening a small part of the Delaware River. Today she added to her ruling and appeared to be telling opponents of the project to give up the fight.
By Kerry Grens - January 29th, 2010
Whistleblowers initiated record-breaking settlements against pharmaceutical companies in 2009. And they didn't go away empty handed. Informants can earn millions of dollars from blowing the whistle on company misbehaving. How does the law work? Widener Law professor Andrew Fichter answers your questions.
By Kerry Grens - January 29th, 2010
A US District judge has okayed a portion of a contentious proposal to deepen the shipping channel of the Delaware River.
By Kerry Grens - January 28th, 2010
The federal certification and advances in medicine are boosting transplant volume
By Taunya English - January 27th, 2010
A group of Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania say they're joining a states-rights uprising to oppose health reform proposals before Congress. The rally was held today on the steps of the state capitol in Harrisburg.
Tue, 09 Feb 2010
The national debate over health care appears to be taking a back seat to jobs creation — but the problem persists for people who have jobs but no health insurance. A recently developed health alliance in New Orleans aims to be at least part of the solution to this problem.
Tue, 09 Feb 2010
A cholesterol-lowering drug called Crestor was just approved by the FDA for people whose cholesterol looks OK but who have other risks for heart disease, including a bad score on a lab test for inflammation.
Tue, 09 Feb 2010
In an unusual public challenge, the HHS Secretary Sebelius has asked a for-profit insurer in California to explain why it plans to raise rates on individual plans by as much as 39 percent next month.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
Some commonsense habits at home can make a real difference in childhood obesity, researchers say.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
President Obama told CBS on Sunday that he wants to host a bipartisan summit meeting on health care later this month. But Republicans, who have one more Senator on their side, thanks to last month's special election in Massachusetts, have little incentive to cooperate.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
A Census Bureau ad, directed by mockumentary pioneer Christopher Guest aired during the Super Bowl and beseeched viewers to pose for a "snap shot of America." Worth $2.5 million?
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
A increase in Medicare payments for the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer in doctors' offices was expected to save money by reducing hospitalizations. But a study of what happened at a New York hospital shows the approach backfired.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
The president is looking to give health overhaul a boost with a televised meeting between Republicans and Democrats late this month. How much difference the event may have on moving stalled legislation ahead remains to be seen.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010
With Congress still stalled on the big health bill, it turns to smaller pieces of legislation. The House this week will vote on a bill to repeal a decades-old insurance industry exemption from antitrust laws. Some analysts say eliminating the exemption wouldn't have an impact on competition or premiums.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010
In the first major step to revive his health care agenda after his party's loss of a filibuster-proof Senate majority, President Obama on Sunday invited Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss possible compromises in a televised gathering later this month.
Tue, 09 Feb 2010
Professor Daniel Rockmore is an art lover — and the chairman of the math department at Dartmouth College. He has united his two interests, art and math, to develop a program that analyzes pen strokes. The program gives art historians a new tool for detecting art forgeries, which are estimated to make up 20 percent of the worldwide art market.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
A study being published Monday offers hope for those with Huntington's disease. The Archives of Neurology has a report about a drug aimed at the serious cognitive deficits that people with Huntington's also suffer.
Mon, 08 Feb 2010
Space shuttle Endeavour is now orbiting Earth after blasting off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center in Monday's early morning darkness. Weather problems had delayed what might be the last pre-dawn launch for the shuttle program, which is heading toward retirement.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010
The prestigious British medical journal Lancet took a rare step this week: It retracted a 1998 paper that sparked a firestorm about potential links between vaccines and autism. That paper has been a bane to Dr. Paul Offit, co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine and chief of infectious diseases at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Offit tells host Guy Raz why he thinks the paper was a disaster for parents seeking answers about autism.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010
A group of scientists says the idea that life emerged from a prebiotic broth is past its expiration date.
Sun, 07 Feb 2010
Anyone with a working nose wants to stay far away from rotting fish. But researchers at the University of Leicester discovered that foul fish have a lot to tell us about how fossils form.
Fri, 05 Feb 2010
Blue whales are updating their playlist, according to new research on the huge mammals. One scientist says it's because they've got more reason to sing.
Fri, 05 Feb 2010
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station will soon get to enjoy "a room with a view." Space shuttle Endeavour is bringing up a dome-shaped observation module with a total of seven windows, giving astronauts unprecedented views of Earth and space.
Fri, 05 Feb 2010
Researchers say a valve in the tails of human sperm controls when they start moving. When the acid level drops inside the sperm, they start to wiggle.
Fri, 05 Feb 2010
The president's proposed budget was unveiled this week. How did science make out? This hour Ira Flatow and guests look at the budgets of the major U.S. scientific institutions. How are research, alternative energy development and space travel affected? And will Congress sign on?
The remarkable story of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the research her cells enabled,and the many bioethical issues they raise.
Wed 2/16 at 11am-91fm.
February 8th, 2010
By Maiken Scott
When natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti strike, relief workers rush to address the physical wounds and needs of people affected. What about their mental health needs in the wake of a traumatic experience?
February 5th, 2010
With a snow storm brewing over the Delaware Valley, residents are rushing to stores. As WHYY's Maiken Scott found out – panicked food shopping is about being prepared for the worst – and seeking comfort during bad weather.
February 1st, 2010
By Maiken Scott
Tiger Woods had to do it, so did Mark McGwire, John Edwards and Harry Reid…. they had to make an apology. But – there's lots more to a real apology than saying "I'm sorry". WHYY's Behavioral Health reporter Maiken Scott spoke with psychologists Dan Gottlieb about apologies – what makes them sincere, and how they affect relationships:
January 29th, 2010
By Maiken Scott
People with disabilities say they have been hit especially hard by the recession. In Philadelphia, they got a chance to voice their concerns to officials from the department of labor.
January 25th, 2010
By Maiken Scott
"I hate you – don't leave me" is the name of a popular book on Borderline Personality Disorder. The title only begins to describe the intense, rapidly changing emotions and fear of abandonment that people with this mental illness experience.
January 21st, 2010
By Maiken Scott
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are embarking on a new research project with 10 million dollars in stimulus money. It integrates behavioral health research with genetic information.
January 21st, 2010
By Maiken Scott
What kinds of resources are available to families? Who can they connect with for information and help? What kind of schooling is best? What happens as a child with special needs becomes an adult, and needs different services? What kind of long-term plans should be in place?
January 18th, 2010
By Maiken Scott
Many soldiers returning from war struggle with mental health issues but are reluctant to seek treatment. The Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center is launching a new program that enlists the help of family members in getting vets into care.
January 18th, 2010
By Maiken Scott
Thousands of residents in the region are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with a day of service today. Volunteering doesn't just help people and communities, it also has mental health benefits for the volunteers.
Maiken Scott spoke with psychologist Dan Gottlieb:
