Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Briefing: Superconductor advancement could unlock ultra-energy-efficient electronics

Strategic angle: Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology explore the potential of superconducting materials for future energy-efficient applications, despite existing challenges.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: New study complicates the search for alien oxygen

Strategic angle: Oxygen, crucial for life on Earth, may not be a reliable indicator of life on other planets, according to new research.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Astronomers discover long-period radio transient of unknown origin

Strategic angle: Using the Australian SKA Pathfinder, astronomers have identified a new long-period radio transient source designated ASKAP J1424.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Criminology Professor Co-Authors Study Examining Stereotypes Against Asian Women

Strategic angle: A new study sheds light on the historical and contemporary stereotypes faced by Asian women in the United States.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Senator Blasts GSK Inhaler Practices, Calls for Reform

Strategic angle: Trump adds pressure to codify MFN, a judge stalls Kennedy's changes to vaccine policy, and more biotech news.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: How plant populations keep a genetic memory of the past

Strategic angle: Plants are usually seen as stationary life forms, quietly supporting environments. But plant communities and populations are far from static.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Australia’s environment minister wants to ban fishers and drillers from more ocean – and avoid a culture war

Strategic angle: Conservationists hope Murray Watt’s review of national marine parks will ‘right the wrongs’ of previous downgrade of protection.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Abortion on the 2026 Ballot: The Evolving Landscape of State Abortion Initiatives

Strategic angle: This issue brief reviews the abortion-related initiatives currently slated to be on the ballot in November 2026 and examines how these measures may impact abortion access in the state.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Smoking rates are at a historic low. You’re not hearing about it from the government

Strategic angle: The CDC had remarkable data on smoking rates last fall, but it no longer had smoking experts available to review it and disseminate it.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Epic notches a legal win, but the saga continues

Strategic angle: An update on Epic's lawsuit over alleged improper access to health records, Nvidia's new radiology AI partnership, and more.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: NIH Grant Awards Are Lagging (Again)

Strategic angle: How to type with your mind, who might not need to take blood pressure meds, and other health news.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Trump's Drug Pricing Moves and GSK Asthma Drug Insights

Strategic angle: The White House intensifies pressure on Congress for drug pricing legislation.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Solar energy transforms polystyrene waste into valuable chemicals using sulfur

Strategic angle: Researchers in China develop an eco-friendly method to convert polystyrene waste into valuable chemicals using solar energy.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Gin galore: British couple claim to have world's largest gin collection

Strategic angle: A British couple's gin collection has surpassed 2,000 bottles, far exceeding their initial goal of 1,000.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Saving the pint: behind the race to climate-proof beer in the US

Strategic angle: Water shortages and rising heat are putting pressure on beer ingredients, but US brewers and farmers are adapting.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Engineered lipid nanoparticles reprogram immune metabolism for better mRNA vaccines

Strategic angle: New research reveals how engineered lipid nanoparticles can enhance the efficacy of mRNA vaccines by reprogramming immune metabolism.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: For decades, they’ve set the record straight in biology. Next up: science’s reproducibility crisis

Strategic angle: A group of researchers are launching an effort to validate big scientific claims, with help from artificial intelligence.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: NIH Grant Awards Lag Behind Historical Averages

Strategic angle: New analysis reveals that NIH is significantly behind on grant spending as the 2026 fiscal year progresses.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Opinion: Semaglutide is going off-patent in India. But will people who need it be able to get it?

Strategic angle: Rules determining who gets access to semaglutide in India were written for different bodies with different cardiovascular risks.

editorial-staff Mar 17

Life

Briefing: Opinion: The greatest threat to federally qualified health centers may not be federal funding cuts

Strategic angle: After 50 years of operation, FQHCs are discovering that their financial structure has not kept pace with the realities of delivering on their mission.

editorial-staff Mar 17