
Program Menu

Go on an adventure into unexpected corners of the health and science world each week with award-winning host Maiken Scott. The Pulse will take you behind the doors of operating rooms, into the lab with some of the world’s foremost scientists, and back in time to explore life-changing innovations. The Pulse delivers stories in ways that matter to you, and answers questions you never knew you had.
Listen at noon every Sunday and Monday on WHYY-FM
-
Hosted by Maiken Scott
Recent Articles
‘Pacing’ for long COVID can help people cope, but there’s a tradeoff
Chronic fatigue associated with long COVID forces many people to rest and disengage from activities they used to do — but limiting your life can feel powerless.
4 days ago
Listen 8:44A Hitchhiker's Guide to Quitting
Julius BaDour lost his job, quit his relationship, and left his hometown to live a life on the road. He learned some lessons about quitting along the way.
4 days ago
Listen 11:35Life after a shock: Why heart patients need access to mental health care
An implantable defibrillator can save patients who have unusual heart rhythms. But some of them also need help to deal with painful and anxiety inducing shocks.
3 weeks ago
Listen 12:32A cardiologist wanted to prevent long COVID. He turned to meditation.
A recent review of research suggests meditation may be effective for some in treating long COVID and other post-viral conditions.
3 weeks ago
Listen 10:53Unraveling the mystery of a childhood illness and a treatment rooted in Vodou
Chris Lundy has always wanted to figure out why his family took him to see a Vodou priest and how this treatment made him better.
4 weeks ago
Listen 24:31Should there be standards for acupuncture in the U.S.?
If you get acupuncture in the U.S., chances are you will pay for it out of pocket. Some acupuncturists say having standards for the industry gives more people access.
4 weeks ago
Listen 11:40How the pulse oximeter became infamous on TikTok
Med student Joel Bervell found an unlikely place to educate both health care providers and patients about racial biases that are affecting care.
1 month ago
How to advocate for yourself as a patient
Health care can be complex and hard to navigate, and patients can often feel helpless. These steps can help to ensure that you receive the best possible care.
1 month ago
Advice for medical providers on addressing their own biases
Providers need to be willing to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, and other social identities, and how they affect health disparities.
1 month ago
What is rejection sensitive dysphoria, and why does it impact people with ADHD?
RSD begins when a person has perceived rejection or has actually failed at a task. The awareness of their shortcomings is then emotionally internalized at a high intensity.
1 month ago
Listen 11:37One penguin species declines, while another thrives on the western Antarctic Peninsula
Scientists predict that Adélie penguins could disappear from the western Antarctic Peninsula. Researchers at UD and Temple are tracking the changing conditions.
2 months ago
Listen 13:55Capoeira’s roots spread wide in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, there’s a hole-in-the-wall studio that’s hard to walk past without looking in. If you go at the right time — you’ll hear it before you see it.
2 months ago
Listen 7:39Drilling for Earth’s climate secrets buried under the sea
A team of scientists on the JOIDES Resolution drill for sediment cores off the coast of Portugal — an area rich with information about earth's history.
2 months ago
Listen 13:43‘Father of cell phone’ reflects on making first call and history 50 years ago
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first cell phone call, Martin Cooper, 94, talks about how his invention changed our lives.
2 months ago
Listen 11:41How satellite internet might hurdle Iranian censorship
Satellite communications are evolving quickly, proving to be a potential gateway to connect communities that remain offline.
2 months ago
Listen 10:45Partners
