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the scientific and ethical disaster that is the chinese crispr scandal
# health

the scientific and ethical disaster that is the chinese crispr scandal

He Jiankui tried to create two human beings resistant to HIV. Instead he triggered an international scandal with his methods and work experts describe as amateurish and shoddy.

screening for cancer with a microscopic amount of gold
# health

screening for cancer with a microscopic amount of gold

Researchers may have found a cheap, easy, and far less invasive way to screen for cancer than conventional scans and biopsies. But there’s still a lot to test before it makes its way to your doctor’s office.

when scientists explore the dark side of meditation with buddhist monks
# health

when scientists explore the dark side of meditation with buddhist monks

Researchers want you to know that immersing yourself in your own mind isn’t all sunshine and enlightenment.

why we haven’t actually doubled our lifespans
# health

why we haven’t actually doubled our lifespans

A common refrain says that we live twice as long as our ancestors while it’s our life expectancy that’s increased, not our lifespan. And that difference is extremely important to keep in mind.

gene therapy is here, but our bodies are putting up a fight
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gene therapy is here, but our bodies are putting up a fight

The good news is that scientists found a reliable mechanism for gene therapy. The bad news is that your immune system is primed to throw a wrench into it.

when the call is coming from inside the house
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when the call is coming from inside the house

Believe it or not, there’s a scientific explanation for some of the world’s most common and terrifying demons, imps, and ghosts. But it’s not very comforting...

why an organic apple a day won’t keep cancer away
# health

why an organic apple a day won’t keep cancer away

A clean, healthy diet and an exercise regimen will add years to your life. But there’s no evidence that it will prevent a cancer diagnosis.

why the jury is still out on medical marijuana
# health

why the jury is still out on medical marijuana

Marijuana appears to have real medicinal value, but to determine what it can really do, we have to go beyond anecdotes from medical pot users and do far more rigorous studies.

how pollution is turning men sterile
# health

how pollution is turning men sterile

Male sperm counts across the world are in freefall and solving their problem will be difficult, especially because those who could help us most, don’t want to...

the oncology revolution that wasn’t
# health

the oncology revolution that wasn’t

IBM was going to use Watson to find new treatments for cancer and help oncologists provide better care for their patients. They ended up doing neither and revealing the machine’s Achilles heel.

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