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Tuesday

Vitamin E Might Help Slow Alzheimer's Early On

Vitamin E has been associated with increased risk of death in some studies, but it may also delay cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. iStockphoto hide caption

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Shots - Health News

Vitamin E Might Help Slow Alzheimer's Early On

Vitamin E has gotten a bad rap because of studies finding it increases risk of death. But people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease might be able to fend off symptoms for a while, a study finds. That could mean more a little more time to live independently, and less burden on caregivers.

Despite Health Law, Many People May Be Left Underinsured

Insurance coverage is only one part of the health puzzle. iStockphoto hide caption

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Shots - Health News

Despite Health Law, Many People May Be Left Underinsured

KFF Health News

Even for people who get insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, there are potential trouble spots. Those include expensive prescription drugs, specialist care and services such as physical therapy that typically require a course of treatment over weeks or months.

FDA Weighs Restrictions, Possible Ban On Menthol Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration is considering restricting or even possibly banning menthol cigarettes. Public health advocates are pushing for this, saying menthol makes cigarettes more addictive and makes it easier for young people to start smoking. But opponents argue there's no evidence that menthol is bad and even some evidence it may be less risky. They also worry about creating a dangerous black market for menthol cigarettes, especially in African American communities, where menthol is most popular.

FDA Weighs Restrictions, Possible Ban On Menthol Cigarettes

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Nothing Focuses The Mind Like The Ultimate Deadline: Death

Could a countdown to death help you lead a more ecstatic life? Daniel Horowitz for NPR hide caption

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Daniel Horowitz for NPR

Shots - Health News

Nothing Focuses The Mind Like The Ultimate Deadline: Death

A Swedish inventor created a watch that counts down the seconds left in your life. He calls it "the happiness watch" because he thinks living with the reality of one's mortality can enhance our lives.

Nothing Focuses The Mind Like The Ultimate Deadline: Death

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Monday

Brain-Dead Girl Can Stay On Life Support, Judge Orders

Family spokesman Omari Sealey makes a statement to the media regarding the condition of his niece Jahi McMath on Monday, in Oakland, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP hide caption

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

The Two-Way

Brain-Dead Girl Can Stay On Life Support, Judge Orders

Jahi McMath, 13, has been on a ventilator since a tonsillectomy operation went wrong earlier this month. The hospital has sought to terminate life support, but the family says there's still hope for the teen.

Mapping Emotions On The Body: Love Makes Us Warm All Over

People drew maps of body locations where they feel basic emotions (top row) and more complex ones (bottom row). Hot colors show regions that people say are stimulated during the emotion. Cool colors indicate deactivated areas. Image courtesy of Lauri Nummenmaa, Enrico Glerean, Riitta Hari, and Jari Hietanen. hide caption

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Image courtesy of Lauri Nummenmaa, Enrico Glerean, Riitta Hari, and Jari Hietanen.

Shots - Health News

Mapping Emotions On The Body: Love Makes Us Warm All Over

How do you know you're in love? Angry? Or sad? Emotions start off in the brain, then ripple through the whole body. Now scientists have charted where we consciously feel specific emotions. They hope these sensation maps will one day help diagnose and treat mood disorders.

Doctors And Teens Both Avoid Talking About Sex And Sexuality

Almost half of high-schoolers have had sexual intercourse, but teens almost never ask their doctors about sexual health. Nicole Young/iStockphoto hide caption

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Nicole Young/iStockphoto

Shots - Health News

Doctors And Teens Both Avoid Talking About Sex And Sexuality

Teenagers would sooner die than ask about birth control or other sexual health issues at a doctor visit. But if pediatricians bring the subject up, teenagers are happy they had the chance to talk, a study finds. But one-third of doctors aren't taking the lead.

Cinnamon Can Help Lower Blood Sugar, But One Variety May Be Best

Studies suggest cinnamon can help control blood sugar, but if you want to incorporate more of this spice in your diet, consider using the Ceylon variety. iStockphoto hide caption

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The Salt

Cinnamon Can Help Lower Blood Sugar, But One Variety May Be Best

For years, there have been hints that adding cinnamon to your diet can help control blood sugar. And a recent spate of studies adds to the evidence that the effect is real. But if you want to incorporate more of this aromatic spice in your diet, the variety may matter.

Cinnamon Can Help Lower Blood Sugar, But One Variety May Be Best

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$1,000 Pill For Hepatitis C Spurs Debate Over Drug Prices

Timothy Webb and other advocates protest the cost of HIV drugs manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Gilead outside an AIDS conference in Atlanta in March. Gilead is making a new hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi. John Amis/AP Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation hide caption

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John Amis/AP Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Shots - Health News

$1,000 Pill For Hepatitis C Spurs Debate Over Drug Prices

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved a class of drugs that can cure most hepatitis C infections. That's great news for the more than 3 million Americans infected. But the high cost — $84,000 per course of treatment — means some patients could miss out.

$1,000 Pill For Hepatitis C Spurs Debate Over Drug Prices

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Sunday

Abortion Rights Groups Say It's Time To Stop Playing Defense

Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis filibustered for 11 hours against sweeping restrictions on abortion back in June, becoming a hero for abortion rights activists. Eric Gay/AP hide caption

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Eric Gay/AP

Politics

Abortion Rights Groups Say It's Time To Stop Playing Defense

Activists across the nation want to counter the onslaught of regulations that limit abortions and regulate clinics with new laws that protect access to abortion.

Abortion Rights Groups Say It's Time To Stop Playing Defense

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Closing The 'Word Gap' Between Rich And Poor

In Virginia this summer, Arlington Public Schools transported students in poor neighborhoods to community libraries for group readings. Studies say children from low-income families may hear roughly 30 million fewer words by age 3 than their more affluent peers. Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption

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Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Education

Closing The 'Word Gap' Between Rich And Poor

Children in low-income families hear dramatically fewer words, which often sets them back in school and later life. The gap was officially documented in the 1990s, but has persisted. Now an entire city is trying to close the divide.

Closing The 'Word Gap' Between Rich And Poor

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Saturday

Helping Families Have The Most Difficult Conversation

The Conversation Project is encouraging families to discuss their end-of-life preferences before it's too late. Founder Ellen Goodman speaks with NPR's Linda Wertheimer about helping people initiate these conversations, and why they are so important.

Helping Families Have The Most Difficult Conversation

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